Embark Studios is closing out 2025 with a frosty bang. The Arc Raiders Cold Snap update arrives mid-December, transforming the extraction shooter with weather warfare, voluntary character resets, and a holiday-themed event that’ll test even veteran Raiders. Here’s your complete breakdown of what’s dropping in the year’s final major content patch.
Table of Contents
Arc Raiders : Cold Snap Update at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Expected Release | December 11, 2025 (Thursday) |
| New Map Condition | Snowfall (reduced visibility, footprint tracking, blizzards) |
| Limited Event | Flickering Flames |
| Reset System | Expedition Departure Window (Dec 15-21) |
| Battle Pass | New Raider Deck with 100+ tier rewards |
| Additional Content | Fresh quests from Speranza traders |
| Free to Play | All gameplay content free; cosmetics may cost |
Snowfall Map Condition: Weather Becomes Your Enemy
The headline feature transforms how you navigate Rust Belt Ridge. The Snowfall condition introduces dynamic blizzards that slash visibility to near-zero, making long-range engagements nearly impossible while breathing new life into stealth builds and close-quarters combat.
The game-changing mechanic? Visible footprints in fresh snow. Every step you take leaves evidence for rival Raiders to track directly to your position—or extraction point. This single addition fundamentally alters PvP dynamics, rewarding observation skills and punishing careless movement. According to the official Arc Raiders roadmap, Snowfall will affect multiple maps rather than being locked to a single location.
Expect environmental hazards beyond visibility loss. Blizzard conditions will force loadout adjustments as your trusty sniper rifle becomes deadweight when you can’t see past ten feet. Shotguns and SMGs suddenly become S-tier picks.
Flickering Flames Event: Holiday Challenges Await
Details remain scarce on this limited-time event, but the evocative name suggests warmth-based survival mechanics in the harsh winter landscape. Following the pattern of the Breaking New Ground event that unlocked Stella Montis, Flickering Flames likely offers a progression track with exclusive rewards earned through XP and quest completion.
The event timing coincides perfectly with the new Raider Deck launch, giving players dual progression systems to grind through December’s holiday season.
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Expedition Departure Window: The Smart Wipe System
This is Embark’s genius solution to the “wipe debate” plaguing every live-service shooter. The Expedition Departure Window (December 15-21) offers a voluntary prestige reset that wipes your current Raider while preserving permanent unlocks.
What You Lose:
- Character level and skill points
- All inventory items and weapons
- In-game wealth and resources
What You Keep:
- All cosmetics (purchased or earned)
- Permanent account unlocks
- Raider Deck progression
What You Gain:
- Increased XP rates for faster leveling
- Bonus stash space for better loot management
- Extra starting skill points
- Fresh economy participation
This two-month cycle system lets hardcore players chase the “fresh wipe feeling” while casual players never lose progress. It’s optional, smart, and respects player time investment.
New Raider Deck: Battle Pass Season 2
The Cold Snap update launches with a brand-new 100+ tier Raider Deck filled with cosmetics, free loot, and Raider Tokens for the in-game store. Players who’ve been hoarding tokens from completing Stella Montis quests can cash in immediately for a boosted start.
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Release Date Speculation: Mark Your Calendar
While Embark hasn’t confirmed the exact date, established patterns point to Thursday, December 11, 2025. Arc Raiders pushes major updates on Thursdays (November 13, 20, and 27 all saw updates), and December 11 aligns perfectly one month after the Stella Montis update while avoiding the Christmas holiday period when studios typically go dark.
Alternative dates include December 4 or 18, but December 11 offers the cleanest timing window before year-end festivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Cold Snap content free, or will it cost money?
All gameplay content in the Cold Snap update is completely free for every Arc Raiders player. This includes the Snowfall map condition, Flickering Flames event, new quests, and the Expedition Departure Window system. The new Raider Deck (battle pass) follows a hybrid model—there will be free tier rewards available to all players, but premium cosmetic items may require purchase through the in-game store using Raider Tokens. Embark Studios has confirmed that maps, events, weapons, and ARC enemies will never be paywalled, ensuring the core extraction shooter experience remains accessible to everyone regardless of spending.
Q: Should I participate in the first Expedition Departure Window, or keep my current character?
This depends entirely on your playstyle and current progression. If you’re a hardcore player who’s already completed all Stella Montis content, maxed your Merit, and craves the excitement of a fresh economy and level grind, departing makes sense—the permanent XP boost, extra stash space, and bonus skill points provide significant advantages for your next character. However, if you’re a casual player still working through content, have limited playtime, or aren’t comfortable starting over, there’s zero pressure to depart. The Departure Window returns every two months (roughly eight-week cycles), so you can wait until you’ve fully experienced your current Raider’s potential. Remember: all cosmetics and permanent unlocks carry over regardless, so you’re never truly “losing” your account progress. The system respects both player types equally.
