Arc Raiders Cold Snap Update Preview 2025 – Snowfall, Flickering Flames & Raider Deck Reset

• December 2025 drops the first major winter meta: Snowfall reduces visibility to 10–20m in blizzards, turning Stella Montis into a frozen killzone.
• Flickering Flames event adds survival challenges around heat sources; new Raider Deck with 100+ tiers of cosmetics & blueprints.
• Expedition Project Raider reset lets you voluntarily wipe progress for fresh start – perfect timing for the holiday season.

Official Cold Snap Patch Notes Preview (From Embark Dev Diary)

Feature	Details
Snowfall Map Condition	Dynamic blizzards cut visibility 70%, add footprints in snow, slippery surfaces for ice slides
Flickering Flames Event	Survival challenges: Huddle at heat sources to avoid frostbite; community quests unlock fiery cosmetics
New Raider Deck	100+ tiers: Winter skins, blueprints, currency; tied to snowfall quests
Expedition Reset	Optional full progress wipe + bonus merits for returning players
Stella Montis Tweaks	Blizzard frequency down 30%; added tunnel blasts via community scraps

Best Loadouts for Snowfall Meta

Primary: Aphelion Battle Rifle (pierces snow fog at 150m)
Secondary: Matriarch SMG (CQC for blizzard ambushes)
Armor: Purple cold-resistant gear (reduces slip chance by 40%)
Extract Items: Keycards + heat sources (priority for Flickering Flames)
Movement: Practice ice slides – +20% speed on frozen surfaces, but -15% traction
  

Blizzard Visibility Counters & Ice Slide Movement Guide

• Visibility Fixes: Footprints in snow give away rotations – use radar pings or ESP to track without exposing yourself; blizzards nerf scopes but buff shotguns/SMGs.
• Ice Slide Mastery: Hold slide on frozen ground for 20m boosts; chain with vertical drops in Stella Montis for third-party escapes; traction boots counter slip (craft with merits).
• Frostbite Survival: Flickering Flames requires 30s at heat sources – camp extracts with flare signals; event rewards include fiery legendaries.
• Meta Shift: Stealth > aggression; snowfall favors solos over squads – expect 50% more ambushes from hidden rotations.

December 2025 Stats & Predictions

• Snowfall uptime: 40% of raids (up from North Line's 15% night events).
• Raider Deck completion: Top players hit tier 50 in first week for exclusive winter camo.
• Reset Impact: 25% of level 20+ players expected to wipe for bonus merits.

Verdict: Winter Wonderland or Frozen Hell?

Cold Snap turns every drop into a whiteout survival test – footprints betray, slides save lives, and blizzards force close-quarters chaos. Gear up with cold-resistant loadouts and ESP to see through the storm. Don't get left in the cold.