Arc Raiders Cold Snap Update: Release Date, Expeditions, Snowfall Map & Patch Details

If you’ve been grinding Arc Raiders as long as I have, you already know the game has been on an absolute tear lately. Ever since landing that Best Multiplayer nomination and exploding on Steam charts, Arc Raiders has been in its prime. And now, with the Arc Raiders Cold Snap Update landing this December, things are about to get even crazier.

Cold Snap isn’t just another minor patch. This one brings a new Snowfall map condition, fresh quests, the Flickering Flames event, a brand-new Raider Deck, and most importantly, the controversial new Expeditions system. Whether you love the idea of optional wipes or you’re still on the fence, one thing is certain: Cold Snap is going to shake up Arc Raiders in a big way.

Before we dive deep, here’s one quick tip: if you’re planning to stock up for Cold Snap, many veteran players are already prepping by getting extra coins early. Places like PVPBank offer fast Arc Raiders coins deliveries, which makes prepping for repairs, crafting, and upgrades way easier. Use it if you want a smoother start going into the Expedition window.

Alright, let’s break down absolutely everything you need to know about the Arc Raiders Cold Snap update.

When Does the Arc Raiders Cold Snap Update Release?

The Cold Snap update drops December 16, 2025. Embark hasn’t confirmed the precise launch hour, but historically major updates like North Line rolled out around 1:30 AM PT, so odds are we’ll see something similar.

Timing-wise, this is a pretty big deal because the very next day, the Expedition window opens (December 17–22). If you're planning to send your raider off and reset progression for the rewards, you’ll have at least a day to enjoy the new content before wiping the slate clean.

Veteran advice: don’t rush the wipe. Cold Snap brings some great opportunities to gear up, test builds, and make the most of the new Snowfall condition for loot. Play it smart.

What’s Included in the Arc Raiders Cold Snap Update?

Cold Snap brings five big content pillars:

• Snowfall Map Condition

• Flickering Flames Event

• New Quests

• New Raider Deck

• Expedition Departure Window

Let’s go through each of these one by one, because some of them will drastically affect how you play over the next few weeks.

Snowfall Map Condition: Low Visibility, High Tension, Big Rewards

The biggest highlight of the update is the all-new Snowfall Map Condition, and this one is going to change how you approach raids.

Here’s what we know so far:

• Heavy snow lowers visibility

• Sound becomes muffled, meaning fewer audio cues

• Footprints remain in the snow, allowing other raiders to track you

• Close-quarters combat becomes unavoidable

• Maps containing Snowfall will likely offer higher-value loot

Based on existing environment rotations, community speculation points to Buried City and Blue Gate as the most likely candidates for Snowfall, but we’ll know for sure once the update hits.

If you’ve played extraction shooters long enough, you already know what this means: Snowfall is going to be absolute chaos. Low visibility means ambushes, third-party engagements, and way more unpredictable fights. Footprint tracking might become the meta for aggressive squads.

As far as incentives go, expect better loot rolls. Embark always ties rewards to risk levels, and Snowfall might easily become the best farm window during Cold Snap.

New Quests from Speranza Traders

Just like the North Line update before it, Cold Snap brings new quests from the traders in Speranza. While Embark hasn’t revealed every quest objective yet, early hints suggest several of them will require venturing into Snowfall zones.

These quests typically reward items, materials, or Creds, and this time they’ll probably connect to the Flickering Flames event progression as well.

Veteran suggestion:
Knock out these quests before sending your character on an Expedition. You may not want to tackle them again from scratch until the next cycle.

Flickering Flames Event: Seasonal Progression with Unique Rewards

Cold Snap also introduces a new live event called Flickering Flames. If you played through North Line’s Breaking New Ground, you already know the structure:

• Seasonal challenges

• Resource contributions

• Event-long progression path

• Cosmetic and consumable rewards

Flickering Flames functions like a mini battle pass, except you don’t have to grind endlessly. It’s designed for both hardcore and casual players, and should help fill out the early hours of Cold Snap with meaningful goals.

But the real question is:
Will Flickering Flames rewards be tied to the new Raider Deck?

Most likely, yes. These seasonal systems usually overlap in Arc Raiders, giving you multiple progression tracks for doing the same activities.

New Raider Deck: A Premium Battle Pass for Cold Snap

Cold Snap also includes a brand-new Raider Deck, which operates as Arc Raiders’ version of a seasonal battle pass. This one is expected to be premium, meaning:

• You’ll need to buy access

• You unlock cosmetics and in-game rewards as you level it

• You can use Creds to grab newly unlocked items once the Deck is active

If you’re planning to grind Cold Snap heavily, the Raider Deck is worth it. The previous Decks delivered high-quality cosmetics and solid resource bonuses that paid off quickly.

Expect winter-themed skins, festive gear, and possibly Frost-themed weapon cosmetics.

Expeditions: Arc Raiders’ Answer to the Wipe System

Here’s the biggest and most controversial part of Cold Snap:

Expeditions are Arc Raiders’ version of voluntary wipes.

In games like Escape from Tarkov, wipes are mandatory. But Arc Raiders takes a more player-respectful approach, letting you choose whether to reset progress.

When can you send your character on an Expedition?

December 17–22.

You must be Level 20 or higher to participate.

What happens when you go on an Expedition?

Your character:

• Gets wiped from the server

• Resets nearly all progression

• Returns to the starting point

• Earns you permanent rewards

Permanent Expedition rewards include:

• Patchwork Raider outfit

• Scrappy Janitor Cap

• Expeditions Indicator icon

• Skill points (1 for each million Coins, up to 5)

• +12 Stash space

Temporary bonuses include:

• 10 percent repair buff

• 5 percent XP boost

• 6 percent increased Scrappy material drops

These temporary buffs expire if you skip the next Expedition cycle.

Expeditions are meant to:

• Level the playing field

• Prevent late-wipe burnout

• Help new players catch up

• Keep the economy from stagnating

Veteran take:
It’s optional, but honestly, it’s worth doing. Fresh progression combined with permanent skill points and stash upgrades feels great and avoids the frustration of falling behind long-term players.

Why Cold Snap Is a Turning Point for Arc Raiders

Cold Snap isn’t just another winter-themed patch. It’s a moment that sets the tone for the entire 2026 roadmap.

Here’s why:

• Snowfall adds environmental complexity that extraction shooters thrive on

• Raider Decks continue to reinforce Arc Raiders as a seasonal live-service game

• Flickering Flames gives the community progression goals between wipes

• Expeditions prove Embark is committed to player-friendly systems, not forced resets

After playing extraction shooters for over a decade, I can tell you: updates like this are what keep a community healthy long-term. Arc Raiders already has momentum, and Cold Snap might be the update that cements it as a top-tier title in the genre.

Final Thoughts: Prepare Before the Update Hits

With the Cold Snap update launching on December 16 and Expeditions opening December 17–22, you’ll want to get your raid gear prepped, your stash organized, and your builds finalized.

Stock up on coins, get your equipment in order, clear out junk from your stash, and be ready to explore Snowfall maps for big loot early.

Cold Snap is going to be wild, fun, chaotic, and probably the most memorable update Arc Raiders has had yet. And if you’re planning to push progression or prep for the Expedition reset, now’s the time to get ready.