Arc Raiders Cold Snap update release date — Snowfall map condition, new Quests, and more

A raider wearing a white and red tracksuit stands in a blue hangar area
(Image credit: Embark Studios)

Arc Raiders Cold Snap is a brand new update that'll add snowy map conditions to certain areas. It's the big drop planned for December, and it'll bring new quests, a whole new Raider Deck, and an event later this week.

I've now spent over 100 hours playing Arc Raiders, and can't wait to try out the new snow map condition once this new content arrives. It's the last major patch planned for 2025, as outlined in the latest Arc Raiders Roadmap. Luckily, it's looking like a pretty big drop, with plenty to tide players over until the new year. There may even be a guitar item added in Arc Raiders too.

Arc Raiders Cold Snap update release date

"A Cold Snap Is Coming" written against a backdrop of a Raider lying face down in the snow.

(Image credit: Embark Studios)

Arc Raiders Cold Snap launches December 16, 2025 at the times below:

  • East Coast (United States): 4:30AM ET
  • West Coast (United States): 1:30AM PT
  • United Kingdom: 9:30AM GMT
  • Central Europe: 10:30AM CET

Quests

A Raider wears a DIY outfit, with a solar panel taped to his shoulder.

(Image credit: Embark Studios)

More quests will be added to Arc Raiders as part of the Cold Snap update. This means more missions that can be accepted from the Vendors back at Speranza. Expect new rewards, likely themed around the Cold Snap snowfall map conditions.

Snowfall Map Condition

A Cold Snap is coming... | ARC Raiders - YouTube A Cold Snap is coming... | ARC Raiders - YouTube
Watch On

The Snowfall Map Condition is perhaps the most exciting thing coming to Arc Raiders in December. It'll spawn limited time events on the departure map, covering certain locations in snow.

The cold will slowly chip away at Raiders' health while outside, and they'll need to head inside to warm up. This means engaging in battle while out in the open is set to be even more dangerous.

New Raider Deck

A Raider wears a goalie mask and mitts

(Image credit: Embark Studios)

The Raider Deck is essentially a Battle Pass in Arc Raiders. You can complete Feats to earn credits that then unlock rewards in the Deck. So far, the main Deck has been filled with awesome cosmetics, and gear boxes including items like the Snap Hook.

The Cold Snap will add a new Raider Deck, which is great news for me, as I've now completed the first one. with The Goalie being the main skin. You can see this in the image above.

Flickering Flames event

Flickering Flames Winter Event | ARC Raiders - YouTube Flickering Flames Winter Event | ARC Raiders - YouTube
Watch On

Then there's the Flickering Flames event. This is a community event, much like the one that dropped alongside the North Line update earlier this year. There's 25 tiers to work through, with rewards including new gear, customizations elements and Raider Tokens by earning Merits, which are automatically gained from XP in rounds. To activate the event, Raiders must have played five rounds of the game.

Finally, there's the Candleberry Banquet Project, that tasks players with gathering Candleberries, which are a new resource that'll pop up during the Snowfall map condition. Doing so will reward Merits, which then unlock cosmetics, resources, and more.

XBOX Wireless Controller
The best PC controllers

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

TOPICS
Jake Green
Evergreen Editor, TechRadar Gaming

Jake is currently working as Evergreen Editor at TechRadar Gaming. Hailing from the overcast shores of Brighton in the United Kingdom, Jake can be found covering everything from features to guides content around the latest game releases. As seen on NME.com, Eurogamer.net, and VG247.com, Jake specializes in breaking games down into approachable pieces for guides, and providing SEO advice to websites looking to expand their audiences.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.