Cold Snap is about to hit Arc Raiders, and it is more than a weather change. I can confirm Embark Studios will launch the seasonal update on December 16, 2025. It flips the game into a true live service cadence with a winter meta, a new event, a paid Raider Deck, and the first opt in Expedition wipe window. The next seven days will define how squads gear up, cash out, and plan their prestige moves.
Cold Snap goes live December 16. The first Expedition departure window runs December 17 to 22.
What Cold Snap Brings On Day One
Cold Snap adds Snowfall, a global map condition that blankets sectors with heavy snow. Visibility drops, sound is muffled, and long sightlines get cut to pieces. That shifts fights into tighter ranges. Snipers lose comfort. Shotguns and fast rifles move up the food chain. Expect ambushes to rule dunes and alleys that once felt wide open.
Flickering Flames lands with it, a limited time winter event with unique rewards. The theme is survival, light, and warmth, and it pushes squads to move with purpose. If you were waiting for a reason to regroup with old crewmates, this is it.
The update also introduces the Raider Deck. It is a paid seasonal progression track with cosmetics and small quality of life perks. Core content remains free to all players. Embark is planting a flag here. The game will march in seasons, and the Deck is how they fund it without locking power behind a paywall.
Snowfall Changes The Fight
Snowfall is not a coat of paint. It changes how you read the map and how you survive. Muffled audio makes it harder to track distant shots. The storm softens outlines, so silhouettes disappear earlier than your muscle memory expects. Movement and spacing matter more than raw damage numbers.
- Favor close to mid range builds with tight recoil
- Carry a quick swap secondary for panic pushes
- Bring utility that scans or marks through clutter
- Stick to cover and move in short, planned hops
The squads that thrive will control angles, push as a unit, and take ground in bursts. If your team relies on a single anchor with a long rifle, adjust now.
Snowfall hides footsteps and flank routes. Expect fast wraps and late audio cues. Keep heads on a swivel.
The Expedition Decision, Prestige Or Push
Here is the big play. Starting December 17, players at level 20 or higher can opt into the Expedition Project. That is the game’s voluntary reset. You retire your raider during the window, then start fresh with permanent gains. The reward pool includes stash space, extra skill points, a special outfit, and time limited seasonal buffs. It is a classic prestige loop, tuned for an extraction shooter.
The question is when to jump. Some will sprint to 20, bank key items, then retire on day one. Others will hold off, squeeze the last hours of power from current builds, then opt in on the final day. The best call depends on your goals. Chasing long tail mastery, grab the bonuses early and learn the new meta fast. Sitting on rare drops you love, run a few victory laps before you let go.
If you plan to retire, cap your level, clear your contracts, and make one last high value run. You will feel the fresh start less if you leave with a win.
Raider Deck, Monetization Without Breaking Trust
The Raider Deck is the clear statement on funding the cadence. It is seasonal, it is paid, and it focuses on cosmetics and convenience. Guns and core systems stay free. In practice, that means your squad can play Snowfall and the event without paying, then decide if the look and extras are worth it. For a live service shooter, that balance matters. It invites players who hate pay to win, and it gives Embark a steady runway to ship more seasons.
Community Vibe Right Now
Players are already theorycrafting Snowfall loadouts. Shotgun enjoyers are smiling. Sniper mains, less so. Veterans are drawing up Expedition plans and trying to guess the perfect retire day. Newer squads are eyeing the Deck for a style refresh. Cold Snap feels like the first true season line in the sand. The launch era is over. The seasonal rhythm starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Cold Snap release?
A: December 16, 2025.
Q: What is Snowfall, and why does it matter?
A: It is a winter map condition with low visibility and muffled sound. It pushes fights into close quarters and reshapes the meta.
Q: What is the Expedition Project?
A: An opt in reset for level 20 or higher during December 17 to 22. You retire a raider for permanent bonuses and begin again.
Q: Do I need to buy the Raider Deck to play Cold Snap?
A: No. Core content is free. The Deck offers cosmetic and convenience rewards.
Q: What is Flickering Flames?
A: A limited time winter event with unique rewards that arrives with Cold Snap.
Cold Snap is not just a patch. It is a pivot. Embark is locking in a seasonal heartbeat, and players now have a real loop to chase. Snowfall shifts the fights. The Expedition window asks for bold choices. The Raider Deck sets the lane for long term support. Lace up, pack warm, and make your call before the wind picks up.
