ARC Raiders 1.7.0 Cold Snap Patch Notes Deep Dive

Frigid winds now sweep across the Rust Belt in ARC Raiders, turning raids into a test of survival against blizzards and frostbite. Update 1.7.0, live since December 16, 2025, introduces the gripping Cold Snap map condition alongside festive events and meaningful tweaks that reshape gameplay. Whether you're pushing for better loadouts or mastering new mechanics, these changes add layers of strategy.

For easy reference during your next run, consider bookmarking this guide. And if you're looking to gear up faster, check out our ARC Raiders Item Shop for options like Coins, Map Keys, Weapons, Materials, Blueprints, and Boosting Services to hit the ground running.

Fresh Additions

This update chills the action with the Cold Snap map condition, where snowfall reduces visibility, creates slippery frozen surfaces over water, and risks frostbite that drains health over time. Staying outdoors too long demands quick heals or shelter—perfect for tense, tactical plays.

The Flickering Flames event runs through January 13, focusing on gathering Candleberries from special bushes. These yield wax for warmth, juice for buffs, and contribute to a reward track unlocking Raider Tokens, cosmetics like the High-Tech Hiker outfit, emotes, firecrackers, fireworks, and more. Merits from XP in cold zones boost progress too.

Look forward to the free Goalie Raider Deck on December 26, offering permanent unlocks via Cred earnings, including a unique hockey-stick Raider Tool skin evoking old-world gladiator vibes.

New quests, items, and an Expedition departure window (closing soon—aim for 5 million contrib for extra skill points) round out the content drop.

Balance Tweaks

Developers refined select weapons and enemies for fairer fights without upending metas.

Weapon Adjustments

The Bettina assault rifle shines brighter, reducing reliance on secondaries while excelling in PvE (top performer at its rarity, excluding Hullcracker). Durability now matches other rifles, making sustained fire viable in PvP.

The Rattler gets a subtle PvP nudge at low levels, closing TTK gaps to Stitcher/Kettle without shifting its cover-based, burst-fire role.

Enemy Enhancements

Shredder ARCs ramp up pressure: less knockback for fluid movement, faster turning/speed, tougher head (prevents exploits), better navigation (fewer stuck spots), quicker combat engagement, and more destructible parts for targeted dismantling.

Map and Loot Overhauls

Security Lockers now spawn dynamically across maps for variety. Loot shines brighter in Epic key card rooms, blueprints spread wider (especially underrepresented spots), and Great Mullein spots multiply. Electromagnetic storms occasionally drop valuables from lightning.

Key map-specific shifts:

• Stella Montis: Higher item/blueprint rates (Aphelion blueprint now drops here, not Matriarch); no Rubber Ducks from breachables with A Little Extra; clearer windows.

• Blue Gate: New Locked Gate condition; better ledge navigation; brighter distant trees; Village loot fixed inside rooms; quest cues in A First Foothold.

• Dam Battlegrounds: Matriarch spawn optimized.

• Spaceport: Locked room protection refined.

Fixes ensure containers/supply drops don't embed in terrain, doors sync for all, Raider Caches appear in Probes, and spawns avoid clustering (especially reconnects).

Progression and Economy Updates

Reset your Skill Tree for 2,000 Coins per point—ideal for experimenting post-Expedition. Wallet displays Cred soft cap at 800 to encourage Raider Deck engagement (not skipping via hoarding); excess buys more from Shani's store. Pre-cap Cred stays safe.

Leaderboards boost top 5 up to Daredevil I with 3x promotion zones. Trials clarify bonus objectives (e.g., map conditions) and rankings (worldwide final).

Raider Tool customization arrives, paving way for cosmetics like Space Wrench.

UI and Quality Enhancements

Toggle Aim Down Sights for comfort; new Cinematic graphics and motion blur slider dazzle high-end rigs. Skill Tree buffs: Effortless Roll saves more stamina; Calming Stroll works in ADS. Slides cost minor stamina; dodge from slide accelerates less.

Codex tracks damage accurately (field-crafted counts), replays videos, fixes sounds. Expeditions show resource progress/rewards live. Quests get icons, pings, unique items (e.g., Unexpected Initiative). Main menu carousels highlight events/quests.

Input hints label hold/toggle, match bindings; grenades prompt cancel. Inventory stabilizes; strongrooms color-code full status.

VOIP adds mic tests, device checks; social fixes Discord status/parties.

Fixes and Stability Boosts

Animations smooth: no sliding crates, momentum exploits, arm twists, or wonky runs. ARC behaviors corrected (missile tracking, Sentinel laser range, Surveyor vaults, Bombardier shields).

Audio polishes footsteps, mines, ARC directionality; kills creepy cantina "mom?" line.

Collisions patched (no falls, clips, stucks); crashes fixed (AMD inclusive). Exploits gone: energy reloads, shotgun cooldowns, cheater rewards. Keys safe in Unload Backpack; instruments vibe nearby players; Rubber Ducks fit trinkets; integrated gear weighs zero.

Achievements live on Epic; tutorials unblock; alt-tab recovers smoothly.

Known Issues: AMD RX 9060 XT driver popup (fixed crash in Blue Gate); excess stash items omit departure value (but reward-calculated).

FAQs on ARC Raiders Cold Snap Map Update

How exactly does the Cold Snap map condition affect raids?

Cold Snap triggers snowfall, icy vision blur, and frozen water slips. Prolonged exposure builds frostbite, ticking health down rapidly—force shelter or heals. Indoors or light sources (e.g., Candleberries) mitigate it, emphasizing positioning over brute force.

What's involved in resetting the Skill Tree, and is it worth it?

Access via menu: 2,000 Coins per point refunded. Total for full reset ~154k Coins (varies by unlocks). Great for swapping builds post-Expedition or buffs like Effortless Roll/Calming Stroll. Cheap entry to optimize for Goalie Deck or Cold Snap.

Where can players find the Aphelion blueprint now, and why the change?

Shifted to random drops in Stella Montis (no Matriarch fight needed). Boosted blueprint rates there make farming easier—check breachables/shelves. Eases access amid Matriarch contests.

Explain the Cred soft cap and its raid impact.

Caps at 800 to promote engaging Raider Decks over pure grinding. Excess buys Shani's stock (fireworks, etc.). Existing stockpiles untouched—wallet shows cap clearly. Keeps progression rewarding without wallet bloat.

How do Shredder changes alter PvE strategies?

Tougher head resists one-shots; faster engages/turns pressure close-range; better pathing flanks smarter; more parts invite weakpoint focus; less knockback sustains charges. Pair Bettina for PvE dominance, but prioritize mobility.

Thanks for Reading

This packed update fortifies ARC Raiders with survival twists, balanced firepower, and polish that elevates every raid. From Cold Snap's bite to dynamic lockers and Tool customs, it's a solid step forward—dive in and adapt. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for ongoing tips and breakdowns.