Arc Raiders Embraces the Freeze: Cold Snap Update and Massive 1.7.0 Patch Overhaul the Frontier
The desolate, machine-ravaged landscapes of Arc Raiders are becoming a lot more treacherous—and a lot more festive. Embark Studios has officially deployed the highly anticipated Cold Snap update, coinciding with the release of Patch 1.7.0. This massive update doesn’t just add a seasonal coat of paint to the extraction shooter; it introduces fundamental gameplay shifts, much-requested quality-of-life features, and a surgical rebalancing of the game’s growing arsenal.
From the introduction of the “Cold Snap” map condition to the “Flickering Flames” event, Raiders have their work cut out for them as the year winds down.
A New Climate of Danger: The Cold Snap Map Condition
The headline of this update is the Cold Snap, a dynamic map condition that promises to change the tactical flow of every expedition. While Embark has kept some of the environmental specifics under wraps to allow for player discovery, the community has already begun reporting reduced visibility, slicker terrain, and environmental hazards that force Raiders out of their usual comfort zones.
The frozen wasteland isn’t just a visual shift. Navigating the ruins of Speranza during a Cold Snap requires a new level of preparedness. To help players survive the frost, Embark has launched the Flickering Flames event, providing thematic challenges and rewards that encourage players to brave the chill.
Furthermore, the update introduces the Expedition Departure Window, a mechanic designed to streamline how players exit the map, and the announcement of the ‘Goalie’ Raider Deck. This free deck is set to arrive on December 26, serving as a post-holiday gift for those looking to expand their tactical options.
Skill Trees, Customization, and Quality of Life
While the seasonal content provides the “fluff,” Patch 1.7.0 provides the “crunch.” Embark Studios has clearly been listening to community feedback, as this patch addresses several long-standing requests.
1. Skill Tree Reset Functionality
One of the most significant additions is the Skill Tree Reset. Previously, players were often locked into builds that might not suit the evolving meta or their changing playstyles. Now, Raiders can experiment with different configurations without the fear of permanent “mis-clicks” or outdated builds.
2. Tactical Customization
The update introduces Raider Tool customization, allowing for a more personalized touch to the gadgets that keep you alive. Alongside this, a new Toggle Aim Down Sights (ADS) option has been added, a small but vital accessibility and preference feature that brings the game’s controls in line with industry standards.
3. Economic and Navigation Clarity
The Wallet now explicitly shows your Cred soft cap, removing the guesswork from resource management. Additionally, the Stella Montis map has seen an “improved spawn distance” adjustment. This is a direct response to the frustrating “spawn-killing” or immediate proximity encounters that plagued early-access players, ensuring that teams have a moment to breathe before the bullets start flying.
Weapon Rebalancing: The Bettina and The Rattler
Embark took a data-driven approach to weapon tuning in 1.7.0, focusing on two specific firearms that were underperforming or failing to meet their intended roles.
The Bettina: From Fragile to Formidable
The Bettina has long been a favorite for PVE encounters due to its efficiency against ARC machines, but it struggled significantly in PVP and suffered from a punishing degradation rate.
“These changes aim to make the Bettina a bit less reliant on bringing a secondary weapon,” Embark noted in their developer commentary.
The Statistics:
- Durability: The Durability Burn Rate has been slashed from ~0.43% to ~0.17% per shot. In practical terms, players can now fire 26 full magazines before the weapon breaks, compared to the previous 12.
- Magazine: Increased from 20 to 22 rounds.
- Reload Time: Reduced from 5 seconds to 4.5 seconds.
These buffs ensure the Bettina remains a PVE powerhouse while giving Raiders a fighting chance when an enemy squad initiates a firefight.
The Rattler: Closing the Gap
The Rattler was never meant to be a room-clearer like the Stitcher or Kettle, but it was falling too far behind in Time-to-Kill (TTK). To remedy this, Embark increased its Base Magazine Size from 10 to 12. The goal is to maintain its identity as a “deliberate” weapon used for peeking and burst firing, while providing just enough extra lead to finish a kill without a desperate reload.
The Machines Evolve: The Shredder Overhaul
If you thought the ARC machines were predictable, think again. The Shredder has received a comprehensive AI and physical rework. Embark found that the Shredder was often easily exploited or bogged down by the environment.
- Improved Navigation: The Shredder is now better at navigating narrow spaces and avoiding “stuck” animations on short obstacles.
- Combat Readiness: It now enters combat much faster when taking damage or when Raiders get too close. No more “free shots” on a dormant machine.
- Structural Changes: To prevent “cheesing” the AI, the Shredder’s head health has been increased so it cannot be shot off to trigger unintended behaviors. However, to compensate, Embark has added more destructible parts to the machine, making the tactical “dismantling” of an ARC unit more rewarding and visually satisfying.
Loot Migration: The Aphelion Blueprint
In a move that will change the farming routes for many veteran Raiders, the Aphelion blueprint drop has been moved. Previously found on the Matriarch, it has now been relocated to Stella Montis. This shift is likely intended to balance the loot distribution across maps and give players more reasons to deploy into the Stella Montis region, especially with the improved spawn logic in place.
A Long Road Ahead
Patch 1.7.0 is a massive undertaking that signals Embark Studios’ commitment to the “extraction” side of the shooter genre. By balancing the “Rule of Cool” (festive items and snow storms) with “Rule of Play” (UI fixes and weapon durability), Arc Raiders is positioning itself for a strong start to 2026.
The “Cold Snap” isn’t just about the weather; it’s about a game finding its rhythm. Whether you’re hunting for the Aphelion blueprint or just trying to survive the Flickering Flames, the frontier has never felt more alive—or more cold.
Strap yourself in, Raiders. It’s a long winter.
