U4GM How to Master ARC Raiders Cold Snap Guide

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I went back into ARC Raiders right after Patch 1.7.0 and figured Cold Snap would be a cosmetic flex, but it's not. It changes your decisions minute to minute, and it's brutal in a good way. If you're gearing up and trying to plan your route, it helps to know what you're chasing, whether that's parts, meds, or ARC Raiders Items that actually keep a run alive when the weather turns on you.
Cold Is A Real EnemyThe first thing you notice on Cold Snap maps is the pressure. You can't sit still and play it slow for long, because the cold keeps chewing at you. It's not dramatic at first, then you realise you're making dumb choices just to find cover. You start scanning for warm pockets, cutting through buildings you'd usually ignore, and yes, you end up hunting those glowing Candleberries like they're the last snack on Earth. I've seen squads split up for ten seconds and come back arguing over who "needs" them more.
Sound, Tracks, And Bad DecisionsThe snow messes with your senses. Deep drifts dull the usual audio cues, so your brain starts filling in gaps and you jump at nothing. Then the game hits you with tracks. Fresh prints are a giveaway, and it's oddly personal to follow them, like you're reading someone else's panic. A clean trail into a doorway usually means they're close, probably looting, probably not looking outside. On Dam Battlegrounds, the reduced visibility turns every open lane into a question: push and risk it, or hold and freeze.
Risk Pays, If You Make It OutPeople aren't suffering through this just for vibes. The 2x Trials score multiplier pulls everyone into the cold zones, and you feel it in the tempo of fights. More third-parties, more rushed rotates, more "we're leaving now" calls. Objectives get funnier too—dragging thermal rocks while sliding on ice is the kind of thing you laugh about after, not during. And when you do extract with a heavy bag, it hits different. The new cosmetics help, sure; Alpino looks clean, and I keep spotting Red Ryder in lobbies.
Build Freedom And Better RunsThe skill tree reset is the quiet hero here. You can finally mess with builds, fix a bad path, and stop feeling married to choices you made at level ten. It also makes squads less predictable, which is healthy for the game. Cold Snap rewards preparation, but it also rewards improvising when your plan gets wrecked by weather and contact at the same time. If you're going to grind these maps, have a goal, stay moving, and keep an eye on what you still need—especially when you're chasing ARC Raiders BluePrint for upgrades you'll actually use.