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I logged back into ARC Raiders after the December 16 update and it didn't feel like the same map anymore, in a good way and a nasty way. The Rust Belt's gone white, and you can't just jog across open ground like you used to. You'll want to plan your runs, and if you're trying to get your kit sorted before you start pushing harder zones, grabbing ARC Raiders Coins can take some of that early pain out without you living in low-tier loot routes for days.

Cold Snap changes how you think

The snow isn't a backdrop, it's a mechanic. Movement's slower, sightlines are weird, and the new Frostbite pressure forces choices. Do you cut across the open to beat another squad to an extract, or do you hug cover and lose time. You'll learn fast that "just one more container" can be the thing that gets you downed, because your health starts draining while you're still deciding. And the footprints are real trouble. People will follow them. Not every time, but often enough that you start doubling back, stepping on rocks, using hard surfaces, anything to break the trail. Ice is its own problem too. One bad angle on a frozen lake and you're sliding, not sprinting, which is funny right up until it isn't.

Flickering Flames is actually worth logging in

The limited event running through January 13 feels like it was built for squads that can't grind all day. The loop is simple: collect candleberries and specific Topside items, feed the big banquet progress, and you rack up Merits just by playing and earning XP. That's the key bit. You don't have to do some awkward checklist every match. You can run your normal routes, fight when you have to, disengage when you don't, and still make progress. Rewards are the kind of stuff you'll actually use too, not filler that sits in your stash until a wipe that never comes.

Next up, Goalie Deck and a chill progression path

On December 26 the Goalie Raider Deck drops, and it's permanent, which is a relief. No timer breathing down your neck, no "miss a week and you're done." It's hockey-themed, sure, but the bigger win is having another track to work on when the weather's bullying you and your squad's morale is low. The new cosmetics and gear toggles are nice, but what I'm really into is the freedom to look how you want while still keeping your build practical. It sounds small, but it helps a game feel lived-in.

How I'm approaching runs right now

I'm treating every raid like a cold-weather checklist: heat source options, meds, and a route that lets me bail if the visibility tanks. If you're struggling, don't pretend you're not. Lots of players are. Take safer fights, listen for footsteps in the snow, and don't get stubborn on ice. And if your goal is to spend more time competing and less time scraping together basics, picking up cheap ARC Raiders Coins can be a straightforward way to get back to the fun part without turning every session into a chore.