In Arc Raiders, the battleground is filled with fierce robots and treacherous Raiders. But now, a new threat lurks in the arctic expanse: frostbite! With the Cold Snap update, the weather itself has turned against you. The moment you step into the freezing air, frostbite begins to sap your health, making every strategic movement and combat encounter even more challenging. In this guide, we’ll break down how frostbite works in Arc Raiders and what you can do to stay alive.
What Is Frostbite in Arc Raiders?
Curious about how frostbite kicks in during your gameplay? To experience the chilling effects, you need to dive into a winter-themed Cold Snap map. Choose the Cold Snap condition, and prepare yourself for a thrilling—yet dangerous—adventure. Remember, only one Cold Snap map is available at a time, so if you’re anchored on the Spaceport map, you’ll have to wait until it opens up for the icy challenge.

Once on a Cold Snap map, you’ll find three things: Candleberries to gather, more valuable loot scattered around, and the icy grip of cold that will relentlessly pursue you. Raiding during this weather condition is essential for completing the Flickering Flames event, but let’s understand how frostbite functions.
Frostbite is a status effect that activates when you linger outside on snow-covered Cold Snap maps. Stay out too long, and the brutal winds will start sapping your health.

As the frostbite effect sets in, you’ll notice your health gradually diminishing, along with a narrowed field of view. This makes it tougher to maneuver and engage in fights. Plus, slippery frozen lakes can complicate your movement further. The only way to pause frostbite is to seek cover indoors, even just for a moment. Let’s explore how to fend off frostbite effectively.
How to Deal with Frostbite in Arc Raiders
To survive frostbite, modifying your gaming approach is essential before diving into Cold Snap maps. Follow these strategies to conquer this weather challenge:
1. Get Shelter Fast
The moment you step outside, the frostbite clock starts ticking. Within about 90 seconds of exposure, you’ll begin taking damage. The cold creeps in gradually, so balancing outdoor exploration with finding cover is key to survival.
2. Roof Cover Matters, Walls Do Not
Frostbite cares about snowfall hitting you directly. Any overhead cover resets the frostbite timer, even if the sides are wide open. Structures like outdoor parking roofs and field depots will keep you safe from the cold.
3. Stay Inside Fire, Not Near It
Being next to a fire won’t warm you from frostbite. If you drop a fireball burner on the ground and hover near it, you won’t reset the frostbite timer. If you’re caught far from cover, rolling through a fireball will pause the frostbite effect. Just know it comes with a burn damage trade-off!
4. Flamethrowers Can Help Teammates
If a teammate uses a flamethrower, it can act as a mobile heat source, helping mitigate frostbite without harming you. This approaching method can be risky during combat but can provide lifesaving warmth while navigating between buildings.
5. Use Healing Augments
In addition to the strategies mentioned, consider equipping passive healing augments like Tactical MK.3, Combat MK.2, or Combat MK.3 to recover some of the frostbite damage. Stocking up on healing supplies is also wise since it deals continuous chip damage over time.
That wraps up our guide on handling frostbite in Arc Raiders. What steps do you find most useful for combating it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Does frostbite appear on every Arc Raiders map?
No, frostbite only shows up on maps with the Cold Snap condition active, and only one map will have this condition at a time.
Can frostbite in Arc Raiders be fully cured once it starts?
There’s no permanent cure, but entering a roofed area immediately pauses the frostbite effect and resets the timer.