Frostbite in Arc Raiders is a dangerous new mechanic that can quickly end your raid if you’re not prepared. The Cold Snap update has turned the weather itself into an enemy, with freezing temperatures that slowly drain your health when you stay outdoors too long. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how frostbite works, how to treat it, and the best strategies to survive the winter maps while still collecting valuable loot and completing event objectives.
Key Takeaways
- Frostbite triggers after 90-135 seconds of exposure in Cold Snap maps
- Any roof cover resets the frostbite timer, even partial structures
- Rolling through fire resets frostbite but causes burn damage
- Healing augments and extra medical supplies are essential for survival
- Team coordination and shelter planning are crucial for successful raids
What Is Frostbite in Arc Raiders?
Frostbite in Arc Raiders is a status effect introduced in the Cold Snap update that affects players on winter-themed maps. When you spend too much time outdoors in the snow, your character starts accumulating snow on their body, and after a certain time, you begin taking constant damage.
The frostbite mechanic works as a timer that starts the moment you step out from any covered area. You’ll see snow building up on your character, and when the timer reaches its limit, you start losing health every second until you find shelter or die. This makes the Cold Snap event maps significantly more challenging than regular raids, as you must balance exploration, combat, and survival against the elements.
How Does the Frostbite Mechanic Work?
Understanding the frostbite mechanic is crucial for survival in Arc Raiders Cold Snap maps. Here’s exactly how it functions:
Frostbite Timer and Damage
The frostbite timer begins counting down as soon as you leave any covered area. After approximately 90-135 seconds of continuous exposure, you start taking cold damage. This damage continues at a steady rate of about 1 HP per tick until you either find shelter or your health reaches zero.
What makes frostbite particularly dangerous is that it doesn’t stop until you actively reset it. Unlike other damage sources that might pause or heal over time, frostbite damage is relentless and will eventually kill you if you don’t address it.
Visual Indicators
You can easily track frostbite buildup through visual cues on your character. Snow gradually accumulates on your raider’s body, starting light and becoming heavier as exposure continues. The more snow you see, the closer you are to taking damage. Additionally, your field of view tightens as frostbite progresses, making it harder to spot enemies and navigate the environment effectively.
How to Treat Frostbite in Arc Raiders
Treating frostbite requires a combination of quick thinking, proper preparation, and understanding the game mechanics. Here are the most effective methods to deal with frostbite damage:
1. Find Shelter Immediately
The most straightforward way to treat frostbite is to get under any roof cover. The moment you step under a roof, the frostbite timer resets, and snow begins melting from your character. Importantly, walls don’t matter—only overhead protection counts. This means even partially open structures like parking garages, field depots, or small overhangs can save you from frostbite damage.
2. Use Fire Strategically
While standing near fire won’t help with frostbite, rolling through flames can reset the timer. If you’re caught far from shelter and already taking cold damage, throw down a fireball burner and roll through the flames. You’ll take burn damage, but this trade-off gives you a fresh window to reach proper shelter. Teammates with flamethrowers can also help keep you warm without dealing damage to you.
3. Healing Augments and Supplies
Since frostbite deals constant damage, having the right healing setup is crucial. Equip passive healing augments like Tactical MK.3, Combat MK.2, or Combat MK.3 to offset some of the damage. Additionally, carry more healing supplies than usual, including bandages, herbal bandages, sterilized bandages, Vita Shots, and Vita Spray.
Best Loadout for Cold Snap Maps
Surviving the frostbite mechanic requires adjusting your typical loadout. Here’s what works best for Cold Snap event maps:
Essential Equipment
| Item Type | Recommended Items | Purpose |
| Healing | Bandages, Herbal Bandages, Vita Shots | Counter constant frostbite damage |
| Augments | Tactical MK.3, Combat MK.2/MK.3 | Passive health regeneration |
| Tools | Fireball Burner | Emergency frostbite reset |
| Weapons | Medium to long-range | Fight from shelter when possible |
Weapons and Tools
Choose weapons that allow you to engage enemies from relative safety. Medium to long-range weapons work better than shotguns or SMGs, as they let you fight from the protection of doorways and windows. Always carry a fireball burner for emergency frostbite resets when you’re far from shelter.
Advanced Frostbite Survival Strategies
Once you master the basics, these advanced strategies will help you thrive in Cold Snap maps:
Route Planning
Before starting your raid, plan your route between shelters. Identify buildings, overhangs, and other covered areas along your intended path. This planning ensures you’re never more than a minute away from safety, even when moving between objectives.
Team Coordination
Playing with a team makes surviving frostbite much easier. Coordinate with your squad to create a network of safe positions and share healing resources. One player can carry extra healing items while another focuses on fire-based tools for emergency resets.
Loot Management
The Cold Snap event offers valuable rewards like Candleberries and rare loot items. However, don’t let greed cloud your judgment. Set strict time limits for outdoor looting and always have an escape route back to shelter planned.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players struggle with frostbite because they make these common errors:
Mistake 1: Ignoring Visual Cues
Don’t wait until you’re taking damage to seek shelter. As soon as you see significant snow accumulation on your character, start moving toward cover. The visual indicators are your early warning system.
Mistake 2: Relying Too Much on Healing
While healing items are important, they’re not a long-term solution for frostbite. Using bandages to counteract cold damage is like trying to fill a bucket with holes—it’s better to address the root cause by finding shelter.
Mistake 3: Poor Shelter Selection
Not all structures protect against frostbite. Some areas that look like shelter might not block snowfall. Test potential shelters by watching for the snow melting animation on your character.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for frostbite to start in Arc Raiders?
Frostbite typically begins after 90-135 seconds of continuous exposure to the cold in Cold Snap maps. The exact timer can vary slightly depending on your starting position and recent shelter use. You’ll know frostbite is about to start when you see heavy snow accumulation on your character and your field of view begins to narrow.
Can frostbite kill you in Arc Raiders?
Yes, frostbite can absolutely kill you in Arc Raiders. Once the frostbite effect activates, you take constant damage that doesn’t stop until you find shelter or reset the effect. From full health, frostbite can kill you in about 75 seconds if left untreated, making it one of the most dangerous environmental hazards in the game.
Do healing items cure frostbite in Arc Raiders?
No, healing items do not cure frostbite—they only temporarily offset the damage. Using bandages or medical supplies will keep your health up while you’re taking cold damage, but the frostbite effect continues until you get under shelter or use fire to reset it. Think of healing as a temporary solution while you find a more permanent fix.
What’s the difference between Cold Snap maps and regular maps in Arc Raiders?
Cold Snap maps are special winter variants of existing maps that feature snow cover, reduced visibility, and the frostbite mechanic. These maps also offer unique rewards like Candleberries and more valuable loot items. The key difference is the environmental hazard of frostbite, which forces players to balance their time between outdoor activities and seeking shelter.
Can you completely prevent frostbite in Arc Raiders?
You can’t completely prevent frostbite from occurring, but you can manage it effectively. The frostbite timer starts whenever you’re exposed to the elements, so the goal isn’t prevention but rather management through strategic shelter use, fire resets, and healing. Smart players learn to work with the mechanic rather than trying to avoid it entirely.
Do all structures protect against frostbite in Arc Raiders?
No, not all structures protect against frostbite. Only areas that block snowfall from above will reset the frostbite timer. This means you need overhead cover—walls alone don’t count. Some structures that look like they should provide shelter might not work, so it’s important to test them by watching for the snow melting animation on your character.
Is the Cold Snap event permanent in Arc Raiders?
The Cold Snap event is a limited-time seasonal event that runs during winter months, typically from December into the new year. While the frostbite mechanic and winter maps are only available during this event, the developers may bring back similar mechanics in future seasonal updates. The exact duration of each Cold Snap event is usually announced in the official patch notes.
Conclusion
Mastering frostbite in Arc Raiders is essential for success during the Cold Snap event. By understanding how the mechanic works, preparing the right loadout, and using smart survival strategies, you can turn this challenging environmental hazard into an opportunity for valuable rewards. Remember to prioritize shelter, carry extra healing supplies, and plan your routes carefully.
The Cold Snap event offers some of the best loot and unique items in the game, making it worth the effort to learn these survival techniques. With practice, you’ll find yourself moving confidently between shelters, collecting Candleberries, and completing event objectives without falling victim to the deadly cold.
Ready to brave the winter maps? Grab your healing supplies, mark those shelters on your map, and show the frost who’s boss in Arc Raiders!
