ARC Raiders Blueprint Drop Rate Controversy After Patch 1.7.2 | Casual VS. Hardcore Players

Posted: Dec 19, 2025 Views: 25

Posted: Dec 19, 2025

Source: IGGM

How have things been going for you in ARC Raiders since Cold Snap update? Have you found things more difficult due to the new Snowfall map conditions? After all, it hinders both combat and survival on the map.

On the other hand, the update initially increased the drop rate of blueprints, an important in-game item. This meant that even facing blizzards and the risk of frostbite, you could find more blueprints in a single expedition.

However, just two days later, ARC Raiders lowered the blueprint drop rate again with Patch 1.7.2. This back-and-forth behavior makes one wonder what the developers are trying to achieve. Let's analyze the situation.

ARC Raiders Blueprint Drop Rate Controversy After Patch 1.7.2 | Casual VS. Hardcore Players

Blueprint Drop Rate Changes

Originally, after Cold Snap launched on December 16th, the blueprint drop rate in the game increased significantly. Many players reported finding blueprints more easily than before, resulting in a more relaxed and comfortable gaming experience.

However, this dissatisfied some old-school players who enjoy a challenge, as they believed that ARC Raiders Blueprints, as a type of rare item, should maintain a low drop rate to maintain game balance.

Regardless of which viewpoint you support, Patch 1.7.2 was released as a hotfix on December 18th. After this, you would find that Blueprint drop rate in ARC Raiders had decreased, but it was still higher than before Cold Snap update.

Ongoing Blueprint Drop Rate Controversy

The reason the development team is "flip-flopping" on BluePrint drop rate issue is ultimately because the player base is divided into two camps: hardcore and casual players.

For hardcore players always prefer more difficult combat and challenges, striving to prove themselves by achieving accomplishments and obtaining loot that is difficult for others to acquire.

Therefore, regardless of the developers' intentions in lowering the game's difficulty or making rare items like blueprints "no longer rare," hardcore players will consider it a destruction of the game experience and meaning.

If you are a casual player, you either don't have enough time to play (busy with work and studies) or simply prefer a relaxed atmosphere and don't want to stress yourself out too much.

Based on this, obtaining enough low drop rate blueprints to craft the necessary items becomes a hard task, and without this crafting channel, it's hard to acquire enough gear to compete with other players.

These two completely different attitudes and demands towards the game have led to almost constant controversy regarding the drop rate of blueprints and other rare items since ARC Raiders launched.

Views On This New Change

Hardcore players believe this is a timely fix, preventing ARC Raiders from becoming completely unbalanced and turning into a "dumb" shooter due to blueprints being too easy to obtain.

The enthusiastic casual players, however, have to return to their previous state, struggling to farm blueprints in their limited game time. Although the drop rate is higher than at the beginning, they are still not satisfied.

Interestingly, some casual players pointed out that since the blueprint-related content could be changed again within two days, why does it take so long to fix some obvious bugs, and why are some still unresolved? It's strange and a complete mess.

To be honest, while other aspects may not be done well, at least ARC Raiders has made an effort regarding Blueprint issue. It's almost impossible to come up with a solution that satisfies two completely different groups of players.

What Should The Developers Do?

As long as there is internal controversy among players, ARC Raiders cannot set a blueprint drop rate that satisfies everyone. The key is how to ensure that different players can have a good gaming experience.

Taking gear as an example, for a long time in ARC Raiders, high-rarity gear has not possessed the strength it should, and the difficulty of combat doesn't change whether you're a hardcore or casual player.

Therefore, when facing the same challenge, hardcore players can spend a lot of time farming specific blueprints to craft weapons to overcome it, but the same blueprints may still be very difficult for casual players to obtain.

In other words, the blueprint drop rate is just the flashpoint of the player controversy; the underlying logic is that ARC Raiders' mode differentiation is still unclear - everyone is crammed onto a "battlefield" with only one set of standards.

Perhaps this is also related to the controversy that arose shortly after ARC Raiders launched regarding whether to set up a separate PvE gameplay mode. Compared to PvP or PvPvE modes, PvE is indeed easier and more suitable for casual players.

Therefore, even without introducing a separate PvE mode, developers should find ways to introduce other casual gameplay options or increase the differences between gear of different rarities, giving hardcore players a way to invest more effort.

Other Patch 1.7.2 Content

Whether BluePrint drop rate will be modified again or other changes will occur, the final decision rests with the developers. Therefore, you should focus on the immediate gameplay experience, such as the other content added in Patch 1.7.2:

Re-enabled the limited-time event Hidden Bunker.
Fixed an issue where repeatedly clicking the interaction button with a poor network connection would prevent interaction actions from being performed.
Fixed an issue where cold damage was still applied in some indoor areas during Cold Snap.
Updated AMD GPUs driver warning.
Fixed an issue in Unexpected Initiative quest where the quest item would not spawn, preventing the quest from being completed.

Of particular note is Hidden Bunker event. This event is only available on Spaceport map, and the specific refresh time is not fixed. It usually opens in the early morning or afternoon in North American time zone, but the duration can vary.

If you see Spaceport status as yellow during gameplay, it means the event is active; if it's gray, it means the event is about to start. The timer below the event button will show the remaining time until it starts.

The value of this event is that you can obtain a large amount of high-level loot and XP, but the number and danger of enemies will also increase, so it's best to team up with good gear.

That's all the information for this update. Will ARC Raiders continue to modify Blueprint drop rates? Nobody knows, all you can do is focus on the present!

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ARC Raiders Locked Gate Event Guide: How To Get Bobcat SMG BluePrint Fast?

In the recent Patch 1.7.0 Cold Snap update, in addition to the highly anticipated Snowfall map condition, ARC Raiders also added Locked Gate event, bringing a new limited-time objective for raiders. While this event has appeared before, it is now officially a permanent part of the game.

Locked Gate Event

Locked Gate is a rare event that appears periodically as a map modifier in The Blue Gate. This event only occurs twice a day and lasts only 40 minutes each time. This requires all players to cooperate to find four security codes scattered throughout the map and bring them to The Gate Control Room in the center of The Blue Gate map to unlock hidden secrets and obtain all the rare loot.

Many hardcore players are likely familiar with Locked Gate event, but it's worth noting that the exclusive drop item for this event is Bobcat SMG BluePrint!

While many players have suggested that the blueprint could be found in Security Wing area of the underground Traffic Tunnel, during Locked Gate event, Bobcat blueprint could be found in any container on the Blue Gate map. So if you want to get this blueprint, and not just one or two, but many, this event is a great opportunity for you!

So, here we will introduce all the information about this Locked Gate Event, how to find the locations of all the security codes, and how to obtain Bobcat weapon blueprint. Follow our instructions, and you can quickly get this blueprint.

How To Find All 4 Security Codes?

The first thing you need to do is find Locked Gate Event on The Blue Gate map. Once you enter this event, you and other raiders need to complete a specific objective: find four keys and open the locked gate.

Ancient Fort

You will find the first key in Ancient Fort. You just need to search all the items in this area, and one of the containers will contain this key.

Pilgrim's Peak

The next key is located in Pilgrim's Peak. Search everything you can in this area. Even the cars outside might contain a security code. And you can actually find multiple keys in a single map exploration.

Reinforced Reception

Next is Reinforced Reception, where you need to find the next key. There isn't much to loot here. We found that the keys here are usually hidden in lootable containers inside the rooms.

Raider's Refuge

Finally, there's Raider's Refuge. Again, simply loot everything nearby until you find the key. Any lootable container could potentially contain the security code. It's worth noting that you not only have a chance to find the key, but you might also randomly find a Bobcat SMG blueprint.

Please note that you can put these keys in your Safe Pockets, so even if you die unexpectedly, any items placed in your Safe Pockets will be automatically extracted and kept. This is a great way to protect your most valuable loot. You can even save and extract with them, then bring them back in your next game to open the locked doors early.

Keep this in mind, as collecting all four keys at once and opening and looting the contents within a sufficient amount of time is quite difficult.

Unlocking The Console

After collecting all four keys, it's time to head to Warehouse Complex above Checkpoint in the center of the map. Once inside, you'll find four consoles on the wall, which require you to insert all four keys to open the locked door below.

However, be careful of other players during this process, as someone might be ambushing or lurking nearby, and getting ambushed and losing everything at this point would be quite unfortunate, so stay vigilant.

After inserting all the keys and activating all four consoles, the door will open, granting access to the underground area. Note that during this event, you can only enter and exit through the opened door; other tunnels are blocked.

Looting Bobcat Blueprints

In the underground complex, we recommend looting everything. It seems that everything here has a chance to drop a Bobcat weapon blueprint. While some rooms have particularly good loot, such as breach lockers or the red locker room, virtually every location here can drop decent blue items and even some purple items.

In a single Locked Gate event, we looted two Tempests, and an amazing four Bobcat blueprints, along with some other profitable items.

So, you don't need to worry too much about where to go; just loot as much as you can, and the last rewards depend entirely on quantity. After completing these steps, all that remains is to evacuate and leave successfully, and then learn Bobcat BluePrints.

This concludes the complete guide to Locked Gate event. We hope this helps you obtain Bobcat blueprints quickly and craft this powerful automatic submachine gun to easily deal with all ARC enemies in raids with its extremely high rate of fire!

However, there's actually a faster way to permanently unlock this weapon blueprint. You can buy ARC Raiders Bobcat blueprints from IGGM, allowing you to achieve your goal quickly without participating in high-risk events or blindly exploring Security Wing area.

More importantly, in addition to the blueprints, there are also Bobcat-related Modded Weapons for sale, providing extra bonuses for your firearm. Don't forget, you can also enjoy an 8% discount when getting the blueprints using the code ARC8. Try it now!
ARC Raiders Matchmaking Explained | How To Get PvE-Friendly Lobbies And Avoid PvP?

ARC Raiders is an extraction game that includes both PvP and PvE modes, but players are basically divided into two camps, each with their own preferences. Players who prefer PvE don't want to be involved in PvP.

However, since Arc Raiders' official release and even its tech test, the game's matchmaking mechanism has remained a mystery to players. Is matchmaking based on combat power or player behavior? And how can players get a good matchmaking experience?

ARC Raiders Matchmaking Mechanism

Regarding the matchmaking mechanism, the official stance has been one of silence, only officially denying the use of a gear-based matchmaking system.

The player community, through observation, speculates that Arc Raiders uses an aggression-based matchmaking system. Players who choose to avoid PvP, focus on looting, or cooperate against large ARC players seem to be matched into more relaxed matches. Players who immediately engage in combat (shoot on sight) are matched into extremely aggressive PvP matches.

Some players, by refraining from firing at others for approximately 15 consecutive matches and expressing a dislike for PvP in their post-match surveys, successfully entered matches primarily focused on PvE.

An art director from the game developer also revealed information about the matchmaking system in an interview with the media. He acknowledged that the matchmaking system is quite complex and stated that they do analyze player behavior and match players accordingly.

How To Enter Friendly Matches?

Assuming the above matchmaking conditions are met, we can figure out how to enter the matches we want. By avoiding PvP as much as possible, you can enter friendly matchmaking where players generally cooperate and there is very little direct confrontation.

Game Settings

If you are a PC player, it is recommended to turn off cross play in the settings, as community testing suggests that players in purely PC matches may be more inclined to cooperate. However, this is not mandatory, because it is possible to cooperate with players from other platforms.

Regarding servers, it depends on your language, as players who can communicate are more likely to cooperate through Proximity Chat. For example, if you are a native English speaker, you should prioritize North America servers. On EU servers, language barriers may lead to communication difficulties and even conflicts.

No Firing

This is the strictest rule. Regardless of whether you are being attacked by other players, you must never retaliate or initiate attacks. Damaging other players appears to be a key algorithmic basis for the matchmaking system to remove you from friendly matches. Even joking shots during retreat can have negative consequences.

Equipment Selection

When attempting to enter this mode, it is recommended to use Free Loadouts or not carry valuable items, focusing on collecting ARC Raiders Blueprints. You might lose equipment due to being killed before successfully entering the game because of the no firing rule above.

Active Communication

You need to actively use Proximity Chat at all times. When you enter a point of interest or hear other players, you should proactively communicate to show that you have no hostility or intention to cooperate. This greatly reduces tension among other players and avoids firefights caused by misunderstandings. Lack of communication, even if you have no malicious intent, can lead to you being attacked first by wary players.

Entering a friendly match may require multiple attempts, and the number of matches needed varies from person to person, potentially several or even a dozen, depending on your previous gameplay. If you prefer PvP, you may need to persist through even more matches.

Furthermore, the time it takes to successfully enter a match may be affected by factors such as Time of Day and Weekends, as the player base differs at different times. However, the core rules remain valid. As long as you adhere to the rules, you will eventually be able to enter.

How To Determine If A Match Is Friendly?

The system will not send you an email when you are removed from a PvP match, so you need to judge the nature of the match you are entering yourself.

The most obvious sign is that almost all Points of Interest on the map are quickly looted early in the game. This is because players in the match are focused on PvE and looting, moving and looting quickly without restraint, whereas in a normal match these resource points might go untouched.

The Uses And Benefits Of Friendly Matchmaking

This type of matchmaking is one of the easiest ways to complete Trials, quickly earn coins, or collect rare Resources and ARC Raiders Blueprints to craft high-level gear. It also provides a PvE environment for players who don't like PvP.

On Stella Montis, a map that usually sees intense PvP, entering a friendly matchmaking game transforms it into a pure PvE server where players help each other, fight Arc together, and loot resources.

Using player behavior as a matchmaking rule is a very good method, allowing players to find players with similar preferences. If you want to move away from PvP and have a more cooperative and relaxed gaming experience, then trying to be nice might be a strategy.
ARC Raiders All 75 Blueprint Recipes Guide | How To Save Your Time On Crafting?
Although the controversy surrounding ARC Raiders' use of AI voice acting at TGA hasn't subsided, players and developers seem to have shifted their focus to the new Cold Snap Update.

The core of this update is the new map condition Snowfall and the limited-time event Flickering Flames. In addition, regular mechanics and content have also been updated, such as newly added quests and blueprints.

Blueprints are valuable game items at any time; many other game items you collect require blueprints to be crafted into useful gear.

Considering that almost every blueprint has different recipe requirements, we will provide detailed recipes for all blueprints so you can craft faster with existing materials or collect materials more efficiently.

How To Obtain Blueprints?

As one of the important items in ARC Raiders, BluePrints are similar to a crafting menu. After unlocking your workshop, you can collect the necessary materials according to the blueprint recipe to craft the weapons or other advanced items you want.

More importantly, blueprint unlocks are permanent, meaning that after consuming a blueprint, as long as you have enough materials, you can theoretically craft the finished product repeatedly.

Fortunately, despite their importance, the acquisition mechanism for blueprints is not much different from other game items, mainly including the following channels:
- Completing quests given by NPCs
- Completing all weekly trials on time after reaching level 15
- Adventuring on various maps to find containers or enemies with loot
The blueprints obtainable through quests are fixed, currently only five:
- Burletta Blueprint - Industrial Espionage Quest
- Hullcracker Blueprint and Launcher Ammo Blueprint - The Major's Footlocker Quest
- Trigger Nade Blueprint - Sparks Fly Quest
- Lure Grenade Blueprint - Greasing Her Palms Quest
All Blueprint Recipes

After Cold Snap Update, there should now be 75 ARC Raiders BluePrints. Most of their recipes are different, and if you start crafting without knowing the recipes beforehand, you'll quickly find yourself missing this or that material.

Therefore, a more efficient approach is to match your existing materials with the blueprint recipes, select the blueprints for items you can craft immediately, and fully utilize your resource inventory before continuing to collect more materials.

Based on this, we have listed all currently known BluePrints, their recipes, and workshop requirements.

Bettina - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 3x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3x Heavy Gun Parts
- 3x Canister
Blue Light Stick - Quick Use - Utility Station 1
- 3x Chemicals
Aphelion - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 3x Magnetic Accelerator
- 3x Complex Gun Parts
- 1x Matriarch Reactor
Combat Mk. 3 (Flanking) - Augment - Gear Bench 3
- 2x Advanced Electrical Components
- 3x Processor
Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive) - Augment - Gear Bench 3
- 2x Advanced Electrical Components
- 3x Processor
Complex Gun Parts - Material - Refiner 3
- 2x Light Gun Parts
- 2x Medium Gun Parts
- 2x Heavy Gun Parts
Fireworks Box - Quick Use - Explosives Station 2
- 1x Explosive Compound
- 3x Pop Trigger
Gas Mine - Mine - Explosives Station 1
- 4x Chemicals
- 2x Rubber Parts
Green Light Stick - Quick Use - Utility Station 1
- 3x Chemicals
Pulse Mine - Mine - Explosives Station 1
- 1x Crude Explosives
- 1x Wires
Seeker Grenade - Grenade - Explosives Station 1
- 1x Crude Explosives
- 2x ARC Alloy
Looting Mk. 3 (Survivor) - Augment - Gear Bench 3
- 2x Advanced Electrical Components
- 3x Processor
Angled Grip II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 3x Duct Tape
Angled Grip III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Duct Tape
Hullcracker - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 1x Magnetic Accelerator
- 3x Heavy Gun Parts
- 1x Exodus Modules
Launcher Ammo - Ammo - Workbench 1
- 5x Metal Parts
- 1x Crude Explosives
Anvil - Weapon - Gunsmith 2
- 5x Mechanical Components
- 5x Simple Gun Parts
Anvil Splitter - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 3x Processor
Barricade Kit - Quick Use - Utility Station 2
- 1x Mechanical Components
Blaze Grenade - Grenade - Explosives Station 3
- 1x Explosive Compound
- 2x Oil
Bobcat - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 3x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3x Light Gun Parts
Osprey - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3x Medium Gun Parts
- 7x Wires
Burletta - Weapon - Gunsmith 1
- 3x Mechanical Components
- 3x Simple Gun Parts
Compensator II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 4x Wires
Compensator III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 8x Wires
Defibrillator - Quick Use - Medical Lab 2
- 9x Plastic Parts
- 1x Moss
Equalizer - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 3x Magnetic Accelerator
- 3x Complex Gun Parts
- 1x Queen Reactor
Extended Barrel - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 8x Wires
Extended Light Mag II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 3x Steel Spring
Extended Light Mag III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Steel Spring
Extended Medium Mag II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 3x Steel Spring
Extended Medium Mag III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Steel Spring
Extended Shotgun Mag II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 3x Steel Spring
Extended Shotgun Mag III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Steel Spring
Remote Raider Flare - Quick Use - Utility Station 1
- 2x Chemicals
- 4x Rubber Parts
Heavy Gun Parts - Material - Refiner 2
- 4x Simple Gun Parts
Venator - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Advanced Mechanical
- 3x Medium Gun Parts
- 5x Magnet
Il Toro - Weapon - Gunsmith 1
- 5x Mechanical Components
- 6x Simple Gun Parts
Jolt Mine - Mine - Explosives Station 2
- 1x Electrical Components
- 1x Battery
Explosive Mine - Mine - Explosives Station 3
- 1x Explosive Compound
- 1x Sensors
Jupiter - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 3x Magnetic Accelerator
- 3x Complex Gun Parts
- 1x Queen Reactor
Light Gun Parts - Material - Refiner 2
- 4x Simple Gun Parts
Lightweight Stock - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Duct Tape
Lure Grenade - Grenade - Utility Station 2
- 1x Speaker Component
- 1x Electrical Components
Medium Gun Parts - Material - Refiner 2
- 4x Simple Gun Parts
Torrente - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3x Medium Gun Parts
- 6x Steel Spring
Muzzle Brake II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 4x Wires
Muzzle Brake III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 8x Wires
Padded Stock - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Duct Tape
Shotgun Choke II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 4x Wires
Shotgun Choke III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 8x Wires
Shotgun Silencer - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 8x Wires
Showstopper - Grenade - Explosives Station 3
- 1x Advanced Electrical Components
- 1x Voltage Converter
Silencer I - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 4x Wires
Silencer II - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 8x Wires
Snap Hook - Quick Use - Utility Station 3
- 2x Power Rod
- 3x Rope
1x Exodus Modules
- Stable Stock II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 3x Duct Tape
Stable Stock III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Duct Tape
Tagging Grenade - Grenade - Utility Station 3
- 1x Electrical Components
- 1x Sensors
Tempest - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 3x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3x Medium Gun Parts
- 3x Canister
Trigger Nade - Grenade - Explosives Station 2
- 2x Crude Explosives
- 1x Processor
Vertical Grip II - Mod - Gunsmith 2
- 2x Mechanical Components
- 3x Duct Tape
Vertical Grip III - Mod - Gunsmith 3
- 2x Mod Components
- 5x Duct Tape
Vita Shot - Quick Use - Medical Lab 3
- 2x Antiseptic
- 1x Syringe
Vita Spray - Quick Use - Medical Lab 3
- 3x Antiseptic
- 1x Canister
Vulcano - Weapon - Gunsmith 3
- 1x Magnetic Accelerator
- 3x Heavy Gun Parts
- 1x Exodus Modules
Wolfpack - Grenade - Explosives Station 3
- 2x Explosive Compound
- 2x Sensors
Red Light Stick - Quick Use - Utility Station 1
- 3x Chemicals
Smoke Grenade - Grenade - Utility Station 2
- 14x Chemicals
- 1x Canister
Deadline - Mine - Explosives Station 3
- 3x Explosive Compound
- 2x ARC Circuitry
Trailblazer - Grenade - Explosives Station 3
- 1x Explosive Compound
- 1x Synthesized Fuel
Tactical Mk. 3 (Defensive) - Augment - Gear Bench 3
- 2x Advanced Electrical Components
- 3x Processor
Tactical Mk. 3 (Healing) - Augment - Gear Bench 3
- 2x Advanced Electrical Components
- 3x Processor
Yellow Light Stick - Quick Use - Utility Station 1
- 3x Chemicals
If ARC Raiders releases more major updates in the future, new blueprints may also be added. In short, to ensure the game's playability, there won't be a fixed limit on the number of blueprints; all you can do is continuously collect materials and craft.
ARC Raiders Cold Snap Update Brings 6 New Quests | How To Complete Them?

Cold Snap update, while time-limited, offers a series of content centered around Snowfall map conditions, providing a brief but exciting ARC Raiders experience this winter.

Among all the new content, there are also 6 new quests. Although these are different from other Cold Snap gameplay and should remain in the game permanently, we still recommend completing them as soon as possible to earn rewards.

Below, we will provide you with the main steps to complete these 6 quests.

The Clean Dream

This quest requires you to first travel to Spaceport map and enter the underground tunnels, following the instructions provided by the quest system. The specific steps are as follows:

Step 1: Find the tunnel entrance in the southwest area of Launch Tower and enter.

Step 2: Search all interactive containers to find the 4 specific containers required by the quest.

Step 3: Find and monitor any one of the filtration systems in the tunnel.

Step 4: Travel to Blue Gate map and then find and enter Maintenance Bunker.

Step 5: Find the cylindrical purification system in the main room and interact with it.

Step 6: Find the blueprint on the table in the small room and take a picture.

Step 7: Return to Speranza and interact with Apollo to submit the quest results.

A Toxic Trail

If you completed the other main quests before Cold Snap update was released, you will find that some of them involved investigating water pollution issues, but these were not fully resolved. A Toxic Trail will bring these to a conclusion.

Step 1: Travel to Dam Battlegrounds map and find the barrel located in Water Treatment Center. This item previously appeared in Source of the Contamination quest.

Step 2: Walk around the barrel to trigger and find clues about the source of the barrel.

Step 3: Continue west to find a truck and take a picture as instructed by the system.

Step 4: Search the truck to find the final clue about the water contamination incident.

Step 5: Evacuate from the current map to return to Speranza and receive the next quest.

It's worth noting that when interacting with the truck door, you will obtain Spaceport Warehouse Key, which can help you open locked rooms and find more loot while exploring Spaceport map.

The Stench Of Corruption

As a follow-up quest to A Toxic Trail, The Stench of Corruption is fast-paced and includes combat elements. If you die during combat, you must start over from the beginning. Here are the detailed instructions:

Step 1: Travel to Departure Building located on Spaceport map.

Step 2: Follow the quest guidance to find a nearby room and search for clues about the saboteur's identity.

Step 3: Find and interact with the hazmat suit in the room to obtain Flushing Terminal Key.

Step 4: Leave the room and enter the underground tunnel in The Clean Dream quest.

Step 5: Find any Flushing Terminal and interact with it using the key you just obtained to complete the task.

Unlike the regular item rewards of other quests, The Stench of Corruption will give you a unique Warden outfit. If you like, you can wear it to travel to the next quest location.

Paving The Way

The only dangerous part of this quest is the final extraction phase, as there may be other real players near the extraction point. Even if they don't intend to attack you, you may still be accidentally injured.

So, don't let your guard down immediately after completing the task according to the following steps.

Step 1: Find an ENELICA building on any map, Water Treatment Center in Dam Battlegrounds is recommended.

Step 2: Find the bulletin board at the main entrance of the building and interact with it to obtain the researcher's notes.

Step 3: Extract and go to the new map, Buried City, and find the dual apartment buildings in the central area.

Step 4: In this building, find the apartment room where the researcher who wrote the notes lived, enter it, and find the research data as instructed.

Step 5: Extract from Buried City to complete the task.

Deciphering The Data

This quest takes place in Spaceport, a location you are already very familiar with. NPC who gives the quest is Shani. Here are all the steps to complete this quest:

Step 1: Find and enter the main room of Fuel Control building located in the northeast of the map.

Step 2: Find the terminal in the southeast corner of the room and interact with it using Magnetic Decryptor.

Step 3: Follow the new quest prompts to the top floor of Arrival Building to find another set of terminal machines, then successfully extract to complete the task.

The most dangerous part of Deciphering the Data is that you may encounter other players on the way to Arrival Building. If you are afraid of conflict, you can bring fewer items beforehand to indicate that you are only there to do the quest.

The Groundbreaking

This quest requires you to travel to Blue Gate map for investigation and item searching. If you are ready to brave the cold weather and potential enemies, please follow the instructions below to start the quest immediately.

Step 1: Take Blue Gate Communication Tower Key and travel to Pilgrim's Peak, located at the northernmost point of the map.

Step 2: Enter the building there, find a locked door in the eastern part of the building, and use the key you brought to open it and enter the room.

Step 3: Search the room for documents and interact with the whiteboard to obtain a photograph of a specific building.

Step 4: Travel to Abandoned Housing Project in the southwest of the map to trigger a new mission objective to photograph this location.

Step 5: Take the photograph and safely evacuate; the mission is complete.

Overall, these new missions are not difficult to complete, but they require traveling back and forth between different locations, which is quite time-consuming. Therefore, it's best to complete them all at once when you have free time.

We hope this guide helps you have a better gaming experience. Keep going, Raiders!
ARC Raiders Cold Snap Update Release Date, Snowfall Map Condition, New Raider Deck And More Details
On December 16th, ARC Raiders Cold Snap update will bring heavy snow and extreme cold to all maps, presenting raiders with harsh environmental challenges.

Players will need to relearn how to move, survive, and safely evacuate in this challenging environment. Only those who adapt will emerge victorious.

Date

ARC Raiders Cold Snap will launch globally and last for four weeks, ending on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026. Here are the updated times for key global time zones:
- North American West Coast: 1:30 AM PST
- 4:30 AM EST, North American East Coast
- 6:30 AM Brazil BRT
- 9:30 AM UK Time (Greenwich Mean Time)
- 10:30 AM Western European Time
- 6:30 PM Japan Time
- 8:30 PM Australia East Coast Time
Snowfall Mechanism

Outdoors

Snowfall, as a map event, will cover all areas of the map, including Rust Belt, Valley of Blue Gate, Abandoned Spaceport, and Red Lakes. Unlike standard raids, Cold Snap applies continuous environmental stress to raiders. Snowfall is not just a visual effect; it affects your combat, movement, and survival.

Prolonged exposure to the outdoors will cause raiders to suffer frostbite, resulting in continuous health loss. They must enter indoors or receive rapid healing to survive. Frostbite ignores armor, meaning even high-level gear is ineffective, but some instant-recovery items may be effective.

Because the map is covered in snow, gathering materials becomes much more difficult, so to combat frostbite, you should carry significantly more healing items than usual. Consider discarding some ammunition to make room for extra medical supplies.

Furthermore, the radar will malfunction after a few minutes, and the icy ground will make movement unsteady, both increasing the difficulty of combat and exploration. You can move short distances between buildings, but try to avoid lingering in open areas, as you'll leave footprints in the snow, making you vulnerable to being tracked by other players! Being suppressed by players outdoors will put you at a significant disadvantage.

Additionally, the different map layouts in Snowfall will have varying impacts on each map.
- Dam Battlegrounds: More open areas, limited shelters, requiring route planning and sufficient ARC Raiders items.
- Buried City: More indoor space, more frequent PvP battles.
- Spaceport and Blue Gate: A more balanced distribution of open areas and shelters, giving an advantage to players who can effectively manage movement between buildings.
- Stella Montis: Already a popular PvP map, Snowfall may further intensify PvP.
Shelter

Entering indoor areas will immediately stop frostbite. You can use items to restore health here. Buildings, underground spaces, and enclosed structures can all serve as safe zones during Snowfall event.

Of course, these safe zones will attract more other players than usual, and some squads may cluster together. You can cooperate for warmth or engage in combat to become the last survivor in the shelter.

If your map frequently sees PvP, the longer you stay in the shelter, the more dangerous it becomes. You should make full use of this time to rest and then venture out again.

Flickering Flames Event

Launching alongside Cold Snap is Flickering Flames event, a progress-based event. Players accumulate progress by gaining XP, with 1,000 XP equaling 10 Merits. However, new players must complete a total of five rounds of Arc Raiders to unlock the event, although this does not require successful extraction.

Flickering Flames has 25 tiers, rewarding players with gear, cosmetic items, and Raiders tokens. You're on a raid. You can progress using any source of XP, or you can avoid Snowfall map and accumulate progress on regular maps. You can gain XP by:
- Defeating large ARC enemies.
- Completing trials.
- Successfully extracting with valuable loot.
Candleberry Banquet Project

This update introduces a new project, Candleberry Banquet Project. Players need to collect Candleberries that spawn outdoors. The more Candleberries you successfully collect, the higher your Candleberry Banquet completion rate will be.

Candleberries can be used to craft candles, juice, tea, stews, perfume, and more, and these items may have mechanics that resist cold wave damage.

Furthermore, you'll earn Merits as you progress through Candleberry Banquet Project. This program is somewhat similar to a battle pass; as you progress, you'll earn rewards such as cosmetic items and Raider Tokens.

New Raider Deck

The release of the new Raider Deck has been slightly delayed, and it will be unlocked on December 26th and will be available to players for free.

The new Raider Deck features a Goalie-themed outfit inspired by old world clothing. It also includes a new raider tool skin, the hockey stick. This Raider Deck is permanent and won't disappear, so you can unlock it at any time. However, it's unconfirmed whether accumulated Raider Deck Points will carry over to the new deck.

Before the new Raider Deck update, this update also includes new portable, playable interactive items, an Acoustic Guitar, a gold-mask-style Mist Horn Set, futuristic Solar Panel Gadgets, and possibly even warming items to protect against the cold.

Snowfall transforms Arc Raiders into a true survival experience, where environmental awareness is just as important as combat skills. Use your tactics and items to adapt to winter warfare. The frozen wastelands of Speranza await your challenge, so Raiders, stay warm and survive!
ARC Raiders Cross-Play Guide | How To Enable And Utilize This Feature?
Almost every game available on multiple platforms is expected by players to offer cross-play functionality, as this means you can more easily play with friends and won't be restricted by device changes.

The demand for cross-play is even stronger for multiplayer online games, such as the recently popular ARC Raiders. Its PvPvE nature and support for two-player/three-player matchmaking highlight the importance and fun of playing with friends.

Fortunately, this game, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, fully supports cross-play! If you don't know how to enable cross-play, or are unsure whether you should enable it, don't worry, we'll provide you with a helpful guide!

Preparation Before Enabling Cross-Play Feature

First, it's important to note that ARC Raiders does not support cross-platform ownership in most cases. For example, if you want to play the game on both PC and PS5, you must own ARC Raiders on each platform, respectively.

The only exception is Microsoft Store. If you obtain ARC Raiders there, you can unlock both Xbox and PC versions directly.

In addition, you must ensure you have a fixed Embark ID and link that ID to your current device account on the new platform. This will ensure that your existing game account progress and all earned ARC Raiders items are synchronized to the new platform when you log in.

How To Enable Or Disable Cross-Play?

Cross-play is enabled by default when you play ARC Raiders on any platform. So, as soon as you enter the game and start matchmaking, you may encounter players using other devices, and you and your friends can team up without restrictions.

If you haven't added your friends to your friends list yet, you can find and add them by entering their ID in the relevant search box in the game. Then, find them on the list and invite them to team up.

If for various reasons, such as potential imbalances in the combat environment due to different devices, you want to disable cross-play, it's possible. The specific steps are as follows:
- 1. Find the main menu and open the settings menu located in the lower right corner.
- 2. Find and open Gameplay tab.
- 3. Find Online section.
- 4. Find Cross-play option and click to disable it.
- 5. To re-enable it later, simply follow the steps above again.
Pros And Cons Of Cross-Play Functionality

The most obvious benefit of this feature is the significant reduction in matchmaking wait times. For players busy with work or studies, every minute in a game is precious relaxation time.

Furthermore, it not only provides convenience for teaming up with friends but also allows you to more flexibly choose your gaming device according to your needs, without being limited to either a controller or keyboard and mouse.

On the other hand, players using different devices often have certain overall tendencies, such as being more aggressive or more friendly. Cross-play means you might be matched with any type of teammate or enemy, increasing the excitement of the game.

However, because of this, the probability of encountering cheaters will become higher when cross-play is enabled, especially if you are a PS5 or Xbox player, as there are more cheaters on PC.

From an operational experience perspective, both the visual design and controller usage habits of ARC Raiders are more friendly to PC players. Therefore, if your opponents are from PC and you are not, you will inevitably feel a subtle unfairness.

Should You Enable Cross-Play?

Based on our analysis of the pros and cons of this feature, you can decide whether to enable cross-play based on your preferred gaming device and skill level.

If you are a PC player, you can keep this feature enabled by default, because generally speaking, console players are less likely to disrupt the game environment or cheat, and playing with more players of different styles can help improve your skills faster.

If you are a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S player, we recommend that you only enable cross-play when you are very familiar with the mechanics and controls of ARC Raiders, or when you need to team up with friends using different devices.

However, it's important to note that disabling cross-play will inevitably reduce the number of online players, which will increase matchmaking wait times, especially during off-peak hours. Therefore, if you want to avoid this, it's best to always keep this feature enabled.

Will ARC Raiders Be Available On More Platforms?

Considering the multiplayer online PvP elements of ARC Raiders, it is clearly not suitable for handheld devices like Switch, but playing on mobile devices should be feasible, as several shooting game series like PUBG and Call of Duty already have mobile versions.

However, considering that ARC Raiders is a relatively new game, even if there are plans to expand to new platforms, it will likely be a long time before they are implemented. The current focus of the game is still on perfecting its core content.

It's worth noting, however, that compared with many other online multiplayer games that still haven't implemented full cross-play, or whose cross-play features are buggy, ARC Raiders has done a great job from the start.

That's all the information for today. Later today, ARC Raiders will release Cold Snap update, allowing you to play with friends on other devices in new map variations and participate in new events! Stay tuned!