The Rust Belt has been locked in the unforgiving grip of deep winter, and Raiders across the region are discovering just how deadly the cold can be. During Cold Snap, the environment itself becomes one of your most dangerous enemies. The bitter temperatures punish the careless, drain your resources, and can end a run just as quickly as ARC Raiders Coins the ARC or rival Raiders.

Yet despite the danger, opportunity still beckons.

Down in Speranza, the annual Festival of Flickering Flames is lighting up the tunnels, and with it comes an increased demand for rare seasonal ARC Raiders Items-most notably Candleberries. These bright red fruits are highly prized, trading for valuable rewards, and plenty of brave (or reckless) Raiders are willing to risk the frozen Topside to secure them.

So how do you survive when the cold, the ARC, and other Raiders are all working against you? Who better to ask than the developers themselves-the hardiest Raiders of all. Here are their best tips for surviving Cold Snap and making it back alive.

Adapt or Freeze: Understanding the Cold

The most experienced Raiders know that adaptation is the key to survival during Cold Snap. Stocking up on bandages is essential, but healing alone won't save you if you ignore the warning signs of hypothermia.

As your core temperature drops, you'll notice visible changes. Frost will begin forming on your clothing, your breathing will grow heavier and more labored, and eventually your movement and stamina will suffer. According to Gameplay Programmer Fredrik Åhström, one of the clearest indicators is easy to miss if you're not paying attention:

"When you see your breath freezing in the air, that means you are getting colder."

These visual and audio cues are your signal to act fast-either find shelter, warm up, or prepare to burn through bandages at an alarming rate.

Extreme Measures for Extreme Cold

Sometimes, shelter just isn't close enough. When you're low on bandages and the nearest safe spot is a long sprint away, desperate times call for… creative solutions.

One dev-approved trick might surprise you:

"Being on fire is the fastest way to warm up."
- Gameplay Engineer

While it sounds reckless, controlled fire can quickly raise your temperature and buy you precious seconds. Of course, this is a high-risk tactic best used when you fully understand the consequences. Cold Snap rewards clever thinking, but it also punishes mistakes harshly.

Let the Environment Work for You

The Rust Belt winter isn't just brutal-it's also full of tools you can turn to your advantage. Snow is everywhere during Cold Snap, and while most Raiders immediately think of snowball fights, those icy projectiles can serve a much more tactical purpose.

When the ARC has you pinned down, snowballs can become an effective distraction:

"Throwing snowballs at alarmed cars can create a noise distraction to divert the ARC away from your location."
- Code Animation Tech

This trick can give you the breathing room you need to reposition, escape, or sneak past dangerous patrols without firing a single shot. In Cold Snap, subtlety often beats brute force.

Seasonal Loot and Firework Finds

The Festival of Flickering Flames doesn't just change the mood in Speranza-it also affects the loot you'll find Topside. During Cold Snap, Raiders will notice an increased spawn rate of light-related ARCR Items such as light bulbs, candle holders, and other decorative gear tied to the celebration.

Firecrackers and fireworks can appear in any condition, but Cold Snap has one exclusive reward: the Firework Box blueprint. This blueprint only drops during the winter condition, making it a must-have for collectors and crafters alike. If you're heading out anyway, it's worth keeping an eye out for this limited-time find.

How to Find Candleberries

Candleberries are the star of the season, and for good reason. These rare winter fruits trade for high-quality loot in Speranza, making them worth the risk-if you know how to spot them.

Game Designer Andreea Dragoman offers a key visual tip:

"The Candleberry bush is evergreen and bears bright red fruits."

Unlike most winter foliage, Candleberry bushes stand out against the snow, making them easier to identify once you know what you're looking for. That said, they don't grow in dense clusters. Candleberries tend to be solitary, which means you'll need to buy ARC Raiders Coins explore carefully to collect enough to make the trip worthwhile.