Frostbite is one of the most important survival mechanics introduced in Arc Raiders through the Cold Snap map condition. Unlike enemy damage, this threat comes directly from the environment and forces you to rethink how long you stay outdoors, how you route between locations, and how you prepare your loadout before deploying.
Frostbite Explained: How Cold Weather Affects Raiders
Frostbite is a status condition that builds up when your Raider spends too much time exposed to extreme cold on Cold Snap map variants. It does not trigger instantly, but once the buildup completes, it begins draining your health over time.
The key danger of Frostbite is that it stacks pressure on top of normal combat. Even light enemy damage becomes far more threatening when your health is already being chipped away by the environment.
Frostbite is not random. It follows consistent rules tied to exposure, shelter, and timing, which means skilled players can manage it reliably with good planning.
Cold Snap Locations Where Frostbite Is Active
Frostbite only appears on maps running the Cold Snap condition. When active, the following locations can be affected:
- Dam Battlegrounds
- Buried City
- Spaceport
- The Blue Gate
Only one map runs the Cold Snap condition at a time, so Frostbite is never active everywhere simultaneously. Indoor-focused locations are naturally safer, while wide outdoor routes become much more dangerous during these rotations.
How Frostbite Exposure Progresses Over Time
Frostbite works as a gradual exposure mechanic, not an instant debuff.
- Time spent outdoors under snowfall builds Frostbite
- Visual frost and cold effects slowly appear on screen
- After prolonged exposure, health begins to drain steadily
- Damage continues until you reach shelter or are downed
The damage is not explosive, but it is persistent. Ignoring it for even a short fight can be enough to lose a raid, especially if extraction points are exposed.
See also: Arc Raiders Flickering Flames Rewards and How to Unlock Them
Shelter Rules: What Actually Stops Frostbite
Shelter rules in Arc Raiders are more precise than they first appear.
Effective Shelter
- Any structure with overhead cover
- Buildings, depots, hangars, and roofed platforms
- Even open-sided structures, as long as snowfall is blocked
Not Effective
- Standing near fire or burning objects
- Walls without overhead protection
- Decorative overhangs that do not block snowfall
The fastest way to tell if you are safe is audio and visual feedback. Your Raider reacts when entering or leaving warm cover, and Frostbite buildup stops almost immediately once proper shelter is reached.
How to Stop Frostbite Damage During a Raid
There is no permanent cure for Frostbite, but it is fully manageable.
Primary Method: Get Indoors
- Entering shelter halts damage
- Remaining inside long enough resets buildup
- Stepping back outside restarts the process
Emergency Option: Fire Reset
In rare situations, Frostbite can be instantly cleared by briefly setting your Raider on fire using specific tools or environmental hazards. This removes Frostbite but causes burn damage and should only be used if you have enough health, shields, and healing supplies to recover safely afterward.
Right Equipment for Cold Snap
Cold Snap fundamentally changes how efficient a standard loadout feels.
Prioritize Healing
You will need more healing than usual because Frostbite causes constant chip damage.
Recommended items include:
- Bandages and upgraded bandages
- Vita Shots and Vita Spray
- Shield recharge tools
Passive Healing Augments
Augments such as Combat MK.2, Combat MK.3, or Tactical MK.3 help offset Frostbite damage when you are not actively taking other hits. These do not stop Frostbite but reduce how punishing it becomes between shelters.
How Frostbite Changes Positioning and Fights
Frostbite does more than drain health. It reshapes how engagements play out.
- Positioning becomes limited: Extended outdoor standoffs are no longer viable
- Indoor fights increase: Shelters become natural PvP and PvE hotspots
- Frozen surfaces add risk: Icy terrain affects movement and aim control
- Footprints matter: Snow preserves tracks, making stealth harder
Because of this, close- to mid-range weapons and coordinated squad movement tend to perform better during Cold Snap runs.
Why Frostbite Is Tied to Progression
Cold Snap maps are not just harder versions of existing locations. They are directly linked to seasonal progression systems.
- Candleberries only appear on Cold Snap maps
- These items are required for event and project progression
- Events like Flickering Flames reward Merits, gear, and cosmetics for surviving in these conditions
This creates a clear risk-reward loop: the cold is dangerous, but ignoring Cold Snap means missing out on some of the game’s most valuable seasonal rewards.
Key Tips to Stay Alive in Cold Snap Matches
If you want to stay consistent on Cold Snap maps, keep these habits in mind:
- Treat time outdoors as a limited resource
- Always plan your next shelter before leaving cover
- Carry extra healing, even at the cost of utility
- Heal immediately once indoors
- Avoid long fights on ice or exposed ground
- Expect other Raiders to contest shelters
Mastering Frostbite does not remove the danger, but it turns the cold from a raid-ending surprise into a manageable system you can plan around. Play Now!
FAQs Frostbite in Arc Raiders
1. Does Frostbite appear on every map in Arc Raiders?
No. Frostbite only appears on maps running the Cold Snap condition. At any given time, only one eligible map has Cold Snap active.
2. How long can you stay outside before Frostbite starts dealing damage?
You can remain outdoors for a short period before Frostbite begins to drain health. The longer you stay exposed, the more dangerous it becomes, especially during combat.
3. What is the fastest way to stop Frostbite damage?
The fastest and safest way is to move into a structure with overhead cover. Once snow is blocked, Frostbite damage immediately stops.
4. Can healing items completely counter Frostbite?
Healing items can offset some of the damage, but they do not stop Frostbite on their own. You must reach shelter to fully pause the effect.
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