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ARC Raiders 1.6.0 Patch Fixes Major Exploits As Cold Snap Update Looms

Embark Studios has rolled out a fresh patch for ARC Raiders on December 11, landing on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The 1.6.0 update doesn’t add new content, but it does tackle some of the most frustrating exploits in the game and quietly sets the stage for next week’s big Cold Snap update.

ARC Raiders 1.6.0: Key Fixes & Changes

ARC Raiders has carved out a surprisingly strong spot for itself in a stacked season, holding huge player numbers and earning praise from both critics and the community. That popularity, of course, also means players are very quick to find ways to break things.

The 1.6.0 patch focuses on fairness and map integrity, with several critical fixes:

Stella Montis out-of-bounds exploit removed

One of the most notorious issues involved players using a zipline on Stella Montis to glitch themselves outside the intended play area. From there, they could shoot unsuspecting raiders from safety, completely undermining ARC Raiders’ high-risk extraction loop.

Embark’s solution is simple and direct:

• The problematic zipline on Stella Montis has been removed, preventing players from going out of bounds via that route.

Collision & bullet blocking fixes

The patch also addresses several collision and visibility problems that could turn firefights into coin flips:

• Blue Gate: Fixed a collision bug that allowed players to vault and fall through a wall.
• Various objects: Corrected material issues that caused some objects to fail at blocking bullets or ARC vision properly.
• Spaceport Launch Tower: Fixed a gap in collision that allowed players to be shot through the wall.

All of this should result in more predictable cover, fewer cheap deaths, and a generally more reliable experience in tight firefights.

Update Schedule Shift: From Thursdays To Tuesdays

Alongside the bug fixes, Embark has also adjusted how it plans to update the game moving forward.

Until now, ARC Raiders has been getting patches on a weekly Thursday cadence. That’s changing:

• Updates and store rotations are moving from Thursday to Tuesday.
• The team is also taking a break over the holiday period, with more updates planned for January.

For players, that means the store rotation and future content drops will now align with early-week updates, which often fits better with big events and seasonal content.

Cold Snap Update Arrives December 16

The real headline for most players is what comes next. Embark has confirmed that the Cold Snap update is dropping on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Previous major updates, like North Line, went live in the very early hours for US players, and Cold Snap is expected to follow a similar pattern, even though an exact launch time hasn’t been announced yet.

Cold Snap lands one day before the current Expedition window opens, giving players a short but meaningful chance to experience the new content on their current raider before sending them off in the optional wipe between December 17–22.

New Snowfall Map Condition

The headline feature of Cold Snap is the new Snowfall map condition. It’s not just a visual tweak; it’s designed to change how you move, fight, and survive:

• Heavy snow reduces visibility, making long-range engagements riskier.
• Snow dampens sound, which can make it harder to track enemies by audio alone.
• Raiders leave footprints in the snow, giving away their position and opening the door to ambushes and counter-tracking.

Like other conditions, Snowfall will rotate across existing maps and is expected to boost loot value when active, rewarding players willing to push into the harsher environment. Embark hasn’t confirmed which maps will receive Snowfall yet, but based on layout and prior rotations, locations like Buried City and Blue Gate are strong candidates.

New Quests From Traders

Back in Speranza, traders will receive new quests tied to the Cold Snap update.

Exact quest details aren’t confirmed yet, but you can expect:

• Objectives that send you into Snowfall conditions,
• Tasks that push players to engage with the new systems, conditions, and high-risk zones.

These quests should provide fresh goals for both dedicated raiders and players dropping in for shorter sessions.

Flickering Flames Event

Cold Snap also introduces a new limited-time event: Flickering Flames.

Functionally, this event behaves like a mini seasonal track:

• Players contribute resources or complete specific tasks during raids.
• Progress is shared toward a series of rewards, similar in spirit to a mini battle pass.
• The design aims for a meaningful time investment without demanding hardcore grinding from more casual players.

If you enjoyed Breaking New Ground in the North Line update, Flickering Flames looks like its spiritual cousin for the winter season.

New Premium Raider Deck

Alongside the event, Cold Snap brings a new Raider Deck, ARC Raiders’ version of a seasonal battle pass.

Here’s what to expect:

• The new Deck is expected to be premium, requiring real-money purchase to unlock full access.
• Once unlocked, players can likely spend Creds (the in-game currency) to pick up specific items along the track.
• Rewards should include a mix of cosmetics and other progression goodies, aligning with how previous decks have worked.

For players who enjoy visual customization and long-term goals, this Raider Deck will likely be a major part of the Cold Snap grind.

ARC Raiders Isn’t Slowing Down

In just a few months, ARC Raiders has:

• Become one of the most played games on Steam,
• Landed a Best Multiplayer Game nomination at The Game Awards,
• And built a community that’s constantly stress-testing its extraction systems.

The 1.6.0 patch is a small but important stability update that shores up fairness and fixes some glaring exploits. Cold Snap on December 16 is where the game really evolves again, with new conditions, events, and progression hooks arriving just in time for the winter season.

If you’ve been away from Speranza for a bit, this might be the perfect time to dust off your gear, watch the snowfall roll in, and see what’s waiting in the storm.