Patch 1.7.0 turned Cold Snap into the real boss fight, and if you're not planning around it you'll be donating kits to whoever's watching the snow line. I've been chaining raids since it landed, and I'm telling you now: treat your cold meter like a countdown, not a warning. If you're short on resets or you're trying to stay stocked without living in the grind, a lot of players I run into point new folks toward ARC Raiders Coins so they can sort their loadout before heading back into the storm.

How the Cold Actually Kills You

Here's what catches people out: the bar doesn't feel urgent at first. You get a brief window, then it starts creeping up, and once you're deep into it the ticks come fast. You'll think you can "just finish this crate." You can't. The only way to play it safe is to test shelter as you move—don't assume a roof means anything. Step under an awning, glance at the meter, and if it still climbs, you're basically standing outside. Keep your route flexible, too; you want a chain of real cover, not one big sprint across open ground.

Emergency Heat Tricks (When You're Cornered)

If you get caught with no proper shelter and the cold's about to bite, you've got one nasty option: make your own heat. Tossing a Molotov or a grenade close can reset warmth, and yeah, it feels dumb the first time. It's also saved my kit more than once. You'll eat a bit of damage, but you're trading a scrape for a full wipe. Just don't panic-throw it on a slope or near a teammate—people do that, and it turns into a comedy clip for the other squad.

Loot Priorities and "Follow the Trail" Fights

Looting changed overnight. Bandages are fine, but Candleberries are the real currency in a blizzard—those glowing red bushes around the Dam riverside and the Spaceport vents are worth hunting. Pop one and you get healing plus a cold reset, which is basically two items in one slot. We usually assign one person to grab them early and stack up, then hand them out mid-raid. In fights, don't expect long sightlines; scopes feel pointless when visibility tanks, so I've been leaning into SMGs and shotguns and keeping it tight. Also, footprints hang around for a couple minutes, which means you can track someone like it's a hunting sim—crouch, follow the prints, and you'll bump into a squad that thinks they're alone.

Ice Movement and Staying Competitive

One more thing: ice will make you slide, and it'll ruin your aim at the worst moment. Frozen lakes look like clean rotations until you're drifting like a shopping cart and getting beamed. If you're trying to keep pace with Trials and you're tired of losing time to farming or pricey respecs, some folks shortcut their prep so they can focus on runs instead of chores, and that's where Raider Tokens come up in conversation when people are sorting out what they need for the next push.