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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsARC Raiders Update 1.7.0 brought winter survival to the Rust Belt with the Cold Snap map condition and the Flickering Flames collection event. Cold Snap made exposure, visibility and footing threats in their own right; Flickering Flames sent players gathering Candleberries and other items for Speranza. The event ran from December 16, 2025, through January 13, 2026, so it has ended. Embark also announced a separate free, permanent Goalie Raider Deck for December 26, 2025. These are historical details from the 1.7.0 notes, not confirmation that Cold Snap or the event is currently available; Embark’s news index has since moved on to newer updates.
What Update 1.7.0 added
Embark released Update 1.7.0 on December 16, 2025, under the winter theme “Cold Snap.” Its two headline additions were a map condition that changed the risks of a topside run and Flickering Flames, an event built around collecting Candleberries and special items for Speranza. The patch also introduced new quests and items, a forthcoming Raider Deck, and gameplay, interface and stability changes. Embark’s winter announcement and official 1.7.0 patch notes describe the update.
How the Cold Snap condition changed a run
Cold Snap brought freezing conditions across the Rust Belt. Frozen water could make footing unstable, vision was compromised, and exposure could become fatal if a Raider stayed outside without getting to shelter or healing. Embark warned that a Raider could be brought down in minutes; the threat was therefore not just another obstacle during a fight, but a reason to manage warmth and route choices throughout a run.
What to watch for
- Cold exposure: Embark’s developer tips identify frost on clothing, more intense breathing and visible breath as signs that core temperature is falling. Gameplay Programmer Fredrik Åhström put it simply: “When you see your breath freezing in the air that means you are getting colder.”
- Shelter and recovery: Carry bandages and be ready to get indoors or heal when exposure becomes dangerous. Embark’s advice is to pay attention to the cold rather than waiting until the run is already at risk.
- Stamina and movement: Prepare stamina for longer sprints, and take care around frozen water where footing may be unsteady. A route that is safe in ordinary conditions may be harder to cross during Cold Snap.
- Warmth from fire: An Embark Gameplay Engineer said, “Being on fire is the fastest way to warm up.” That is developer guidance, not a guarantee that deliberately taking damage is a safe strategy.
These tips come from Embark’s Cold Snap developer tips; they describe the intended condition, not an independently tested survival method.
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What Flickering Flames involved—and when it ended
Flickering Flames ran from December 16, 2025, through January 13, 2026. It asked Raiders to gather Candleberries and special items for Speranza, with rewards spanning Raider Tokens, new items, rare utility items, weapons, cosmetics and Merits. Players could also earn Merits by earning XP topside. Since the announced event window has passed, these dates and rewards describe the original event, not an active event schedule.
Candleberries were presented as useful to Speranza for food, wax, juice, tea, perfume, soap and decorations. Their in-world usefulness gave the gathering objective a place in the settlement’s winter preparations, beyond simply collecting a seasonal token.
Finding Candleberries
Embark Game Designer Andreea Dragoman described the Candleberry bush as evergreen with bright red fruit. World & Level Designer Marika Ohlsson said, “The bushes can usually be found around smaller structures, in addition to around rocky areas and other foliage.” That makes small buildings, rocky ground and vegetation the useful search cues given by the developers.
Other Cold Snap scavenging clues
- Light-related loot, including light bulbs and candle holders, was more common during Cold Snap, according to Embark.
- Firecrackers and fireworks could appear under any map condition, while the Firework Box blueprint was limited to Cold Snap, according to the developer tips.
- Throwing snowballs at alarmed cars could create a noise distraction to divert ARC away from a Raider’s location. Embark’s Code & Animation Tech described the tactic as: “Throwing Snowballs on alarmed cars can create a noise distraction to divert the ARC away from your location”.
These are tips from Embark’s December 20, 2025 developer article, not confirmation that the loot distribution or condition remains unchanged in later versions.
Temporary event versus permanent Goalie Raider Deck
The Goalie Raider Deck was separate from Flickering Flames. Embark announced it as the second free, permanent Raider Deck, available from December 26, 2025. The deck included unlockable items, Raider Tokens and cosmetics; its signature look came with a hockey-stick Raider Tool. “Permanent” refers to the availability described in the 2025 announcement, not a guarantee about the current game’s distribution.
The most consequential patch changes
Beyond winter content, Update 1.7.0 adjusted combat and added quality-of-life features. These values are specifically from Embark’s 2025 version 1.7.0 notes; later patches may have changed the balance or interface.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
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Weapon and ARC balance
- Bettina: Durability burn was reduced, base magazine capacity rose from 20 to 22, and reload time fell from 5 to 4.5 seconds.
- Rattler: Base magazine size rose from 10 to 12.
- Shredder: Embark changed knockback, movement and turning responsiveness, head health, navigation, combat-entry speed and destructible parts.
Controls, progression and interface
- Skill Tree Reset: Players could reset a skill tree for 2,000 Coins per skill point, as specified in the 2025 patch notes.
- Aim Down Sights: An option to toggle ADS was added.
- Cred: The interface gained a display for the Cred soft cap of 800, per the patch notes.
- Raider Tools: Customization options were added.
- Graphics: A Cinematic setting was added for high-end PCs.
Other notable maintenance
The patch also adjusted movement, fixed map collisions, made Security Lockers dynamically spawn, and included a broad set of UI, quest, audio, inventory, social and stability fixes. It moved the Aphelion blueprint drop from the Matriarch to Stella Montis. These changes belong to the 1.7.0 update; the notes do not establish the present-day state of those systems.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Cold Snap still available?
The event’s announced end date was January 13, 2026. The official news index, accessed October 7, 2026, showed materially newer coverage, including October 2026 articles. The sources cited here do not establish whether Cold Snap has returned since 1.7.0, so treat the condition’s availability as unconfirmed unless a newer official announcement says otherwise.
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