Cold Snap - tips and tricks from the devs

The Rust Belt is in the punishing grip of deep winter, and many Raiders have already learnt the hard way that the brutal cold batters the unprepared. 

But down in Speranza, this year’s festival of light is in full swing, and Candleberries are one of the most sought-after commodities of the season.  There are still plenty of Raiders who are brave - or foolish - enough to risk journeying across the frigid Topside in order to be the first to scavenge them and return with the prized loot, in exchange for rewards.

But how do you survive up there when it’s not only the ARC, or other Raiders, but the very environment itself, which is out to take you down?  Who better to ask for advice than the hardiest Raiders we know - our dev team!

Adapt to survive

The toughest Raiders have learnt that adaptation is key to survival.  As well as stacking your backpack with bandages, paying close attention to the warning signs before the cold gets to you is essential.  As well as noticing frost on your clothes, and hearing your breathing become more intense as your core temperature lowers, there are other signs too.

“When you see your breath freezing in the air that means you are getting colder.”
Fredrik Åhström, Gameplay Programmer

Of course, when you’re running low on bandages, and the nearest shelter is more than a quick sprint away, it’s always good to have another, ummm, trick? in your backpack to beat the chill!

“Being on fire is the fastest way to warm up”
Gameplay Engineer 

Let Nature lend a helping hand

If there’s one thing a Rust Belt winter has plenty of, it’s snow, but as well as being pretty to look at, it can also be fun to throw!  If you haven’t yet splatted your friend in the face….what are you waiting for?  But when the ARC has you cornered, snow can also give you a tactical advantage.

“Throwing Snowballs on alarmed cars can create a noise distraction to divert the ARC away from your location”
Code & Animation Tech

Forage for…Fireworks?

The festival of Flickering Flames is Speranza’s annual celebration of light, and Raiders will notice that light-related loot items (light bulbs, candle holders etc) are more commonly found during Cold Snap.  Whilst firecrackers and fireworks can be found during any map condition, the Firework Box blueprint can only be found during the Cold Snap condition. 

Collecting Candleberries

Candleberries are a rare treat in winter, and it’s hardly a surprise when you see the quality loot they can trade for down in Speranza.  But the chat in the tunnels is that they’re tricky to find, unless you know what you’re looking for, that is. 

“The Candleberry bush is evergreen and bears bright red fruits” 
Andreea Dragoman, Game Designer

Even so, they are a somewhat solitary species and that might mean needing to hunt around Topside in order to collect enough to really impress those down below.  But it’s nothing good preparation can’t fix! Time to embrace the cold, build up your stamina skill points to sprint further, and don’t forget to stock up on those all-essential bandages.

“The bushes can usually be found around smaller structures, in addition to around rocky areas and other foliage.”
Marika Ohlsson, World & Level Designer

There’s also a rumour going round that some who venture Topside have even been lucky enough to find a Candleberry stash or two that an unlucky Raider has left behind..

So what are you waiting for, Raider?  There’s an old saying from the beforetimes, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’. So put on your warmest gear and get up there. 

Stay warm. Stay alive.

The ARC Raiders Team