With the [Arc Raiders](https://amzn.to/3YzzqRW) Update 1.7.0 patch notes now out in the open, it's finally clear what Embark has been working on behind the scenes. This is a chunky update, adding new wintry conditions, a limited-time event, balance changes, and a few long-requested quality-of-life improvements. While not everything players hoped for has made the cut, there's still a lot here that meaningfully changes how the game plays.
Unfortunately, one thing that hasn't changed is the state of Arc Raiders' achievements. Based on the patch notes, the handful of broken achievements on Xbox are still broken, and fixes won't arrive until sometime next year. That's disappointing, especially for completion-focused players, but it doesn't overshadow everything else Update 1.7.0 brings.
The most prominent headline feature is the arrival of winter in the Rust Belt. Under the new Cold Snap condition, maps can now be covered in snow, dramatically reducing visibility and changing how you move through the environment. Frozen water is harder to traverse, and poor sightlines make encounters riskier than usual. On top of that, the cold itself is a serious threat. Stay outside too long and it will cut your Raider down in minutes unless you get indoors or keep healing. It's a mechanic that encourages more innovative route planning and forces players to think twice before committing to extended surface fights.
Alongside the seasonal weather, Embark has launched the Flickering Flames event. This event centers on helping the people of Speranza by collecting and donating specific items. One key resource is candleberries, which can be harvested from candleberry bushes on frozen maps. Turning in these items earns you raider tokens, cosmetics, and other rewards, giving players an apparent reason to engage with the new snow-covered conditions instead of avoiding them.
There's more on the reward front as well. Starting December 26, a new permanent and completely free Raider Deck will be added to the game. It comes packed with additional skins and gear to unlock, expanding progression without locking content behind a paywall. For players who like pursuing long-term goals, this is an easy win.
Update 1.7.0 also delivers several gameplay tweaks and fixes that the community has been asking for. Most notably, players can now reset their skill tree. This has been a sore spot ever since a previous update nerfed security lockers, leaving some builds feeling weaker with no way to respec. The new reset option finally gives players the freedom to experiment again without feeling punished for past choices.
Embark has also addressed spawning issues on Stella Montis, adjusting placements. Hence, players are no longer dropped uncomfortably close to each other at the start of a match. On the balance side, both the Bettina and the Rattler have received significant buffs, making them more viable choices. At the same time, the Shredder enemy has become far more dangerous, with improvements to its health, movement, navigation, and combat behavior. It's now a much bigger threat, and you can't afford to underestimate it.
While the lack of achievement fixes is a letdown, Update 1.7.0 still feels like a meaningful step forward for Arc Raiders. The Cold Snap condition changes the flow of matches, the Flickering Flames event adds purpose to the season, and the skill tree reset alone fixes a long-standing frustration. If you want to dive into every detail, you can read the full patch notes on the official site [here](https://arcraiders.com/news/cold-snap-patch-notes).
Unfortunately, one thing that hasn't changed is the state of Arc Raiders' achievements. Based on the patch notes, the handful of broken achievements on Xbox are still broken, and fixes won't arrive until sometime next year. That's disappointing, especially for completion-focused players, but it doesn't overshadow everything else Update 1.7.0 brings.
The most prominent headline feature is the arrival of winter in the Rust Belt. Under the new Cold Snap condition, maps can now be covered in snow, dramatically reducing visibility and changing how you move through the environment. Frozen water is harder to traverse, and poor sightlines make encounters riskier than usual. On top of that, the cold itself is a serious threat. Stay outside too long and it will cut your Raider down in minutes unless you get indoors or keep healing. It's a mechanic that encourages more innovative route planning and forces players to think twice before committing to extended surface fights.
Alongside the seasonal weather, Embark has launched the Flickering Flames event. This event centers on helping the people of Speranza by collecting and donating specific items. One key resource is candleberries, which can be harvested from candleberry bushes on frozen maps. Turning in these items earns you raider tokens, cosmetics, and other rewards, giving players an apparent reason to engage with the new snow-covered conditions instead of avoiding them.
There's more on the reward front as well. Starting December 26, a new permanent and completely free Raider Deck will be added to the game. It comes packed with additional skins and gear to unlock, expanding progression without locking content behind a paywall. For players who like pursuing long-term goals, this is an easy win.
Update 1.7.0 also delivers several gameplay tweaks and fixes that the community has been asking for. Most notably, players can now reset their skill tree. This has been a sore spot ever since a previous update nerfed security lockers, leaving some builds feeling weaker with no way to respec. The new reset option finally gives players the freedom to experiment again without feeling punished for past choices.
Embark has also addressed spawning issues on Stella Montis, adjusting placements. Hence, players are no longer dropped uncomfortably close to each other at the start of a match. On the balance side, both the Bettina and the Rattler have received significant buffs, making them more viable choices. At the same time, the Shredder enemy has become far more dangerous, with improvements to its health, movement, navigation, and combat behavior. It's now a much bigger threat, and you can't afford to underestimate it.
While the lack of achievement fixes is a letdown, Update 1.7.0 still feels like a meaningful step forward for Arc Raiders. The Cold Snap condition changes the flow of matches, the Flickering Flames event adds purpose to the season, and the skill tree reset alone fixes a long-standing frustration. If you want to dive into every detail, you can read the full patch notes on the official site [here](https://arcraiders.com/news/cold-snap-patch-notes).