Summary
Frozen Trail update introduces Pendola Pass to ARC Raiders, bringing weather and extraction challenges to looting.
Sudden Flash Freeze events can interrupt exploration, Gondola seats are limited, and new ARC enemies may appear on your way out. Alongside hunting for blueprints and rare supplies, you'll need to learn where to shelter and how to leave while managing resources such as ARC Raiders Coins.
The gameplay details below come from early playtesting, so loot tables and some interactions may change. Grappling onto Gondola or boarding while downed will need confirmation in the release version.
1. New Map Features
Pendola Pass is the new ARC Raiders map in Frozen Trail, with Flash Freeze weather, Gondola extraction, and ice-sealed rooms. Observatory's key room yielded weapon blueprints, gear, and keys to other maps. Railyard has numerous searchable containers, and Raider Outpost furniture blueprints were found during exploration there.
The new Common Grappling Hook offers another movement option alongside the existing Snap Hook. It lets players scale buildings, cross slopes, and swing across some terrain. After reaching higher ground, watch for nearby ARC units and other players before moving on.
2. Flash Freeze
Players familiar with other ARC Raiders maps will need to account for the cold here. Flash Freeze lasted approximately three minutes during playtesting. Prolonged outdoor exposure can eventually kill you through hypothermia, so note which nearby buildings you can enter while looting.
Before crossing a long outdoor stretch, check for shelter along the way. When the cold arrives, head indoors and use the time to organize your inventory or search containers.
If you're gathering ARC Raiders items, leave distant unopened crates for later rather than extending your exposure for a few extra supplies.
3. Gondola Extraction
Frozen Trail gives ARC Raiders players a different extraction setup on Pendola Pass. During the playtest, Gondola carried only three players at a time, while multiple squads could gather at the same exit. Reaching it doesn't guarantee a seat, and pursuing enemies can complicate boarding.
Regroup before leaving so one teammate isn't still looting while the others board. If Gondola fills up, you may need another way out. An alternative extraction method was mentioned, but its location and requirements remain unclear. Arriving early gives you more time to handle occupied seats.
Players also escaped by grappling onto Gondola and boarded while downed during testing. These interactions may not work consistently in the release version, so plan around normal boarding. Allow time for the whole squad to reach the vehicle, especially if you've split up to search nearby buildings.
4. Observatory Key Room
The Observatory is worth checking if you're looking for blueprints and keys in ARC Raiders. Its locked room contains numerous cabinets and searchable containers. Playtest finds included weapon blueprints, equipment, and keys for rooms on other maps.
With the matching key, you can make this room a main objective for your run. Several ARC Raiders items appeared here, but those finds don't establish guaranteed rewards or blueprint drop rates.
Choose loot according to your needs, and inspect unfamiliar keys before leaving them behind. They may be useful on a later expedition, even if they don't help with your current run.
5. Railyard Loot
Railyard offers ARC Raiders players a large area with many searchable containers. Standard blueprints and rare supplies appeared during testing, and there's a dedicated key room. If you have its key, head there first and search ordinary containers along the way.
Without a key, focus on one building or a nearby group of containers before venturing deeper. The area's size makes it easy to extend your search and end up farther from extraction than expected.
Once you have an important blueprint or rare supplies, consider heading toward the exit instead of clearing every remaining container.
6. Frozen Doors
Some entrances on this ARC Raiders map are frozen shut and require attacks to break the ice. Inspect doorways as you pass buildings, since these entrances can conceal additional rooms.
They offer extra places to search for ARC Raiders items along your route. New blueprints may appear inside, but their drop rates and spawn patterns haven't been established.
Check frozen rooms when you come across them, without treating them as guaranteed blueprint sources or making a long detour solely to find one.
7. New Enemies
Among the threats arriving in ARC Raiders with Frozen Trail is Bully, a heavy, four-legged enemy that charges quickly and attacks with incendiary shotgun rounds and grenades. It can enter crowded extraction areas, so stay alert near exits. If one approaches, find a building or solid cover and avoid fighting in the open.
Stripped armor doesn't mean a Bully is nearly dead. It can keep delivering heavy damage after taking substantial punishment. With valuable loot in your backpack, disengaging may be more sensible than committing to a prolonged fight.
The smaller Skulker uses cover and quick repositioning to harass players. Chasing it can pull you away from your route, so track your surroundings during combat.
The giant Emperor is connected to special events. Emperor Beacon acquisition and use appeared in Redirection playlist; check your selected mode before searching for one.
First-Run Tips
For your first ARC Raiders trip to Pendola Pass in Frozen Trail, choose Observatory or Railyard as your main looting area. Learn nearby shelter options and locate Gondola's extraction direction. Use matching keys when you have them; otherwise, search ordinary containers and frozen entrances.
Extend your trips once you understand Flash Freeze, travel distances, and boarding. Familiarity with those details will help you judge whether there's time to continue when enemies or other players interrupt your plans, especially if you're trying to make the most of your cheap ARC Raiders Coins.
