Welcome to the Cold Snap (but make it cozy)
ARC Raiders got a frosty makeover with the Cold Snap update, which means snow, survival headaches, and a couple of free swag opportunities via Twitch Drops. If you want to deck out your Raider without spending a single scrap of in-game currency, these Drops are your best friend—and yes, they’re totally free if you play it right.
Link your Embark and Twitch accounts (the boring but important part)
Before anything else, you need to link your Embark account to your Twitch account. Do that first and the rest is smooth sailing (or sliding on ice). Steps to follow: 1) Sign in to the Embark website with the platform account you use for ARC Raiders. 2) Open your profile and find Connected Platforms. 3) Click Link next to Twitch and sign into your Twitch account. Once that’s done, you’re eligible to receive Drops.
How to actually claim the Drops
With accounts linked, the process is simple: find ARC Raiders streams on Twitch that have Drops enabled, watch for the required amount of time, and then claim the item in your Twitch Inventory. After claiming, log into ARC Raiders (or restart the game if it’s already running) and the item should appear in your in-game inventory. Pro tip: you can leave the stream running in the background and it will usually still count.
What Drops are up for grabs
There are two parallel Cold Snap Drop campaigns running during the same window: December 16, 2025 through January 13, 2026. Here’s the short version of what you can earn:
Watch-time rewards: 1) Eye Band – a face-style cosmetic unlocked after 60 minutes of watching streams with Drops enabled. 2) Vintage Mic – a backpack charm unlocked after 120 minutes of watching. The Eye Band makes your Raider look tough and storied, while the Vintage Mic is a neat charm you can equip from the Style tab.
Subscription reward: Raider Icon Badge – this is a Twitch chat badge you get by purchasing a new recurring or gift subscription on a participating channel during the event. It doesn’t go in your game inventory but shows off your Cold Snap support in Twitch chats.
Handy tips to not miss out
Only streams that show “Drops Enabled” will count, so double-check before you settle on a channel. Keep an eye on your Twitch Inventory to track progress and hit “Claim” when a reward unlocks. If the item doesn’t show up in ARC Raiders right away, restart the game. And yes, that generous background tab watching is a legit way to rack up the minutes—just don’t forget to actually claim the reward.
Final chill reminder
The Cold Snap Drops run from December 16, 2025 to January 13, 2026. Claim anything you’ve earned before the event ends, or the goodies will melt away like a snowman in July. Happy looting—and try not to freeze your Raider’s boots off!
