The High-Stakes Extraction: ARC Raiders’ Week 10 Trials Feature a Must-Win Challenge

As ARC Raiders approaches the end of 2025, the community is currently navigating the most brutal set of objectives yet. With the recent Cold Snap update introducing frostbite mechanics and frozen terrain, the standard “grind” has transformed into a desperate battle for survival. Among the five new challenges released for Week 10 (December 29, 2025 – January 5, 2026), one particular trial stands out as the ultimate “make or break” moment for your progression.

While veterans are used to dodging Snitches and dismantling Hornets, the stakes for this week’s “The Hard Extraction” trial have never been higher. Failure to complete this objective doesn’t just mean a missed reward—it could result in a significant ranking demotion in the Speranza Leaderboards.

1. The Challenge Breakdown: “Perfect Extraction Mastery”

The Week 10 Trials introduce a terrifying twist to the standard extraction loop. Unlike previous weeks where you could simply farm points and die, this week’s primary challenge, “Flawless Merit Extraction,” requires players to extract with specific high-value quest items while under the effects of the Cold Snap environmental hazard.

• The Objective: Successfully extract 3 times from the Buried City or Dam Battlegrounds during a “Night Raid” or “Electromagnetic Storm” modifier without falling into the “Frostbitten” state.

• The Catch: If you die or fail to extract, you don’t just lose your current points—you lose 30% of your total Trial Score for the week.

• The Reward: Achieving 3 stars on this trial is the only way to obtain the “Winter Sentinel” Augment Blueprint, which provides a 15% resistance to environmental freezing.

2. Why You Can’t Afford to “Mess Up” This Week

The ranking system in ARC Raiders has become increasingly competitive as players push for the Wildcard and Daredevil ranks. Because this trial carries a “penalty” for failure, the leaderboard is expected to shift dramatically.

3. Essential Gear for Week 10 Survival

To tackle the “Perfect Extraction Mastery,” your loadout needs to pivot from pure DPS to environmental sustain. Raiders are finding that the “Meta” has shifted toward thermal protection and quick-exit strategies.

• Consumables: Stock up on Thermal Pastes and Portable Heaters. These are vital for resetting your frostbite meter during long firefights in the open snow.

• Gadgets: The Snaphook is essential for verticality in the Buried City, allowing you to bypass ground-level ARC patrols and head straight for rooftop extraction points.

• Weapons: The Hullcracker remains a top choice for taking down Leapers quickly, though recent nerfs mean you should bring at least two stacks of Heavy Ammunition.

4. Tactical Tips: How to Secure Your 3-Star Score

1. Prioritize “Hidden Bunker” Events: While Night Raids give 2x points, the Hidden Bunker event provides 40 minutes of safety from the extreme surface cold. Use this time to gather your trial requirements before making a dash for the exit.

2. Avoid the “Queen” This Week: Unless your trial specifically asks for “Queen/Matriarch Damage,” do not engage. The long TTK (Time to Kill) exposes you to frostbite and extraction campers who are looking to ruin your “Flawless” streak.

3. Use the “Raider Hatch Key”: Don’t rely on the public extraction flares. Use a Hatch Key to exit through the underground tunnels. It is the safest way to ensure your points are banked without facing a “Gatekeeper” squad at the landing pad.

Conclusion: The Coldest Week in the Rust Belt

Week 10 of the ARC Raiders Trials is a test of discipline over greed. The “one challenge you won’t want to mess up” is a reminder that in the Rust Belt, survival is the only metric that truly matters. With the Flickering Flames event also live, players who manage to master these trials will walk away with the rarest cosmetic sets and blueprints currently available in the game.

Stay warm, stay low, and whatever you do—don’t miss that extraction.

Sources and References:

• ARC Raiders Official Update 1.7.0 Patch Notes (Dec 16, 2025).

• Embark Studios – Cold Snap Survival Guide & Community Updates.

• IGN / Rock Paper Shotgun – ARC Raiders Blueprint & Trial Strategy Guides.

Would you like a specialized map route for the Buried City that highlights the best “Thermal Shelter” locations for this week’s trials?

ARC Raiders Beginners Guide

This video provides essential tips for new raiders to survive their first extractions and understand the core mechanics of the Rust Belt.