ARC Raiders Frozen Trail Guide: How to Board and Clear the Frigate

With the release of Frozen Trail, ARC Raiders is enjoying a new heyday! Players, both new and returning, are flocking to the game to explore the frigid northern reaches of Rust Belt.

While Pendola Pass is technically the only new map, Frigate, a unique and massive new type of ARC, offers an experience rivaling that of a standard map thanks to its incredibly complex interior layout.

To help you navigate this, IGGM has compiled a clearing guide covering key details like Frigate’s interior terrain and the loot available to unlock.

When does Frigate appear?

According to player reports, Frigate has a chance to spawn on any of the known ARC Raiders maps, with the exception of Stella Montis.

Once it appears, Frigate remains available for exploration for approximately one hour before rotating out, just like other map states.

Note that maps hosting Frigate lack locked doors and rooms; consequently, the quantity and value of hidden ARC Raiders items on the map itself are significantly reduced, effectively encouraging you to head straight for Frigate.

More importantly, Raider Hatches do not appear during this time. You cannot use keys for a direct extraction; instead, you must follow standard mechanics and locate the specific extraction point for the current map.

Optimizing your gear setup

Frigate is an extremely dangerous environment. Beyond its complex internal layout, it harbors lethal ARCs and PvP players ready to ambush you at any moment.

To boost your combat effectiveness while minimizing the risk of death or loss during exploration, you need to fine-tune your gear setup beforehand.

Offensive and defensive gear

IGGM strongly recommends equipping a Looting Augment (Mk 2 or Mk 3). This provides extra safe pockets, reducing the amount of loot lost upon an unexpected death.

For shields, simply choose the best model available to you. If possible, bring a Shield Recharger and a spare shield; ARC enemies on Frigate deal heavy damage, so you may need to repair or swap out your shield frequently. 

As for weapon selection, you need a high-performance weapon that offers excellent ammo efficiency against PvE enemies.

While you can choose to buy ARC Raiders items that fits these criteria, Bantam is highly recommended. This short-barreled revolver was recently introduced to the game by Frozen Trail and can be obtained by trading with Tian Wen.

Its main advantage is its effectiveness against ARCs at close range, precisely the kind of combat scenario you will encounter most often on Frigate. 

Although its fire rate is somewhat slow and its long-range performance is lackluster, it is more than adequate for close-to-mid-range engagements.

Furthermore, Bantam boasts an incredibly fast fire rate when hip-firing, making it exceptionally efficient at destroying Frigate’s power engine core, far outperforming similar weapons in this regard. Naturally, ensuring you have plenty of ammunition is essential.

Utility items

First, medical supplies go without saying; if possible, bring a Defibrillator. It allows for more efficient and convenient healing of fellow Raiders, thereby boosting teamwork.

Additionally, you should carry utility items specifically designed to counter ARC enemies, such as various types of grenades.

Most importantly, however, are Grapple Hooks and Snap Hooks; these tools are incredibly useful in Frigate’s environment, which is full of vertical terrain.

Given that Expedition 5 has recently concluded, if your current in-game assets or character capabilities aren’t enough to unlock all the gear mentioned above, you can easily resolve this by ARC Raiders items for sale.

The steps of boarding Frigate

When Frigate first appears, it hovers in the air before descending slightly and firing lasers at the ground, unleashing a massive bombardment.

After dodging this attack, keep an eye out for smaller ARC flying units that have landed nearby; approach one, jump onto it, and quickly perform the interfere action.

This triggers the flying ARC to deploy a protective shield that blocks all external attacks while lifting you safely into the air. Once you reach the docking port at the bottom of Frigate, simply jump off to enter its interior.

Scavenging tips

Upon entering Frigate, you will first pass through ventilation shafts; the flanks of this area contain supply crates holding high-value ARC Raiders items, such as ARC Data Modules.

After scavenging this area, you and a teammate must work together to activate the elevator and ascend to the first level. Here, you will encounter a new enemy type, Hydra, which you must eliminate quickly while also solving a puzzle in the vicinity.

From there, simply explore deeper into the interior layout; stay alert for enemies and scavenge as many rooms and containers as possible. Additionally, if you spot any power cores, be sure to destroy them immediately.

How to extract safely?

Currently, ARC Raiders Frigate does not allow for direct external extraction from the top level; you must retrace your steps along the same route you used to enter.

Specifically, if you reach the cold storage area on the upper level, you will need to use a jump pad to enter the ventilation ducts, then descend using tools like ziplines or Snap Hooks until you return to the initial docking bay.

There, you will see numerous ARC drones still docked; select one and perform the Interfere action, and it will safely transport you back to the ground.

Note that you shouldn’t let your guard down even after landing safely! You still need to travel to a public extraction point on the map, a journey during which you could easily be ambushed by small groups of ARC enemies or other players.

Since the game has only recently been released, there are likely many hidden secrets within ARC Raiders Frigate waiting for you to discover, so keep exploring!