The arctic biome in Icarus can be harsh; with dangerous creatures, extreme temperatures, and barely any vegetation, you will need to be prepared if you want to succeed. So far, you have probably seen a lot of vegetation in the forest, but eventually, your next mission will introduce you to the arctic.
In this guide, we are going to go over everything you need to know about the arctic biome. This will include survival tips, as well as any materials and animals that you will be able to find there. First, let's take a look at how to prepare yourself against the elements.
Armor In The Arctic
You are essentially an astronaut exploring Icarus in a high-tech spacesuit, but you will still need armor to keep you warm.
When you are in the arctic biome, it's important that you find fur to make armor as soon as possible. Fur armor will keep you warm as you wander around in the snow. To make this armor set, you will need to unlock the blueprints from the technology tree once you hit level 20. Below, you can check out the necessary materials to make this important set of armor.
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Armor Piece |
Materials Needed |
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Fur Chest Armor |
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Fur Leg Armor |
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Fur Feet Armor |
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Fur Arm Armor |
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Fur Head Armor |
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With a full set of fur armor, you will have a set bonus of five percent cold resistance, as well as buffs to your physical and exposure resistance. If you wait to make the fur armor set, you will risk freezing to death.
Lack Of Resources
The arctic biome is quite bare. While exploring, you won't often come across trees, fiber, or water. Because of this, it's important to collect these materials beforehand. If you have landed in a temperate area that connects to the arctic, we advise you to gather your necessary items before heading into the arctic. Additionally, try to set up a small shelter with a bedroll while still in a temperate zone. If you do end up dying, you will respawn here and can quickly return to the arctic biome.
In the arctic, almost all the water you see will be frozen over. Because of this, you will need to bring a waterskin. With this item, you can collect water to drink when there is none nearby.
Below, you can find some more important items to bring into the arctic with you.
- Oxygen Bladder
- Bedroll
- Potbelly Stove
- Plenty of Food
- Heat Bandages
- Bow and Arrows
- Materials To Build A Simple Shelter
- Wood
- Sticks
- Fiber
If you have yet to unlock some of these recipes due to your level, try to spend some time leveling up. A great way to level up is by hunting and crafting; both of these activities can also help you gather the necessary materials to craft the items above. For more information, be sure to check out our guide on how to level up quickly.
Finding Shelter
Snowstorms are no joke; it's important that you seek shelter when this weather event is heading your way.
These storms can easily destroy any shelter that you construct, so the best place to find shelter is inside a cave. Caves cannot be destroyed during a snowstorm, allowing you to safely take cover from the blizzard. If you do decide to take shelter in a cave, look out for cave worms. These are poison-spitting enemies that can quickly kill you if you are not paying attention. To avoid cave worms in a cave, just stay near the entrance. You can also place a few sturdy walls to block any shots that the worms do try to take.
If you cannot find a cave, consider digging out a rock with a pickaxe. Doing this will create a hole in the center of the rock where you can place a heat source and a bedroll.
Don't Mess With Polar Bears
The arctic variation of the dangerous brown bear is the polar bear. Similar to their forest-dwelling counterparts, polar bears are extremely dangerous.
Polar bears should be avoided at all costs. If you kill a few, you can craft the polar bear armor set, but if you aren't prepared to easily kill a polar bear, then it may not be worth it. In general, we advise not going head to head with a polar bear; they will be able to kill you in a few hits.
That's all there is to know about the arctic biome! Overall, the main point is that you need to prepare. At the start of the game, it's completely okay to wing it without fully having a plan. In the arctic biome though, this will not work. The key to surviving here is to plan ahead.