Zero-Degree Challenge: ticket, cold and the Frost Commander

The Zero-Degree Challenge is a winter challenge map added in update 1.3.10. Enter with a Zero-Degree Challenge Ticket from the Farm Town Mysterious Merchant (6,000, no quest needed) and take the boat from the Lumber Mill west dock in Farm Town. Bring cold protection 2 for a daytime run and 3 at night.

Tickets

• Farm Town Mysterious Merchant: 6,000, stock 3.
• Bunker vending machine: 8,000, stock 3, after Jeff’s quest New Route (level 20), which asks you to hand in one ticket.
• New Route also unlocks buying the Beanie, Padded Jacket and Frostbite Ointment, the cheapest cold gear in the game.

Cold

Cold builds up during the run; at the top of the gauge you get Frostbite, which deals damage over time and lowers your ice resistance. Frostbite Ointment removes it, and since update 2.0.33 so do the Hot-Blood Injector, any alcohol and Cola. The Lab Area 37 guide lists the cold protection of every helmet and armor.

Bosses and the route

1. Big Ice (300 health) carries the MMG-Ice Edge or an RPD, Lv.4 Snowfield Body Armor and Helmet, and a 30% chance of the RPD Fire Rate Module blueprint. He drops the Container Key.
2. The Container Key opens a locked shipping container and the new area beyond, toward the Frost Commander (226 health), who drops the Frost SR-3M, Lv.4 Combat Body Armor, AP Bullet (S) and a Yellow Injector.

Update 2.3.30 raised the chance of the Frost SR-3M’s negative effect from 30% to 40% and the MMG-Ice Edge’s from 50% to 65%.

The Coal Briquette

The Coal Briquette is an NPC that fights beside you if you pay it in BTC; guides list 1 BTC in the Zero-Degree Challenge. Since update 2.3.19 its kills count toward your kill statistics.