Permafrost Guide (Rivals Contraband)
Rivals Permafrost: the 600-Key Contraband freeze weapon, both Primary and Utility slots, and how to build around the freeze.
Permafrost Guide (Rivals Contraband)
Permafrost is the headline Contraband weapon in Rivals: 600 Keys, a freeze effect, and the unique property of fitting in either the Primary or Utility slot. Freezing an enemy is the strongest crowd-control in the game. This guide covers how to use it.
What Permafrost Does
Permafrost freezes enemies in place on hit, locking them for a free follow-up from you or a teammate. No other weapon in Rivals has this effect — the 'Freeze Ray' some lists mention is fake; Permafrost is the real and only freeze weapon.
Because it can go in two slots, you can run double freeze or pair freeze with a different primary.
Primary vs Utility Permafrost
As a Primary, Permafrost is your main damage plus freeze — strong but expensive. As a Utility, it frees your primary for a Sniper or Minigun while still giving you the freeze tool.
Most competitive kits run Permafrost in the Utility slot so the primary stays a pure damage gun.
Building a Permafrost Loadout
Utility Permafrost + Sniper primary + Revolver + Katana is a classic freeze-then-delete kit. Or Primary Permafrost + Uzi + Knife + RPG for a freeze-and-burst playstyle.
Both appear in the best loadout tier list as high-skill, high-reward options.
Maps for Permafrost
Permafrost shines anywhere teams cluster: Docks, Station, and 5v5 modes on any map. The freeze is less valuable in 1v1 where you control the duel already.
See the rivals modes tier list for how freeze value scales with team size.
How to Unlock Permafrost
Permafrost costs 600 Keys, the most expensive weapon in the game. Earn them from tasks and contracts — how to get keys lists the fastest routes, and redeem codes for free Keys on the rivals codes page.
Save before blowing Keys on cheaper guns; Permafrost is the end-game target.
Fake Freeze Warning
Some tier lists rank a 'Freeze Ray' as a separate weapon. There is no Freeze Ray. The only freeze weapon is Permafrost. Trust lists that match the in-game Shop.
Our weapon tiers never include fabricated guns, only the 53 verified weapons plus the 5 mode-exclusive ones.
A Warning About Fake Weapon Tier Lists
Before you trust any Rivals tier list, check the gun names. Several popular "tier lists" rank weapons that do not exist in the game. Rivals has 53 weapons plus 5 gamemode-exclusive weapons, and that is the entire arsenal.
These weapons are fabricated and are NOT in Rivals: Heavy Sniper, Pulse AR, Freeze Ray, Chainsaw, Battle Axe, cyber armor. If a list ranks a "Heavy Sniper", a "Pulse AR", a "Freeze Ray", a "Chainsaw", a "Battle Axe", or "cyber armor", treat the whole list as unreliable. Every weapon on this wiki is verified to ship in Rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Permafrost cost in Rivals?
Permafrost is a Contraband weapon costing 600 Keys, the most expensive in the game. It freezes enemies on hit.
Can Permafrost be a primary?
Yes. Permafrost fits in either the Primary or Utility slot, which lets you run double freeze or pair freeze with a damage primary.
Is there a Freeze Ray in Rivals?
No. The Freeze Ray is a fake weapon some lists invent. Permafrost is the only freeze weapon in Rivals.
What loadout uses Permafrost best?
Utility Permafrost plus a Sniper primary lets you freeze a target and delete it. That kit is in our best loadout tier list.
More Rivals Wiki Pages
Related Guides
Assault Rifle Guide (Rivals)
The free Rivals Assault Rifle: 12 body / 15 crit, 20 mag, why it is the best starter and how to use it at every rank.
Best Loadout Tier List in Rivals
Full 4-slot Rivals loadouts ranked S–D for 1v1, 2v2, and 5v5, built only from verified weapons.
Best Melee Weapons in Rivals (Ranked)
Rivals melee weapons ranked: Knife, Katana, Gunblade, Daggers, Scythe, and Fists — verified costs, backstab, and hitscan deflection.
Best Primary Weapons in Rivals (Tier List + Stats)
Ranked primary weapons in Rivals: Assault Rifle, Sniper, Shotgun, Burst Rifle, Minigun, Bow, RPG, and more, with verified costs and roles.