Understanding Expeditions in Arc Raiders: A Guide to Progress Resets and Rewards

Arc Raiders introduces an innovative Expedition system, serving as an optional 'prestige' mode for players. This feature allows individuals to reset a substantial portion of their game progression in exchange for unique advantages and rewards in subsequent cycles. The process involves multiple stages, from resource gathering to caravan construction, culminating in a departure that wipes certain progress while preserving others. This cyclical system aims to offer a fresh gameplay experience and enhanced benefits for dedicated players.

Embarking on Expeditions: Mechanics, Schedule, and Rewards in Arc Raiders

In the dynamic world of Arc Raiders, the Expedition system provides a distinctive gameplay loop, diverging from conventional extraction shooter mechanics. This 'prestige' mode, introduced by Embark, enables players to voluntarily reset their progress, akin to Call of Duty's prestige system, to gain strategic advantages. The first Expedition Project is scheduled to commence on October 30, 2025, aligning with the game's launch, and will conclude with the final departure window on December 21, 2025. This eight-week cycle comprises a caravan construction and supply phase from October 30 to December 14, followed by a finalization phase from December 15 to December 20, leading up to the departure on December 21.

To initiate an Expedition, players must achieve level 20. Upon reaching this milestone, they can access the 'projects' section within the main menu's 'raider' category, where the Expedition Project option becomes available. This triggers the caravan construction process, essential for venturing beyond the Rust Belt. Players are required to contribute specific materials, such as 150 Metal Parts, 200 Rubber Parts, 80 ARC Alloy, and 15 Steel Springs, for the initial foundational construction. Once materials are committed, they cannot be retrieved.

Participating in an Expedition results in a significant reset of game progress. Players will lose their stash upgrade progress, all inventory items, blueprints, player level, acquired skill points, coins, raider den progress, workshop advancements, and active quests. However, certain elements are preserved, including unlocked maps, workshop stations, codex entries, Raider Tokens, Cred, Raider Decks progress, active leaderboards, trials, cosmetics, personal event progress, bonus skill points, and bonus stash slots earned from previous Expeditions.

The rewards for undertaking an Expedition are substantial. Successful completion grants players increased XP gain, more Scrappy materials, enhanced weapon repair capabilities, additional stash space, and bonus skill points, with the latter being influenced by the value of items in the player's stash at the time of departure. These persistent advantages encourage continuous engagement with the Expedition system, offering long-term benefits for a player's journey in Arc Raiders.

The Expedition system in Arc Raiders offers a compelling incentive for players to re-engage with the core mechanics, providing a structured path for long-term progression and strategic planning. The temporary setback of a partial wipe is far outweighed by the permanent advantages gained, fostering a sense of continuous improvement and adaptation. This design choice encourages players to master the game's systems, strategically manage resources, and continually refine their gameplay approach, ultimately deepening their overall experience within the Arc Raiders universe.