Arc Raiders features a variety of features and mechanics, including Expeditions. However, when you first boot up the game, you cannot access it until level 20. But even when you do, it may not seem clear what you are expecting to dive into by partaking in it. Are you moving to a new area? Do you go away for a short time and come back to the Rust Belt? It’s something that more players are becoming curious about as they approach unlocking it. Having run my fair share of raids in Arc Raiders so far, I can give you the intel on what Expeditions are. Furthermore, you can expect to get the details on what you need to do for them. That way, you can decide whether or not they are worth diving into.
What are Expeditions in Arc Raiders?
Expeditions are the game’s version of a “wipe” mechanic, where players will reset many things for their character. Over a set time, players must collect and donate resources to the Expedition to complete it. Components like cosmetics (whether unlocked or purchased) remain in your inventory. However, blueprints, your stash, and even skill tree progress will be wiped by completing the Expedition.
If you are aiming to respec your character in Arc Raiders, this is currently the only way to do so. Additionally, if you are looking to challenge yourself further, this mechanic is right for you. However, it’s not something that can be fully completed right away. Rather, there is a massive amount of supplies needed to send your character on an Expedition. Furthermore, players have a specific amount of time to do it before it starts again.
What Materials Are Needed for An Expedition?
From metal parts to humidifiers, players need different resources for their Expedition caravan. By having these, you progress through five different stages, culminating in your character setting out. Each stage of the Expedition has specific items that you need, and it can take time. Before you set out in each of the maps, the following items in our table are what you need to find:
| Expedition Stage | Items Needed |
| 1 – Foundation | – 150x Metal Parts – 200x Rubber Parts – 80x Arc Alloy – 15x Steel Spring |
| 2 – Core Systems | – 35x Durable Cloth – 30x Wires – 30x Electrical Components – 5x Cooling Fan |
| 3 – Framework | – 5x Light Bulb – 30x Battery – 20x Sensors – 1x Exodus Modules |
| 4 – Outfitting | – 5x Humidifier – 5x Advanced Electrical Components – 3x Magnetic Accelerator – 3x Leaper Pulse Unit |
| 5 – Load Stage | – 250,000 Coins worth of Combat Items. – 100,000 Coins worth of Survival Items. – 180,000 Coins worth of Provisions. – 300,000 Coins worth of Repair Materials. |
Most of the items players need to find and store are straightforward. However, the Load Stage may not seem specific. What it means is the value of those types of items. For combat items, these include weapons, grenades, attachments, and ammunition. Survival Items include Shields, Augments, and items such as bandages. Whereas Provisions are things like keys and Trinkets (the profitable items to sell). And the Materials consist of craftable resources.
The final stage of the Expedition prep requires players to finalize everything and head out. However, this is date-locked, and players will still be unable to access it until late December.
When Does the Current Expedition Take Place in Arc Raiders?
The present Expedition in Arc Raiders goes from October 30 to December 21. Therefore, players have just that amount of time to gather resources and depart at the end of the Expedition. As we are already partway through, players have plenty that they must get. Because of this amount of time, players need to start just taking out as many resources as they need as possible and exfiltrating. More so because the usual amount of time is 60 days.
It’s more than likely that this duration is how long all future Expeditions will be in Arc Raiders. Therefore, if you are not ready to dive into this particular one, you know what to expect next time. However, before you decide to pull the trigger on Expeditions, it’s best to know what you’re gonna lose from it.
What Do You Gain and Lose from Doing an Expedition?
An Expedition in Arc Raiders functions like a Prestige system in other games. This causes you to wipe your progress to gain some exclusive bonuses. When it comes to doing this, there is indeed a trade-off. Besides bragging rights for conducting an Expedition. First, if you are curious about what is gained and lost from doing an Expedition, it can be found in the following details:
| Action Taken from Expedition | Result |
| What you will gain from the Expedition | – Increased XP. – More materials from Scrappy. – Extra weapon repair. – Further increase to your Stash size. |
| What you will keep from the Expedition | – Maps – Codex Lore – Earned Raider Tokens and Cred. – Progress made in Decks. – Trials progress. – Leaderboard ranking. – Cosmetics (Purchased and earned). – Event progress from the character. – Skill Points and Stash spaces earned by doing the Expedition. |
| What you will lose from doing the Expedition | – Stash increase progress. – Inventory wipe, including Blueprints. – Skill Tree reset completely. – All Coins earned (Free in-game currency) – Workshops and Quests progress. |
As you can see, doing an Expedition in Arc Raiders comes with its share of risks and rewards. The wipe is meant to keep things fresh for players wanting a challenge. Luckily, you get to keep some things when doing it. Such as the Cosmetics or Deck progress. But, be aware that if you were grinding through Quests, all of those get reset. So if there are specific items you want from Quests, to get them done before committing to an Expedition in the game.
Furthermore, Expeditions in Arc Raiders are not a mandatory thing that needs to be done in the game. Therefore, all players will not see account wipes when the first Expeditions leave on December 21st. Rather, it is an optional way to further experience the game. Arc Raiders is one heck of a game, and if you are curious, playing solo is a completely different experience. Something that all players in the game need to go and check out.
