ARC Raiders Expedition Guide
The seasonal project system explained, from official announcements.
Expeditions are ARC Raiders's seasonal time-limited project: a multi-stage event with its own window, a sign-up step, a challenge, catch-up mechanics and rewards. Each expedition wipes and resets parts of the game — and since August 2026, quest resets are opt-in, which matters for quest progress and some blueprint paths.
Current Expedition
The current event is the 5th Expedition (September 8–29, 2026) — the last expedition until 2027, while the team redesigns the system. If you are tracking crafting unlocks at the same time, keep the Blueprints hub nearby.
How an expedition works
- Complete the Caravan — a prerequisite project that prepares your departure (it does NOT sign you up).
- Wait for the window — the expedition window is the only time you can sign up and play the event.
- Sign Up — you must sign up during the window; completing the Caravan alone is not enough. There is no Last Call.
- Complete the Challenge — earn the rewards by completing the challenge inside the window.
- Catch Up — regain missed skill points (max 5 per expedition) on your second, third or fourth expedition.
- Depart — all signed-up players depart when the window closes.
Load stages
An expedition runs through defined stages in order: prepare (the Caravan project), wait for the departure window, sign up during that window, complete the challenge, catch up missed skill points, then depart when the window closes. The 5th Expedition is currently in its sign-up window — see the 5th Expedition guide for the stage-by-stage breakdown.
Rewards
The 5th Expedition rewards include the complete Zenith Outfit, mystery rewards, +12 stash space (cap 60) and skill-point catch-up — full details on the Expedition Rewards page.
What resets
Since the 5th Expedition, quest reset is opt-in: keep your progress or reset it for rewards. Stash space caps at 60 and bonus skill points at 15 — see What Resets? for the full official breakdown.
Preparation
Before you can depart you need the Caravan project completed and a sign-up during the window — the Expedition Requirements page walks through preparation step by step.
What changes between expeditions
| System | Rule |
|---|---|
| Quest line | Since the 5th Expedition: reset is opt-in — you can keep your quest progress instead of repeating it. |
| Skill points | Bonus skill points cap at 15 total; catch-up restores max 5 per expedition and is tied to stash value. |
| Stash space | Expedition reward: +12 stash spaces, maxed out at 60. |
| Consecutive buffs | XP boost, Scrappy materials boost and repair value increase — capped at three levels; buffs persist during the pause. |
| Caravans | Reset after the 5th Expedition; partially completed Caravans become Ermal Vouchers. |
After the 5th Expedition
The official announcement confirmed the 5th Expedition is the last until early 2027: the team is pausing expeditions to address feedback about departure windows, the reward structure and accessibility for new players. Nothing is lost — consecutive buffs persist, and completing all five expeditions fully unlocks the Zenith Outfit. See What resets? for the details.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
What is an expedition in ARC Raiders?
A seasonal, time-limited project with a window, sign-up, challenge, skill-point catch-up and rewards. The 5th Expedition (Sep 8–29, 2026) is the last one until early 2027.
Are expeditions worth it?
They are the main way to gain bonus skill points, stash space and exclusive rewards (the Zenith Outfit is only unlocked by completing all five expeditions).
Do I need to sign up?
Yes — completing the Caravan does not sign you up. You must sign up during the expedition window; there is no Last Call.
How many expeditions are there?
Five expeditions have been announced and run so far; the 5th ends the run and expeditions return redesigned in early 2027.