The 5th Expedition
The last expedition until 2027 — official window, rules and rewards.
The 5th Expedition runs September 8 to 29, 2026 and is officially the last expedition until early 2027, when the system returns redesigned. The window is extended from two to three weeks. Everything below comes from the official announcement (August 21, 2026).
Official window (convert to your timezone)
| Event | Time (official) |
|---|---|
| Window opens | September 8, 2026 — 11:00 UTC (13:00 CEST / 04:00 PT) |
| Window closes & departure | September 29, 2026 — 08:00 UTC (10:00 CEST / 01:00 PT) |
| Trials season pause | Current season ends September 22; paused two weeks until October 8 |
The window length is official; always double-check the current time against arcraiders.com news before the final hours — there is no Last Call.
The five steps
- Complete the Caravan — prerequisite project; completing it does NOT sign you up.
- Wait for the window — starts September 8, 11:00 UTC.
- Sign Up — must happen inside the window; no Last Call afterwards.
- Complete the Challenge — details were released with the window (see the official announcement).
- Catch Up — regain up to 5 missed skill points per expedition (second, third and fourth expeditions).
- Depart — everyone signed up departs on September 29.
What's new in the 5th Expedition
- Opt-in quest reset — you can now keep your quest progress instead of resetting it; the Hullcracker Blueprint is only obtainable through the quest line, so this matters for it.
- Extended window — three weeks instead of two.
- No Last Call — sign up during the window or you miss the expedition.
- Final run before the pause — after this, expeditions pause while the team reworks rewards, departure windows and new-player accessibility.
Rewards
Rewards in the 5th Expedition include the complete Zenith Outfit, mystery rewards, +12 stash space (max 60), skill points (bonus capped at 15; catch-up max 5 per expedition, tied to stash value) and consecutive buffs (XP boost, Scrappy materials boost, repair value increase — capped at three levels). Full detail on the rewards page.
Blueprint implications
The official August 21 announcement calls out the Hullcracker Blueprint as quest-line-only. Because the 5th Expedition makes quest reset optional, keeping quest progress also preserves your current path to that blueprint. Embark also said an alternative acquisition method will be provided; the announcement did not publish the method or timing, so this guide does not invent one. See Quest Blueprint Rewards and Blueprints for the current acquisition map.
What happens after Expedition 5
After the September 29 departure, expeditions pause until early 2027 while Embark reworks the system. Partially completed Caravans become Ermal Vouchers, Caravans reset, and earned consecutive buffs persist through the pause.
Official sources
Primary source: Embark's official arcraiders.com news post The 5th Expedition, published August 21, 2026. This page uses that announcement for the window, no-Last-Call rule, opt-in quest reset, rewards, Caravan handling and the Hullcracker acquisition note.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
When is the 5th ARC Raiders Expedition?
September 8, 2026 11:00 UTC to September 29, 2026 08:00 UTC (window closes and departure).
How do I join the 5th Expedition?
Complete the Caravan, then sign up during the window (Sep 8–29). Completing the Caravan alone does not register you; there is no Last Call.
Does the 5th Expedition reset my quests?
Only if you choose: quest reset is now opt-in. Keep your progress, or reset for the full experience — your choice.
Is the 5th Expedition the last one?
Yes — officially the last until early 2027, when expeditions return with major improvements.