For dedicated Arc Raiders players, expeditions are the game's ultimate late-game challenge and progression system. More than just a prestige reset, expeditions require careful preparation, strategic resource farming, and timely participation to unlock exclusive rewards. Whether you're gearing up for your first expedition or planning your next run, understanding the requirements, rewards, and key dates is critical to success. This will grant you more ARC Raiders BluePrints, coins, and other rewards.

What Are Arc Raiders Expeditions?

Expeditions in Arc Raiders are voluntary prestige-style reset systems designed for players who have mastered the game's basics. Unlocked once your raider reaches level 20, they task you with building a caravan through six sequential stages, culminating in a departure window where you can reset your progress in exchange for permanent and temporary rewards.

Unlike forced server wipes in other extraction shooters, expeditions are account-specific and optional. This means your squadmates may be at different stages of their expedition journey, and you can choose to skip a cycle without losing all your long-term progress.

Arc Raiders Expedition Requirements

To embark on an expedition, you must first complete all six stages of caravan preparation, each demanding specific resources. The grind is substantial, and later stages require rare items that test even the most dedicated players' farming skills.

Stage 1: Foundation

The first stage focuses on basic construction materials, making it the most accessible but still time-consuming. You'll need 150 metal parts, 200 rubber parts, 80 arc alloy, and 15 steel springs.

Metal and rubber parts are common and can be farmed in industrial zones or by scrapping low-tier weapons. Arc alloy drops from Arc machines like wasps and ticks, while steel springs are slightly rarer but found in industrial areas or by recycling specific items.

Stage 2: Core Systems

Stage 2 shifts to electronic and utility components: 35 durable cloth, 30 wires, 30 electrical components, and 5 cooling fans.

Durable cloth is surprisingly hard to find and often requires runs through medical or commercial areas. Wires and electrical components spawn in tech-heavy zones, while cooling fans are rare and can sometimes be purchased from vendors.

Stage 3: Framework

This stage introduces rare items, demanding 5 light bulbs, 30 batteries, 20 sensors, and 1 exodus module-a highly sought-after rare drop.

Light bulbs and batteries are relatively easy to farm, but sensors require more effort. The exodus module is the hardest item here; focus on mid-threat sectors, target mechs and drones with long-range weapons, or trade with other players if luck isn't on your side.

Stage 4: Outfitting

Stage 4 requires specialized gear: 5 humidifiers, 5 advanced electrical components, 3 magnetic accelerators, and 3 leaper pulse units (another rare item).

Leaper pulse units can only be obtained by killing leaper-type enemies, so bring high mobility and a strong mid-range weapon. Advanced electrical components and magnetic accelerators are found in high-tech areas or through late-game missions.

Stage 5: Load Stage

The most expensive stage, this requires amassing large amounts of coins by selling loot: 250,000 coins worth of combat items, 100,000 coins worth of survival items, 180,000 coins worth of provisions, and 300,000 coins worth of materials.

This stage rewards consistent looting and resource management-don't stop farming before the departure window closes, as your stash and coin value are counted at that time.

Stage 6: Departure

Once all five stages are complete, you simply wait for the official departure window to open. You must sign up during this period, and all participants depart simultaneously on the window's final day.

Arc Raiders Expedition Rewards

Expeditions offer a mix of permanent and temporary rewards, making the grind worthwhile for long-term players. The rewards stack for consecutive expeditions but reset if you skip a cycle.

Permanent Rewards

Permanent rewards are account-wide and never reset, even if you skip future expeditions. For first-time participants, these include the Janitor Cap for Scrappy the Rooster, a patchwork raider outfit, an expedition indicator icon, and 12 additional stash slots.

You also earn 0-5 skill points, determined by your total stash value at departure-1 skill point for every 1,000,000 coins, up to 5,000,000 (lowered to 3,000,000 for the second expedition). Repeat expeditions unlock more stash space (24 slots on the second run) and upgraded cosmetics.

Temporary Rewards

Temporary rewards are buffs that last until you skip an expedition, stacking up to three times for consecutive runs. These include a 6% material increase from Scrappy (up to 18%), a 5% XP increase (up to 15%), and a 10% repair increase (up to 30%).

What You Keep (and Lose) During Resets

Expeditions reset your player level, inventory, cheap ARC Raiders Coins, blueprints, and stash upgrade progress. However, you keep unlocked maps, workshop stations, codex entries, raider tokens, cosmetics, and any progress from raider decks or trials.

Arc Raiders Expedition Dates and Schedule

Expeditions follow a predictable cycle: 60 days of preparation followed by a 6-7 day departure window. Missing the window means you keep your preparation progress but forfeit that cycle's rewards.

Past and Current Expedition Dates

The first expedition was originally scheduled to depart on December 15, 2025, but was delayed. Its departure window ran from December 17 to 22, 2025, with all participants departing on December 22.

The second expedition's sign-up window opened on February 25, 2026, with departure on March 1, 2026. Developers adjusted requirements for this cycle, lowering the max skill point stash value to 3,000,000 coins and adding a skill point catch-up system for players who missed out on the first expedition.

Future Expedition Cycles

Expeditions repeat roughly every 60 days, meaning future windows will open every 8-10 weeks. Based on the first two cycles, the next expedition window is expected to open in late April 2026, with preparation beginning in late February.

Developers may adjust requirements and rewards based on player feedback, so it's important to check in-game announcements and official news for updates before each cycle.

Final Tips for Expedition Success

Expeditions are not for casual players-they require time, patience, and strategic farming. Focus on one stage at a time, prioritize rare item farming early, and don't wait until the last minute to amass coins for the load stage.

Remember that expeditions are optional. If you're not ready to reset your progress, your preparation progress carries over to the next cycle. For dedicated players, though, the permanent rewards and stacking buffs make expeditions the best way to strengthen your account long-term.

With careful planning and consistent effort, you'll be ready to depart the Rust Belt and claim your expedition rewards-solidifying your status as a true Arc Raider.