Arc Raiders Expedition Projects Guide

What Are Expedition Projects?

Expedition Projects represent Arc Raiders' innovative approach to progression resets. Rather than forcing mandatory wipes that erase all player progress, Embark Studios has created a voluntary reset mechanic that allows players to choose when (and if) they want to reset their character.

This system is designed to keep the game fresh and competitive while respecting the time investment players have made in building their characters. As Virgil, the game's design director, explains: completing an Expedition Project gives you exclusive rewards and permanent account benefits without giving you any combat advantage over players who haven't reset.

     Key Principle: Completing a reset should never give a player a power or combat advantage over anyone who has not completed a reset.

How Expedition Projects Work

Construction Phase (~60 Days)

Players at level 20 and above contribute materials and resources toward project completion. Work together with the community to advance through all 6 project phases during this 8-week period.

Departure Window

After construction completes, a departure window opens. Earlier Expeditions used a 5-day or two-week window with a Last Call popup for late sign-ups. The 5th Expedition extends the window to three weeks (September 8-29, 2026) but removes Last Call entirely, so sign up before the cutoff. Since Live Update 1.45.0, you choose whether your quests reset when you depart.

∞

Seasonal Cycles

Expeditions have run roughly every two months. Complete multiple Expeditions to stack permanent buffs and collect exclusive cosmetics. After the 5th Expedition, the cycle pauses until early 2027; consecutive buffs persist through the pause and partial Caravan progress converts to Ermal Vouchers.

5th Expedition Rewards & Buffs

Completing the 5th Expedition provides permanent account unlocks and consecutive buffs for your next Raider. Earlier Expeditions awarded the Patchwork outfit (Third Expedition) and the first tier of the Zenith outfit (Fourth Expedition).

Permanent Rewards

+12 Stash Space: Expedition stash bonus now capped at 60 slots total
Up to 15 Bonus Skill Points: with catch-up for players who missed earlier Expeditions
The Complete Zenith Outfit
Mystery Rewards
Expedition Indicator Icon: upgrades with each completed Expedition

Consecutive Expedition Buffs (Resets If Skipped)

XP Boost: 5% (1st) → 10% (2nd) → 15% (3rd)
Scrappy Materials Boost: 6% (1st) → 12% (2nd) → 18% (3rd)
Repair Value Increase: 60% (1st) → 70% (2nd) → 80% (3rd)

What Happens When You Reset

When you complete an Expedition Project and reset your character, certain progression is wiped while other elements are permanently preserved.

This Will Be Reset

Stash upgrade progress
Inventory items
Blueprints
Coins
Player level
Skill points
Raider den progress
Workshop progress
Quests (optional since the 5th Expedition)

This Will Be Kept

Unlocked maps
Unlocked workshop stations
Codex entries
Cred (retired: unspent Cred expires October 8, 2026)
Raider Deck progress (moves to the Legacy Pass with Frozen Trail)
Active leaderboards
Trials
Cosmetics (earned & purchased)
Personal event progress
Bonus skill points from expeditions
Bonus stash slots from expeditions

The 6 Project Phases

Each Expedition consists of 6 phases that require substantial material contributions. Phase names stay the same between Expeditions, but the specific items change each time. The amounts below are the 5th Expedition requirements (September 2026).

Spoiler Warning: The phase sections below contain specific material requirements. Click to reveal details.

Foundation phase requirements: Building the base structure (5th Expedition requirements):

Metal Parts x150
Plastic Parts x100
ARC Alloy x80
Magnet x15

Core Systems phase: Wiring, ventilation, and power supply (5th Expedition requirements):

Durable Cloth x30
Duct Tape x25
Mechanical Components x20
Voltage Converter x10

Framework phase: Walls, roofs, and core systems installation (5th Expedition requirements):

ARC Circuitry x20
Speaker Component x15
Bastion Cell x5
Magnetic Accelerator x3

Outfitting phase: Storage, workbenches, and high-tier ARC components (5th Expedition requirements):

Radio x2
Advanced Mechanical Components x5
Lance's Mixtape (5th Edition) x3
Rocketeer Driver x3

Loading phase: Donate items worth the specified coin values to stock the caravan (5th Expedition requirements):

Combat Items (Coin Value) 200,000
Survival Items (Coin Value) 100,000
Provisions (Coin Value) 150,000
Materials (Coin Value) 300,000

Note: Donate items to the Expedition caravan worth the listed coin values.

Combat Items: Weapons, ammo, and combat gear

Survival Items: Medical supplies, tools, and survival equipment

Provisions: Food, water, and consumables

Materials: Crafting materials and repair components

Departure: no additional materials required. Your caravan is ready!

Departure Window: April 28 – May 4, 2026 (5 days). Opens at 13:00 CEST on April 28, closes at 09:00 CEST on May 4.

Skill Point Challenge: Deal damage with any weapon or gadget (outside the practice range) during the window to earn up to +5 Skill Points. No stash value required.

What Happens: Your Raider departs beyond the Rust Belt forever. All items in your stash are wiped.

Permanent Rewards: +12 stash space (316 total after 3rd), Patchwork Outfit (Evolved), Scrappy Turban, Expedition Indicator Icon, and consecutive buffs up to 15% XP / 18% Scrappy Materials / 80% Repair Value.

Full details: A Triumphant Exit — Third Expedition guide

Expedition Rewards

Permanent Unlocks

Earn account-wide permanent unlocks including tutorial skips and quality-of-life improvements for future playthroughs.

Unique Cosmetics

Receive exclusive cosmetic rewards for each Expedition completion to showcase your dedication.

Account Buffs

Gain stacking account buffs for subsequent playthroughs (up to a cap). These provide convenience without combat advantages.