ARC Raiders: Expedition Project Guide - How Expeditions Work

The ARC Raiders Expedition Project is an advanced progression system built around long-term goals, account-wide upgrades, and the ability to rebuild your Raider from the ground up. The ARC Raiders Expedition structure introduces multi-week preparation, permanent account perks, and meaningful resets that shape every new character you create.

Expeditions move at a slow, structured pace, and even one delayed stage can push your progress into the next eight-week cycle. Easing the busiest steps helps keep the run on track and prevents your momentum from slipping into the following season.

A little help with our ARC Raiders Expedition Project Boost during bottleneck phases, especially Foundation, Framework, and the demanding Load Stage, keeps your Raider on schedule for departure and lets your account keep stacking permanent bonuses without interruption.

About Expedition Projects in ARC Raiders

Expedition Projects are late-game, multi-week progression paths that allow players to rebuild their character for long-term benefits. When you complete an Expedition, your Raider leaves the Rust Belt permanently, passing on unique buffs and account perks to your next character.

Expeditions turn your accumulated progress into lasting advantages, making each run more meaningful.

Core points of the system include:

• a fixed Expedition timeline
• multi-step Caravan construction
• a departure window at the end of each cycle
• permanent account unlocks
• temporary Expedition buffs
• cosmetic and prestige rewards

ARC Raiders Expedition Project Cycle Dates

The launch Expedition began on October 30, and follows a predictable pattern:

Current Expedition Timeline

October 30 – December 14:
All Caravan construction stages and supply phases available.

December 15 – December 20:
The finalization phase opens - this is your last chance to lock in your preparation.

December 21:
Departure day for completed Caravans. Raiders who finish their preparation leave the Rust Belt permanently.

This aligns with the expected 7-day departure window at the end of each Expedition.

Next Expedition Cycle (Estimated)

While not officially confirmed, current pacing suggests:

Expected start: December 22, 2025
Expected end of the next construction period: February 16, 2026

Finalization and departure would follow immediately afterward.

How to Start Expeditions in ARC Raiders

You unlock your first Expedition Project at Level 20. Once available, the Expedition menu appears in the Raiders tab.

Your first goal is to complete a sequence of weekly steps. Each phase unlocks over time, and you can progress at your own pace. Missing a weekly step does not invalidate the run, and all progress carries forward into the next cycle.

Expedition Cycle Structure

Every Expedition follows a set schedule:

• 60 days of preparation
• staged Caravan construction
• a 7-day departure window

If you finish all stages before the window opens, you wait until departure becomes available. If you don’t finish a stage in time, your progress simply continues into the next cycle.

This makes the Expedition Project flexible. You can finish it in one cycle or slowly build toward it over several runs.

ARC Raiders Expedition Stages

Caravan construction is the core of the Expedition Project. Each stage requires specific materials, gathered during your normal runs in the Rust Belt.
Below is a clear walkthrough of all known steps in the ARC Raiders Expedition Walkthrough format.

1. Foundation

Builds the core structure of the Caravan.

2. Core Systems

Installs wiring, ventilation, and power components.

3. Framework

Walls, roof, essential systems, interior layout.

4. Outfitting

Adds storage, workbenches, tools, and utilities.

5. Load Stage

Prepares supplies for the Expedition itself.

6. Departure

Once the window opens, you can commit your Raider to the Expedition. Any items in your stash contribute toward bonus skill points for the next character.

ARC Raiders Expedition System: What Carries Over and What Gets Wiped

Expeditions act as a structured reset, but not everything is erased. Instead of starting from zero, your next Raider begins with a set of permanent advantages that represent the progress you earned across cycles. Understanding what stays and what disappears is essential before committing to an Expedition departure.

Certain progression elements are tied to your account rather than your active character. These persist into the next cycle and form the backbone of your long-term growth:

• access to previously unlocked maps
• workshop stations that were permanently opened
• all codex discoveries
• accumulated Raider Tokens and Cred
• progression in your Raider Decks
• leaderboard placements and Trials records
• every cosmetic you’ve collected
• progress in limited-time events
• bonus stash rows unlocked through past Expeditions
• extra skill points earned from previous departures

These systems ensure your next Raider does not start empty-handed.

And everything tied directly to your current Raider, their power, gear, and world progression, is cleared when the Expedition begins. This includes:

• stash upgrades and internal stash layout
• all items in your inventory
• learned blueprints
• coins and resources
• your character level
• current skill points
• Raider Den progress
• Workshop unlocks tied to that character
• ongoing quests

The reset removes short-term progression while your long-term account unlocks remain intact.

ARC Raiders Expedition Rewards

Completing an Expedition grants both temporary and permanent rewards.

Permanent Rewards

These apply to every future Raider:

• extra stash slots
• bonus skill points
• exclusive cosmetics
• permanent account perks
• expanded progression paths

Temporary Expedition Buffs

These last until the next Expedition launch:

• increased Scrappy material collection
• higher weapon repair efficiency
• stash space bonuses
• accelerated XP gain

These buffs help you rebuild faster and reach late-game content sooner.

Is the Character Reset Worth It

For many players, yes. Expedition resets unlock permanent progression, exclusive cosmetics, and long-term buffs unavailable through any other means. They also serve as a prestige system, showcasing dedication across cycles. If you prefer continuous, non-reset play, you can simply keep your current character and wait for future cycles.

ARC Raiders Expedition Tips

These strategies help you manage the Expedition more efficiently:

• focus on high-value materials during runs
• complete weekly steps early to avoid bottlenecks
• stockpile items before the Load Stage
• clear Raiders' quests for extra sensors and materials
• finish Trials before departure for extra account progress

Final Thought

Expeditions can feel overwhelming at first, but once you run through a full cycle, the system makes a lot more sense.

You start a new Raider with better stash space, extra skill points, faster early progression, and a much smoother path back into late-game activities. The reset hurts a little, but the permanent upgrades easily make up for it.

The biggest hurdle is usually the material grind for the Caravan steps. Some stages demand a large amount of components, and missing the departure window can delay your progress for weeks. That’s the point where some players look for help, to finish a specific step and avoid losing the whole cycle’s momentum.

If you enjoy long-term progression, Expeditions are one of the most rewarding systems in ARC Raiders. And if one stage takes more time or resources than you’d like, you can always speed up that part and keep the cycle moving at your own pace.