The wait is almost over. The second ARC Raiders Expedition is just weeks away, and Embark Studios is shaking things up. Following the first Expedition on December 22, the developer listened closely to player feedback. Many fans felt the previous grind did not match the rewards. Consequently, Embark has announced significant changes to the progression system and reward structure for the upcoming wipe.
Here is everything you need to know to prepare your Expedition Caravan.
Embark is directly addressing the “grind” complaints. Previously, players needed a staggering 5 million Stash value to unlock the maximum 5 Skill Points. That is changing.
For the Second Expedition, the cost per Skill Point has dropped from 1 million to 600,000 Stash value.
Furthermore, if you missed the first Expedition, you are not left behind. Embark introduced a new “catch-up mechanic”. You can now reclaim missed Skill Points at a heavily discounted rate of 300,000 per Point. Therefore, players aiming for all 10 Skill Points (5 from the first wipe and 5 from the second) will need a total Stash value of 4.5 million. This effectively lowers the barrier to entry for casual players.
Unlike extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, ARC Raiders does not force a server wipe. Instead, you choose to depart. You must acquire specific materials to build your Expedition Caravan to leave the Rust Belt.
If you are departing for the first time, you will receive the standard First Expedition rewards. However, veterans resetting for the second time unlock evolved benefits. These buffs stack on top of previous ones.
Second Expedition Rewards:
Additionally, cosmetic hunters get upgrades. The Patchwork outfit receives an “evolved” status with four new toggles and two colour options. You also get a new Scrappy outfit and an upgraded Expedition Indicator icon. Importantly, players retain permanent bonuses even if they choose not to depart again.
Beyond the Expedition, a brand-new content update arrives this month. Titled “Shrouded Sky“, this update brings a fresh ARC threat known as the Raider Deck.
Moreover, rumours heavily suggest a new and long-awaited map condition, Toxic Swamp.
Sign-ups for the Second Expedition begin on February 25, with the official departure set for March 1. Start building your Caravan now if you want to secure those stacked buffs.