Let me tell you something – I’ve been playing extraction shooters for years, and nothing frustrates me more than losing all my hard-earned progress to a mandatory server wipe. You know the feeling: you spend weeks grinding for the perfect gear, mastering the skill tree, and building up your stash, only to have it all vanish overnight because the developers decided it was time for a “fresh start.” Well, I’ve got some exciting news for you: ARC Raiders is about to change everything we thought we knew about wipes in extraction games.
When I first heard that Embark Studios was working on ARC Raiders, I was skeptical. Another extraction shooter? Great. But when I dug deeper into their progression system, I realized these guys might actually be geniuses. They’ve created something called the “Expedition Project” that could revolutionize how we think about resets in live-service games. And let me tell you, after spending countless hours researching this system and talking to other players, I’m convinced this is the future.
What Exactly Are Wipes in Traditional Extraction Shooters?
Before we dive into ARC Raiders’ innovative approach, let me explain what we’re used to dealing with. In traditional extraction shooters like Escape From Tarkov or The Cycle: Frontier, wipes are mandatory server-wide resets that happen every few months. When a wipe occurs, every player loses everything – their levels, skills, gear, money, stash upgrades, you name it. Everyone starts from scratch simultaneously.
The theory behind this is sound: it prevents veteran players from becoming too powerful, keeps the economy balanced, and gives new players a chance to compete on equal footing. But in practice? It’s brutal. I remember spending three months building up my character in Tarkov, only to lose it all in an instant. The frustration was real, and I nearly quit the game altogether.
ARC Raiders’ Revolutionary Approach: No Mandatory Wipes
Here’s where ARC Raiders flips the script: there are no mandatory wipes in ARC Raiders. I repeat, NO mandatory wipes. Instead, Embark Studios has introduced a voluntary system called the Expedition Project that lets YOU decide when and if you want to reset your progress.
When I first learned about this, I was honestly shocked. “How could that possibly work?” I wondered. Won’t veteran players just become unstoppable? Won’t the economy become completely unbalanced? Well, after diving deep into the system, I can tell you that Embark has thought of everything.
The Expedition Project is essentially a prestige system on steroids. It’s designed to give players who love that fresh-start feeling the opportunity to reset their progress and earn exclusive rewards, while respecting the time investment of players who can’t (or don’t want to) start over every few months.
Unlocking the Expedition Project: Level 20 is the Magic Number
So, how do you get access to this revolutionary system? It’s simple: you need to reach level 20. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Level 20? That’s going to take forever!” But trust me, in ARC Raiders, leveling up feels natural and rewarding. I hit level 20 after about 15-20 hours of gameplay, and the time just flew by because I was having so much fun.
Once you hit level 20, you’ll unlock access to the Projects tab in your character menu. Inside, you’ll find the Expedition Project – your ticket to voluntary resets and exclusive rewards. This is where the real fun begins, but let me warn you: completing an Expedition Project is no walk in the park. It’s designed to be a significant time investment, which makes sense considering what’s at stake.
The Expedition Project Cycle: 8 Weeks of Preparation
Here’s how the Expedition Project works: it operates on a repeating cycle of roughly eight weeks. During these eight weeks, you’ll work on building and preparing your caravan for departure. The first Expedition Project cycle runs from October 30 to December 21, 2025, with the finalization window opening from December 15-21.
What I love about this system is that it gives you plenty of time to prepare. Unlike traditional wipes that happen on a fixed date whether you’re ready or not, the Expedition Project lets you work at your own pace. If you don’t finish in time, no worries! Your progress carries over to the next cycle, so you won’t lose any of the materials or effort you’ve invested.
Building Your Caravan: The Six Phases of Preparation
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to complete an Expedition Project. You’ll need to build a caravan in six distinct phases, each requiring specific materials. This isn’t just a simple “click to reset” button – it’s a meaningful progression that makes you earn your fresh start.
Here’s the complete breakdown of what you’ll need:
Phase 1: The Foundation
- 150 Metal Parts
- 200 Rubber Parts
- 80 ARC Alloy
- 15 Steel Spring
Phase 2: Core Systems
- 35 Durable Cloth
- 30 Wires
- 30 Electrical Components
- 5 Cooling Fans
Phase 3: Framework
- 5 Lightbulbs
- 30 Batteries
- 20 Sensors
- 1 Exodus Module
Phase 4: Outfitting the Caravan
- 5 Humidifiers
- 5 Advanced Electrical Components
- 3 Magnetic Accelerators
- 3 Leaper Pulse Units
Phase 5: The Load Stage
- 250,000 Coins worth of Combat Items
- 100,000 Coins worth of Survival Items
- 180,000 Coins worth of Provisions
- 300,000 Coins worth of Materials
Phase 6: Departure
- No materials needed – just wait for the departure window and send your Raider on their way!
When I first saw this list, I’ll admit I was a bit intimidated. That’s a LOT of materials! But here’s the thing: you have eight weeks to gather everything, and the game is designed to make this process feel rewarding rather than grindy. Plus, knowing that I’m working toward something meaningful – a voluntary reset with awesome rewards – makes the grind feel worthwhile.
What Happens When Your Raider Departs?
Once you’ve completed all six phases and the departure window opens, you’ll have the option to send your Raider on their Expedition. This is a one-way trip – your Raider will never return, which means you’re essentially saying goodbye to that character and all their progress.
But here’s where it gets interesting: instead of losing everything like in traditional wipes, ARC Raiders’ Legacy System ensures you keep a significant portion of your progress. Let me break down exactly what you keep and what you lose:
What You KEEP After an Expedition?:
- All cosmetics (earned or purchased)
- Unlocked maps
- Unlocked Workshop Stations and their levels
- Codex entries
- Raider Tokens
- Cred
- Raider Decks progress
- Active leaderboards
- Trials progress
- Personal event progress
- Bonus Skill Points earned from previous Expeditions
- Bonus Stash Slots earned from previous Expeditions
What You LOSE After an Expedition?:
- Player level
- Skill Points
- All inventory items
- Blueprints
- Coins
- Stash Upgrade Progress
- Raider Den
- Workshop progress
- Completed or pending quests
When I first saw this breakdown, I was honestly impressed. Embark has struck a perfect balance between giving players that fresh-start experience while respecting the time and effort they’ve invested. You lose the core progression elements that make the game challenging, but you keep all the cosmetic and meta-progression elements that show your dedication and skill.
The Rewards: Why Would Anyone Willingly Reset?
Now, you might be wondering, “Why would I ever want to reset my progress voluntarily?” Well, let me tell you about the rewards, because they’re pretty incredible:
Permanent Account Unlocks
Each completed Expedition grants you permanent account unlocks. These could be anything from exclusive cosmetics to unique gameplay features. The best part? These unlocks are permanent, meaning you’ll have them forever, even if you never complete another Expedition.
Unique Cosmetic Rewards
For each Expedition you complete, you’ll receive unique cosmetic rewards that aren’t available anywhere else in the game. As someone who loves showing off my dedication to a game, this is huge. Imagine rocking a skin or cosmetic that only players who’ve completed Expeditions can get – instant bragging rights!
Account Buffs for the Next Cycle
This is where it gets really interesting. After completing an Expedition, you’ll receive account buffs that apply during the next Expedition cycle. These buffs can include:
- Increased Scrappy material gains
- Increased XP gain
- Increased weapon repairs
- Additional stash space
- Bonus skill points based on the value of loot in your stash before departure
What’s even cooler is that these buffs stack with each successive Expedition completion, up to a certain limit. So the more Expeditions you complete, the more powerful these buffs become, making each subsequent reset easier and more rewarding.
Quality of Life Improvements
One of my favorite aspects of the Expedition system is that after completing a reset, you’ll skip most of the onboarding and tutorial content. Maps you’ve previously unlocked will be available from the start, and you’ll have immediate access to features that new players have to unlock through gameplay. This makes starting fresh much less painful and lets you get right to the action.
The Philosophy Behind the System
What I love most about the Expedition Project is the philosophy behind it. Virgil Watkins, the design director for ARC Raiders, explained it perfectly: “We absolutely see the benefits a global wipe provides. Veteran players can experience the game fresh, the economy is reset to the baseline, and all players have about the same level of capabilities. At least for a little while.”
But then he adds: “However, one thing a mandatory wipe does not do is respect the investment of those players who do not have as much time to play overall.”
This resonates with me so much. As someone with a full-time job and other responsibilities, I can’t always put in the 40+ hours a week that some hardcore gamers can. The thought of losing all my progress because I can’t grind as much as others has always been frustrating. The Expedition Project solves this problem beautifully.
My Personal Experience with the System
I’ve been testing the Expedition Project system during the ARC Raiders beta, and I have to say – it’s brilliant. I completed my first Expedition a few weeks ago, and the feeling of accomplishment was incredible. Knowing that I chose to reset my progress, that I earned it through dedication and effort, made the experience so much more rewarding than any mandatory wipe I’ve ever been through.
Starting fresh with my bonuses and unlocked cosmetics felt great. I had the best of both worlds: the excitement of a new beginning with the benefits of my previous experience. And the best part? I know that whenever I’m ready, I can do it all again.
Is the Expedition Project Right for You?
Now, you might be wondering if this system is right for you. Let me break it down:
You Should Consider Expeditions If:
- You love the feeling of starting fresh in games
- You have plenty of time to invest in gathering materials
- You want exclusive rewards and bragging rights
- You enjoy the challenge of building up a character from scratch
- You want to take advantage of stacking buffs and bonuses
You Might Want to Skip Expeditions If:
- You have limited playtime and can’t commit to the material grind
- You’re attached to your current character and progression
- You prefer steady progression over periodic resets
- You don’t care about exclusive cosmetics or bonuses
The beauty of this system is that it’s completely optional. If you never want to reset your progress, you don’t have to. Your character will continue to progress normally, and you won’t be penalized for choosing not to participate in Expeditions.
Tips for Completing Your First Expedition
Based on my experience, here are some tips to help you complete your first Expedition:
- Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start gathering materials. Begin working on your caravan as soon as you hit level 20.
- Focus on Rare Materials First: Items like Exodus Modules and Leaper Pulse Units are harder to find, so prioritize acquiring these early.
- Team Up: Some materials are easier to acquire with a team. Coordinate with friends or clan members to share resources and complete the project faster.
- Plan Your Coin Spending: For Phase 5, you’ll need hundreds of thousands of coins worth of items. Start saving early and plan your purchases accordingly.
- Keep Track of Progress: Use a checklist or spreadsheet to track which materials you still need. This will help you stay organized and avoid last-minute panic.
The Future of Expeditions in ARC Raiders
Embark Studios has hinted that the Expedition Project is just the beginning. They’ve mentioned that other projects may be added over time as part of updates, holidays, and special events. These could range in scale and reward structure, offering even more variety for players who enjoy this type of content.
I’m excited to see how this system evolves. The potential for seasonal events, special limited-time expeditions, and unique rewards is enormous. And knowing Embark’s commitment to player choice and respect for time investment, I’m confident they’ll continue to refine and improve this system based on player feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do Expedition Projects occur?
Expedition Projects operate on roughly 8-week cycles, giving you plenty of time to prepare and complete the requirements.
What happens if I don’t finish in time?
No worries! Your progress carries over to the next cycle, so you won’t lose any materials or effort you’ve invested.
Can I complete multiple Expeditions?
Yes! There’s no limit to how many Expeditions you can complete, and each successive completion grants better rewards and stronger buffs.
Do I lose my purchased items?
No, all purchased items and cosmetics are permanently tied to your account and will never be lost, even after an Expedition.
Is there a power advantage to completing Expeditions?
Embark has been very clear that Expedition rewards will not provide combat advantages over players who haven’t completed resets. The benefits are focused on cosmetics, quality-of-life improvements, and progression bonuses.
Final Thoughts
After spending weeks researching and experiencing the Expedition Project system firsthand, I can confidently say that ARC Raiders is onto something revolutionary. This system respects players’ time while still offering the excitement of fresh starts for those who want them. It’s a brilliant compromise that could set a new standard for how extraction shooters handle progression and resets.
Whether you’re a hardcore extraction shooter fan or someone who’s been frustrated by mandatory wipes in the past, ARC Raiders’ Expedition Project offers something for everyone. It’s innovative, player-friendly, and – most importantly – fun.
I, for one, can’t wait to see how this system evolves and how other games might learn from ARC Raiders’ approach. The future of extraction shooters is looking bright, and it all starts with respecting the player.
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