Let me tell you something straight up – if you’re looking for an easy way to respec your skill tree in ARC Raiders, you’re in for a rude awakening. I spent hours digging through forums, guides, and official sources, and the truth is, there’s no simple “respec button” like in most games. Nope, Embark Studios decided to make things… interesting.
When I first realized I’d messed up my skill build, I thought, “No big deal, I’ll just reset and try again.” Boy, was I wrong. What I discovered is that ARC Raiders takes a completely different approach to skill resets, and honestly? It’s kind of brilliant but also absolutely brutal.
The Hard Truth: There’s No Traditional Respec
Let me break this down for you as clearly as possible. In ARC Raiders, you cannot simply click a button to redistribute your skill points. You can’t pay some in-game currency to undo your choices. You can’t even partially respec a few skills here and there. The system just doesn’t work that way.
I know, I know – it’s frustrating. When I found this out, I was pretty annoyed too. But after digging deeper into the game’s design philosophy, I started to understand why they did it this way. ARC Raiders is all about meaningful choices and consequences, and your skill tree decisions are supposed to matter.
The Only Way to Reset: The Expedition System
So, how do you respec your skill tree in ARC Raiders? Well, buckle up, because this is where things get intense. The only way to reset your skills is through the game’s Expedition system, which is basically a prestige system on steroids.
Here’s the deal: once you reach level 20, you unlock access to something called the “Expedition Project.” This is essentially a voluntary character wipe that sends your Raider on a one-way trip beyond the Rust Belt. When they leave, they’re gone forever, and you start fresh with a new character.
But here’s the kicker – you don’t just lose your skills. You lose almost everything. It’s a complete reset of your progression, which is why I’m telling you right now: this is NOT a casual respec option.
What Exactly Are Expeditions?
Think of Expeditions as ARC Raiders’ version of server wipes, but with a twist. Instead of the game forcing everyone to reset periodically, Expeditions give you the option to voluntarily wipe your progress in exchange for some pretty sweet bonuses.
When I first heard about this system, I was skeptical. I mean, who wants to lose all their hard-earned progress? But after seeing what you get in return, I started to understand the appeal – especially for hardcore players who live for that progression loop.
Expeditions run on a strict 60-day cycle, with a 7-day window where you can actually send your Raider off. For the first cycle, which started when the game launched on October 30, 2025, the departure window runs from December 15-20, with the final departure on December 21.
The Expedition Process: What You Need to Do?
Alright, so you’ve decided you want to reset your skill tree badly enough to go through with an Expedition. Here’s what you’re getting yourself into:
Step 1: Reach Level 20
First things first, you need to hit level 20 before you can even access the Expedition system. This isn’t something you can do right out of the gate – you need to put in some serious playtime first.
Step 2: Access the Projects Menu
Once you’re level 20, head to the main menu and click on the “Raider” section. From there, select “Projects” and you’ll see the Expedition Project option. This is where the real fun begins.
Step 3: Complete the Five-Stage Caravan Build
This is where the grind really kicks in. The Expedition Project requires you to build a caravan by donating massive amounts of resources across five stages. And when I say massive, I mean MASSIVE.
Let me break down exactly what you’ll need:
Table: Expedition Project Requirements
| Stage | Name | Materials Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation | 150x Metal Parts<br>200x Rubber Parts<br>80x ARC Alloy<br>15x Steel Spring |
| 2 | Core Systems | 35x Durable Cloth<br>30x Wires<br>30x Electrical Components<br>5x Cooling Fan |
| 3 | Framework | 5x Lightbulb<br>30x Battery<br>20x Sensors<br>1x Exodus Module |
| 4 | Outfitting | 5x Humidifier<br>5x Advanced Electrical Components<br>3x Magnetic Accelerators<br>4x Leaper Pulse Units |
| 5 | Load Stage | 250,000 coins worth of Combat items<br>100,000 coins worth of Survival items<br>180,000 coins worth of Provisions<br>300,000 coins worth of Materials |
Step 4: Wait for the Departure Window
Here’s where things get really stressful. Even if you complete all five stages, you can only actually send your Raider on Expedition during specific 7-day windows that occur every 60 days. Miss that window, and all your hard work and resources go down the drain.
Step 5: Make the Final Choice
When the departure window opens, you’ll have the option to send your Raider beyond the Rust Belt. This is the point of no return – once you confirm, your character is gone forever, and you’ll start fresh with a new Raider.
What You Lose When You Go on Expedition?
Let me be crystal clear about what you’re giving up when you do an Expedition. This isn’t just a skill reset – it’s a near-total wipe of your progress:
Table: What You Lose During Expedition
| Category | Specific Items Lost |
|---|---|
| Character Progress | Player Level<br>Skill Points<br>All inventory items<br>Blueprints |
| Resources | Coins<br>Stash upgrade progress<br>Raider Den progress |
| Game Systems | Workshop progress<br>Completed or pending quests |
When I first saw this list, I was honestly shocked. Losing your player level and all skill points is one thing, but losing your entire inventory, blueprints, and quest progress? That’s hardcore. And don’t even get me started on losing all your coins – that’s a massive blow to your ability to start fresh.
What You Keep (Thankfully!)
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. You do get to keep some important stuff, which makes the whole process slightly less painful:
Table: What You Keep During Expedition
| Category | Specific Items Kept |
|---|---|
| Account Progress | Unlocked maps<br>Unlocked workshop stations<br>Codex entries |
| Currency & Premium | Raider Tokens (premium currency)<br>Cred |
| Game Systems | Raider Decks progress<br>Active leaderboards<br>Trials |
| Cosmetics | All cosmetic items<br>Personal event progress |
| Expedition Bonuses | Bonus skill points from previous Expeditions<br>Bonus stash slots from Expeditions |
Honestly, this is what makes the Expedition system somewhat bearable. Keeping your premium currency and cosmetics means you don’t lose everything you’ve paid for or earned through events. And the fact that you keep map and workshop station unlocks means you won’t be completely starting from scratch.
The Rewards: Why Anyone Would Do This?
Now you might be wondering, “Why would anyone put themselves through this?” Well, the rewards are actually pretty substantial, especially if you plan to play long-term:
Table: Expedition Rewards
| Reward Type | Specific Benefits |
|---|---|
| Progression Buffs | Increased XP gain<br>Increased Scrappy material drops<br>Increased weapon repair efficiency |
| Permanent Upgrades | Additional stash space (stacks with each Expedition)<br>Bonus skill points based on stash value |
| Exclusive Content | Special cosmetics<br>Permanent account unlocks |
Here’s the thing that really caught my attention: the more valuable items you have in your stash when you depart, the more bonus skill points your new Raider starts with. This actually rewards you for being a hoarder right before you lose everything. It’s a clever game design that encourages you to play the economy and resource management aspects of the game.
And here’s the best part – these buffs actually stack if you do multiple Expeditions. So if you’re one of those hardcore players who’s going to be playing ARC Raiders for months or years, each Expedition makes your subsequent characters progressively more powerful (within limits, of course).
Is It Worth It? My Personal Take
After spending all this time researching the Expedition system, I have to ask myself: is it worth going through all this just to respec your skill tree?
For most players, I’d say absolutely not. If you just made a few bad skill choices and want to try a different build, the Expedition system is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You’re losing way too much for what you’re getting back.
However, if you’re a hardcore player who’s already maxed out your character, has completed all the content, and is looking for a new challenge, then Expeditions might be exactly what you’re looking for. The permanent bonuses and stacking buffs can make subsequent playthroughs more enjoyable, and the prestige factor of completing multiple Expeditions is definitely there.
Tips for Surviving the Expedition Grind
If you do decide to go through with an Expedition, here are some tips I’ve picked up that might help:
- Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start gathering resources. The Expedition cycle gives you 60 days for a reason – use that time!
- Don’t Sell Anything: If you think you might need it for the Expedition, don’t sell it or recycle it. I learned this the hard way when I accidentally sold a bunch of electrical components I needed for stage 2.
- Focus on High-Value Items: Since your bonus skill points are based on the value of items in your stash when you depart, try to stockpile the most valuable items possible before leaving.
- Time Your Departure: Make sure you’re available during the 7-day departure window. Set reminders on your phone, mark your calendar, do whatever you need to do to not miss it.
- Plan Your Next Build: Since you’re starting fresh, take some time to plan out your new skill build before you depart. Learn from your mistakes and make better choices this time.
The Community Reaction
I’ve spent a lot of time browsing the ARC Raiders subreddit and other community forums, and the reaction to the Expedition system is… mixed, to say the least.
Some players love the hardcore nature of it, arguing that it gives the game real stakes and makes every choice meaningful. Others hate it, saying it’s too punishing and that there should be a more casual way to respec skills.
One Reddit thread I found had players begging the developers to add a traditional respec option, arguing that the current system is too extreme for a game that’s supposed to be accessible to casual players. And honestly, I can see both sides of the argument.
Future Changes?
The big question on everyone’s mind is whether Embark Studios will add a more traditional respec option in the future. As of now, there’s been no official announcement, but the community pressure is definitely there.
Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if they add some form of limited respec system in a future update. The current Expedition system works well for hardcore players, but it’s a major barrier for casuals who just want to experiment with different builds.
Alternatives to Expedition
So, what can you do if you don’t want to go through the whole Expedition process but still want to fix your skill build? Unfortunately, your options are pretty limited:
- Live with Your Choices: Sometimes you just have to accept your mistakes and work around them. Many skills in ARC Raiders are viable, even if they’re not optimal.
- Start a New Character: You can always just create a new Raider and start from scratch. You’ll lose your progress, but at least you won’t have to grind through the Expedition requirements.
- Wait for Updates: Keep an eye on patch notes and developer updates. If enough players ask for a respec option, it might happen eventually.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this – the Expedition system is brutal. It’s not for everyone, and it’s definitely not a casual respec option. But I have to respect what Embark Studios is trying to do here.
In an era where many games hold your hand and make every choice reversible, ARC Raiders dares to have real consequences. Your skill choices matter, and if you mess up, fixing that mistake requires serious commitment.
Is it the right approach? That’s debatable. But it’s certainly unique, and it fits the hardcore, high-stakes nature of an extraction shooter.
For me personally? I think I’ll stick with my current build for now. The thought of losing all my progress just to respec a few skills doesn’t sit right with me. But who knows – maybe in a few months, when I’ve exhausted all the content and I’m looking for a new challenge, I might give the Expedition system a try.
FAQ
How do I respec my skill tree in ARC Raiders?
Unfortunately, there’s no traditional respec option in ARC Raiders. The only way to reset your skill tree is through the Expedition system, which requires you to reach level 20 and complete a massive resource-gathering project that results in a near-total character wipe.
What level do I need to be to access Expeditions?
You need to reach level 20 before you can unlock and access the Expedition system. This is the game’s way of ensuring you have some experience with the progression system before considering a reset.
How often do Expeditions occur?
Expeditions run on a 60-day cycle, with a 7-day departure window at the end of each cycle. For example, the first cycle runs from October 30 to December 14, 2025, with the departure window from December 15-20.
What happens if I miss the departure window?
If you complete all the Expedition requirements but miss the 7-day departure window, you lose all the resources you contributed and don’t get any of the Expedition rewards. You’ll have to wait for the next cycle to try again.
Do I lose my premium currency (Raider Tokens) during Expedition?
No, you keep your Raider Tokens and Cred during an Expedition. You also keep all cosmetic items, unlocked maps, and various other account-wide progress elements.
Can I do multiple Expeditions?
Yes, you can do multiple Expeditions, and many of the rewards stack with each completion. However, there are caps on how much the buffs can stack, so there are diminishing returns over time.
Is there any way to partially respec or reset specific skills?
Currently, there’s no way to partially respec or reset specific skills in ARC Raiders. The Expedition system is all-or-nothing – you either reset everything or nothing at all.
Will the developers add a traditional respec option?
As of now, there’s no official announcement about adding a traditional respec option. However, the community has been requesting one, so it’s possible we might see some changes in future updates.
How long does it take to complete an Expedition?
The Expedition preparation phase lasts 60 days, but how long it takes you personally depends on how actively you play and gather resources. Some players might complete it in a few weeks, while others might need the full 60 days.
What’s the best way to prepare for an Expedition?
Start gathering resources early, don’t sell or recycle anything you might need, focus on stockpiling high-value items for better bonus skill points, and make sure you’re available during the departure window.
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