ARC Raiders’ take on the classic “server wipe” is anything but typical. Instead of wiping everyone’s progress on a set schedule, Embark Studios built a lore-driven system called Expeditions — a voluntary reset that rewards players who choose to start fresh. It’s a clever twist that turns what most games treat as punishment into one of ARC Raiders’ most exciting end-game loops.
What Is a Wipe in ARC Raiders?
In most extraction shooters, a wipe is a full reset — you lose your stash, weapons, and progress when the developers refresh the servers. ARC Raiders changes that idea entirely.
Instead of forced resets, the game introduces voluntary wipes through the Expedition Project, unlocked when your Raider reaches level 20. This feature gives you the choice to send your current character on a one-way trip beyond the Rust Belt — the main playable zone surrounding Speranza.
When you choose to send your Raider on an Expedition, they permanently leave your roster. But the sacrifice pays off: your next character starts stronger, carrying forward permanent account-level bonuses. It’s not just a reset — it’s a rebirth.
How Expeditions Work
Expeditions unfold through a structured project inside your Character → Projects tab. Once unlocked, you can begin building a Caravan, the vessel that takes your Raider on their final journey.
This isn’t a one-click process — it’s a multi-stage construction effort that requires materials, time, and coordination. The full Expedition Project spans roughly 60 days, giving the community eight weeks to gather resources before the departure window opens for a single week.
Expedition Project Stages and Material Requirements
Each phase demands specific items you’ll collect through missions, looting, and crafting:
| Stage | Objective | Items Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundation | Build the caravan base and frame | 150 Metal Parts • 200 Rubber Parts • 80 ARC Alloy • 15 Steel Springs |
| 2. Core Systems | Power and wiring setup | 35 Durable Cloth • 30 Wires • 30 Electrical Components • 5 Cooling Fans |
| 3. Framework | Exterior structure and internal systems | 5 Lightbulbs • 30 Batteries • 20 Sensors • 1 Exodus Module |
| 4. Outfitting | Add utilities and workbenches | 5 Humidifiers • 5 Advanced Electrical Components • 3 Magnetic Accelerators • 3 Leaper Pulse Units |
| 5. Loading Phase | Supply the caravan for travel | 250 k Coins worth of Combat Items • 100 k Coins worth of Survival Items • 180 k Coins worth of Provisions • 300 k Coins worth of Materials |
| 6. Departure | Wait for the final Expedition Window to open and send your Raider away | — |
Once you’ve completed the final stage, you’ll see the on-screen prompt “Expedition Departure Window is now Open.” That’s your sign to commit your Raider. Miss it, and you’ll need to wait for the next 60-day cycle.
When Do ARC Raiders Wipes Happen?
Embark Studios runs Expedition cycles every two months (60 days). The first Expedition began at launch (October 30 2025) and the first global departure date is December 21 2025.
If you miss the departure week, your caravan progress is saved for the next cycle — you won’t lose your donated materials or construction stages.
What You Lose and What You Keep After a Wipe
When you send your Raider on an Expedition, not everything is deleted. ARC Raiders separates character progression from account progression, letting you retain many of your unlocks and cosmetics.
| Reset After Wipe (Character) | Kept After Expedition (Account) |
|---|---|
| Stash Upgrades and Inventory Items | Unlocked Maps |
| Blueprints and Workshop Progress | Unlocked Workshop Stations |
| Player Level and Skill Points | Codex Entries |
| Raider Den and Trials | Raider Tokens & Cred |
| Coins and Resources | Raider Deck Progress |
| Completed/Pending Quests | Active Leaderboards and Cosmetics |
| Personal Event Progress (temporary) | Bonus Skill Points & Stash Slots from previous Expeditions |
Essentially, your Raider resets, but your account evolves. Each Expedition layers new buffs and advantages for future characters.
Expedition Rewards and Permanent Buffs
Completing an Expedition grants permanent benefits to your account and to every new Raider you create afterward. These include:
- Increased XP gain
- Increased Scrappy material rewards
- Reduced weapon repair costs
- Expanded stash capacity (stacks each Expedition)
- Bonus Skill Points based on the value of items in your stash before departure
- Permanent account unlocks and exclusive cosmetics
These rewards stack across cycles, giving long-term players tangible incentives to participate again. The more Expeditions you complete, the more efficient and powerful your early-game runs become.
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ARC Raiders’ Expedition system transforms the dreaded wipe into a celebration of progress. It rewards commitment, respects time investment, and keeps the world alive with cyclical, community-driven goals. Whether you’re sending your Raider off to glory or choosing to stay and scavenge another day, every cycle offers a fresh story to tell.
When the next Expedition Window opens, will you hold on to your loot — or trade it all for legacy and legend? Play Now!
