October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

ARC Raiders’ Expedition Changes After Player Backlash: What Changed and What’s Next

Embark changed ARC Raiders Expedition requirements after player feedback, then announced a pause after Expedition 5 and a return with major improvements in early 2027.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Embark has changed ARC Raiders’ Expedition rules in response to player feedback, but there is no single permanent set of requirements. The second Expedition lowered its stash-value target and added catch-up points; the third replaced the main stash challenge with a damage challenge; and the fifth made quest resets optional and extended the sign-up window. After Expedition 5, Embark said Expeditions would pause and return with major improvements in early 2027. The August 2026 announcement did not detail the redesign.

What an Expedition does in ARC Raiders

An Expedition is an optional character reset, not a forced wipe. Players complete the Expedition Project and choose whether to depart. Embark’s original overview described the reset as a way for highly engaged players to start fresh without requiring everyone to lose progress. It also set a design principle: “Completing a reset should never give a player a power or combat advantage over anyone who has not completed a reset.” (Embark’s Expedition Project overview)

Embark’s Help Center article, published October 30, 2025, says Expeditions unlock at level 20. The reset affects character progression such as levels, skills, inventory, workshop and crafting capabilities; cosmetics and certain account-level or real-money-linked progress carry over. The exact list of what resets and what remains should be checked against the current in-game Expedition information, since Embark has revised the system over time. (Embark Help Center: What is the Expedition Project?)

How Embark changed the Expedition rules

The changes were specific to individual runs. The stash and damage figures below are historical rules, not confirmed requirements for the Expedition expected in 2027.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]
  • ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
  • Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.

Expedition 2: a lower stash target and catch-up points

On February 5, 2026, Embark said players had told the studio that the stash value needed for maximum rewards was too high. For Expedition 2, it lowered the target to 3 million Coins for five skill points—600,000 per point. Players who had missed skill points on the first Expedition could earn catch-up points at 300,000 stash value per missed point. Expedition 2’s own points counted before catch-up points, and Embark cautioned that requirements could change and bonus points would not be available indefinitely. (Embark’s Expedition 2 announcement)

Expedition 3: damage replaced stash value for the main challenge

In its April 17, 2026 update, Embark said it would award Expedition 3’s five skill points through damage dealt instead of stash value. The studio explained that “grinding for monetary value isn’t the most exciting experience” and said it wanted to encourage players to use loot rather than hoard it. After feedback, it extended the challenge window to 13 days, from April 28 to May 11, 2026. (Embark’s “A Triumphant Exit” announcement)

Damage dealt in Expedition 3 Skill points earned
5,000 1
10,000 2
30,000 3
50,000 4
100,000 5

Those thresholds applied to Expedition 3 in 2026. Its catch-up points for missed skill points remained based on stash value: 300,000 per eligible point, awarded after completing the damage challenge. They were not an alternative way to earn the run’s five main points.

Expedition 5: optional quest reset and a longer sign-up period

For Expedition 5, Embark let players choose whether to reset quest progress. Those who kept it could continue where they had left off, addressing feedback that repeating the quest line felt tedious. The studio also extended the departure window from two weeks to three. There was no “Last Call” option, so players had to sign up within the window. (Embark’s Expedition 5 announcement)

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
ARK: Survival Evolved - Nintendo Switch
  • Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
  • Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
  • Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
  • Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
  • Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout

The same announcement set a cap of 15 bonus skill points from Expeditions. Eligible players could continue earning catch-up points tied to stash value until reaching that cap. Embark said it had heard concerns about tight departure windows, the reward structure and accessibility for new players, and concluded those issues “need more than incremental fixes.”

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Why Expeditions are pausing—and what is known about the return

Embark announced that Expedition 5 would be the last run before a pause. The studio said Expeditions were expected to return in early 2027 with major improvements. The announcement does not provide a precise return date or specify the new mechanics, reward structure or requirements, so proposed changes should not be treated as confirmed.

Rank #4
ARK: Survival Evolved (PS4)
  • Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
  • Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
  • Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
  • Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts

During the pause, earned consecutive buffs were set to persist. Because Caravans would reset, partially completed Caravans were to be replaced with Ermal Vouchers of equal value, according to Embark’s announcement.

Best Value
ARC Raiders Video Game Stickers Ideal for Cars Laptop Skateboard Wall Décor Flask UV and Weather Resistant (A 3-Pack, 3" in)
  • ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
  • Durable Premium Vinyl: Made from thick, high-grade vinyl for long-lasting use on cars, laptops, skateboards, walls, and flasks.
  • UV & Weather Resistant: Fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant—perfect for indoor and outdoor applications.
  • Easy Application & Removal: Applies smoothly without bubbles and removes cleanly with no sticky residue left behind.
  • Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.

What the changes mean for players

  • Do not assume an old threshold still applies. Expedition 2 used a stash-value target for its five main skill points; Expedition 3 used damage; Expedition 5 retained stash-value catch-up points under a 15-point cap.
  • Check the rules for the specific run. Targets, sign-up windows, quest-reset choices and catch-up eligibility have changed between Expeditions.
  • The announced 2027 return is not a full redesign specification. Embark has promised major improvements, but the reviewed announcement does not say exactly what will change.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.