For those of us that got into ARC Raiders at launch, there was a pretty scary concept looming in the far-off distance. We’re talking, of course, about the “Expedition Project.” This is this extraction shooter’s equivalent to a wipe. Although the developers were pretty clear about what it was going to be like, without knowing exactly the upsides compared to the downsides. A lot of players were left wondering how good this version of it was going to end up being.
In this article, we will do a deep dive into the Expedition system, the community reception, and everything you need to know about it for when this season’s Expedition comes a-knocking. And if you already lived through an Expedition and you have a blueprint-shaped hole where your heart used to be, don’t worry! You can find ARC Raiders blueprints for sale at Skycoach! Get everything you lost back in a matter of a few hours and relive your glory days like it wasn’t just a few weeks ago!
The Basics
Once you reach level 20 with your Raider, you unlock the Expedition Project. Which, as stated, is this game’s version of a wipe (a system in which you lose all your gear from your inventory and have to start from scratch, at least in most games.) The Expedition happens around every eight weeks, and should you opt in, all your progression will reset. We’re talking workbenches, Raider level, blueprints, and all the gear in your inventory. It’s not all downsides, in exchange for all of this, you get special rewards!
However, cosmetics and achievements will remain unlocked, so don’t worry about losing all your drip.
Prestige
In other extraction shooters, wipes tend to feel like a force of nature. “Try to have all your fun before the wipe gets you!” Usually after a wipe you get this feeling of emptiness as you wonder, “What was it all for?”
In ARC Raiders, entering an expedition feels a lot more like a prestige system rather than a bad thing. A badge of honor you can rub on the faces of those that didn’t dare reset with you. However, it’s not only cosmetic, you also get a few more substantial goodies:
You get:
- Permanent unlocks: An exclusive outfit for yourself and a cool hat for your chicken, Scrappy! More permanent slots for the inventory at your base and a cool expedition badge to go next to your name so that people know you achieved it.
- Quality-of-life buffs for the next cycle: slightly more XP as well as more scrap from Scrappy as well as a buff to your weapon repairs to make you use fewer materials.
Now, if you read online about the buffs, you know they don’t sound so good at first glance. A 5% increase in XP? That’s nothing! However, they build over time, each expedition you finish in a row makes these buffs stack. Before you know it, you will have a 15% XP boost, and that’s not so bad, is it?
Respecting Player’s Time
The concept of an optional wipe in an extraction shooter sounds crazy. Embark knew and cared about those players who don’t have that much time on their hands to play. Make this journey as hard as you want it to be for you. You worked so hard for those ARC Raiders blueprints, why lose them all now?!
Making the Expedition optional:
- Ensures you only lose your progress if you want, which is huge for people that already have trouble juggling real life on top of gaming.
- Ensures that those who do reset feel rewarded for their time and effort.
- You don’t feel the aforementioned looming doom that is the forced wipe that has long turned players off of extraction shooters.
Worry about time, but on your own terms, not the developers.
The Loop
Wipes often make these games feel stale after a while. There’s only so many times you can do the same quests and earn the same rewards until you’re done with it. However, thanks to the reward system associated with this system, people can enjoy the meta progression of the stacking buffs and enjoy their prestigious outfits, creating two kinds of gaming loops within one game.
The Reception
Go to most social media sites where they talk about ARC Raiders, and you will find a mostly positive reaction to the Expedition system, with people appreciating the opt-in feature and rewards.
However, this doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. Some players hope that the developers incorporate more and more meaningful rewards in future expeditions, like letting us keep our ARC Raiders blueprints (which is totally not just my opinion).
This is a far cry from the conversations in forums after a wipe in other games. Instead of griping and mourning what everyone lost, there’s a real and meaningful conversation about the system and how it could improve.
A Better Way to Look at Wipes in ARC Raiders
At a glance, resets and wipes are usually seen as a necessary evil-something you grudgingly accept because it keeps the meta fresh. In ARC Raiders, though, wipes feel less like punishment and more like an elective challenge. You can choose to face it if you want the bragging rights, the fresh start, or the perks that come with it.
And for players who’d rather move forward without ever wiping? That’s totally fine too-they get to keep every hard-earned unlock without interruption. That alone makes ARC Raiders’ approach feel like a breath of fresh air in a genre that’s often unforgiving.
FAQs
What is an optional progression wipe in ARC Raiders?
It’s a voluntary reset system. After reaching level 20, players can choose to wipe their progression through the Expedition Project-or keep playing without resetting anything.
What do I lose if I wipe my progress?
You reset your level, gear, inventory, and crafting progress. Cosmetics, achievements, and account-wide rewards are permanent and never wiped.
Is wiping required to stay competitive?
No. Players who don’t wipe can continue progressing normally. Wiping is optional and mainly offers long-term perks and a fresh challenge.
What rewards do you get for wiping?
Exclusive cosmetics, extra stash space, emblems, and quality-of-life bonuses that carry into future cycles.
How often can you choose to wipe?
Expeditions run on roughly eight-week cycles, and you decide at the end of each one whether to wipe or continue.
Can casual players ignore wipes entirely?
Yes. The system is designed so casual players never lose progress unless they actively choose to reset.
Wrapping Up
Is the ARC Raiders “Expedition” system perfect? No, however, it’s the first of its kind. The game’s player count-which hasn’t diminished since the wipe-is a big indication that gamers are here for it, they want to see where it goes and how it evolves. These developers are good at listening to constructive feedback so there’s no doubt in my mind that this game’s future is a bright one.
So whether you’re a hardcore Raider who plans to stick to every expedition, or a casual gamer just hopping on every once in a while, to enjoy the gaming loop, one thing is certain: these developers care about you both.
