The developers of ARC Raiders are currently working on revisions to the game's Expedition system, responding to feedback from players who found the resource grind and tight timelines overwhelming. Expeditions are a key progression feature that allow players to send their Raiders on permanent journeys beyond the Rust Belt, resetting progress in exchange for account-wide bonuses like skill points. However, the first cycle of this feature sparked significant debate over its difficulty and intensity. If you want to earn coins in ARC Raiders, you can sell unwanted gear, extra materials, or rare items that you no longer need, especially through trusted sites like U4GM.
The current Expedition system spans about 60 days, divided into six stages. Players must commit valuable, irrecoverable resources—ranging from basic materials like Plastic and Wires to more substantial item thresholds. One of the most controversial elements is the 5 million coin stash goal required to achieve maximum rewards. The debut event, running from December 22, 2025, to February 18, 2026, included a brief 5-7 day departure window, which led some players to hoard resources and stall normal gameplay. Design lead Virgil Watkins referred to this behavior as a "dark pattern" that negatively impacted the loot economy.
Casual players, in particular, found the grind overwhelming. With limited playtime, they struggled to farm rare components over weeks just to meet stage deadlines, often missing the short exit window during weekends. Developers have acknowledged these concerns, and community discussions have hinted at potential changes such as swapping resource types (for example, replacing Rubber with Plastic Parts), reducing the quantity requirements, or extending the departure window to 7-8 days for better accessibility.
Watkins and the team have described the Expedition specifications as "malleable" and are planning adjustments for future cycles—such as the next one, expected around February 22, 2026. The goal is to make resets feel more like an optional, enjoyable challenge rather than a punitive requirement. Possible changes include balanced rewards that do not require extreme hoarding, smoother progression through the stages, and limits to prevent disruption of the game’s economy. These revisions are aimed at encouraging more participation, as currently only about one in ten players are engaging with Expeditions.
Early signs of improvement show promise. Some dedicated players completed the second stage in just one week, even with 50 days left in the event, proving that the system works well for hardcore players but needs scaling for a wider audience. Developers are expected to confirm these changes in the upcoming 2026 roadmap, which may also include free rewards to help ease the transition for players.
With these adjustments, the Expedition system is being repositioned as a rewarding prestige path that aligns with the core mechanics of ARC Raiders. The aim is to make Expeditions more accessible and enjoyable for a broader range of players, ultimately boosting long-term engagement while maintaining the integrity of the game's extraction shooter gameplay.
