Expedition ARC Raiders Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes

Avoid the traps that make players regret their reset.

Last updated: 2025-12-02 – based on the current live version of ARC Raiders.

You’ve done the research. You know what Expedition is supposed to do. But even after reading guides, a lot of players still walk away from their first Expedition ARC Raiders run saying:

“I wish someone had warned me about that.”

This page is here to be that warning. Instead of giving you another abstract explanation, we’ll go through the most common Expedition mistakes players make and show you how to avoid them.

Before You Start

If you don't know the basics yet, read these first:

📖Expedition Overview💎Losses & Rewards

The Top 10 Expedition Mistakes

1

Treating Expedition Like a Simple Respec

Expedition is a full soft reset of your raider’s life, wiping level, stash, coins, and upgrades. It is a long-term account investment, not a quick way to swap skills.

❌ The Trap

“I’ll just Expedition to fix my build.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Re-read Losses & Rewards.
  • Ask: “If there were a cheap respec option, would I still want Expedition?”
  • If the answer is no, you’re using the wrong tool.
2

Resetting Too Early with a Weak Stash

Expedition rewards are based on stash + wallet value at departure. Resetting when "poor" gives weak rewards and wastes a run.

❌ The Trap

“I hit level 20, I should reset immediately like the streamers.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Use the Pre-Expedition Checklist.
  • Ensure you have a healthy stash and wallet.
  • Don't rush if you're still unlocking core items.
3

Leaving Zero Stash Value

Items donated to the project help complete stages, but do not count as stash value at departure. You need wealth remaining in your stash.

❌ The Trap

“I’ll donate everything to the project to max it out.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Keep two buckets: one for donations, one for savings.
  • Don't empty your stash just to see numbers hit zero.
  • Ensure you leave with wealth, not crumbs.
4

Misunderstanding What You Lose

Blueprints, stash, coins, upgrades, and quest progress are wiped. Only cosmetics, currencies, and permanent bonuses stay.

❌ The Trap

“I’ll probably keep more than I think. They wouldn't wipe blueprints.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Don't rely on memory. Read the full breakdown.
  • Pause at the confirmation screen.
  • Ask: “If everything listed here disappeared, would I still confirm?”
5

Resetting Before a Busy Period

Expedition benefits come from playing the next cycle with bonuses. If you can't play, you lose a built raider for nothing.

❌ The Trap

“I’ll just reset now and play whenever.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Check your real-life calendar (exams, work, trips).
  • If you can't play for weeks, delay the reset.
  • Time it so you have free time to enjoy the fresh run.
6

Ignoring Your Playstyle

Hardcore advice doesn't work for casuals. Wiping a 3-month raider for minor bonuses is painful if you don't play enough to re-grind.

❌ The Trap

“The guide said reset every 8 weeks, so I must do it.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Be honest: are you hardcore, casual, or weekend-only?
  • Read Is Expedition Worth It? for your profile.
  • Don't blindly copy streamers with 10x your playtime.
7

Rushing the Caravan

Panic-grinding the project at the last minute leads to burnout and regret.

❌ The Trap

“I ignored the project, now I have to grind 20 hours to finish it.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Feed the project slowly over time.
  • If you're too far behind, skip this window.
  • Aim for a relaxed reset next cycle instead.
8

FOMO & Social Pressure

Resetting just because "everyone else is" often leads to losing a raider you were still enjoying.

❌ The Trap

“If I don't reset, I'll fall behind forever.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Ask: “If no one else reset, would I still want to?”
  • Prioritize your own enjoyment over "keeping up".
  • Remember: Expedition is a loop, you can catch the next one.
9

Forgetting Friends

Resetting desyncs your progress from your co-op group, making shared activities awkward.

❌ The Trap

“I’ll just surprise them with my new prestige icon.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Tell your group: “I’m planning to Expedition.”
  • Coordinate resets if possible.
  • Be ready to play catch-up or help them if you desync.
10

Not Capturing Your Build

You will forget which specific talents and mods made your build feel good.

❌ The Trap

“I’ll remember what I had.”

Falling for this often leads to regret, lost progress, or a wasted reset cycle.

✅ How to Avoid

  • Screenshot your build before wiping.
  • Note down what you liked/disliked.
  • Treat it like a season: build on knowledge, don't restart from zero.

Summary: The Safe Expedition Flow

  1. 1. Learn the system: Read Overview & Losses.
  2. 2. Check your fit: Use Is It Worth It? to decide.
  3. 3. Plan timing: Consult Best Time to Start.
  4. 4. Final check: Run the Pre-Expedition Checklist.

Follow this flow, and your reset will feel like a satisfying new chapter, not a regret.