You've heard about Expedition. You know it's a soft-reset system. Now the question is:
"How do I actually start an Expedition in ARC Raiders, without messing it up or missing the window?"
This guide is a practical, step-by-step Expedition ARC Raiders walkthrough:
- How to unlock the Expedition Project
- How to find it in the Raider → Projects menu
- How the caravan construction stages work
- What the departure window is and how not to miss it
If you just want the high-level idea of what Expedition is, read What Is Expedition in ARC Raiders? first. If you want to know what you'll lose or keep, check What You Lose, Keep & Gain from Expedition. This page is all about "press these buttons in this order."
Looking for everything in one place?
Visit the Expedition ARC Raiders complete guide hub for every overview, deep-dive, and FAQ in a single spot.
Prerequisites: When Can You Start?
Prerequisites: Before You Can Start
The level 20 requirement ensures you understand the core loop before resetting.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1Open the Raider → Projects Menu
After reaching level 20:
- Open the main menu
- Go to the Raider section
- Select Projects
Inside Projects, you should see an entry called "Expedition Project". Selecting it opens the Expedition interface where you'll see the caravan stages and their resource requirements. If you don't see Expedition here, double-check your level and that the current season has Expedition active.
Step 2Activate the Expedition Project
The Expedition Project doesn't start automatically; you need to activate it.
- Select the Expedition Project
- Confirm that you want to start it
- Watch the UI update to show stage progress and material goals
From this moment on, you can commit materials to build your caravan. Any materials you donate are permanently invested—there is no undo or refund for Expedition donations. Think of it as starting a long-term construction project.
Step 3Understand the Caravan Stages
The Expedition Project is broken up into multiple stages. Exact numbers can change with patches, but the structure typically looks like this:
*Exact stage names and requirements may vary by patch.
Each stage has a checklist of required materials or value, must be completed in order, and locks in any materials you donate along the way. Typical requirements include metal parts, rubber, ARC alloy, cloth, wires, batteries, sensors, and other crafting components. The Loading stage often asks for a large amount of coins-worth of combat items, survival items, provisions, and materials. Always treat the in-game Expedition UI as your source of truth.
Step 4Gather and Donate Materials
Once you understand the stages, the bulk of starting an Expedition is playing the game and feeding the project.
The Preparation Timeline (8-Week Cycle)
Expeditions run on a cycle of roughly eight weeks: about seven weeks of construction and supply, then roughly one week of the departure window when you can actually reset.
- You can farm materials and donate into each stage during the preparation weeks.
- Your Expedition Project progress is saved and carries over if you don't finish in one cycle.
- If you don't complete the caravan in time, you keep going in the next cycle.
Practical Tips
- Start early once you hit 20: spreading the grind over weeks feels better than a last-minute rush.
- Use surplus, not your last copy: avoid sacrificing the only copy of something you still want to play with.
- Watch your stash value: the value left in your stash at departure affects bonus skill points.
- Double-check item categories: make sure you're donating what the stage is asking for.
Step 5Watch for the Departure Window
You can only actually reset during a specific departure window. The Expedition cycle is about 60 days long, and the final week is when you can send your raider away if the caravan is fully prepared.
- In the Expedition Project screen you'll see a clear prompt when the window is open.
- If you miss the window, your donated materials and stage progress remain, but you need to wait for the next cycle.
- You don't get Expedition rewards until you successfully depart.
Finishing the caravan is necessary, but pressing Depart during the window is what actually triggers your Expedition.
Step 6Confirm the Reset
When the departure window opens and your Expedition Project is fully completed:
- Open Raider → Projects → Expedition Project
- Look for the option to depart on Expedition
- Review the confirmation screen that lists what will be reset, what will be kept, and that this action is permanent
Before you hit confirm, re-check Losses & Rewards. Make sure you're okay with losing level, skill tree, stash, coins, blueprints, Den, workshop progress, and quests. Remember that stash + wallet value at this moment will affect your bonus skill points next run.
Once you confirm: your current raider is sent on Expedition; a new Expedition cycle for your account begins; you start with a fresh raider benefiting from account buffs for the new cycle and permanent bonuses from all previous Expeditions you've completed.
Quick Checklist
- Reached level 20 on your raider
- Opened Raider → Projects and activated the Expedition Project
- Learned the caravan stages and their general material types
- Donated materials over several weeks until all stages are complete
- Confirmed which Expedition cycle window you're in
- Waited for the departure window to open
- Read the reset confirmation screen carefully
- Accepted what you're losing, and what you're gaining in return
If you can check all of that off: you're ready to start your first Expedition in ARC Raiders — fully informed, and on purpose.
FAQ
“I'm level 20 but I don't see Expedition in Projects. What's wrong?”
Make sure you're in the Raider → Projects menu, confirm Expedition is active in the current season, and scroll through all projects. If it still doesn't appear, it may be tied to a specific patch version or temporary availability.
“Can I start preparing for Expedition even if the window is closed?”
Yes. You can start and work through all preparation stages. The departure window only matters when you want to actually reset. Many players complete their caravan before the window, then just wait for it to open.
“What happens if I finish the caravan but miss the departure window?”
Your project progress and donated materials stay completed, but you won't get Expedition rewards until you depart during the next window. You don't lose the caravan; you just lose time.
“Is there any way to undo materials I donated to Expedition?”
No. Once you donate items or resources to an Expedition stage, they're locked in permanently for that project. Plan ahead and spread the grind out.
“Can I do Expedition together with friends?”
Expedition is account-personal. Each player decides individually when to send their raider away. You can still play together before and after, but the reset moment is personal.