You've read what Expedition is.
You understand what you lose, keep, and gain.
Now you're staring at the "Depart on Expedition" button and thinking:
"Did I forget anything important?
Am I really ready to wipe this raider?"
This page is a practical Expedition ARC Raiders checklist you can skim in a minute before you commit to your first (or next) Expedition.
Use it as a final safety net:
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.
Quick Navigation – 8 Pre-Reset Checks
Are You Emotionally Ready to Lose This Raider?
Before any math or min-maxing, start with the simplest question.
"If this raider disappeared forever right now,
would I feel mostly relief and excitement,
or mostly regret and frustration?"
If your honest answer is:
"I'm excited for a fresh run"
"I still love this character and stash"
Readiness Checklist
- I understand Expedition is a soft reset, not a simple respec.
- I know my stash, blueprints, coins, many upgrades will be wiped.
- I'm okay saying goodbye to this specific raider's story and build.
- The idea of starting over with some extra power sounds interesting, not depressing.
If you can't tick most of these, stop here and bookmark this page for later.
Stash & Wallet – Did You Cash In This Run Properly?
Your stash + wallet value is a core part of Expedition ARC Raiders rewards.
Items & Coins
The items and coins themselves are lost.
Combined Value
Their value helps determine bonus skill points (up to a cap).
If you specifically want to understand how stash value and wallet cash convert into bonus skill points, read our focused stash value & bonus skill points guide.
You can't see exact formulas, but you can avoid obvious waste.
Stash & Wallet Checklist
- I have sold or recycled obvious junk I never plan to use.
- I have some high-value items left in my stash specifically for Expedition value.
- My wallet isn't empty – I'm not going out with 0 coins.
- I'm not hoarding huge piles of useless low-value clutter just to feel "rich".
💡 Practical tip:
Don't donate everything to the Expedition Project. Keep a meaningful chunk of value sitting in your stash and wallet so the departure calculation has something to work with.
Blueprints & Gear – Did You Actually Enjoy What You Unlocked?
One of the biggest pain points players report.
"I unlocked rare blueprints, barely used them, then Expedition forced me to re-farm everything."
Before you reset, ask:
Blueprints & Gear Checklist
- I have played multiple sessions with my favourite weapons and mods.
- I tried at least one or two alternate builds I was curious about.
- I'm not still in the "I just unlocked this, I want to play it more" phase.
- I accept that rare blueprints may have to be earned again later.
If you just unlocked something big yesterday and haven't really used it, you might want to enjoy it a bit more before hitting reset.
Quests, Zones & Personal Goals – Any Loose Ends?
Expedition doesn't just reset gear; it also affects quest and progression tied to your raider.
Think about:
Quests & Goals Checklist
- I finished the main quest or story beats that mattered to me for this raider.
- I completed any side quests I didn't want to repeat from scratch.
- I unlocked and visited the zones I was most curious about.
- I achieved my own goals for this run (for example: a certain build, a specific weapon, or a difficulty milestone).
Expedition doesn't have to wait for "100% completion", but it does feel better when you can say:
"This run had a proper ending."
Timing – Is This a Good Moment in the Expedition Cycle?
Expeditions run on a multi-week cycle with a specific departure window.
Bad timing feels like:
Rushing the caravan at the last second
Missing the window and waiting a whole cycle
Resetting right before a patch you wanted to test
Timing Checklist
- The departure window is actually open (or about to open).
- I know I can play during the next cycle enough to feel the benefits.
- I'm not in the middle of a busy real-life period where I'll barely log in.
- I'm not only resetting because of social pressure or FOMO.
If you know you'll be away from the game for weeks, it may be smarter to delay Expedition until you can really use the bonuses.
Playstyle – Is Expedition Really Worth It For You?
Not everyone gets the same value from Expedition ARC Raiders.
Hardcore / Long-Session
Benefit a lot from permanent stash space, bonus skill points, and faster future progression.
High ValueSteady Casual
Should treat Expedition as a late-game goal, not something to rush.
Medium ValueWeekend / Low-Commitment
May be happier staying on one raider for a long time.
Consider WaitingPlaystyle Checklist
- I play ARC Raiders often enough to actually feel long-term account power.
- I'm not expecting Expedition to magically "fix" short-term boredom.
- I've read the Is Expedition Worth It? guide and still feel it's a good fit.
- I understand that Expedition is an investment, not a quick win.
If most of these feel shaky, it's okay to decide:
"Expedition ARC Raiders can wait. I'll revisit it next cycle."
Social & Co-op Considerations
Expedition is an account-personal decision, but ARC Raiders is still a co-op game.
Ask yourself:
Social & Co-op Checklist
- I've told my friends / group that I'm planning to Expedition soon.
- I won't be upset if we're temporarily out of sync in power level.
- I'm okay playing catch-up at the start of the next cycle.
- I'm not only resetting because "everyone else is doing it".
Quick "Ready to Reset" Summary
If you can honestly tick most of the boxes below, you're probably in a good place to start Expedition.
Final Readiness Check
- I understand exactly what I lose, keep, and gain.
- I have meaningful stash + wallet value ready for Expedition.
- I've used and enjoyed my key blueprints and builds.
- I've finished the content and goals that mattered for this raider.
- The timing works for both the Expedition cycle and my real life.
- My playstyle fits what Expedition is designed for.
- I feel more excited than anxious about a fresh start.
If those statements feel true,
then pressing the button is much less likely to become a regret.
What to Read Next
If this checklist helped, the next steps are:
Losses & Rewards Detail
Need a deeper reminder of the trade-offs?
Is It Worth It?
Still wondering if it's worth it for your playtime?
How to Start
Ready to set it up and avoid missing the window?
Use this checklist every time you consider sending a raider away.
The more intentional your Expeditions are, the better every Expedition ARC Raiders cycle will feel.
