ARC Raiders Expedition Project Guide: Exploitation of the Wipe System

In the world of online looter-shooter games, the concept of wipes, where players lose progress and start over, often receives mixed reactions. Hardcore players may enjoy the thrill of starting fresh, while casual players can feel frustrated when weeks of effort disappear in a single update. ARC Raiders has introduced a clever solution: the Expedition Project, a voluntary system designed to balance the needs of both hardcore and casual players.

What is the Expedition Project?

The Expedition Project is ARC Raiders unique approach to character resets. Unlike traditional wipes, this system is optional, narrative-driven, and carefully designed to avoid punishing players for the time they invested. The lore explains that the tunnels under Sparenza are vast, and some raiders choose to embark on expeditions beyond the known world, never to return. In gameplay terms, this “expedition” provides an in-universe reason for a reset.

Once a player reaches level 20, the first major expedition becomes available. Completing it allows a character reset, but participation is entirely optional. New expeditions can be undertaken repeatedly, provided all the challenges of each cycle are completed.

How the System Works

The Expedition Project operates on an eight-week cycle:

• Weeks 1 to 7: Players work on personal or community-style objectives to progress through the expedition.
• Week 8: A special window opens, allowing players to finalize the expedition and reset their character if they choose.

If a player is not ready to reset, progress is saved for the next cycle. This flexibility ensures that no one is forced into a wipe at an inconvenient time.

What You Lose and What You Keep

When you reset a character through the Expedition Project, certain elements are lost, while others are retained:

Lost:

• Character level and skills
• Inventory items
• Workshop and crafting progress

Kept:

• Cosmetics earned or purchased
• Achievements, rankings, and awards
• Purchases made with real money
• Early-game tutorials are skipped in subsequent runs

This system allows players to experience the satisfaction of starting fresh while keeping their long-term investments intact.

Why Participate?

The Expedition Project offers rewards that incentivize participation without creating gameplay imbalance:

• Permanent account unlocks for completing expeditions
• Unique cosmetics tied to each expedition cycle
• Account buffs for the next cycle, such as faster progression, minor convenience boosts, and increased storage slots

None of these rewards provide combat or power advantages. They focus on status, cosmetics, and quality-of-life improvements rather than pay-to-win mechanics

When Does the First Wipe in ARC Raiders Come Out?

The first voluntary reset, or “wipe,” for ARC Raiders through the Expedition Project is set for December 21, 2025. Players can choose to reset their progress, rather than it being mandatory, with the cycle occurring roughly every eight weeks—the first window runs from December 15 to 21. The developer clearly outlines what progress and items are retained versus lost after the wipe.

Balance Between Hardcore and Casual Players

Hardcore players enjoy the thrill of a fresh start, the opportunity to earn exclusive rewards, and the chance to show off their achievements. Casual players are not penalized, as their progress remains intact and they can continue playing at their own pace. Overall, the system keeps the world of ARC Raiders dynamic and engaging for all types of players, demonstrating that the developers value players’ time while offering both replayability and meaningful challenges.

Preparing for an Expedition

The Expedition Project is a voluntary prestige or soft-wipe system designed for players pursuing long-term goals and strategic resets. It enables players to start fresh with a new Raider while retaining account-wide benefits and certain rewards. The project becomes available once a Raider reaches level 20 and operates on an eight-week cycle, with approximately 60 days for preparation followed by a seven-day departure window. Missing the departure window delays rewards, but any progress made carries over to the next cycle.

To participate, players must unlock the Expedition Project through the Projects menu in the main interface. They then gather the necessary resources for each stage and plan their contributions carefully, as materials are consumed upon submission.

Expedition Stages

There will be a total of 6 stages, which you can complete gradually. Review everything you will need before deciding to perform a wipe.

Stage 1: Foundation

Objective: Build the base of the expedition. Focus on common loot.

Stage 2: Core Systems

Objective: Outfit the expedition with electronics and wiring.

Stage 3: Framework

Objective: Build structure and obtain the Exodus Module.

Stage 4: Outfitting

Objective: Final assembly of Raider systems.

Stage 5: Loading Phase

Objective: Fund the expedition with credits.

Stage 6: Departure

The objective of this stage is to send the Raider on the expedition. No additional materials are required, and you simply wait for the scheduled departure window, usually the following month. This part of the process emphasizes reflection and closure rather than active farming.

Why It Matters

The Expedition Project transforms the typical grind and wipe cycle into a strategic, optional, and rewarding system. It is ideal for players ready to reset progress in exchange for long-term account benefits. It allows experimentation with new builds while preserving cosmetic and account unlocks. For those interested in learning more about other challenging systems in ARC Raiders, check out our article ARC Raiders Trials: Complete Explanation of the Trials System. The Expedition Project respects player time and keeps gameplay engaging for all types of players. The decision to participate depends on whether players value unique rewards and a fresh experience or prefer to continue grinding their main character. Either way, ARC Raiders provides a satisfying path forward.