ARC Raiders: Embark Unveils the Second Expedition—The Good, the Bad, and the Catch-Ups
Embark Studios finally breaks its silence, pulling back the curtain on the much-anticipated second expedition for ARC Raiders. With lowered entry requirements, a brand-new catch-up system, and a few caveats that might dampen the hype, this new phase is sure to spark plenty of discussion in the community.
After a first Expedition that drew its share of criticism—especially over its steep financial goals—Embark Studios is making adjustments. Registration for the second Expedition opens on February 25, with the event itself kicking off March 1. This time, the developers are sharing all the details upfront, giving players a real chance to prepare.
Image credit: Embark Studios
Evolving rewards
The second Expedition amps up the rewards system. Embark is clearly aiming to reward long-term commitment, boosting both Raider progression and the visual flair of seasoned veterans:
- 12 extra storage slots (bringing the total to 24 for veterans)
- Up to five new skill points, plus possible catch-up points (more on that below)
- Patchwork outfit upgrades with four new togglable elements and two new color options
- New Scrappy cosmetics
- Expedition indicator upgrade
Consecutive buffs are also getting a boost: XP gains jump from 5% to 10%, Scrappy material bonuses go from 6% to 12%, and repair value increases from 60% to 70%. These upgrades build on the new features introduced in the Headwinds update and its all-new hardcore mode.
Significantly lower skill point costs
The headline change—and the one players are cheering the most: the wealth threshold to unlock all skill points is now set at 3 million coins, down from the 5 million required in the first Expedition. Each skill point now costs 600,000 coins instead of a million—a 40% reduction.
This move is a direct response to player feedback that the first Expedition’s targets were just too high. The studio says it’s listened to the community, and this adjustment proves it. Raiders will have just under a month to complete the Expedition project and save up enough cash—especially since the infamous duck duplication glitch that let players earn 2.8 million in a single run has likely been patched.
A generous—but limited—catch-up system
Another big addition: a catch-up mechanic for skill points missed during the first Expedition. If you didn’t max out last time, Embark is giving you a second chance.
Specifically, each missing point can be recovered for 300,000 coins—a much lower price than before. Here’s how it works:
- Catch-up is only available to players who took part in the first Expedition;
- Your coins are first counted toward the new Expedition, then used to fill in any missed points from before.
In the best-case scenario, veterans can snag up to 10 skill points in this Expedition alone, for a theoretical total of 85 points.
The fine print and less welcome news
Despite these positive tweaks, some parts of the announcement raise eyebrows. First, players joining the Expedition for the first time will only receive the rewards from the first Expedition. That means they’ll always lag behind veterans in terms of skill points and cumulative perks.
Embark also notes that bonus skill points won’t be available forever for those who keep running Expeditions. The wording is vague: is there a cap on points you can earn through Expeditions, or could some be lost? The studio hasn’t clarified this crucial point.
Finally, though this is less of a concern: temporary buffs will reset for players who skip an Expedition. XP, Scrappy material, and repair bonuses only stack for those who participate in consecutive runs. Permanent upgrades like storage space, skill points, and cosmetics remain yours to keep.
Embark emphasizes that this structure isn’t set in stone. Future Expeditions may come with different requirements and rewards. The studio seems keen to experiment with various formulas to strike the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility—an approach that echoes the economic vision championed by an analyst who sees ARC Raiders as the real industry model to follow.
ARC Raiders, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
