After you've sunk enough hours into ARC Raiders, the regular loop starts to blur together. Same routes, same fights, same "just one more run" mindset. Expeditions are the game's way of shaking you awake, and they're not gentle. If you're already stacking resources and eyeing long-term progress, you'll probably end up looking at ARC Raiders Coins and other account-level angles sooner or later, because Expeditions are all about trading comfort now for momentum later.

What an Expedition really asks from you

People explain it like a "prestige reset," but that doesn't quite capture the sting. You're choosing to retire your current Raider. Level, skills, the kit you've tuned, the stuff you hoarded because you swear you'll use it "next time." It's gone. And yeah, it feels wrong the first time you do it. But that's the point: it's a decision, not a checkbox. The reward isn't another weapon or a one-off drop. It's permanent account progression that makes every future character less painful to build and a lot faster to get back into fighting shape.

Getting in isn't casual

You can't stumble into an Expedition on day two. You need to hit level 20, and you've also got to finish the Expedition Project, which is basically the game asking, "Are you organised, or are you just lucky." There's a timed window that pushes you to commit. Miss it, and you're waiting for the next cycle. The smartest players I've seen treat the lead-up like prep for a long trip: clean storage, craft what you actually use, and stop pretending that random clutter is "future value." If your base setup is messy, the reset will feel worse than it needs to.

How the stages play out in practice

The project grind usually ramps in a pretty predictable way, even if the exact mats shift around. Stage 1 is the basic building and early metals. Stage 2 is more structure and getting your mobile setup ready. Stage 3 starts leaning on higher-tier support materials. Stage 4 is where most players slow down, because the requirements stop forgiving sloppy routes. Stage 5 is the last stockpile push, and it's the moment you realise whether you planned ahead or just hoped the raids would be kind. Don't rush this part. Sort your inventory, upgrade what you can, and make peace with what you're leaving behind.

Why vets keep doing it anyway

The harsh bit is losing the run-specific power, but you don't lose everything that matters. Your broader account progress sticks: map access, Codex progress, tokens, and the workshop backbone you've already earned. That's why Expeditions feel so "worth it" to people who like efficiency. You reset, then climb faster with bonuses like quicker XP gains and better material flow, and suddenly the early game isn't a slog. If you're the type who wants each new run to start stronger than the last, it's hard not to see the appeal, especially once you've learned what to keep, what to burn, and when it makes sense to buy cheap ARC Raiders Coins to smooth out the rough edges.