Arc Raiders Expedition 2 Preview: What is Coming March 1

Jonas Author

Created - 14.02.2026 Updated - 14.02.2026

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The makers of Arc Raiders is keeping the game fresh and exciting through Expeditions. To put it simply, these will allow every players a clean fresh start.

It might sound like a big hassle but games like Diablo 4 also do this with each new season. The reset for Arc Raiders will also bring in some key changes which will affect the meta, thus making it worth the effort to go through this guide. There are still a few days left before it arrives so there's time to prepare.

Before the reset happens, make sure to check our options for Arc Raiders Coins for sale, if you're starting the season on a clean slate, you may as well start it with enough gold to help you rise quickly.

What Is Expedition 2? – Update Overview

Arc Raiders is about to hit its second major reset cycle, and this one looks a bit more structured than the first. Expedition 2 officially starts on March 1, 2026, but the important date for most players is actually February 25, when the sign-up window opens.

From that point, you only have four days to finish your donations and lock in the rewards tied to this Expedition.

Unlike a typical seasonal wipe, Arc Raiders uses what the developers call a departure window. That means you can keep running raids with your current character right up until the last possible second. There's no forced wipe at a fixed hour. You choose when to depart, as long as it's within the Expedition window.

That system is a big difference compared to Expedition 1. The first run felt more like a test of the reset mechanics. Expedition 2, on the other hand, is clearly structured around progression pacing, economy balancing, and a more predictable reward ladder. The donation phases are clearer, the bonuses are more impactful, and the reset rules are easier to understand.

The overall goal of Expedition 2 is simple:

• Refresh long-term progression.
• Push players back into the field with new incentives.
• Smooth out the economy and farming loops.
• Give everyone a fresh competitive start without deleting everything that matters.

And the rewards are not just cosmetic fluff. Completing Expedition 2 can net you:

• Evolved Patchwork Outfit
• Scrappy Cosmetics
• Expedition Indicator Icon
• 24 Stash Spaces
• 0–5 Skill Points (based on stash)
• 10% XP Boost
• 12% Scrappy Materials Boost
• 70% Repair Value Increase

That's a pretty strong package, especially the stash expansion and repair value increase. Those alone can dramatically change how aggressively you play early in the new cycle.

New Objectives and Mission Adjustments

Expedition 2 isn't just a reset button with a new coat of paint. The biggest shift comes from how the donation system works. Instead of one large requirement, the Expedition is broken into five distinct phases, each asking for different categories of materials and gear.

The first four phases are straightforward item donations. You're essentially feeding the caravan with the parts needed to prepare it for departure.

Phase 1:

• 150 Metal Parts
• 200 Plastic Parts
• 80 ARC Alloy
• 15 Steel Springs

Phase 2:

• 35 Durable Cloths
• 25 Wires
• 20 Electrical Components
• 4 Cooling Coils

Phase 3:

• 4 Lightbulbs
• 30 Batteries
• 10 Shredder Gyros
• 1 Exodus Module

Phase 4:

• 5 Frequency Mod Boxes
• 5 Advanced Electrical Components
• 3 Ion Sputters
• 3 Leaper Pulse Units

Then comes Phase 5, which changes the structure completely. Instead of specific items, you donate categories based on total value:

• Combat items worth 250,000 Coins
• Survival items worth 100,000 Coins
• Provisions worth 150,000 Coins
• Materials worth 300,000 Coins

This shift introduces a much stronger risk vs reward dynamic. Instead of hoarding high-tier gear for “later,” players now have to decide what they're willing to sacrifice for Expedition rewards. Do you donate your rare weapons and reset stronger, or keep them and enter the new cycle weaker?

It also changes raid flow. Late-Expedition runs become less about pure survival and more about targeted farming. You're not just extracting for profit—you're extracting to hit specific value thresholds.

Loot Pool Changes and Reward Scaling

Even though the update is focused on progression resets, Expedition 2 also indirectly changes how the loot economy feels.

First, the reward structure itself pushes players toward more efficient farming. The boosts alone reshape the early-cycle economy:

• 10% XP boost speeds up leveling.
• 12% Scrappy materials boost increases crafting efficiency.
• 70% repair value increase makes gear maintenance far cheaper.

That repair boost is the real sleeper hit. In previous cycles, many players hoarded gear because repairs felt too expensive. With a 70% increase in repair value, you can afford to take risks more often, which should lead to more aggressive raid play and less stash-sitting.

The stash expansion is another major factor. 24 additional stash spaces may not sound huge, but early in a fresh Expedition, every slot matters. It allows you to hold onto more crafting materials and quest items instead of constantly selling or discarding them.

Phase 5's value-based donations also affect farming efficiency. Since you're donating based on total coin value, players will likely:

• Focus on high-value item routes.
• Target specific enemy types for gear drops.
• Prioritize extraction over combat in the final days.

This naturally creates a late-cycle economy where high-value items spike in demand, while low-tier materials become less important.

Gameplay and Balance Changes

While Expedition 2 isn't a massive mechanical overhaul, the reset itself introduces some important gameplay shifts.

The most noticeable change comes from the progression reset rules. Once you depart on Expedition 2, your character is essentially wiped—but not completely.

Here's what resets:

• Stash size upgrades
• Coins
• Character level
• Stash and inventory
• Learned blueprints
• Raider Den
• Workshop stations
• Quests

At first glance, that sounds brutal. But you keep more than you lose.

Here's what carries over:

• Maps
• Codex entries
• Raider Deck progress
• Workshop stations (must be rebuilt)
• Trials and leaderboard positions
• Cosmetics
• Cred and Raider tokens

This creates a softer reset than a full wipe. Your knowledge, cosmetics, and long-term progression remain intact, but your economy and power level start fresh.

From a balance perspective, this helps:

• Prevent late-cycle gear inflation.
• Keep new players competitive.
• Reset the market for materials and weapons.

It also encourages experimentation. Since your blueprints and stash are reset, you're not locked into one crafting path. Each Expedition becomes a chance to try different builds and gear priorities.

How Players Should Prepare for Expedition 2

If you want to get the most out of Expedition 2, preparation is everything. The four-day sign-up window is short, and the donation requirements are substantial.

Gear Recommendations Before the Update

Focus on building a stash that can cover:

• High-value combat gear.
• Mid-tier survival items.
• Bulk materials for Phase 5.

You don't necessarily need top-tier weapons. In fact, mid-tier gear with high coin value is often more efficient for donations.

A balanced stash is better than a luxury one.

Resource Management Tips

Start organizing your inventory now.

• Separate items by donation category.
• Track coin value instead of rarity.
• Avoid over-investing in repairs late in the cycle.

If an item is likely to be donated, there's no reason to spend resources maintaining it.

Also, prioritize completing Phases 1–4 as early as possible. These require specific items, and the longer you wait, the harder they become to farm consistently.

Squad Coordination for New Objectives

Expedition donations are much easier with a coordinated squad.

• Assign each squadmate a farming focus.
• Rotate between material-heavy and combat-heavy routes.
• Share excess items instead of selling them.

In Phase 5 especially, squads can pool resources to hit donation thresholds much faster than solo players.

A coordinated team can finish the Expedition days earlier, giving them more time to prepare for the fresh cycle.

Expedition 2 looks less like a simple wipe and more like a structured progression event. With meaningful rewards, value-based donations, and a softer reset system, it should create a more active and competitive start to the next cycle.

Whether you're planning to dump your stash for the bonuses or hold onto your gear and skip the reset, the next few days are going to define how strong you are when March 1 hits.

Expedition 2 Is Coming Soon

Arc Raiders Expedition 2 is going to be an exciting time for players. If you want to hone your skills further, check out our Arc Raiders Guides. We're regularly adding more tips and tricks for players of all levels so make sure to check it out!