The ARC Raiders development team has confirmed that the fifth Expedition will be the last one until early 2027. In its official August 21 announcement, the studio said Expeditions need a broader rework rather than another round of small adjustments. The final 2026 window opens September 8 at 11:00 UTC and closes September 29 at 08:00 UTC.
The pause does not remove progress players have already earned. Consecutive Expedition buffs will remain active, players who complete all five Expeditions will unlock the full Zenith Outfit, and partially completed Caravans will be converted into Ermal Vouchers of equal value when the reset occurs.
Expeditions are structured around building a Caravan and then choosing to leave during a limited departure window. That decision can reset parts of a player’s progression in exchange for permanent account benefits. The fifth run therefore matters both to players pursuing the final cosmetic reward and to those deciding whether another reset is worthwhile before the system disappears for several months.
Why the Studio Is Pausing Expeditions
The developer identified three areas that need larger changes: tight departure windows, the reward structure, and accessibility for new players. The studio said previous incremental improvements were not enough to solve those problems, so the system will be paused after Expedition 5 while the team works on a more substantial revision.
The announcement does not specify an exact return date beyond early 2027. It also does not promise a particular replacement system or list every planned mechanic. The studio said it would share more detail about the changes in September, so claims about the final shape of the rework remain premature until the developer publishes that information.
What Changes for Expedition 5
The fifth Expedition extends the departure window from two weeks to three. Players can also choose whether to reset their quest progress when they depart. That opt-in approach addresses complaints about repeating the quest line after every Expedition. Because the Hullcracker Blueprint is normally tied to that quest line, the studio said it will provide other ways to obtain it.
There is no Last Call period this time. Completing a Caravan is not the same as registering for departure, so players must sign up during the September 8–29 window. Anyone who completes the Caravan but forgets to register will miss the departure.
The process remains sequential: complete the Caravan, wait for the window, sign up, finish the required challenge, catch up on eligible missed skill points, and depart on September 29. Players on their second, third, or fourth Expedition can catch up on as many as five missed skill points, subject to the broader Expedition limits.
Rewards and Progress During the Pause
Expedition 5 includes the complete Zenith Outfit, mystery rewards, and 12 additional stash slots up to a maximum of 60. Bonus skill points from Expeditions remain capped at 15. The consecutive XP, Scrappy materials, and repair-value buffs are each capped at three levels.
Those consecutive buffs will persist while Expeditions are unavailable. The studio explicitly said no progress will be lost from the pause. Partially completed Caravans will instead become Ermal Vouchers, which can be used for Ermal offers, ARC Parts, and firearm trades, or sold for Coin.
Trials Have a Separate Two-Week Break
The current Trials season ends September 22. Trials will then pause for two weeks and return on October 8. That short interruption is separate from the longer Expedition pause, which begins after the fifth departure and continues into early 2027.
Players continuing to explore the Rust Belt during the break can use our Blue Gate Cellar Key location guide. Newcomers can also check our coverage of the October Xbox Free Play Days lineup featuring ARC Raiders.
What Players Need to Do Before September 29
Players planning to take part should finish their Caravan, register after the window opens, and complete the required challenge before departure. The lack of a Last Call makes the registration step especially important. Players who would rather keep their current quest progress should select the new option not to reset it. Before confirming departure, they should also verify that the challenge and any eligible skill-point catch-up have registered correctly, because the official schedule sets the departure for September 29.
