Why did Arc Raiders change Expedition rewards?

Arc Raiders changes its Expeditions to reward damage, not daily schedules

Embark has been iterating on Arc Raiders’ Expedition system after players complained that recent changes made the mode feel like a chore rather than content.

Across multiple reports in the pool, the core issue wasn’t just tuning—it was motivation. Players had been saving up in-game credits expecting Expeditions to be worth their time, but the new Expedition window and structure led to frustration, including anger that rewards felt tied to factors outside players’ control (such as needing to be available on specific days).

In response, Embark admitted that the current approach to “grinding for monetary value” isn’t fun. The studio’s adjustment plan centers on making Expeditions more engaging by changing how rewards are earned.

Instead of feeling like a grind that only pays off if you spend long hours or follow a strict schedule, the future Expeditions will increasingly reward participation through combat performance—specifically “smashing bots instead.” Embark also introduced additional Expedition tuning, including bonus skill points that are now free but are earned by dealing damage.

Why this matters: Expeditions are a key part of Arc Raiders’ live-service loop, and they directly affect player sentiment and retention. If players see the mode as overly restrictive or unrewarding, it can push them away from the game’s longer-term progression.

The latest updates signal Embark is trying to redirect the Expedition incentive structure toward action that players can control during the match, which should reduce the gap between effort and payoff.

In short, Embark is moving Expeditions toward “play to earn,” with reward conditions tied to in-match damage rather than time-window availability or credit grinding.