“We know that grinding for monetary value isn’t the most exciting experience.”
Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has outlined what’s coming up in its next Expedition Window, launching on 28th April, revealing “we’re doing things a little differently”, changing up how players earn Skill Points.
According to a new blog post shared on the Arc Raiders website, “Skill Points will be earned by dealing damage over the five-day window, NOT stash value”.
“Instead of gathering stash value and coins, players will now have to deal damage to get all 5 skill points (regardless if it’s your first, second or third expedition),” the team explained. “All players who have completed their Caravan will get the challenge (no need to sign up to see it).
“You can complete the challenge by dealing damage with any weapon or gadget against any target (except practice range). Players will have 5 days to complete the damage challenge (Tuesday to Sunday).”
Interestingly, catch up is still tied to stash value, though. Players who will be departing on their second or third Expedition (this doesn’t apply to players on their inaugural trip) and missed skill points last time will be able to catch up “to complete the damage challenge first in order to unlock the coin/stash value catch up mechanic”. Catch-up is 300.000 coins/stash value per skill point.
As for why Embark has made the change?
“We know that grinding for monetary value isn’t the most exciting experience. By introducing damage-based objectives and trials instead of stash value, we’re providing more freedom and variety in how you can complete the Expedition, encouraging the use of loot rather than hoarding it throughout the 5-day window,” the studio wrote.
“Above all, we want expeditions to be fun and not an endless grind. We believe these changes create a fair and engaging challenge that keeps everyone active across the full 5 days.”
The Expedition window will launch at 12 noon UK time (1pm CEST, 4am PT) on 28th April and remain open for five days only, closing at 8am 4th May (9am CEST, 12 midnight PT).
“Note that completing your caravan does not count as signing up for the Expedition, you still have to sign up during the 5-day window,” the team warned. “Expeditions are a personal progression that players complete in order. The Caravan can be completed in between Expedition windows, but finishing the Expedition can only be done during a scheduled departure window.”
Here’s what you need to do to join the expedition:
- Complete the Caravan: The option to contribute to the Caravan starts as soon as you complete the previous Expedition and if this is your first Expedition, you can start contributing right away.
- Wait for the Expedition Window: The next window opens on April 28th 13:00 CEST/11:00 UTC/04:00 PT and closes on May 4th 09:00 CEST/07:00 UTC/00:00 PT.
- Sign Up: Once the Expedition window opens, you need to sign up.
- Complete the Challenge: In order to get extra skill points (5 total per Expedition), players will need to complete a challenge within a 5 day window (more details below).
- Catch Up: Catch up on missed skill points (max 5 per catch-up) for players on their second or third expedition (more details below).
- Depart: Everyone that signed up departs on Monday at 09:00 CEST/07:00 UTC/00:00 PT.
For more, head on over to the official website.
Last week, Embark Studios released a new tracker to help players monitor map conditions across Arc Raiders. The tracker, hosted on the Arc Raiders website, not only shows map conditions as they currently are, but also indicates what’s coming up in the next few hours, too. You can filter by either the map itself or the conditions.
Did you catch the news that Epic Games is allegedly planning to release an Arc Raiders-like extraction shooter later this year? The Fortnite maker is reportedly working with Disney to develop a “shooting game along the lines of Embark Studios’ hit Arc Raiders, but with Disney characters battling enemies until they can reach an extraction point”.