Arc Raiders Announces Major Change to Expedition 3 Skill Point System

The new system will reward skill points based on the total damage a player deals during the active Expedition window, replacing a previous requirement tied to in-game currency and stash value.

On April 17, 2026, Embark Studios announced a significant modification to the prestige system for the upcoming Expedition 3 in Arc Raiders. The developer stated the change aims to alter the player experience, moving away from what they assessed as an unexciting monetary grind.

Details of the New System

The previous requirement for players to accumulate 3 million credits worth of stash value to earn the maximum of five skill points has been completely removed.

• New Requirement: Skill points will now be awarded based on the total damage a player deals during the Expedition window.
• Damage Sources: Damage can be dealt with any weapon or gadget against any target, excluding the practice range.
• Expedition Window: Scheduled from April 28 at 12:00 UK time (13:00 CEST, 04:00 PT) until May 4 at 08:00 UK time (09:00 CEST, 00:00 PT).
• Participation: Players must have completed their Caravan progression to see the challenge but must still sign up during the active window to participate.

Embark Studios stated the change was made because, in their assessment, "grinding for monetary value isn’t the most exciting experience." They stated the damage-based system is intended to provide more freedom, encourage the use of loot, and create what they view as a fair and engaging challenge.

Catch-Up Mechanic Unaffected

A separate catch-up mechanic for players who missed skill points in previous Expeditions remains in place and is unaffected by this change.

• This catch-up requires 300,000 coins or equivalent stash value per skill point.
• It is available only to players on their second or third Expedition, not their first.
• These players must first complete the new damage-based challenge for Expedition 3 to unlock the coin/stash value catch-up option for prior Expeditions.

Player Reaction to Expedition Changes

Following the announcement, some players expressed concerns on community platforms:

• Some noted the short notice of the change relative to the Expedition window start date.
• Some stated they had saved credits throughout the season in anticipation of the original system.
• Some questioned the lack of specific information regarding how much damage is required to earn skill points.
• Some suggested the new system should have been implemented for a future Expedition rather than altering the current one.
• Some expressed concern that the five-day participation window could conflict with personal schedules.

Developer Addresses Ongoing Late Spawn Feedback

In a separate communication, Embark Studios design lead Virgil Watkins discussed the game's late spawn system, which has been a topic of player feedback since the game's launch in October 2025.

Watkins acknowledged player frustrations, which include reduced time to complete objectives and a perceived lack of available loot for late joiners. However, he noted that internal developer data indicates players who join games late often "economically profit way more" than those who do not. According to the studio, late joiners may encounter quieter sessions, remnants of previous fights, opportunities to engage larger drones, or more ready access to high-value areas.

The stated primary goal of the late join system is to prevent deserted raids by ensuring continuous player presence. Embark Studios stated it distributes loot to provide sufficient opportunities for all players in a session.

Player Feedback on Late Spawning

Players have criticized the system, citing specific concerns:

• Late-joining players can spawn in close proximity to existing teams late in a raid, often with full gear, creating engagements some players view as unfair.
• Some players have suggested an alternative system where only players with a basic "free loadout" join late, allowing initial spawns for fully geared players.
• Players describe the system as potentially detrimental for both early and late participants: late joiners experience limited time and may find less loot, while early players, who may be low on resources, can face fresh, fully geared opponents appearing unexpectedly.

Background and Context

• Arc Raiders launched in October 2025.
• Expedition 2 concluded on March 1, 2026.
• The Riven Tides update is expected to launch later in April 2026.
• Last week, Embark Studios released a new tracker on the Arc Raiders website for players to monitor real-time and upcoming map conditions.
• In 2026, Embark Studios won a BAFTA Game Award for Multiplayer.