Is Arc Raiders Going to Have Wipes? If Yes, How Do they Work

For players accustomed to extraction shooters where mandatory progression resets are standard, Arc Raiders introduces a revolutionary approach: completely optional wipes. Unlike games that force entire community resets, this title empowers you to control when and if you restart your journey.

The Expedition Project serves as Arc Raiders’ prestige mechanism, fundamentally different from traditional wipe systems. While games like Escape from Tarkov or Dark and Darker implement mandatory seasonal wipes affecting all players simultaneously, Arc Raiders lets individuals choose their reset timing based on personal goals and availability.

This player-centric design philosophy reflects Embark Studios’ commitment to respecting your time investment. The system acknowledges that not everyone can maintain the same play schedule while still providing fresh challenges for those seeking them.

Understanding wipe mechanics is crucial for maximizing your gaming experience. In extraction shooters, wipes typically reset all player progress to create a level playing field and introduce new content cycles. Arc Raiders transforms this concept into a choice rather than a requirement.

Once you reach level 20, the Expedition Project becomes accessible, initiating an eight-week progression cycle with specific objectives. Completing these challenges within the timeframe grants you the option to finalize your project and voluntarily reset your progression.

Retention vs. Reset Dynamics: After a voluntary wipe, you maintain all cosmetic items and meta rewards but lose skills, inventory, and gameplay progression. This balanced approach ensures your visual customization and achievement recognition persist while gameplay mechanics refresh.

Strategic Timing: The inaugural reset window occurs from December 15 to December 21, 2025—strategically positioned approximately eight weeks post-launch on October 30. This timing allows players to experience the initial content fully before deciding on a reset heading into holiday gaming sessions.

Cycle management is forgiving; missing a completion window simply rolls your progress into the next eight-week period. There’s no penalty for delayed participation, and reset frequency faces no restrictions as long as you act within active windows.

For players familiar with progression systems in other titles, our Class Guide explains similar strategic decision-making frameworks for character development.

The Expedition interface provides clear countdown timers and objective tracking, ensuring you always know how much time remains in the current cycle. This transparency helps planning whether to push for completion or continue building toward future resets.

Preparation Strategies: Begin planning your reset approximately two weeks before window closure. Focus on completing the most time-intensive Expedition objectives first, as these often require multiple sessions or specific conditions. Stockpile resources that carry between resets to accelerate post-wipe progression.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Many players underestimate the time required for final objective completion, missing their intended reset window. Others fail to coordinate with squad mates, resulting in mismatched progression levels that complicate cooperative play.

Advanced Player Optimization: Experienced Raiders often schedule resets during content updates to combine fresh progression with new gameplay elements. Consider maintaining multiple characters at different reset cycles to always have options for playing with various friend groups.

Time investment varies significantly based on playstyle. Casual players typically require 15-20 hours per eight-week cycle to complete Expedition objectives, while dedicated gamers might finish in 8-12 hours.

Understanding weapon systems can enhance your reset strategy. Our Weapons Unlock guide provides insights into efficient progression planning that applies to Arc Raiders’ systems.

For comprehensive gaming strategies beyond wipes, check our Complete Guide to tactical shooter mechanics and long-term progression optimization.

The voluntary nature of Arc Raiders’ system means you never face unexpected progression loss. This design particularly benefits players with irregular schedules who cannot commit to fixed gaming seasons but still want periodic fresh starts.

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