Expeditions and Trials

Raiderism editorial2026-10-03

Beyond the raid-to-raid loop, ARC Raiders runs two overlapping progression systems every season: a long-form Expedition and a weekly Trials ladder. They reward different things, and playing both is how you get the most out of a season.

Expeditions — the season's backbone

Expeditions are a voluntary departure and progression reset system. They are separate from time-limited Raider Projects. Before departing, read the exact reset and reward terms in the current in-game screen: a completed project is not the same thing as starting a new Raider.

Since Embark's September 8 update, you choose whether quests reset when you depart. Check that choice on the departure screen before confirming.

A departure checklist

Save a screenshot before departing. Update your local trackers afterward.

Trials — the weekly ladder

Trials is the competitive layer. Each week hands you a set of scored challenges; clearing higher score thresholds earns more points, and your best result per challenge climbs you through fourteen ranks in divisions of 100. The board resets every Monday, so one strong week matters more than a long grind — and there's no penalty for a quiet week.

The leaderboard breakdown covers ranks and rewards; the Trials page lists current challenges and past weeks.

Playing both

The trick is overlap: pick Trials challenges that also help your current preparation goals, and haul efficiently while you do it. If coin is tight, the loot economics guide keeps your backpack earning; if you're still unlocking the basics, the starter chain comes first.