Embark Studios has extended the Expedition 3 window in ARC Raiders from five days to 13, giving players much more time to complete the new damage-based challenge. The event now runs from April 28 through May 11, a move that responds directly to player concerns about the original short timeframe.
The change matters because the Expedition system is one of the game's bigger seasonal features. The original five-day window forced players to decide quickly whether to join and complete the requirements, which many felt was too restrictive, especially for those with limited playtime.
The new format shifts the focus toward dealing damage in raids. Players can earn bonus skill points by hitting cumulative damage milestones instead of relying solely on the older value-based system, which felt less flexible. Returning players can still claim catch-up skill points from previous Expedition progress, though those remain tied to coin value rather than the new damage approach.
Embark also shared the damage thresholds for the reward track, making it easier for players to plan. Early milestones are relatively easy, while later rewards require substantially more total damage. This structure encourages steady participation over the full event rather than forcing a frantic few days of play.
The reaction so far has been mostly positive. The original schedule would have left out people who were traveling, busy, or simply unable to log in every day. Extending the window to nearly two weeks makes the event more accessible without losing the sense of urgency that seasonal content often relies on.
There's a bigger design goal behind the change. Expeditions are meant to create a meaningful seasonal objective, one that feels more engaging than a simple checklist and more communal than a solo grind. By tying progression to active combat performance, Embark is emphasizing skill and participation rather than just patience or resource hoarding.