The phone lit up at 2am and I found myself staring at a shrinking timer. For three weeks you can choose to reset a portion of your ARC Raiders account and walk away with permanent bonuses. I’ll tell you what opens, when it closes, and the trade-offs you’ll face.
I read the patch notes, I scan the in-game project window, and I talk to players on Discord and Reddit so you don’t have to guess at the moment of decision.
I refreshed the launcher and the timer blinked — ARC Raiders Expedition 2 Project release countdown
The project window follows the same schedule the studio uses for weekly trials. That means the opening is locked to a predictable set of server times so you can plan.
When does Expedition 2 start?
The project window opens at the times listed below (server roll):
- 12am PT
- 2am CT
- 3am ET
- 8am UTC
- 9am CET
I track these times on Steam and on console stores when patch notes drop; it’s the fastest signal that the window is live.
How long is the window open?
Once the opening countdown hits zero, you’ll have several days to complete the Expedition project objectives before the window closes and a new season begins. The second embedded timer below mirrors the project close time so you can watch the clock from the site or the in-game project pane.
I took a screenshot of the rewards screen — ARC Raiders Expedition 2 Project rewards
The studio adjusted what players receive during the second Expedition project. The infographic below is the clearest view of the listed drops.
- The Patchwork Outfit (Evolved)
- Scrappy cosmetics
- Expedition indicator
- 24 additional stash spaces
- 0–5 Skill Points (600,000 credits per Skill Point)
- Chance to catch up on Skill Points missed during the first Expedition
If you already ran the first Expedition, the project gives stacking account perks: a 10% XP boost, 12% increase in scavenge materials, and a 70% increase to repair value for participating accounts.
I watched my squad argue in voice chat for an hour — Should you participate?
Resetting parts of your account is a serious choice. You erase progress in certain places but gain permanent advantages that compound over time.
Prepare like this:
- Check the in-game project window the moment the open countdown hits zero.
- Prioritize objectives that grant Skill Points; each one costs 600,000 credits and is a tangible step toward your build.
- Move valuable gear into stash slots you plan to keep — the new stash capacity helps, but planning prevents losses.
- Follow developer posts on Steam, Epic, and official Discord for last-minute clarifications and hotfixes.
Think of the countdown as a slowly draining hourglass that forces choices, and consider an account reset like pruning a bonsai: ugly short-term, stronger long-term.
What happens if I miss the window?
If you miss the window, the project closes and the season advances. You can still earn rewards in future Expeditions, but perks tied to participation this season are off the table until the next project cycle.
I recommend syncing your alarms to the server times above and discussing strategy with your team on platforms like Discord or the ARC Raiders subreddit before the window opens.
If you’re weighing risk versus permanent gain, which side of the reset will you bet your account on?