Embark trims Arc Raiders’ second Expedition grind after backlash over coin costs

The studio framed the change bluntly. The previous requirement, it said, was too high. Players said much the same after finishing the first Expedition, or abandoning it partway through. Some described the rewards as fine but not equal to the effort. Embark does not dispute that assessment.

There is also a concession aimed at those who tried and failed last time. A new catch-up mechanic allows players to earn skill points from the first Expedition during the second, at a lower rate. Each missing point will now cost 300,000 Coins. Coins earned during the new Expedition first count toward its own rewards, then roll over to cover any gaps from the earlier run.

In practical terms, a player starting fresh could unlock up to ten additional skill points for a combined stash value of 4.5 million Coins. Embark cautioned that this arrangement is unlikely to be permanent. Skill points will not remain indefinitely available for players who continue to reset.

Rewards otherwise escalate rather than reset. Embark is adding more stash space, upgraded Expedition indicators, additional cosmetic options for the Patchwork outfit, and stronger bonuses to XP gain, materials, and repair value. The studio says the intention is to make repeat Expeditions feel materially different, not just longer.

Whether the cheaper entry point changes player sentiment is still open. Lowering the cost addresses the loudest complaint, but it does not resolve a quieter one. Arc Raiders still asks players to erase progress in exchange for long-term advantages. That trade-off remains central to the game’s design, and not everyone is convinced it is worth making, even at a discount.