Things around ARC Raiders feel wildly different compared to not long ago. Embark Studios has dropped some chunky updates ahead of the December 21 Expedition departure, and the whole extraction shooter scene seems to be bending in a new direction. It’s no longer just about fixing bugs or tweaking stats – it’s a near total shake-up that actually makes the grind worthwhile. If you’ve been sitting on a pile of loot like some futuristic hoarder, you’re about to see that stash pay off in more ways than bragging rights. In fact, jumping in now and stacking up ARC Raiders Coins could be one of the smartest moves before the timer hits zero.

Expedition Wipes That Feel Good

The biggest change is the Expedition system. Before, a “wipe” meant losing progress, and it was a bit of a gut punch for casual players. Now, stash value at departure converts straight into perk points. We’re talking proper upgrades – more defence, extra firepower, bigger storage without playing inventory Tetris, and boosts to Scrappy that make the XP flow fast. It flips the mentality; every coin, mod and blueprint you bring back isn’t just something you might lose, it’s an investment that lasts. You feel like you’re working toward something permanent, which makes sticking it out in high-risk runs that much sweeter.

Crafting Without RNG Headaches

The crafting tweaks hit another long-time pain point – the endless wait for that perfect drop. Being able to forge your own armour from scavenged scrap means no more grinding for one specific helmet for weeks. And that ammo change is pure quality-of-life. Launcher ammo from just one ARC Motion Core and a couple of Crude Explosives? No blueprints needed? That’s freedom. You can switch builds fast, run tankier squads in PvE or speed-focused gear in PvP without the loot gods messing with you. In practice, it makes experimenting with new playstyles way more doable.

Lighthearted Additions

Then there’s the rubber duck madness. It started as a community joke – one player hoarding over 600 – and somehow turned into a real thing with the Den Showcase. At 1,000 coins apiece they’re not just silly; they can distract ARCs in the field. Sure, the utility is nice, but let’s be honest – most of us will collect them just to show off. Moments like this cut through the tension, keep things fun and unpredictable, and you end up with stories that last longer than your current loadout.

With the Flickering Flames event live and the new battle pass in play, there’s loads to do before December. If you’re aiming to max out perks, grab premium mats or lock down the rarest blueprints before departure, making a plan now is key. And for anyone serious about getting ahead, checking places to buy Raider Tokens could be the edge you need to roll into the Expedition armed to the teeth.