Alright Raiders, the clock’s running down and we’re hitting the point where you can’t afford to slack. Prep for the Expedition’s been open for weeks, but the departure slot between Dec 15 and Dec 21 is tight. Miss it, and you’re not just skipping a run—you’re losing a shot at stacking permanent buffs that make every future cycle smoother and deadlier. The wipe might sound rough—dumping your levels, gear, and progress—but it’s not a setback, it’s a boost. You reset for power that sticks. That’s why I’ve been hoarding resources and pushing my build, and honestly grabbing some ARC Raiders Items has been a smart move for keeping my stash topped without burning every free hour.
Level & Build Priorities
You’ll need to hit level 20 before you even think about loading up. The caravan build is six stages, each hungrier for parts than the last—expect 150 Metal Parts for the frame alone, plus rubber and ARC alloy like it’s going out of fashion. The biggest grind comes at the end, because your stash value translates into bonus skill points when the new cycle starts. Those extra points—up to five—can flip the early game in your favor straight away. The thing is, you can’t undo skill choices. I run solo a lot, so I go heavy on Mobility at first—Nimble Climber and Marathon Runner are lifesavers when you’re dodging ARC machines or sprinting to extract. Later, I lean into Survival for bigger loot and grab Agile Croucher for stealth. You start adding Conditioning only once you can survive some hits—it’s all about moving fast early on.
Blueprint Push
Blueprints are where most people get caught out. They reset with the wipe, and if you haven’t learned the routes for meta weapons like Vulcano or Bobcat, you’ll waste time next cycle. Right now, Stella Montis and Blue Gate are prime for night runs; rare drops feel more frequent there lately. I’ve been sprinting those paths like a madman to unlock what I can, because once you know the spots, it’s way easier to re-farm after the reset.
Final Prep Moves
If you’re staring at the week before departure and realise you’re short on materials or blueprint unlocks, you’ve got two choices—grind like there’s no tomorrow or find a shortcut. I’ve pulled off last-minute stash value boosts by picking up some extras through ARC Raiders BluePrint when time was tight. Whether you put in every run yourself or get a little outside help, the important thing is being on that ship before the window closes, because missing it means spending the next two months playing catch-up and watching others pull ahead.