Arc Raiders Expedition Guide: Loot Drops, Systems, and Weekly Updates Explained

Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter that leans into PvE survival—then tosses in robots that feel like they’re actively learning your habits. It’s also one of the genre’s more approachable entries: less punishing than many rivals, but still packed with systems you have to stay on top of. With Embark pushing updates on a monthly rhythm, the live loop keeps shifting, and weekly changes can matter for what you farm, what you craft, and which quests you prioritize.

Release timing and current availability

May 12, 2026: This is the weekly watch status for Arc Raiders, including what to focus on right now and what to do if you’re new to the game.

Riven Tides live window: Tuesday, April 28 through (presumably) Tuesday, May 26.

Limited-time event “Last Resort”: runs from now until May 25.

Platform	Status	Date / window
Arc Raiders (general)	Riven Tides era	Tuesday, April 28 → presumably Tuesday, May 26
Arc Raiders (general)	Limited-time event: Last Resort	Now → May 25

At the moment, Arc Raiders is in the Riven Tides phase, meaning most meaningful farming and progression will tie back to that update’s map, enemies, and questline. One important caveat: Embark has not yet published what comes next on the roadmap, even though the game has received substantial monthly drops so far.

Right now in Arc Raiders

Here’s what’s being highlighted for the current week: a new Expedition cycle, catch-up opportunities for older quests, the ongoing Riven Tides update, and a limited-time event running until late May. If you’re jumping in fresh, you’ll also want to bookmark this roundup mindset—play smart, plan your route, and keep moving through the robot-infested world of Speranza.

A new Expedition has begun

A new Expedition is live and calls for a fresh set of materials. None of the requirements are described as especially complicated beyond a few standouts: purple ship models, Vaporizer Regulators, and the newly introduced Turbine Compressors. However, there’s also a reported issue affecting some players—an error that can cause missing skill points.

Catch up on old quests

Because Riven Tides isn’t described as packed wall-to-wall, and because this Expedition cycle refreshes the calendar, it’s a good moment to complete older quests. The guidance here is to lean into The Major’s Footlocker and Industrial Espionage, since they reward players with the Hullcracker and Burletta blueprint respectively.

Riven Tides is in full swing

Riven Tides remains the newest major update in the game. It introduces a new map—stated to be smaller than initially expected—named Riven Tides, plus the Arc Turbine enemy. It also brings additional features, but the overall message is that the update doesn’t add as much brand-new content as some players might hope.

There’s a limited-time event

Last Resort is the current limited-time event. It runs from now until May 25. Players can earn XP and collect toy ships to gain Merits. Those Merits unlock exclusive rewards including a new outfit and backpack, as well as 250 Raider Tokens.

Arc Raiders’ latest update

Arc Raiders is currently in the Riven Tides era, scheduled to run from Tuesday, April 28 until, presumably, Tuesday, May 26. Even with that confirmed timeframe, Embark has not released the next roadmap installment. The game has still benefited from major monthly updates up to this point.

What the update does—based on the expectations players have built since launch—can be boiled down to the familiar loop:

• Explore the new Riven Tides map, described as beach-themed and filled with every enemy type players can run into.
• Locate and defeat Arc Turbine mini-bosses to obtain distinctive parts.
• Pick up a Dockmaster’s Detector to search the coastline for buried treasure.
• Gather all materials required for the Avian Alarm project.
• Collect four new blueprints, though they’re characterized as less exciting than unique weapons introduced during the Flashpoint update.

The update also adds six new quests. The rewards are described as not especially remarkable, but they still give a reason to either explore Riven Tides more thoroughly or return to a previously enjoyed location. If quest tracking becomes confusing, the recommended approach is to use the Arc Raiders Tools quest tracker.

The six quest objectives and rewards listed are:

2x Exodus Modules, 2x Magnetic Accelerator, 2x Magnetron

1x Surge Coil, 1x Heavy Gun Parts, 1x Horizontal Grip

5x Mechanical Components, 3x Mod Components

1x Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No.107, 3x Smoke Grenade Trap

1x Canto I, 1x Extended Medium Mag III, 1x Muzzle Brake II

Previous Arc Raiders updates

Arc Raiders has received X major updates since launch in October 2025, with a notably fast monthly cadence.

• All Arc Raiders quests and how to beat them
• Everything that happens when you do an Expedition Project in Arc Raiders
• Embark admits that “grinding for monetary value” isn’t fun, so future Arc Raiders Expeditions will reward players for smashing bots instead

Northline (November 2025)

• Stella Montis map (plus Breaking New Ground event)
• Matriarch and Shredder enemies
• New gameplay items, including the Aphelion rifle and Deadlines
• New quests

Cold Snap (December 2025)

• Snowfall minor map condition
• Flickering Flames event
• Goalie Raider Deck
• New quests

Headwinds (January 2026)

• Solo vs Squads matchmaking option
• Bird City map condition
• Trophy Display project
• New quests

Shrouded Sky (February 2026)

• Hurricane map condition
• Dam Battlegrounds map update: Controlled Access Zone
• Comet and Firefly enemies
• Weather Monitor project
• Surgeon Raider Deck
• New quests

Flashpoint (March 2026)

• Close Scrutiny map condition
• Vaporizer enemy
• New gameplay items, including the Canto and Dolabra
• High-Gain Antenna project
• Scrappy feeding boost upgrade
• Shredders outside of Stella Montis

Arc Raiders starter pack

If you’re new to Arc Raiders, expect frequent deaths while you learn the rhythm. Your early raider is at a slight disadvantage compared with veterans because you won’t have the same upgrades or skills yet.

To help you get closer to even footing fast, here’s a step-by-step approach for surviving in Speranza.

1. Get some skills

Start by playing a few matches to earn XP and level up. Whether you survive or not matters, but the best XP gains come when you’re able to escape alive after eliminating and looting robots and other players. After that, you can spend skill points across three separate upgrade trees. Many skills aren’t portrayed as exciting, but there are powerful early options and additional stronger picks later in the progression.

A guide is also referenced for the “best Arc Raiders skills,” including a full build you can copy if you prefer a set plan.

2. Complete the early quests

Quests are positioned as both an early reward source and a map-learning tool. Many tasks don’t require direct combat, so you can run them with a lower-risk loadout just to understand what each region offers and how activities flow.

• The next Arc Raiders map drops today, and so does this evil floating cone
• Arc Raiders Last Resort event explained
• Arc Raiders’ latest Riven Tides teaser hints that the terrifying UFO we’ve been seeing is actually the next mega-boss enemy

For players who get stuck, the first tricky quests are supported with walkthrough-style directions. The list of highlighted quests includes:

Trash into Treasure

Locate the required wires and batteries with limited difficulty, though gunfire is still a possibility. Use the “Trash into Treasure” walkthrough to guide you through.

Off the Radar

Clarified objective: a Field Depot is described as a large rectangular metal building, looking like a retro RV, topped with a radar tower. The “Off the Radar” walkthrough is recommended to find them.

A Bad Feeling

Finding Arc Couriers and Probes requires some searching. The guidance also notes the EM Storm map condition if you’re willing to take the risk. The “A Bad Feeling” walkthrough can help.

A First Foothold

After unlocking the Blue Gate map, the quest sends you to interact with three far-off locations. The “A First Foothold” walkthrough is recommended.

A Better Use

Supply Drops don’t automatically fall from the sky like Arc Probes do. You’ll first need to locate a call station. Use the “A Better Use” walkthrough to handle it.

Greasing Her Palms

For Celeste, chart out three unclear locations across Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, and Buried City. “Greasing Her Palms” provides the route help.

Reduced to Rubble

Go to the Collapsed Highway and follow the trail into the hills. The warning is to avoid getting shot by higher-tier machines on the way. The “Reduced to Rubble” walkthrough is suggested.

With a Trace

Search for clues about who brought down the Arc machines while avoiding distractions caused by the misleading quest objective. A “With a Trace” walkthrough is also referenced.

3. Upgrades people, upgrades

Once you’ve spent some early skill points, finished early quests, and learned the maps better, you move into the main part of the loop: collecting random junk to upgrade your workbenches and your pet rooster.

Here are all the items the rooster requests, grouped and detailed as given:

Residential areas, such as Grandioso Apartments, Red Tower, and Santa Maria Houses on Buried City

Nature areas, such as Olive Grove on Blue Gate

Shops and houses, such as Santa Maria Houses and Piazza Arbusto on Buried City, and Village on Blue Gate

In the sand dunes south of Plaza Rosa on Buried City

3x Very Comfortable Pillow

On trees south of Little Hangar in the north of the Spaceport map, and inside Hydroponic Dome Complex and on the surrounding trees on the Dam Battlegrounds map

And these are all the items needed to fully upgrade all stations at your workshop, ordered alphabetically:

10x Advanced Electrical Components

Electrical areas, such as the Power Generation Complex on Dam Battlegrounds, or in Arc Probes/Couriers

5x Advanced Mechanical Components

Craft at the Refiner, recycle weapons and materials, or loot them from high-tier enemies and cars

Medical areas, such as Hospital and the pharmacies in Buried City

Medical Lab 1, Explosives 1, Utility 1

Loot basically any Arc enemy

Craft at the Refiner, loot high-tier Arc enemies like Bastions, Rocketeers, and Queens, or Probes and Couriers

Loot a Bastion, a high-tier enemy in both indoor and outdoor areas

Loot a Bombardier, a high-tier enemy in outdoor areas

Medical areas, such as Hospital in Buried City and Testing Annex on Dam Battlegrounds

Industrial areas, or more commonly on the explosive Pop and Fireball enemies

Technological areas like Dam Battlegrounds’ Power Generation Complex, inside server cabinets and lockers

Craft at the Refiner, or loot Medical/Commercial areas, such as Hospital and the pharmacies in Buried City

10x Electrical Components

Craft at the Refiner, loot Electrical areas like Dam Battlegrounds’ Power Generation Complex, or scavenge Rocketeers and Vaporizers

Craft at the Refiner, loot Industrial and Security areas, or scavenge Comet enemies

Gear Bench 1, Medical Lab 1

A basic crafting material found almost anywhere, gathered by Scrappy, and sold by Celeste

Loot a Fireball, a common enemy in indoor areas

In server boxes and as loose items in Technological areas. Best found in Dam Battlegrounds’ Water Treatment Control

Loot a Hornet, a common enemy in outdoor areas

Industrial areas like Dam Battlegrounds’ Hydroponic Dome Complex and Power Generation Complex, often in shelves, crates, and in car hoods

Medical areas, such as Hospital in Buried City, inside cabinets and boxes, and as loose items on countertops and chemical stands

Loot a Leaper, a high-tier enemy in outdoor areas

Craft at the Refiner, recycle weapons and materials, or loot them from wrecked vehicles

Mechanical areas like Dam Battlegrounds’ Water Treatment and in car hoods at Scrap Yard

Kill and loot a Pop, a common enemy in indoor areas

Loot computers, monitors, and server racks, and as loose items inside houses. Best places to check include Blue Gate’s Village and Dam Battlegrounds’ Research & Administration

Kill and loot a Rocketeer, a high-tier enemy in outdoor areas

Inside cars and generators, such as Warehouse, Marano Station, and Parking Garage in the northwest of Buried City

3x Rusted Shut Medical Kit

Mechanical and Industrial areas, such as cars in Scrap Yard, and in the lower floors of Water Treatment Control, and Primary Facility on Dam Battlegrounds

Kill and loot a Sentinel turret, such as on the blue exterior staircase at Research & Development and either end of the destroyed dam between Control Tower and Power Generation Complex on Dam Battlegrounds

Loot a Snitch, a common enemy in outdoor areas

Loot a Surveyor, a rare ball-shaped enemy that’s best found during the Close Scrutiny map condition

Exodus areas, such as Spaceport’s Rocket Assembly and Fuel Control, and Stella Montis’ Assembly

Loot a Tick, a common enemy in indoor areas

Residential areas, such as Village in the northwest corner of Blue Gate

Loot a Wasp, a common enemy in outdoor areas

4. Keep your progression, or reset it

Once you understand the systems and have made progress, you’ll need to decide on your end goal. You can either keep your build and carry it across update cycles (the approach described as preferred), or periodically reset progression in exchange for unique cosmetics and extra skill points.

This is where the Expedition system comes in. Players donate resources to construct a caravan that sends their raider off into the sunset. The text frames this option as for players willing to restart the full process just for the experience. It also references a view that throwing blueprints and items away can help keep the game fresh after many hours.

The article also includes a player profile describing Rory’s activity across multiple live-service titles and his time investment in The Elder Scrolls Online, as well as his freelance work and video creation focused on environmental design.

Finally, there are community moderation notes: users must confirm their public display name before commenting, and if prompted, they should log out and back in to enter their display name again.

For completeness, the page also contains repeated numbered navigation items (1 through 5) in two separate sets, but no additional gameplay or release information is attached to those elements.

What this means for players right now: prioritize the new Expedition materials (and be aware of the skill-point bug), use Riven Tides while it’s active, and consider quest catch-up while the map’s newest cycle is still running. The limited-time Last Resort event is also a direct source of XP and Merits, with specific cosmetic and token rewards tied to toy ship collection.

Remaining unknowns: the next roadmap stage for Arc Raiders has not been revealed, even though the game continues to land major monthly updates. That makes planning a little more flexible—players can stock up on what’s useful for Riven Tides and current projects, but they’ll have to wait for official details before committing hard to what comes next.