The latest ARC Raiders expedition update changes how players earn extra skill points, and it is a much more combat-focused system than before. Instead of hitting a currency requirement, progress now comes from total damage dealt during the event window. The good news is that the developers also extended the schedule after community feedback, which gives players a much fairer amount of time to finish the thresholds.

This article breaks down the new dates, the confirmed damage milestones, what those numbers really mean in practice, and the best ways to prepare if you want all five bonus points with minimal wasted effort. It also covers efficient enemy targets, useful ammo planning, and how to build up the resources needed for high-damage runs.

What Changed in the Expedition Event

The headline change is simple: expedition progress is now tied to damage dealt rather than a money requirement. That means every strong combat run matters, whether the damage comes from fighting ARC machines or other raiders.

The expedition window has also been extended. Players can now work on the requirement from April 28, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. through May 11, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. That gives roughly 13 days to complete the event, which is a major improvement over the shorter window players initially expected.

For most of the community, this extension is the most important part of the announcement. It lowers the pressure on players who cannot log in every day and makes the event feel more realistic for anyone balancing raids with farming, crafting, and normal progression.

All Expedition Damage Thresholds for Bonus Skill Points

The expedition rewards are split across five milestones. The thresholds are:

• 5,000 damage for the first skill point
• 10,000 damage for the second skill point
• 30,000 damage for the third skill point
• 50,000 damage for the fourth skill point
• 100,000 damage for the fifth skill point

The key detail is that these numbers are cumulative. You do not need 5,000, then an extra 10,000, then an extra 30,000 on top of that in separate chunks. Reaching 100,000 total damage unlocks all five skill points.

That clarification matters because the raw list can look more intimidating than it really is. Once the total is understood properly, the grind appears much more manageable.

How Much Damage Is 100,000 Really?

The developers gave one very useful comparison point: destroying a Bastion is approximately equal to 5,000 damage. Based on that estimate, the full requirement is roughly the same as killing 20 Bastions across the entire event.

That sounds substantial at first, but it becomes far less extreme when spread across nearly two weeks. Even a few focused sessions can cover a huge portion of the total, especially for players already comfortable with heavy ARC targets and event spawns.

The internal test estimate shared by the developers is also important. They noted that 8,000 to 10,000 damage in a single very good round was achievable. In practice, strong players with efficient routes, enough rockets, and proper target selection may exceed that by a wide margin.

This is where preparation starts to matter more than pure time played. If a run is built around high-health targets instead of random skirmishes, the event becomes much easier to finish.

Best Targets for Fast Expedition Damage

Bastions

Bastions are the baseline target because the official comparison uses them. They are durable, easy to value in damage terms, and useful for measuring progress. If one Bastion is worth about 5,000 damage, then every clean kill is meaningful progress toward the next reward tier.

For players who prefer stable, straightforward PvE, Bastions are a reliable benchmark. They are not always the absolute fastest option, but they are easy to understand and plan around.

Bombardiers may be one of the best practical targets if their health pool is close to Bastion durability. On maps and events where multiple Bombardier spawns can be cycled in one deployment, total damage can climb extremely fast.

In an electromagnetic storm at Spaceport, it is possible to rotate between Bombardier spawn points over a 30-minute window. With good routing and enough damage output, several kills in one match can add up to a massive chunk of the expedition requirement.

If each Bombardier is in the same general durability range, then six kills in one run can potentially represent around 25,000 to 30,000 damage. An exceptional run with additional heavy kills can push even higher.

Vaporizers and other flying ARC

Flying enemies are another strong source of damage, especially when multiple spawns can be chained. Vaporizers are not as individually valuable as a heavy target, but they appear in clusters and can be farmed efficiently during the right activity windows.

If a route naturally overlaps with weekly trial objectives or other farming goals, these kills become even more efficient. That kind of overlap is ideal because it turns expedition progress into a side benefit rather than a dedicated grind.

Matriarchs and major event threats

Boss-class enemies are likely among the best burst opportunities in the entire event. A Matriarch kill with enough explosives can deliver a huge amount of progress in a single engagement.

These fights are expensive, though, which means the real bottleneck is often not combat skill but access to launchers, ammo, and supporting resources. That is why stockpiling ARC Raiders Materials and maintaining enough explosive options before the event starts can be just as important as choosing the right route.

A Practical High-Damage Route: Spaceport Electromagnetic Storm

One of the most promising examples is the electromagnetic storm at Spaceport. The reason this route stands out is simple: it offers repeated access to valuable heavy targets in a limited area, which makes travel time low and damage output high.

A strong run usually revolves around these ideas:

• Move between known Bombardier spawn points instead of wandering for random fights
• Use burst damage weapons or explosives to shorten each engagement
• Plan around respawn timing so the route loops back efficiently
• Take extra opportunities like Overarch or additional heavy ARC when the lobby allows it

In a highly efficient run, players can potentially secure six or more heavy kills during the storm. Even if that pace is not repeatable every match, it shows why the 100,000 requirement is more approachable than it first appears.

This is also where having the right ARC Raiders Weapons and ammo reserves makes a noticeable difference. A route can be theoretically strong, but if the loadout cannot burn down armored targets quickly, the time advantage disappears.

Take a look at: our full Expedition 3 changes breakdown

How to Prepare Before the Window Opens

The best way to make the expedition easy is to prepare before the event period starts. Instead of entering the window and then scrambling for ammo, rockets, and crafting parts, build a reserve in advance.

Stockpile explosive tools

Wolf Packs, Deadlines, and high-damage ammo are the obvious priority. Heavy ARC enemies reward burst damage, and explosive tools dramatically reduce time spent on each target.

Players who already have a healthy stash can likely finish the event much faster than expected. Those who do not should spend the lead-up farming launcher components and related resources.

Rocketeer Drivers are one of the most useful prep items if the goal is explosive-heavy farming. A reliable method is to target Rocketeer Husks during the right event conditions, especially on routes where multiple husk clusters can be checked quickly.

Dam Battlegrounds is a strong example because several areas can be swept in a short session. Depending on spawn path and efficiency, players can gather enough drivers in around 15 minutes to support a large batch of launcher use later.

This kind of prep directly supports smoother ARC Raiders resource farming because it converts a short targeted loot session into multiple future high-damage runs.

Buy or craft ammo before the rush

Energy ammo and armor-breaking rounds are worth preparing early if the vendor rotation and your reserves allow it. Heavy-target farming is much easier when you can commit to damage output without worrying about every shot.

For players short on progression bottlenecks, having access to extra ARC Raiders crafting Materials can save a lot of downtime between raids.

Is the New System Actually Better?

For most players, yes. A damage-based requirement lines up better with actual gameplay than a flat money threshold because it rewards active participation in combat. It also allows different playstyles to contribute, since damage against both ARC and enemy raiders counts.

The bigger issue was never the concept itself. The real concern was the short notice and compressed schedule. Extending the event window solves much of that frustration.

There is still room for improvement. Future expedition changes should ideally be announced earlier so players can plan their stash, route choices, and ARC Raiders Workbench progression without last-minute adjustment. But as a one-step correction, this update is clearly moving in the right direction.

How Many Runs Will Most Players Need?

That depends entirely on target choice.

• If a player averages around 5,000 damage per run, they may need about 20 solid matches
• If a player averages 10,000 damage per run, they may need around 10 strong matches
• If a player builds around heavy-target farming and spikes 25,000 or more in standout raids, the whole event can be finished in only a few sessions

The most important takeaway is that random play is inefficient. Focused heavy-target routing is what turns the event from a slow background grind into a short objective.

Players who are still building their stash should prioritize practical survival first. A failed raid with expensive gear is worse than a slightly slower but consistent route. Strong ARC Raiders extraction loot habits still matter because the event only helps if you can sustain the resources needed to keep running it.

Recommended Approach for Different Players

For casual players

Do not chase perfect 30,000-damage games. Use the extended schedule, aim for steady progress, and prioritize safe heavy kills when they appear. Over nearly two weeks, consistency is enough.

Take a look at: this weekly trials and expedition update guide

Lean hard into explosive farming routes, especially event windows with repeatable heavy spawns. If your stash already supports it, this is the time to convert saved launchers and ammo into permanent progression.

For players still gearing up

Spend the first part of the window preparing. Farm launcher components, gather ammo, and secure enough support gear to make later runs efficient. This is often smarter than forcing weak attempts early.

Anyone trying to reduce downtime between upgrades may also look for the best place to buy ARC Raiders Blueprints and Materials when normal farming starts to slow progression, especially if the goal is to keep a heavy-damage loadout ready throughout the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need 195,000 total damage if I add all the thresholds together?

No. The thresholds are cumulative. Reaching 100,000 total damage unlocks all five bonus skill points.

Does PvP damage count for expedition progress?

Yes. Damage dealt to other raiders counts, not just damage dealt to ARC enemies.

What is the easiest way to finish the event quickly?

Target heavy enemies like Bastions, Bombardiers, and boss-class ARC during efficient event routes instead of relying on random combat.

Yes. Launchers, rockets, and strong ammo can dramatically speed up progress, especially against high-health targets.

Is this a good time to improve gear and stash resources?

Absolutely. Better loadouts, more ammo, and stable progression resources make the damage grind much easier and more efficient.

Final Thoughts

The new expedition requirement in ARC Raiders is less punishing than it first looks. Once the cumulative structure is clear and the extended schedule is factored in, the event becomes very manageable for anyone who plans around high-value targets.

The biggest winners will be players who prepare early, stockpile explosives, and route around repeatable heavy ARC spawns. Whether the goal is a few steady sessions or a fast completion push, the path to 100,000 damage is much more about smart target selection than raw hours played.

If future updates are communicated earlier, this type of system could become one of the better progression events in the game. For now, the current version is at least fairer, clearer, and much easier to approach with the right plan.