ARC Raiders 5th Expedition: Rewards, Dates & 2027 Pause
ARC Raiders' 5th Expedition runs September 8 to 29, 2026, and it is the last one until early 2027 before Embark pauses and rebuilds the system. Full reward track, the exact window dates, the new opt-in quest reset, how skill-point catch-up works, and what carries over during the pause.
The Last Expedition Until 2027
The fifth Expedition runs September 8 to 29, then Embark pauses the whole system until early 2027 for a rebuild. It is your final window to finish the Zenith Outfit and catch up missed skill points, and the departure rules changed.
Key Takeaways
- This is the last Expedition until early 2027. Embark is pausing Expeditions after this one to rebuild the system around tight departure windows, the reward structure, and new-player accessibility.
- The window is September 8 to September 29, 2026, extended from two weeks to three, with no last-call grace period this cycle.
- Finishing all five Expeditions fully unlocks the Zenith Outfit. The reward track also gives +12 stash space (up to 60), Mystery Rewards, skill points, and consecutive buffs.
- Quest resets are now opt-in. You can keep your quest progress instead of re-grinding the line, and Embark added another way to get the Hullcracker Blueprint for players who do.
- Nothing you earned is lost in the pause. Consecutive buffs persist, and partly-finished Caravans convert to Ermal Vouchers.
Embark announced the fifth Expedition on August 21, 2026, and the announcement carried much bigger news than a normal cycle. After this one, Expeditions go on hold until early 2027 while the team reworks the system. The full details are on the official arcraiders.com post.
That framing matters for how you approach the next few weeks. If you have been skipping Expeditions or sitting on an unfinished Caravan, this is the last chance for a long time to close out the Zenith Outfit and top up your skill points. The window itself also changed, so the old departure habits do not all carry over.
The Big News: Expeditions Pause Until 2027
The fifth Expedition is the last one for a while. Embark says the problems players keep raising are too deep for another round of small tweaks, so it is stopping to rebuild.
Embark named three targets directly: the tight departure windows, the reward structure, and accessibility for new players. In its words, these issues "need more than incremental fixes" and "call for bigger changes." The team promised to share what the redesign looks like in September, and framed the timing bluntly for anyone undecided: if you have been on the fence about departing, now is the time.
Coverage from PC Gamer and GamesRadar+ framed the pause as Embark responding to a mountain of feedback. Going by that coverage and community discussion, reaction has been mixed and mostly wait-and-see: the issues Embark listed line up with long-running complaints, so many feel heard, while the sticking points are the long gap until early 2027 and losing the last-call safety net this cycle.
Expedition Window and How to Depart
Expeditions are a personal progression you complete in order. You can finish your Caravan any time between windows, but you can only complete the Expedition itself during the scheduled window, and completing the Caravan does not count as signing up. You still have to sign up during the window.
| Event | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Window opens | September 8, 2026 - 1pm CEST / 11am UTC / 4am PT |
| Window closes / departure | September 29, 2026 - 10am CEST / 8am UTC / 1am PT |
| Window length | Three weeks (extended from two) |
No Last Call this time
There is no last-call feature this cycle, so there is no late grace period to sign up after the window. Sign up during the window or you miss the departure. With the pause coming right after, missing it means waiting until 2027.
The path is: complete your Caravan, wait for the window, sign up, complete the challenge, catch up any missed skill points, and depart. Everyone who signed up departs on September 29.
The 5th Expedition Reward Track
- The complete Zenith Outfit (for players who have finished all five Expeditions)
- Mystery Rewards
- +12 stash space, capped at 60
- Skill points, with the Expedition bonus capped at 15
- Consecutive buffs: an XP boost, a Scrappy materials boost, and a repair value increase, each capped at three levels
The stash space and skill points are the parts most worth chasing before the pause, since both are permanent account power. Plan your skill tree build around whatever catch-up you can still claim this cycle.
The Complete Zenith Outfit, Explained
There is a point of confusion worth clearing up, because Expedition 4 also handed out a Zenith reward. The Zenith Outfit is a multi-part cosmetic unlocked in stages across the Expedition run, not a single drop. Expedition 4, which we covered in our 1.36.0 breakdown, granted the first step. The fifth Expedition delivers the rest, and only players who finish all five end up with the whole set.
Embark states it plainly: "If you have completed all five Expeditions, the Zenith Outfit will be fully unlocked." So the complete set is contingent on having done the whole run. If you only did Expedition 4, you have the first level, and finishing the fifth is what completes it. With the pause after this, this is the window that closes out the full outfit.
Opt-In Quest Reset
The most welcomed change is the opt-in quest reset. Players have been asking not to re-run the whole quest line every cycle, and Embark is finally giving that option.
The Hullcracker Blueprint was the catch here, because it normally comes only from the quest line you would be skipping. Embark is adding alternative ways to earn it so keeping your progress does not lock you out of that weapon.
Skill Points: Your Last Catch-Up Until 2027
This is the part to act on if you have skipped Expeditions. The bonus skill points from Expeditions cap at 15, and catch-up lets you claim ones you missed from earlier cycles. Catch-up becomes available with your second Expedition, stays tied to your stash value, and disappears once you have all 15.
Because Expeditions then pause until early 2027, this cycle is the last chance for months to close that gap to 15. If you are short of the cap, growing your stash value and departing this window is the move, since the catch-up is gated behind stash value.
What Carries Over During the Pause
The pause does not wipe your progress. Embark spelled out exactly what persists.
- Consecutive buffs you have earned persist through the pause, so no progress is lost.
- If you completed all five Expeditions, the Zenith Outfit stays fully unlocked.
- Caravans reset, but any partly completed Caravan converts to Ermal Vouchers of equal value. You can spend those on Ermal offers alongside ARC Parts and firearms trade, or sell them for Coin.
One more scheduling note that overlaps this window: the current Trials season ends September 22, and Trials then pause for two weeks until October 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the ARC Raiders 5th Expedition start and end?
The window opens September 8, 2026 at 1pm CEST / 11am UTC / 4am PT and closes September 29, 2026 at 10am CEST / 8am UTC / 1am PT. Everyone who signed up departs on September 29. It runs three weeks, one longer than previous cycles.
Is the 5th Expedition the last ARC Raiders Expedition?
It is the last one before a pause. Embark is stopping Expeditions after the fifth and bringing them back in early 2027 with major changes to departure windows, rewards, and new-player accessibility.
Why is ARC Raiders pausing Expeditions until 2027?
Embark says player feedback pointed to problems that "need more than incremental fixes" and "call for bigger changes," specifically the tight departure windows, the reward structure, and accessibility for new players. It is pausing to rework the core systems and will share details in September.
How do you unlock the full Zenith Outfit?
The Zenith Outfit unlocks in stages across Expeditions 4 and 5. Expedition 4 grants the first step, and completing all five Expeditions fully unlocks it. With the pause coming after the fifth, this is the window to finish the set.
How does skill-point catch-up work in Expedition 5?
Expedition bonus skill points cap at 15. Catch-up lets you claim points missed in earlier Expeditions, becomes available from your second Expedition, is tied to your stash value, and disappears once you reach the 15 cap. Since Expeditions then pause, this is the last catch-up chance until 2027.
Do you keep quest progress in the 5th Expedition?
Yes, if you want to. Quest resets are now opt-in, so you can keep your progress instead of re-running the line. Because the Hullcracker Blueprint normally comes only from that quest line, Embark is adding other ways to earn it for players who skip the reset.
Is there a Last Call for Expedition 5?
No. There is no last-call feature this cycle, so there is no late grace period. You must sign up during the window, September 8 to 29, or you miss the departure.
Do you lose progress when Expeditions pause?
No. Consecutive buffs persist through the pause, a fully unlocked Zenith Outfit stays unlocked, and partly completed Caravans convert to Ermal Vouchers of equal value that you can spend on Ermal offers or sell for Coin.
Plan Your Build Before the Pause
Map out where your catch-up skill points should go before the window closes.
Open the Skill Tree Builder