Why Embark Studios Just Completely Changed Meta for Arc Raiders' Upcoming Expedition?

Shocking! Just these past two days - with the upcoming ARC Raiders: Riven Tides update - Embark has made a major adjustment to Expedition requirements in Riven Tides.

We all know that Riven Tides Update, besides opening new maps and new Arcane enemies, will also open Expedition 3 Window. The new Expedition means players will have the opportunity to obtain new outfits and 5 Expedition skill points, etc.

Players wanting to participate in this Expedition have already prepared enough stash value to exchange for Expedition skill points. This is a common practice among many players.

But the new adjustment may even change how these players play the game from now on. Let's see what exactly happened.

Stash value isn't the main goal anymore.

Previously, players who weren't particularly fond of combat would exchange gold and valuable items for Expedition skill points when the new Expedition Window opened. To obtain all Expedition skill points, they would typically aim for a stash value of several million, including several million coins.

But Embark has changed this rule. In the new Expedition, even if you want to exchange coins for skill points, you need to deal 100,000 damage within the time limit. Damage dealt to other players or Arc enemies will count, so you'll need to transform from a money-farming machine into a hardcore combat enthusiast.

However, the rule has simply changed from 'you can directly acquire points with coins" to 'you need to deal enough damage first to acquire coins," so the requirement of exchanging 300,000 coins for one point remains unchanged. To catch up on points missed in previous expeditions, you'll still need numerous ARC Raiders Coins.

Furthermore, Expedition deadline has also changed. Previously, Embark hoped players could complete Expedition within 5 days, clearly forgetting that some players have to work. Fortunately, due to strong player protests, they changed the deadline to May 11th.

How to quickly inflict 100,000 damage?

Damage dealt to Arc enemies and other players is counted within the 100,000 damage threshold. You can choose between PvP or PvE methods.

The first is PvE. Embark mentioned that killing a Battleneck in Arc Raiders accumulates 5,000 damage. Therefore, if you want to complete the mission solely through PvE, you need to kill 20 Battlenecks within two weeks.

First, Battlenecks wear heavy armor and, while slow, possess extremely high firepower; they are low-speed, high-damage enemies. It's best to bring sufficient Arc Raiders Items, such as Blaze Grenades or Snap Blast Grenades, to deal significant damage to them from a distance.

Secondly, you need to target their weak points, such as destroying their leg joints marked with yellow knees, which will quickly immobilize them; there's also a yellow cylinder on Bastion's back, which is another weak point. Attacking either will briefly stun it.

Note that its true weak point is a large barrel-shaped component. You need to destroy the cylinder and then peel back Bastion's rear armor to see it. Shooting this component will deal significant damage to Bastion.

If you team up with other players to complete the mission cooperatively, you can further increase the speed and reliability of achieving the objective.

The second option is PvP. You can choose to directly fight other players, dealing 100,000 damage to them. I know this is a favorite among some players.

If you choose this method, be sure to prepare suitable equipment beforehand. After all, you may have previously filled your inventory with many weak weapons to increase stash value; now you obviously need more high-attack weapons to fight other players.

Personally, I prefer cooperative PvE, as it's not only faster but also safer.

Controversy Surrounding This Adjustment

Player attitudes towards this adjustment are divided: some strongly support the changes, while others feel betrayed.

As I mentioned before, in previous Expeditions, accumulating enough Stash value in advance and exchanging it for Skill Points had become a common practice. Many players prepared millions of coins in advance for this Expedition.

This is no easy feat; it requires a significant time commitment in the game, and these players will become the most active player group in ARC Raiders, supporting the game.

Since ARC Raiders' launch, data shows a substantial player loss. Players who are passionate about combat, after experiencing all the gameplay and becoming familiar with all the mechanics, will feel bored. Players who consistently accumulate coins prevented this loss from reaching 100%.

Making such an adjustment just days before Riven Tides Update feels like a betrayal to them.

Players who support the change believe that the previous hoarding of coins deviated from the game's original intent, and Embark may share this view; a shooting game should be full of shooting, combat, and challenge.

This adjustment clearly encourages players to pick up their guns, whether attacking Arc enemies or other players, pull the trigger, scavenge resources, and not run from combat. This may be the trend for future updates.

Embark has always been a team that sticks to its ideas. Even though players have been complaining that Arc enemies are too difficult to kill, they have still increased the game's difficulty by nerfing players. Therefore, this adjustment should be a firm decision and not something to be changed lightly.

That's all the information about this adjustment; I hope it's helpful.