Embark extends Expedition 3 to two weeks, reveals exact damage thresholds, and keeps the catch‑up mechanic. Here’s your complete guide to earning all 5 permanent skill points.
1. The Controversy: What Caused the Backlash?
“Not everyone can afford to play on workdays – they would have been forced to deal a huge amount of damage over a single weekend, otherwise missing out on 5 skill points.”
Community reaction: Players took to Reddit, Discord, and social media to voice frustration. The core complaint wasn’t the damage challenge itself – many actually preferred active gameplay over passive hoarding. It was the timing and lack of transparency. Our take: Embark’s original plan was tone‑deaf. A five‑day window for a game that attracts working adults? That was never going to fly. The extension is the bare minimum they should have done.
2. The Fix: Extended Window & Revealed Damage Thresholds
Exact damage requirements (permanent skill points):
“We have tested these thresholds internally and found that in a single, very good round, 8,000 – 10,000 damage was an achievable number.”
To put 100,000 damage in perspective: you would need to destroy approximately 20 Bastions (large enemy units) or farm consistent damage across multiple raids. Our take: The damage thresholds are reasonable. 100k over 14 days is about 7.2k damage per day – easily achievable in one or two good matches. Even casual players who only play on weekends can manage if they focus on high‑damage builds. The real challenge is for players who can only play one day – but now they have two weekends instead of one.
3. Catch‑Up Mechanic – Unchanged
For players who participated in previous Expeditions but missed some skill points, the catch‑up system remains:
Important: You must complete the damage challenge first before you can spend stash value on missed points from prior Expeditions. Our take: This is fair. It rewards active play (damage) first, then lets hoarders use their wealth. No one is locked out.
4. What Else Is Coming with the Expedition? (Riven Tides Update)
The Expedition launches alongside the Riven Tides update on April 28. Confirmed content:
Our take: A new map and a new world boss are substantial additions. If you’ve been away from Arc Raiders, the Expedition + Riven Tides is a great time to return.
5. Embark’s Statement – “We Heard You”
“One of the core principles of the Expedition project is respect for your time. We heard you and made changes to the skill point requirements. The Expedition window has been extended — all players will have from April 28 to May 11 to get a fair chance to fill ARC with lead.”
The studio also committed to ongoing adjustments: “Like everything that requires balancing, the Expedition project is in constant development, and we will continue responding to your playstyle to improve your adventures in the Rust Belt. Keep sharing feedback and stock up on ammo for a grand firefight.”
Our take: This is how live‑service developers should operate – listen, acknowledge mistakes, and fix them quickly. Embark’s reputation takes a hit for the initial plan, but the rapid response earns back some goodwill.
6. Comparison: Old Window vs. New Window
Our take: The extra weekend makes all the difference. A player who can only play Saturdays and Sundays now has two full weekends to grind 100k damage – totally feasible.
💬 BuyCarry Team’s Take
This whole situation is a textbook example of good intentions, bad execution.
What Embark got right (eventually):
- Listening to feedback within days
- Extending the window to a reasonable length
- Publishing clear, achievable damage thresholds
- Keeping the catch‑up mechanic intact
What Embark got wrong initially:
- A 5‑day window for a hardcore extraction shooter? Tone‑deaf.
- Announcing the change days before the window – no time to prepare
- Not publishing damage numbers upfront – caused unnecessary panic
For BuyCarry clients:
- Need help farming 100k damage? Our boosters can run with you to maximize damage output per match. We know the best spots to farm Bastions and other high‑health enemies.
- Short on time? We can complete the damage challenge on your account (legitimately, within the rules).
- Have stash value from previous Expeditions? We can help you optimize the catch‑up process after you finish the damage challenge.
Our advice to players: Don’t stress. You have 14 days. Even 7k damage per day is enough. Focus on high‑damage weapons and aim for enemy weak points. Play with a squad – more enemies spawn, more damage to share. If you’re struggling, hire a booster. It’s cheaper than missing 5 permanent skill points.
Final verdict: Embark messed up, then fixed it. The extended window and clear numbers make this Expedition completable for almost anyone who plays regularly. Go get those skill points.
🎮 Our Arc Raiders Services
- ⚡ Arc Raiders Expedition 3 Damage Boost – Secure all 5 permanent skill points with our pro boosters during the extended window.
- 💰 Arc Raiders Catch‑Up & Stash Value Conversion – Convert your hoarded coins into missed skill points after completing the damage challenge.
- 🗺️ Arc Raiders Riven Tides & New Map Coaching – Dominate the new coastal map and the new large ARC enemy with expert guidance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: What are the new Expedition 3 dates?
A: April 28 (11:00 UTC) to May 11 (07:00 UTC). - Q2: How much damage do I need for all 5 skill points?
A: 100,000 total damage. - Q3: Is that a lot?
A: Embark says 8,000–10,000 damage is possible in a single good round. So about 10–15 good rounds over two weeks. - Q4: What if I missed skill points in previous Expeditions?
A: After completing the damage challenge, you can use stash value (300k per missed point) to catch up. - Q5: Does the Riven Tides update add anything else?
A: Yes – a new coastal map and a new large ARC enemy (like the Queen). More details soon. - Q6: Can BuyCarry help me complete the damage challenge?
A: Absolutely – damage farming carries, catch‑up optimization, and full Expedition completion. Contact us before April 28.
Sources: Embark Studios official statements (April 23, 2026); GameRant reporting by Kyle Knight (April 21, 2026).