Complete Expedition 2 Prep and Easy Money Guide
This guide is a complete, battle-tested walkthrough for Arc Raiders Expedition 2 that reveals a fast, repeatable path to reach 3 million coins and secure the full set of expedition skill points with minimal wasted time. If you want a practical plan—what to loot, where to run, how to set up loadouts, and how to use the new catch-up mechanic—this is the one guide that puts everything together into a single, executable plan. Expedition 2 opens sign-ups on February 25, 2026 and departs on March 1, 2026, so you have a short window to finalize donations and stash value; the devs lowered the maximum stash threshold to 3,000,000 coins for full rewards and added a catch-up system that lets you reclaim missed skill points at a discounted rate.
Why Expedition 2 Matters Right Now
Expedition 2 is not just another seasonal reset; it’s a prestige system that trades your current character progress for permanent account-level advantages: an evolved Patchwork outfit, new Scrappy cosmetics, 24 extra stash spaces, stacking XP and materials boosts, and up to 5 permanent skill points based on your stash value at departure. These bonuses compound if you depart on consecutive expeditions, making the decision to go now a strategic long-term investment in every future Raider you play. The lowered stash requirement (3M) and the catch-up mechanic make this expedition genuinely achievable for players who missed the first wave.
Quick Numbers You Must Memorize
Sign-up window: February 25, 2026 → Departure: March 1, 2026.
Stash threshold for 5 skill points: 3,000,000 coins (600k per skill point).
Catch-up rate for missed skill points: 300,000 coins per missed skill point from Expedition 1.
Permanent stash slots awarded: +24 total extra slots for Expedition 2 participants.
The Core Strategy in One Sentence
Treat every raid as a profit loop: run short, high-density interior routes that maximize coin-per-minute, prioritize trinkets and high-value electronics, extract on a strict timer, and funnel proceeds into your stash so that when sign-ups open you hit the 3 million coins threshold without gambling on long, risky fights.
Preparing Your Account and Stash (72 Hours Checklist)
Start with a clean, prioritized checklist so you don’t waste the sign-up window. Focus on these actions in the final 72 hours before sign-ups open:
Move nonessential cosmetics and items you want to keep into safe storage or vendor-sell them to free up stash slots.
Convert bulky low-value gear into crafting components to increase value-per-slot.
Run quick library or R&A loops to convert loot into coins and stash value.
Keep a running tally of stash value and wallet coins; both count toward the expedition threshold.
If you missed Expedition 1, calculate how many catch-up points you need and the 300k per point cost so you can prioritize coin targets accordingly.
Loadouts and Inventory Rules for Fast Farming
Your loadout should be optimized for speed, stealth, and extraction reliability rather than firefights. Use these rules:
Free Loadouts for farming: use disposable or free loadouts so deaths don’t cost you progress.
Lightweight kit: prioritize mobility—light armor, a reliable short-to-mid weapon, and a melee for silent takedowns.
Safe Pocket discipline: always stash one high-value item in your safe pocket before extraction to guarantee a sale even if you die.
Dismantle bulky junk: convert heavy, low-value items into stackable components mid-raid to free slots for trinkets.
Inventory layout: keep trinkets and valuables in the top rows for quick scanning and extraction decisions.
Best Maps and Routes to Hit 3 Million Fast
Not all maps are equal. The fastest coin-per-hour routes focus on interior clusters, quick extracts, and repeatability. Below are the highest-yield loops that the community has validated.
Buried City — Library Loop (Beginner Friendly) A 4–6 minute loop that clears lockers, desks, and small cases near the train extract. Expect 15k–30k coins per run with very low risk. This loop is perfect for chaining multiple extractions per hour and learning the coin economy.
Dam Battlegrounds — Research & Administration Sweep (Mid Risk, High Yield) Mid-floor offices in R&A are dense with containers and trinket spawns. A skilled run nets 30k–60k per run in 8–12 minutes. Close doors, angle breaches, and avoid rooftop fights. This route is the backbone of mid-game coin farming.
Blue Gate Village Farmland (Late Game Fertilizer Loop) Fertilizer stacks and building-to-building loops in Blue Gate can spike profits. Runs take 10–15 minutes and can exceed 30k–60k depending on trinket luck. This is a low-ARC-density route that scales well once you’re comfortable with map navigation.
Old Battlegrounds — Husk and Courier Spikes (High Risk, High Reward) If you’re confident and have a fast extract plan, chain Husk kills and ARC Courier drops for occasional huge spikes. Use this only when you can reliably extract or when you’re running free loadouts.
How to Turn Runs into a 3M Plan (Math You Can Use)
You don’t need perfect RNG—just consistent loops. Here’s a practical schedule:
Conservative plan: 4 safe runs/hour at 25k average = 100k/hour → 30 hours to 3M.
Optimized plan: 4 optimized runs/hour at 50k average = 200k/hour → 15 hours to 3M.
Aggressive plan: 6 fast runs/hour at 60k average = 360k/hour → ~8.5 hours to 3M.
Aim for the optimized plan: pick routes that reliably deliver 40–60k per run and extract on schedule. Use downtime between runs to vendor-sell and update stash totals. These numbers assume disciplined extraction and minimal time lost to fights.
Phase-by-Phase Expedition Donations and Priorities
Expedition donations are split into phases requiring specific materials and item-value contributions. Prioritize the phases that are easiest for you to complete quickly:
Phase materials: metal parts, plastic parts, ARC alloy, steel springs, durable cloth, wires, electrical components, batteries, shredder gyros, and the Exodus Module. If you’re short on components, target map events and high-density loot zones that drop electronics and refined parts.
Value donations: combat items, survival items, provisions, and materials sell values are required in later phases. Convert trinkets and high-value electronics into coins and stash them to meet these thresholds.
Catch-Up Mechanic: How to Use It to Your Advantage
If you missed Expedition 1, the catch-up mechanic is a game-changer: each missed skill point can be reclaimed at 300k coins per point. When you depart, coins count first toward Expedition 2 skill points, then toward any missed points from Expedition 1. This means you can prioritize hitting the 3M threshold for Expedition 2 and then use leftover coins to close gaps from the first expedition at a discounted rate. Plan your final stash so that you hit the 3M mark and still have coins to buy catch-up points if needed.
Trader Math and What to Sell vs. Keep
Not every item should be sold. Use this rule: sell for coin-per-slot, keep for crafting if the item’s crafting value exceeds vendor price. Trinkets and high-rarity electronics are almost always sell-first. Convert bulky low-value gear into components and sell those stacks if they net more coin-per-slot than the original item. Always check vendor prices before dismantling—some components are more valuable intact.
Risk Management: When to Avoid Combat
Fights are the fastest way to lose profit. Avoid combat unless:
You can secure a guaranteed high-value drop (ARC Courier, Husk head) and extract immediately.
You’re running a free loadout and the potential reward outweighs the risk.
You have a clear escape route and a fast extract timer.
If you’re within 10–15 minutes of sign-ups or departure, switch to pure extraction runs—no fights, no detours. Your goal is coins in the stash, not kills.
Advanced Tactics That Save Minutes and Coins
Door control: close doors behind you to reduce ARC spawns and control sightlines.
Angle breaches: use corners and doorways to clear rooms without exposing yourself to multiple sightlines.
Timed extracts: set a hard timer for each run (e.g., 6 minutes for Library, 10 minutes for Blue Gate) and extract even if you feel greedy.
Buddy runs: two-player loops can double speed if both players coordinate extracts and share loot priorities.
Event chasing: prioritize map events that spawn high-value loot when they appear, but only if they don’t derail your extraction schedule.
Final 24-Hour Sprint Plan
If you’re short on time, use this sprint:
First 8 hours: run R&A and Blue Gate loops with free loadouts to build a coin buffer.
Next 8 hours: vendor-sell, convert to stash, and run quick Library loops to top off stash slots.
Final 8 hours: focus on safe, repeatable runs and avoid fights. Keep a running tally and stop farming once you hit 3M to avoid losing coins in a risky run. Use any leftover time to buy catch-up points if needed.
Cosmetic and Long-Term Considerations
Expedition rewards include permanent cosmetics and stacking buffs that matter long-term: the evolved Patchwork outfit, Scrappy cosmetics, and an upgraded Expedition Indicator icon. These are nice, but the real value is the permanent skill points and stash expansion that accelerate future progression. If you plan to keep playing Arc Raiders for months, the investment in Expedition 2 is worth the time.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Greed runs: staying too long in a raid chasing one more trinket often costs you more than it gains. Set timers.
Ignoring vendor math: selling the wrong items or dismantling the wrong gear can reduce coin-per-slot. Check prices.
Poor inventory discipline: carrying bulky junk reduces your ability to pick up high-value items. Dismantle early.
Skipping the safe pocket: always stash one guaranteed item before extraction.
FAQ
Q: When exactly do I need to sign up to get Expedition 2 rewards? A: Sign-ups open February 25, 2026 and the departure is March 1, 2026. You must register during the sign-up window to receive Expedition 2 rewards.
Q: How much stash value do I need for all 5 skill points? A: The maximum stash threshold for Expedition 2 is 3,000,000 coins (600k per skill point).
Q: I missed Expedition 1. Can I still get those skill points? A: Yes. The catch-up mechanic lets you reclaim missed Expedition 1 skill points at 300,000 coins per missed point. Coins contribute to Expedition 2 first, then to missed points.
Q: Which map gives the best coins per hour? A: For consistent coin-per-hour, Dam Battlegrounds R&A and Blue Gate Village farmland are top choices; Buried City Library is best for safe, repeatable beginner loops.
Q: Should I fight ARC and other players to get more coins? A: Only if the reward is guaranteed and you have a fast extract plan. Generally, avoid fights—extraction discipline beats risky combat for steady coin gains.
Q: Do coins in my wallet count toward the stash threshold? A: Yes. Both stash item value and wallet coins contribute to the expedition stash total. Plan accordingly.
Closing Checklist Before Sign-Up
Confirm you have 3,000,000 coins or your target stash value.
Convert bulky items into components to maximize value-per-slot.
Use safe pocket discipline and vendor-sell smartly.
Decide whether to buy catch-up points and calculate the exact coins needed.
Set a final extraction timer and stop farming once you hit your target.
This guide gives you the full, practical plan to reach 3 million coins quickly, secure the Expedition 2 rewards, and use the catch-up mechanic to close any gaps from Expedition 1. Follow the loops, respect the timers, and treat every raid as a profit run—do that and you’ll depart with the evolved cosmetics, permanent skill points, and stash expansion that make every future Raider stronger.
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