You are stepping into ARC Raiders as its first Expedition goes live, and many players notice that unlocked Workshop Stations no longer appear. Progression wipes are common in live-service shooters, where resets keep the game balanced by clearing levels and gear so long-term players do not stall out while others fall behind.
You were told Expeditions would handle resets differently by letting you opt in on your own schedule. Embark Studios framed the system as a softer alternative, offering permanent account rewards and stating that certain unlocks, including Workshop Stations, would carry over between Expeditions.
ARC Raiders Players‘ Workshop Stations Have Disappeared
When you returned after the first Expedition went live on December 22, you likely noticed that most of your Workshop Stations no longer existed. The game only left you with the basic Workbench, while every other station required a full rebuild and re-leveling. This outcome surprised many players who expected previously unlocked stations to remain usable.
Before the Expedition launched, the in-game checklist showed what progress would carry over and what would reset. At one point, unlocked Workshop Stations appeared under items marked as kept, which shaped your expectations. That wording later disappeared without a prominent notice, leaving room for confusion once the Expedition ended.
Some players point out that the Workshop itself always appeared under the reset category. From that perspective, the wipe followed the original rules. Others focus on the earlier listing that suggested unlocked stations would persist, which influenced their decision to join the Expedition in the first place.
You now face a complete rebuild of your crafting setup. Every station beyond the starter Workbench requires fresh materials and time investment. That includes stations tied to higher-tier crafting and progression systems.
What changed for you after the Expedition:
- All non-default Workshop Stations locked again
- Station levels returned to zero
- Crafting options limited until stations are rebuilt
- Only the starting Workbench available at login
This reset carries real weight because workshop upgrades demand rare components. Items such as Rusted Gear already require repeated runs and favorable drops. Losing progress on those stations extends the grind and delays access to essential crafting paths.
Earlier developer posts, going back to October, explained that Expeditions reset character-bound progress. That list included levels, skills, inventory, and workshop-related systems. Later messaging suggested that workshop upgrades would become available again quickly, which some players interpreted as partial retention rather than a full reset.
The difference between losing upgrade levels and losing station access entirely matters in practice. When you lose the station itself, you must invest resources just to regain basic functionality before upgrades even become relevant.
The table below outlines how expectations compared to reality for many players:
| Aspect | Expected by Some Players | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop access | Previously unlocked stations usable | Only starter Workbench available |
| Upgrade levels | Possibly reset | Fully reset |
| Rebuild cost | Minimal or none | Full material cost required |
| Time investment | Short recovery | Extended grind |
Frustration grew because Expedition participation remained optional. For many players, the promise of keeping key infrastructure made the reset feel manageable. Once that assumption proved false, the cost-benefit balance shifted.
You also lose a significant amount of currency and items through Expedition participation. Combined with the high Caravan construction cost and the 5 million Coin requirement for all skill points, the workshop reset adds another layer of hesitation.
Despite the backlash, the Expedition itself ran with few technical problems. Progress tracking, stability, and rewards functioned as intended. The workshop issue stands out mainly because it affected expectations rather than performance.
As you plan your next steps, the missing Workshop Stations force you to reassess whether another Expedition aligns with your available time and resources.
