ARC Raiders players have expressed strong anger after the first Expedition wipe unexpectedly removed unlocked Workshop Stations, despite earlier official information saying these would be kept. The sudden change has led to accusations of poor communication and even hidden balance changes by the developers buy ARC Raiders items.
Before the wipe, official Expedition Project details explained that certain progress would remain after an Expedition. This included maps, codex entries, and “unlocked Workshop Stations.” Players understood this to mean that Workshop Stations would still be available after the wipe, only reset to level one, not completely removed. With this understanding, many players planned their progression routes assuming they could quickly rebuild without going through the early-game grind of unlocking basic crafting stations again.
This promise made Expeditions especially attractive to experienced players. Keeping access to Workshop Stations meant they could focus on higher-level content and avoid spending many matches or quests just to regain essential crafting tools. The idea of retention was a key motivation for rushing Expeditions and earning rewards such as extra skill points.
After the wipe, however, players discovered that Workshop Stations had vanished entirely. Instead of being reset to level one, they had to be unlocked from scratch. This immediately triggered backlash across Reddit and other community platforms. Many players pointed out that the word “unlocked” clearly suggested permanent retention, not temporary access that still required reconstruction.
Community reactions quickly split into theories. Some believe the issue came from unclear wording, suggesting the developers meant players could unlock the stations again without certain prerequisites. Others suspect intentional nerfs that were not clearly communicated, especially since some guides and patch notes appeared to be changed or clarified only after complaints began. Developer responses stated that workshops were intended to reset to level one and still require rebuilding, which directly contradicted earlier explanations many players relied on.
The frustration is intensified because Workshop Stations are central to ARC Raiders’ economy. They allow players to turn scavenged materials into weapons, gear, and upgrades. Losing access slows progression significantly, particularly for rare components like Rusted Gears that are already difficult to obtain. Players who optimized their playtime around the promised retention now face longer recovery periods and reduced efficiency.
The timing has also raised suspicion. With long-term plans stretching toward 2026, some players believe the wipe was balanced around future Expeditions rather than current expectations, without enough notice. This has damaged trust, especially among those who invested heavily in Expeditions under the assumption that certain progress was secure.
In response, the community has begun sharing efficient loot routes to rebuild, such as farming buses near Dam extracts for Rusted Gears or heading to Stella Montis for sensors. Still, the main issue remains transparency rather than difficulty. While some players argue the reset was always intended, the earlier inclusion and later removal of Workshop Stations from the “kept” list continues to fuel claims of a bait-and-switch.
As ARC Raiders moves forward, clearer patch notes, consistent terminology, and proactive developer communication will be essential to restoring player confidence. For now, players continue grinding to rebuild what was lost, but the Workshop Station controversy serves as a reminder that in live-service extraction shooters, trust is just as important as balance.
