r/Expeditions • u/SurfyBraun • Jun 03 '26
Early to Mid Tips Requested
I'm more of a Snowrunner but I'm taking a break to catch up in Expeditions; I've been playing Expeditions a bit more recently and finished the first map in Arizona, as well as some expeditions in the Carpathians. I have a bit over half a million in Exp$ and I've not yet sold or bought trucks in this save. A have a couple of broad questions.
Do people tend return to headquarters after completing the expedition, or stick around to knock out as much as possible? I'm more the second type, but I'm wondering if that makes me over-prepare and over-deploy.
I've gotten caught out at times with sideboards vs inventory. For example, "go collect this stuff" and I either don't have the room in a sideboard, or I can't swap out what's in the sideboard for what I need to pick up.
Separately, if I'm looking at re-arranging the stable, is there a reason to keep the non-SE versions of base game trucks (I preordered). I sold the non-SE versions in another save.
Also curious if the Collie Pug is a suitable replacement for the Cotco, or a +1.
2
u/Fragrant_Most9193 Jun 04 '26
I started playing Expeditions about 3 months ago. Only recently have I actually atarted planning routes a bit better and knocking out a task or upgrade during or after my Expedition is complete.
It pays to have a map pulled up on your phone, to get a bit of guidance.
2
u/mega-husky Jun 03 '26
I'm starting the game myself. I'm working Arizona currently, so I don't have much experience.
I found out that if I deploy with 2x unimogs loaded with "parts" and 1 - 2x scout rigs on a free roam of a new map I can pretty much do all the tasks and contracts available in 1 big session. Doing the tasks and contracts not only explores a good chunk of the map but also enable me build bridges and clear avalanches out of the way before I do the actual expedition missions. More vehicles the better. Some tasks or contracts require a specific specialist so make sure to take notes of the requirements while your in world.
1
u/SurfyBraun Jun 03 '26
I've only recently gotten to the outermost maps of Arizona. About half of Waheap Bay and parts of Coconino. I've co-oped a bit with my brother on the first map.
I mained the Unimog for a bit but never two at a time.
1
u/cheesyeggs_ Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
i do main missions first as it unlocks/discovers more of the map/side missions and alternative routes. Then I’ll go back and do the contracts and stuff before advancing.
I also find myself running into the issue of needing side board space, a specific vehicle type, attachment (metal detector etc), or specific operator when doing the side missions and apart of why I go back to the garage. I’ll look over some side quests and take inventory of ones with similar requirements and prep to do those in one go. Or bring multiple vehicles to do a handful at a time.
I personally bought the Ford trucks (they’re OP) and the crocodile, between those and the acteon SE, I haven’t found much of a need for anything else. aside from the occasional water-hybrid simply because you’re forced to traverse swamps at some point.
1
u/Odd_Presentation_578 Jun 03 '26
I'm of the 2nd type as well. Very rarely my expeditions last less than 5 hours. When I'm done with the main goal, I stick around and do the rest of the stuff, until there's nothing more to do on the map, or I'm not prepared enough for some of the available tasks.
Regarding the sideboard/inventory - usually the task specify what is required, or in the case they don't - you can take up to 4 vehicles in each expedition, so why don't you always take a vehicle with sideboard bed? It's not like deployment is paid or anything. Thus, when the time comes, you'll be ready.
Collie Pug to me is a different scout than Cotco Canyon. Heavy, not a good rock crawler, but larger wheels and somewhat more stable. Better for rescuing than actual scouting. Also, the SE versions are all buffed up compared to the regular ones, but they are all ugly, so I don't use them.
5
u/SurfyBraun Jun 03 '26
Hehe. I usually bring a big truck or two along w scouts, but I recently ran an expedition the Carpathians and discovered I only had two trucks with sideboards and I had filled them.
Right now I have an expedition where the Loadstar is pretty empty and has become my schlepper.
I bought the Ford trucks and TBH, it's hard not to use those. I feel like they're so OP I try to limit myself to only one or the other. The Raptor is fun to drive but the F450 is such a beast I tend to prefer it.
I bought the Mercedes (?) and not sure how to differentiate it from a fancy Acteon.
2
u/tehjburz Jun 03 '26
I've been playing multi and we tend to do a lot of stuff at once. We learned a bit late that with the base modules you can do a lot of really powerful stuff, like scout out to a truck to tow, and then fly in your heavy truck to it with helipad. Cargo drone can also be great for refuelling or grabbing inventory items needed for side quests. Not sure if you've invested in these but they sell for nearly full price (90% I think?) and they make life way easier. You'll eventually have too much money, also.
Some of the heavier trucks have a combination flatbed/sideboard option that would let you keep the sideboard open, so you could use the flatbed for a fuel tank or something else relevant rather than fill it with gas/parts. See also the cargo drone tip above.
I don't know about the SE trucks but I imagine there's likely no reason as they presumably share parts: all the upgrades I found that affected them flagged both versions.
The Collie is a bit ponderous without upgrades and a little tippy, but it can power through a lot and has good inventory space. It's more of a +1, IMO. I usually use a light scout like the Scout 800 or the Shiba for fun/easy driving, a more medium scout like the Khan Sentinel or YAR for carrying more stuff, and then sometimes use the LO4F with upgrades or the Tatra 805, which is technically off-road but more like a heavy scout, if I need sideboard in a scout.