In ARC Raiders, your workshop is the heart of your progression. Every weapon, tool, and survival item you craft depends on the materials you bring back from the Topside. Upgrading each station not only improves efficiency but also unlocks stronger gear, better utilities, and access to higher-tier equipment.
As you move through the game, investing in your workshop becomes essential if you want to stay competitive against other players and the increasingly dangerous ARC machines. Below is a complete, easy-to-follow guide to upgrading every station and what each one does.
All Workshop Stations and How to Upgrade Them
There are seven upgradeable stations in your workshop. Each one focuses on a specific type of crafting or resource management.
Scrappy (Resource Collector)
Scrappy is your helpful rooster companion who gathers basic materials over time while you’re active on the Topside. Upgrading him increases the efficiency of resource collection, making it easier to stockpile essential crafting materials.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Scrappy II | 1x Dog Collar |
| Scrappy III | 3x Lemon, 3x Apricot |
| Scrappy IV | 6x Prickly Pear, 6x Olives, 1x Cat Bed |
| Scrappy V | 12x Mushroom, 12x Apricot, 3x Very Comfortable Pillow |
Maxing out Scrappy is highly recommended early, as he passively supplies basic materials like Fabric, Chemicals, and Metal Parts.
Gunsmith (Weapon Crafting)
The Gunsmith allows you to craft most of the weapons in the game once you obtain their blueprints. Higher levels unlock stronger weapon options and improve your combat potential.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Gunsmith II | 3x Rusted Tools, 5x Mechanical Components, 8x Wasp Driver |
| Gunsmith III | 3x Rusted Gear, 5x Advanced Mechanical Components, 4x Sentinel Firing Core |
If you prefer aggressive playstyles or PvP encounters, upgrading this station should be a priority.
Gear Bench (Shields and Augments)
The Gear Bench is used to craft shields and performance upgrades before heading out. Higher tiers unlock stronger defensive options and utility augments.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Gear Bench II | 3x Power Cable, 5x Electrical Components, 5x Hornet Driver |
| Gear Bench III | 3x Industrial Battery, 5x Advanced Electrical Components, 6x Bastion Cell |
Upgrading this bench improves survivability, especially in longer runs.
Medical Bench (Healing Items)
This station produces healing supplies such as bandages and Vita Shots. Higher levels unlock better recovery options, which are crucial for survival.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Medical Bench II | 2x Cracked Bioscanner, 5x Durable Cloth, 8x Tick Pod |
| Medical Bench III | 3x Rusted Shut Medical Kit, 8x Antiseptic, 5x Surveyor Vault |
If you often run solo or take heavy damage during fights, this upgrade pays off quickly.
Explosives Station (Offensive Tools)
Everything that goes boom comes from here — grenades, explosive devices, and tools for dealing with tougher ARC enemies.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Explosives Station II | 3x Synthesized Fuel, 5x Crude Explosives, 5x Pop Trigger |
| Explosives Station III | 3x Laboratory Reagents, 5x Explosive Compound, 3x Rocketeer Driver |
Higher levels unlock stronger explosive options, useful for both PvE and PvP situations.
Utility Station (Traps and Gadgets)
The Utility Station lets you craft tactical tools like mines, lure grenades, and other support equipment that can control fights or create distractions.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Utility Station II | 2x Damaged Heat Sink, 5x Electrical Components, 6x Snitch Scanner |
| Utility Station III | 3x Fried Motherboard, 5x Electrical Components, 4x Leaper Pulse Unit |
This station is especially useful for strategic players who rely on positioning and planning.
Refiner (Core Materials)
The Refiner is one of the most important stations in the workshop. It converts materials into key components such as gun parts, electrical parts, and other advanced resources needed across multiple stations.
Upgrade Requirements
| Level | Items Needed |
|---|---|
| Refiner II | 3x Toaster, 5x ARC Motion Core, 8x Fireball Burner |
| Refiner III | 3x Motor, 10x ARC Circuitry, 6x Bombardier Cell |
Since many high-tier upgrades depend on refined materials, this station should be upgraded as early as possible.
Workbench (No Upgrade Needed)
The Workbench is the only station that does not require upgrades. It’s used for basic crafting such as:
- Ammo
- Basic bandages
- Starter weapons
- Simple traps
You’ll use it frequently throughout the game, but it remains at a fixed level.
Tips for Workshop Progression
- Prioritize Refiner and Scrappy early to secure a steady material supply.
- Upgrade stations based on your playstyle — combat players should focus on Gunsmith and Gear Bench, while tactical players may benefit more from Utility and Explosives.
- Don’t hoard rare upgrade items — many are required in specific quantities for higher tiers.
- Plan upgrades ahead so you don’t accidentally sell or recycle critical materials.
Steadily upgrading your workshop will make every run more efficient and give you access to stronger gear, making survival — and success — much easier as you progress in ARC Raiders.
