Your Workshop in Arc Raiders transforms raw materials into survival advantages. Every raid you survive, every container you crack open, every ARC machine you dismantle feeds directly into this crafting ecosystem. Upgrading your Workshop stations unlocks progressively stronger gear, from basic shields and grenades to advanced cloaking devices and high-tier weapon modifications.
The system revolves around seven specialized stations, each serving distinct functions. You'll need to prioritize upgrades based on your playstyle, gather specific materials from Topside missions, and manage your resources carefully. Here's everything you need to know about maximizing your Workshop potential.
How Does the Workshop Upgrade System Work?
Your Workshop functions as the heart of your progression loop. You extract materials during raids, return to your Raider Den in Speranza, then invest those resources into upgrading crafting stations. Each station maxes out at Level 3, with every upgrade tier revealing new blueprints and crafting possibilities.
The process follows a straightforward pattern. Navigate to the Workshop tab from your main menu, select any station, and review the material requirements for the next level. Once you've gathered everything needed, confirm the upgrade to unlock new recipes immediately.
Important
Failed extractions mean lost materials. Always secure your most valuable components in safe pockets before attempting risky extractions.
Gunsmith Station Upgrades
The Gunsmith handles all weapon crafting and modification work. Upgrading this station unlocks better firearms and advanced attachment blueprints that dramatically improve weapon performance.
Wasp Drivers drop from Wasp ARC units, making them predictable farming targets. Sentinel Firing Cores require defeating Sentinel turrets, which pose significant combat challenges but guarantee the drop upon destruction.
Why Prioritize Gunsmith First?
Better weapons directly translate to safer raids. You'll clear ARC threats faster, handle PvP encounters more confidently, and extract more consistently. The Arpeggio I burst rifle unlocks at Level 2, offering exceptional mid-range control. Level 3 grants access to the Jupiter energy sniper, perfect for long-range engagements.
ARC Raiders Workshop Upgrade Guide: Unlock Every Crafting Station
Gear Bench Progression
Your Gear Bench produces shields and Raider augment suits. These defensive options determine how much punishment you can absorb before going down.
The Looting Mk.3 (Cautious) augment at Level 3 provides massive inventory bonuses while reducing combat effectiveness slightly. Perfect for dedicated scavenger builds focused on material farming rather than combat.
Hornet Drivers come from Hornet ARC units, which patrol in pairs around industrial zones. Target these during low-threat raids to stockpile upgrade materials efficiently.
Medical Lab Development
Your Medical Lab crafts healing items and medical supplies. Higher levels unlock faster healing options and more efficient consumables.
The Vita Spray at Level 3 represents a game-changer for aggressive playstyles. Unlike bandages that heal over time, Vita Spray delivers instant health restoration during combat, letting you push fights without disengaging.
Tick Pods drop from Tick ARC units, the small spider-like machines that swarm in groups. Farm these near abandoned facilities where they spawn consistently.
ARC Raiders Workshop Upgrade Guide: Unlock Every Crafting Station
Explosives Station Capabilities
Explosives handle crowd control and area denial. Upgrading this station unlocks grenades with specialized effects.
Blaze Grenades excel at controlling chokepoints and denying areas to both ARC units and hostile Raiders. The lingering fire damage forces enemies to reposition, buying you critical seconds during extractions.
Rocketeer Drivers require destroying Rocketeer ARC units, the flying bombardment drones. These appear during high-threat events, making Level 3 Explosives a mid-to-late game upgrade.
Utility Station Options
The Utility Station produces tactical gadgets that support various playstyles. From reconnaissance tools to mobility equipment, these items provide strategic advantages.
The Photoelectric Cloak at Level 3 grants temporary invisibility, perfect for stealth extractions or repositioning during firefights. Combine it with the Zipline from Level 2 for unmatched tactical mobility.
Snitch Scanners drop from Snitch ARC units, the surveillance drones that patrol high-value areas. Farm these near extraction zones where they spawn frequently.
Tip
Ziplines permanently remain after deployment. Use them to establish safe routes between loot zones and extraction points during early raids.
Refiner Station Mechanics
Unlike other stations, the Refiner converts basic materials into advanced components. This station reduces farming requirements by transforming abundant resources into rare crafting ingredients.
Level 2 Refiner becomes essential once you start upgrading other stations to Level 3. The ability to craft Advanced Electrical Components and Advanced Mechanical Components eliminates bottlenecks in your progression.
Bombardier Cells come from Bombardier ARC units, the heavy artillery machines. These spawn during escalated threat levels, making Level 3 Refiner a true endgame investment.
Scrappy the Rooster: Passive Material Generation
Scrappy lives in your Workshop and periodically delivers materials without requiring any action from you. Upgrading him increases both delivery frequency and material quality.
Dog Collars appear in residential areas, particularly around abandoned homes. Lemons and Apricots grow in Marano Park's orchards. Farm these during low-threat raids to accelerate Scrappy's progression.
Each Scrappy upgrade provides passive income that accumulates between raids. Even casual players benefit from this steady material stream, reducing the grind required for Workshop upgrades.
ARC Raiders Workshop Upgrade Guide: Unlock Every Crafting Station
Blueprint Acquisition Strategy
Blueprints unlock specific crafting recipes within each station. You'll find these during raids inside loot containers, secured rooms, and high-value areas.
Critical Blueprint Rules:
- Blueprints must be extracted successfully to become permanent
- Failed extractions result in lost blueprints
- Place blueprints in safe pockets to protect them if you're knocked out
- Learning blueprints happens post-extraction in your Workshop
Priority blueprints vary by playstyle:
Aggressive Players: Focus on weapon blueprints (Gunsmith) and healing items (Medical Lab)
Stealth Players: Target gadget blueprints (Utility Station) and mobility tools
Scavengers: Prioritize augment blueprints (Gear Bench) and material conversion options (Refiner)
Warning
Rare blueprints like the Jupiter energy sniper or Photoelectric Cloak appear in heavily contested zones. Expect PvP encounters when farming these areas.What About the Basic Workbench?
The starting Workbench (also called Basic Bench or Equipment Bench) cannot be upgraded beyond Level 1. This station provides essential early-game crafting options including:
- Basic weapons: Ferro, Hairpin, Kettle, Stitcher
- All ammo types: Heavy, Light, Medium, Shotgun
- Starting consumables: Shield Recharger, Bandage, Light Impact Grenade
- Entry-level augment: Looting Mk.1
You'll use this bench throughout your entire Arc Raiders career for ammunition crafting and basic supplies. The specialized stations handle everything else.
Material Farming Locations
Different raid zones offer concentrated sources of specific materials:
Spaceport: Electrical Components, Tech Parts, ARC Circuitry Dam Battlegrounds: Mechanical Components, Industrial materials, Metal Parts Marano Park: Fabric, Chemicals, Fruit for Scrappy upgrades Abandoned Facilities: Mixed materials, ARC unit spawns for driver drops
Plan your raids around upgrade priorities. Need Electrical Components for Gear Bench Level 2? Hit Spaceport. Farming Mechanical Components for Gunsmith? Dam Battlegrounds provides better returns.
Upgrade Priority Recommendations
Your first three upgrades should follow this sequence for optimal progression:
- Gunsmith to Level 2 - Better weapons improve survival rates across all activities
- Scrappy to Level 2 - Passive income accelerates future upgrades
- Gear Bench to Level 2 - Heavy Shield dramatically increases survivability
After establishing this foundation, adapt based on your preferred playstyle. Combat-focused Raiders benefit from maxing Gunsmith and Medical Lab. Stealth players gain more from Utility Station and Gear Bench. Resource farmers should prioritize Refiner and Scrappy.
Tip
Don't spread resources too thin. Focusing on fewer stations to Level 3 provides better returns than having all stations at Level 1.
Common Upgrade Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Scrappy: Many players skip Scrappy upgrades entirely. The passive material generation compounds over time, eventually providing thousands of basic materials without any effort.
Upgrading Everything Equally: Specialized builds perform better than generalist approaches. Pick two or three stations that support your playstyle and max those first.
Forgetting Safe Pockets: Losing rare upgrade materials because you didn't use safe pockets wastes hours of farming. Always protect your most valuable components.
Skipping the Refiner: Once other stations hit Level 2, the Refiner becomes essential. Converting abundant basic materials into rare components eliminates major bottlenecks.
The Workshop upgrade system rewards patient, strategic resource management. Focus your efforts, protect your materials during extraction, and watch your crafting capabilities expand dramatically. Every station upgrade unlocks new tactical possibilities, transforming how you approach raids and increasing your chances of successful extraction.
For more Arc Raiders, check out our guide on Best Skills to Upgrade First.