Workshop stations drive your long-term power in ARC Raiders. Most advanced gear unlocks only after you level up the specialized benches in your Workshop, while the starter Workbench stays fixed at level 1 by design. Every upgradable station tops out at level 3 and lists its next-tier material requirements in-game.
Upgrade ARC Raiders workshop stations
Step 1: Open the Workshop at Speranza and select a built station (e.g., Gunsmith, Gear Bench, Medical Lab). The basic Workbench used for early weapons and ammo cannot be upgraded.
Step 2: Switch to the Level Up tab at the top of the station screen. This tab shows the next level, required items, and your current inventory for each material.
Step 3: Press Track on any missing material. Tracked items show an eye icon in raids, making them easy to spot while looting.
Step 4: Run topside, collect the tracked items, and extract to bank them. Materials only count once you successfully return to base.
Step 5: Return to the station’s Level Up tab and confirm the upgrade. New recipes and higher-tier crafts become available immediately at that bench.
Track and farm upgrade materials efficiently
Step 1: Use item tags shown on tooltips (e.g., Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Medical, ARC). These tags match map area tags, so prioritizing areas with the same tag increases the odds of finding what you need.
Step 2: Target enemy-derived materials by hunting the right ARC units. For example, Wasp Drivers drop from Wasps, Hornet Drivers from Hornets, Rocketeer Drivers from Rocketeers, Sentinel Firing Cores from Sentinels, Bison Drivers from Bison-type Leapers, and Bastion parts/cells from Bastions.
Step 3: Use the Refiner as it levels up to convert common salvage into higher-grade components (e.g., advanced electrical/mechanical parts, ARC circuitry) to fill gaps without relying solely on random loot.
Step 4: Keep critical materials tracked so the eye icon guides your looting during raids. Untrack completed items to focus on the next bottleneck.
What each station uses to level up (at a glance)
This overview lists the typical items each station asks for as it progresses from tier 1 to tier 3. Exact quantities appear in your Level Up tab.
| Station | Tier 1 materials | Tier 2 materials | Tier 3 materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunsmith | Metal Parts, Rubber Parts. | Rusted Tools, Mechanical Components, Wasp Drivers. | Rusted Gears, Advanced Mechanical Components, Sentinel Firing Cores. |
| Gear Bench | Plastic Parts, Fabric. | Power Cables, Electrical Components, Hornet Drivers. | Industrial Batteries, Advanced Electrical Components, late-tier ARC parts (e.g., Bastion Cells). |
| Utility Station | Plastic Parts, ARC Alloy. | Damaged Heat Sinks, Electrical Components, Snitch Scanners. | Fried Motherboards, Advanced Electrical Components, Bison Drivers. |
| Explosives Station | Chemicals, ARC Alloy. | Synthesized Fuel, Crude Explosives, Pop Triggers. | Laboratory Reagents, Explosive Compounds, Rocketeer Drivers. |
| Refiner | Metal Parts, ARC Powercells. | Toasters, ARC Motion Cores, Fireball Burners. | Motors and rare ARC components such as ARC Circuitry or Bombardier Cells. |
| Medical Lab | Fabric, ARC Alloy. | Cracked Bioscanners, Durable Cloth, Tick Pods. | Rusted Shut Medical Kits, Antiseptic, high-tier ARC parts (e.g., Bastion components). |
| Base Workbench | Starter bench for weapons, ammo, and basic items. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
Upgrade Scrappy (workshop rooster)
Scrappy periodically brings back small amounts of base materials and can be leveled through a separate path. Upgrades use everyday finds and nature items such as a Dog Collar, fruits (lemons, apricots), Prickly Pears, Olives, Mushrooms, and comfort items like a Cat Bed or pillows. Check the Scrappy menu for the current tier’s required items and track them before you head out.
Why the Level Up tab is missing
Step 1: Confirm you opened a specialized station (Gunsmith, Gear Bench, Utility Station, Explosives Station, Medical Lab, Refiner). The basic Workbench never shows a Level Up tab.
Step 2: Make sure you built the station first; the upgrade tab appears only after a station exists in your Workshop.
Step 3: If you’re using an earlier test build, know that upgrades are part of the full release; pre-release versions may not include this feature.
Blueprints and crafting unlocks
Step 1: Secure blueprints during raids and extract with them. Items in your Safe Pocket are guaranteed to be kept on extraction.
Step 2: Consume the blueprint at Speranza to add it to the relevant station’s craft list.
Step 3: Check the station’s Level Up tab to meet its tier requirement. Some blueprints appear early but remain uncraftable until the station reaches the required level.
Once you’re using the Level Up tab and item tracking, upgrades become straightforward: target the right tags, bank your haul, and advance each bench to unlock the next set of crafts.
