Upgrading your Gear Bench (the core “workbench” for shields, augments, and armor) is crucial in Arc Raiders to craft Mk3 gear and survive late-game raids. In February 2026’s Headwinds meta, Level 3 unlocks elite mods—farm Industrial Batteries on Dam for the final push. This guide details all requirements, step-by-step process, best farms (Dam Scrap Yard yields 3-5/run), pro tips, and fixes for stuck upgrades. From Scrappy passive income to full workshop max—get raiding! ⚡✅
Workshop Overview: Gear Bench & Priority Order
Arc Raiders’ Workshop in Esperanza has 7 stations: Scrappy (recycler), Gear Bench (armor/shields), Gunsmith (weapons), Refiner (materials), Explosives, Utility, Medical.
Upgrade Priority (2026 Meta):
- Scrappy Lv2 → Passive scraps.
- Gear Bench Lv2-3 → Better shields/augments.
- Gunsmith → Weapon mods.
- Rest for utility.
Process: Interact with station → Level Up tab (top) → Spend mats → Instant upgrade.
Gear Bench Upgrade Requirements: Full Table (Levels 1-3)
From official wikis and guides—exact mats (variations minor across sources).
| Level | Materials Needed | Unlocks | Farm Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lv1 (Base → Lv1) | Plastic Parts ×30 Fabric ×40 | Basic shields/augments | Easy commons (any map crates) |
| Lv2 | Power Cable ×3 Electrical Components ×3 | Mk2 gear | Spaceport hangars, Dam Power Gen |
| Lv3 ⭐ | Industrial Battery ×3 Bastion Cell ×1 (or 3?) Advanced Mechanical Components ×3 | Mk3 shields/mods (meta) | Dam Scrap Yard/Hydro Dome (3-5/run Night Raid) |
Total Mats for Max: ~40 Plastic, 40 Fabric, 3 Power Cables, 3 Electrical, 3 Industrial Batteries, 1-3 Bastion Cells.
Note: Basic Workbench (ammo) cannot upgrade—ignore it.
Step-by-Step: How to Upgrade Gear Bench (5 Minutes)
- Reach Esperanza: Complete tutorial raids → Unlock Workshop.
- Gather Mats: Farm commons early; focus Dam for rares.
- Interact: Workshop → Gear Bench → Level Up tab (top-right).
- Check Requirements: Red = missing; green = ready.
- Confirm: Spend mats → Lv up! (No blueprint needed).
- Test: Craft new shield → Raid!
Pro Tip: Upgrade Scrappy first—auto-generates scraps for future benches.
Best Farms for Key Materials (Dam-Focused 2026 Meta)
Industrial Batteries (Lv3 Gatekeeper): Rare orange loot in green bins/lockers.
- Dam Scrap Yard: 2-3 in cars/hoods + Dome underground.
- Night Raid: 2x spawns—queue solo.
- Avg: 3-5/run (5 mins).
Power Cables/Electrical (Lv2): Industrial zones—Spaceport 10-15% drop.
Use ArcRaidersHub.com/maps for pins.
Pro Tips for Fast Upgrades ✅
- Solo Dam Loop: East spawn → Scrap → Dome → West extract (Lv3 in 3 runs).
- Squad Split: One farms batteries, others defend.
- Night Raid Queue: Boosted drops + Trials points.
- Scrappy Synergy: Lv2 scraps fund rest.
- Events: Husk Graveyard overlaps batteries.
Time Estimate: Lv3 in 1-2 hours (10 raids).
Common Upgrade Issues & Fixes ⚠️
- “Can’t Upgrade”: Missing mats—check Level Up tab.
- Mats Not Registering: Restart client; verify files (Steam).
- Low Drops: Wrong map—stick to Dam; Night Raid only.
- Workshop Locked: Complete 3-5 raids for access.
- Lag in Esperanza: Lower graphics; queue fresh lobby.
95% Fix: Farm Dam Scrap Yard—consistent.
Pros & Cons of Upgrading Gear Bench
| Pros ✅ | Cons ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| Mk3 shields = raid survival | Industrial Battery RNG grind |
| Augment meta unlocks | Early game weak |
| Passive via Scrappy | PvP interrupts farms |
2026 Trends: Workshop Meta Post-Headwinds
- Battery Buff: Night Raid 2x confirmed.
- Riven Tides (April): New coastal farms teased.
- YouTube Runs: Lobby9/Karpo videos for visuals.
Upgraded? Share your farm PB in comments!
