Updates

How to Upgrade Workbench in Arc Raiders 2026: Gear Bench Level 1-3 Guide & Material Farms

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):

  1. Scrappy Lv2 → Passive scraps.
  2. Gear Bench Lv2-3 → Better shields/augments.
  3. Gunsmith → Weapon mods.
  4. 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).

LevelMaterials NeededUnlocksFarm Priority
Lv1 (Base → Lv1)Plastic Parts ×30 Fabric ×40Basic shields/augmentsEasy commons (any map crates)
Lv2Power Cable ×3 Electrical Components ×3Mk2 gearSpaceport hangars, Dam Power Gen
Lv3Industrial Battery ×3 Bastion Cell ×1 (or 3?) Advanced Mechanical Components ×3Mk3 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)

  1. Reach Esperanza: Complete tutorial raids → Unlock Workshop.
  2. Gather Mats: Farm commons early; focus Dam for rares.
  3. Interact: Workshop → Gear Bench → Level Up tab (top-right).
  4. Check Requirements: Red = missing; green = ready.
  5. Confirm: Spend mats → Lv up! (No blueprint needed).
  6. 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 survivalIndustrial Battery RNG grind
Augment meta unlocksEarly game weak
Passive via ScrappyPvP 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!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button