Arc raiders crafting and salvaging guide how to turn loot into useful materials?

This guide explains how Arc Raiders’ crafting and salvaging systems work, and how you can turn the loot you find in the field into useful materials for building weapons, gadgets, and upgrades. You’ll learn the core mechanics, what to salvage versus sell, and how to avoid common mistakes that waste valuable resources.

How Crafting Works in Arc Raiders

Arc Raiders is a co-op PvE shooter where you and your squad fight off robotic threats. Crafting is a key part of progression, letting you turn raw materials and salvage into new gear, consumables, and weapon modifications. The crafting system is accessed from your base camp between missions. You’ll find a crafting bench where you can browse recipes, see what materials you need, and create items.

Recipes are typically unlocked by leveling up your character, completing specific missions, or finding blueprint items in the world. Each recipe requires a combination of common and rare materials, and some may also require a specific amount of in-game currency (credits). Crafting takes time, but you can speed it up with premium currency or by using crafting boosters.

What Is Salvaging and How Does It Work?

Salvaging is the process of breaking down unwanted loot—weapons, armor, gadgets, and other items—into base materials. When you salvage an item, you receive a set of materials based on the item’s type and rarity. For example, a common weapon might yield basic metals and polymers, while a rare weapon could yield advanced alloys and electronic components.

To salvage an item, open your inventory, select the item, and choose the “Salvage” option. You can salvage items individually or in bulk. It’s generally a good idea to salvage items you don’t need, as it frees up inventory space and gives you materials that are always useful for crafting. However, some items are worth more if sold to vendors for credits, so you’ll need to weigh your options.

What Materials Can You Get from Salvaging?

The materials you get from salvaging depend on what you break down. Here’s a general breakdown of material types you’ll encounter:

• Metals: Common and rare metals are used for weapon frames, armor plates, and structural components.
• Polymers: Used for grips, stocks, and other non-metallic parts.
• Electronics: Circuit boards, microchips, and wiring used for gadgets and advanced weapon mods.
• Chemicals: Used for consumables like medkits and grenades.
• Rare Alloys: High-tier materials needed for end-game gear.

Rarer items yield rarer materials, so you’ll want to salvage higher-tier loot to get the advanced components needed for top-tier crafting. Pay attention to the material icons and rarity colors (common, uncommon, rare, epic, legendary) to know what you’re getting.

Salvage vs. Sell: Which Is Better?

This is a common dilemma. In general, you should salvage items that you don’t plan to use, because materials are always needed for crafting. However, if you’re short on credits, selling a few high-value items might be the way to go. Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Salvage: Items you don’t need and that are common or uncommon rarity. They give you a steady stream of basic materials.
• Sell: Items that are rare or higher that you don’t need, if you’re saving up for a specific purchase. But even then, you might want to salvage them for rare materials.

If you’re not sure, check the crafting recipes you have. If you’re missing a specific material, salvaging items that drop that material is a direct way to get it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Players often make a few mistakes when starting out:

• Salvaging too early: Don’t salvage a weapon you might want to try later. You can always salvage later, but you can’t unsalvage.
• Ignoring material caps: Some materials have a storage cap. If you hit the cap, salvage more to use them or sell the excess.
• Not using crafting: Some players hoard materials but never craft. Use your materials to make gear that helps you progress.
• Salvaging quest items: Some items are needed for missions. Check if an item is marked as a quest item before salvaging.

Tips for Efficient Salvaging

To get the most out of your salvaging, keep these tips in mind:

• Prioritize salvaging items you’ll never use: If you have a weapon that’s worse than your current one, salvage it.
• Use bulk salvage for common items: If you have a lot of common loot, use the bulk salvage option to save time.
• Check recipes before salvaging: If you’re about to craft something, make sure you have the right materials. If not, salvage items that give those materials.
• Don’t salvage everything: Keep at least one of each weapon type if you like to switch playstyles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I salvage items during a mission?

No, salvaging is only available at your base camp. You’ll need to wait until you’re back from a mission to break down loot.

What’s the best way to get rare materials?

Rare materials come from salvaging rare or higher items. You can increase your chances of finding rare loot by playing on higher difficulty settings and completing optional objectives.

Is it better to sell or salvage legendary items?

It depends. If you need the credits, sell it. If you’re trying to craft something that requires legendary materials, salvage it. Legendary materials are hard to come by, so salvaging is often the better long-term choice.

Do materials carry over between seasons?

Typically, materials do carry over, but there may be new materials introduced in each season. Check the patch notes for details.

Can I trade materials with other players?

No, there is no player-to-player trading in Arc Raiders. Materials are account-bound.

What should I do if I hit the material cap?

If you hit a cap, you can either use the materials to craft something, or sell them to a vendor for credits. You can also check if there’s a way to upgrade your storage capacity.

Conclusion

Mastering crafting and salvaging in Arc Raiders is all about knowing when to break things down and when to hold on to them. Prioritize salvaging items you don’t need, especially common and uncommon ones, to build a steady supply of materials. Save rare and legendary items for either selling or salvaging based on your immediate needs. With this guide, you’ll be turning your loot into useful materials in no time.

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