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Upgrade Workbench in Arc Raiders & Why It Stays Level

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Upgrading your workbench in Arc Raiders unlocks better gear modifications and crafting options, letting you keep pace with tougher enemies. This guide walks you through the upgrade process step by step, explains why your basic workbench appears to stay at level 1 even after you upgrade, and covers common pitfalls and fixes.

What You’ll Need

  • A character at Level 10 or higher (the workbench upgrade quest unlocks at this point)
  • In-game currency (Credits) – roughly 2,500 for the first upgrade tier
  • Materials: 15 Scrap Metal, 10 Circuit Boards, 5 Copper Wire (these drop from containers and enemy loot)
  • Access to the Hub area (your base of operations)

Step-by-Step

  1. Reach Level 10. Play missions and complete side objectives until your character hits level 10. The upgrade quest appears in your journal automatically.
  2. Open your Journal (J key on PC, or the menu on console). Look for the mission titled “Workbench Upgrade” or similar. It will point you to the Hub.
  3. Travel to the Hub. From the main menu, select “Return to Hub” or fast-travel if you’re in the field. The Hub is your safe zone where you can access crafting stations.
  4. Locate the workbench. It’s usually in the corner of the main room, next to the weapon modification station. Interact with it (press E on PC, or the interact button on console).
  5. Select the “Upgrade” tab. The workbench interface has two tabs: “Craft” and “Upgrade”. Click on “Upgrade”.
  6. Review the requirements. The upgrade screen shows the required level, credits, and materials. Make sure you have everything. If not, you can buy missing materials from the vendor in the Hub (if available) or farm them from missions.
  7. Confirm the upgrade. Press the “Upgrade” button at the bottom of the screen. The game will deduct the resources and play a short animation.
  8. Check your workbench level. After the animation, the workbench should show a new level (e.g., Level 2). However, many players notice the UI still says “Level 1” – that’s a known display bug (see below).
  9. Verify the upgrade by crafting. Try crafting a mod that requires a higher workbench level. If you can craft it, the upgrade worked even if the UI didn’t update.
  10. Repeat for higher tiers. Each subsequent upgrade requires a higher character level (Level 15, 20, etc.) and more materials. The process is the same.

Common Mistakes

  • Ignoring the level requirement. You can’t upgrade before level 10, no matter how many materials you have. Don’t waste time farming early.
  • Spending materials on other crafts. If you use your Scrap Metal to repair gear or craft consumables, you’ll be short when you need to upgrade. Save materials specifically for the workbench.
  • Not checking the journal. The upgrade quest might not appear if you haven’t completed the previous main story mission. Make sure your journal is clear of main quests.
  • Confusing the workbench with the weapon mod station. They are separate stations. The workbench is for crafting gear and upgrading itself; the mod station is for attaching mods to weapons.

Tips

  • Farm materials efficiently. Containers in high-level zones (Level 12+) drop more Circuit Boards and Copper Wire. Run a few missions in those areas before attempting the upgrade.
  • Use the vendor. The Hub vendor sometimes sells crafting materials for credits. Check daily – stock rotates.
  • Upgrade as soon as you can. A higher workbench level unlocks better mods (like increased damage or reload speed), which give you an edge in missions.
  • Join a squad. Playing with others increases the amount of loot you get per mission, so you’ll gather materials faster.

Troubleshooting

I upgraded but the workbench still says Level 1. This is a known UI bug. The backend level is correct, but the display doesn’t update. Restart the game and check again – sometimes it refreshes. If it still shows Level 1, try crafting a mod that requires Level 2. If you can craft it, you’re fine.

The upgrade button is grayed out. You’re missing either the level requirement, credits, or materials. Hover over the button to see which one is missing. The tooltip will show “Requires Level 10” or “Missing 5 Scrap Metal”.

I can’t find the workbench in the Hub. It’s in the same room as the weapon mod station, usually near the back wall. If you don’t see it, you might not have unlocked the Hub yet – finish the prologue mission “First Contact”.

I completed the upgrade but my crafted items are still weak. The workbench level only affects mods and gear you craft. It doesn’t directly increase damage. Make sure you’re actually using the new mods you unlocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my workbench stay at level 1 after I upgrade?
A: It’s a visual bug. The UI fails to refresh. Restart the game or check by attempting to craft a higher-level mod. The upgrade is applied server-side.

Q: Can I upgrade the workbench multiple times?
A: Yes, there are at least 5 tiers (levels 1–5). Each requires a higher character level and more materials.

Q: What is the max workbench level?
A: As of the latest patch, level 5 is the max. It unlocks all available mods and crafting recipes.

Q: Do I need to upgrade the workbench on every character?
A: No, the workbench is shared across all characters on your account. Upgrading once benefits all your characters.

Q: Can I downgrade the workbench?
A: No, there’s no downgrade option. Once upgraded, it stays that way permanently.

Q: Does the workbench level affect weapon mods?
A: Yes, higher workbench levels unlock weapon mods that you can then attach at the mod station. You still need to craft or find the mods themselves.

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