If you've been playing ARC Raiders, you've probably noticed that upgrading the workshop requires a huge variety of materials scattered all over the place—and it can be a real headache. Don't worry. This guide will show you the most efficient farming routes to get all your workbenches to level three in the shortest time possible, while also picking up plenty of ARC Raiders items along the way.
🔍 First, Know What You Need
Workshop upgrade materials generally fall into five categories:
• Industrial: Rusty Tools, Rusted Gears, Power Cables, Industrial Batteries, Advanced Electronic Components, etc.
• Medical: Ruptured Bio-Scanners, Durable Cloth, Rusted Medical Kits, Antiseptics, etc.
• Explosive: Synthetic Fuel, Laboratory Reagents, Explosive Compound, etc.
• Electronic: Damaged Radiators, Fried Motherboards, Electronic Components, etc.
• ARC-type: Rocketeer Drivers, Bombardier Cells, ARC Alloy, etc.
Pro tip: Use the workshop tracking tool in Metaforge to see exactly what you need for each level. That way you won't have to keep checking menus while in a raid. It'll also save you a ton of ARC Raiders Coins.
🗺️ Fastest Farming Route: 80% Done with Two Maps
♦ First Stop: Riven Tides + Loot Stacking Yard (Run twice)
This is the most efficient starting point. In the Stacking Yard containers, you'll loot plenty of Industrial and Explosive materials—Rusty Tools, Synthetic Fuel, Explosive Compound, and more. Clear out Wasps and Hornets along the way for their Drivers. Industrial Batteries and Motors also spawn here frequently. Rusted Gears have a lower drop rate, but this is one of the best spots to farm them. With decent luck, you can get everything in just two runs.
♦ Second Stop: Stella Montis Medical Research Area (Run twice)
This is heaven for medical materials. You'll find Ruptured Bio-Scanners, Durable Cloth, and Antiseptics in large quantities. While you're here, collect all the Telomon crafting materials—they can be broken down into Advanced Mechanical Components. The red server racks also drop Damaged Radiators and Fried Motherboards. If you still need Electronic Components, head over to the Seed Vault. The android robots and destructible electrical cabinets there are your best sources.
Stella Montis is also a great place to find the Deadline blueprint. Keep an eye out for it!
🤖 ARC Materials: Boss Drops Are Your Friend
Rocketeer Drivers and Bombardier Cells are the trickiest parts. I recommend buying an Anvil from Tanwen's shop, upgrading it, and using it specifically to take down Rocketeers. Once your explosive workbench is maxed out, use the Deadline launcher to farm Bastions and Bombardiers in Buried City. Shoot the knee to stun them, then stick a Deadline mine on them for a one-shot kill. Depending on your luck, one or two runs should get you all the ARC Cores and Pulse Units you need.
For Sentinels and Surveyors, you can find them at fixed spawn points on Riven Tides or loot them from ARC Couriers during Electro Storm events.
🚀 Final Filler: One Lap Around Spaceport
For anything you're still missing—Power Cables, Toasters, Rusted Medical Kits—head to the Spaceport Departure Building. Office drawers will give you more Power Cables than you'll ever need. Toasters are everywhere on cafeteria tables. And the medical area has plenty of Rusted Medical Kits.
💰 Money-Saving Tip
Early on, before you have blueprints and upgraded workbenches, spend 6,000 ARC Raiders Coins at Lance's shop to buy the Looting Mark 2. Pair it with a Rattler 2 weapon to maximize your backpack space. Your farming efficiency will double instantly.
Wrapping Up
All of this will take you just a few hours. The hardest part is taking down the big bosses, but once you have the Deadline launcher, it becomes much easier. If you just can't find the Deadline blueprint, you can also craft 25 Light Impact Grenades at the explosive workbench and stack them — that'll get the job done too.
