How to Upgrade Workbench in Arc Raiders - Full Workshop Upgrade & Crafting Guide

If you’ve been diving deep into Arc Raiders, you already know survival isn’t just about aim and reflexes — it’s about preparation. The Workshop is the beating heart of your progression system. It’s where you transform scavenged scraps into powerful weapons, gear, and consumables that keep you alive in hostile zones. Understanding how to upgrade your Workbench in Arc Raiders — and every other station tied to it — is what separates rookies from true raiders.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to upgrade your Workshop stations, what materials you’ll need, which ones to prioritize, and how to optimize your crafting path for long-term success.

And before we jump in — if you’re looking to speed things up and skip some of the grind, you can always buy Arc Raiders coins safely from PVPBank. They’re one of the most trusted gaming marketplaces around, offering quick, secure transactions that let you focus on the fun part: raiding, crafting, and surviving.

Understanding the Arc Raiders Workbench System

Your Workbench (also referred to as the Workshop) is your crafting headquarters in Speranza. Every raid, every scavenged part, every ARC machine you tear down feeds back into this crafting loop. The Workshop allows you to create and upgrade gear, weapons, shields, and consumables — but only if your stations are upgraded.

Each Workshop has seven specialized crafting stations, each focusing on a unique category:

1. Gunsmith Station – Weapons and attachments

2. Gear Bench – Shields and augments

3. Medical Lab – Healing and medical items

4. Explosives Station – Grenades and area-of-effect tools

5. Utility Station – Tactical gadgets and support tools

6. Refiner Station – Converts base materials into advanced ones

7. Scrappy the Rooster – Your passive material generator

Upgrading these stations unlocks new blueprints and stronger gear, letting you survive deeper and longer in the field.

How the Workbench Upgrade System Works

The upgrade process in Arc Raiders follows a clear rhythm:
You go on raids, collect materials, extract them safely, then invest those materials back into your Workshop.

Each station can be upgraded up to Level 3, with every tier unlocking new crafting options. Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. Gather resources during raids — metals, fabrics, ARC parts, and more.

2. Return to your Raider Den in Speranza.

3. Open the Workshop menu and select the station you want to upgrade.

4. Check the material requirements for the next level.

5. Confirm the upgrade to instantly unlock new blueprints.

Pro tip:
Always use your safe pocket for rare crafting materials. If you die before extraction, anything not in a safe pocket is lost forever — and that includes those hard-earned components needed for upgrades.

Workbench vs Workshop Stations

Many new players confuse the Workbench with the specialized Workshop stations.
Here’s the difference:

• Workbench (Basic Bench) – Your starting crafting station. It can’t be upgraded beyond Level 1 but is essential for making basic weapons, ammo, and consumables.

• Workshop Stations – Specialized upgradeable stations that unlock advanced blueprints and higher-tier gear.

So while your Workbench is your go-to for essentials like bandages and low-tier weapons, your Workshop upgrades are what unlock the powerful stuff — high-end rifles, heavy shields, tactical gadgets, and elite augments.

How to Upgrade the Gunsmith Station

The Gunsmith Station is where your firepower evolves. It’s responsible for crafting and modifying weapons and unlocking attachments that fine-tune performance.

Why Upgrade Gunsmith First

Better weapons mean safer raids. At Level 2, you can craft the Arpeggio I burst rifle, which dominates mid-range fights. By Level 3, you gain access to Jupiter, an energy sniper that melts enemies from across the map.

Farming Tip:

• Wasp Drivers drop from Wasp ARC units.

• Sentinel Firing Cores drop from turret-like Sentinel enemies.

Gear Bench Upgrades

Your Gear Bench determines your survivability. It crafts shields and augments — the key to staying alive when things get chaotic.

The Looting Mk.3 (Cautious) augment at Level 3 boosts your inventory size — perfect for dedicated scavengers.

Farming Tip:
Hornet Drivers drop from Hornet ARC units patrolling industrial zones.

Medical Lab Upgrades

Healing can make or break a fight. Upgrading your Medical Lab gives you faster, stronger recovery options.

The Vita Spray at Level 3 is a lifesaver — literally. It provides instant healing instead of gradual regen, ideal for aggressive players who refuse to back down mid-fight.

Explosives Station Upgrades

When you need to control crowds or push enemies off objectives, this station delivers.

The Blaze Grenade from Level 2 is one of the most useful tools in Arc Raiders — setting enemies and even ARC units ablaze, forcing repositioning.

Utility Station Upgrades

This station unlocks tools for utility and stealth-based gameplay. Think of it as your tactical backbone.

At Level 3, the Photoelectric Cloak grants temporary invisibility, making stealth runs and safe extractions possible even in high-threat zones.

Refiner Station Upgrades

The Refiner Station is where your efficiency skyrockets. It converts basic materials into rare components.

If you hate farming endlessly, this station is your best friend. By Level 2, you’ll cut your material grind by half.

Scrappy the Rooster — Passive Material Generator

Scrappy is your Workshop’s secret weapon. He’s a quirky robot rooster that brings materials between raids. Upgrading him means more materials over time, no grinding needed.

Upgrade Scrappy early. The passive income stacks up over time, making later upgrades much easier.

Farming Materials Efficiently

Knowing where to farm materials in Arc Raiders saves massive time. Here are the best zones:

• Spaceport: Electrical Components, ARC Circuitry

• Dam Battlegrounds: Mechanical Components, Metal Parts

• Marano Park: Fabric, Chemicals, Scrappy fruit

• Abandoned Facilities: Mixed materials and ARC unit spawns

Plan your raids around what you’re missing — and don’t forget to extract safely with your materials stored properly.

Best Upgrade Priority Order

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s the most efficient early-game progression path:

1. Gunsmith to Level 2 – Get stronger weapons fast.

2. Scrappy to Level 2 – Start generating passive materials early.

3. Gear Bench to Level 2 – Unlock the Heavy Shield for better survivability.

4. Refiner to Level 2 – Streamline crafting for the mid-game.

Once these are done, specialize based on your playstyle:

• Aggressive players: Focus on Gunsmith + Medical Lab.

• Stealth players: Upgrade Utility Station + Gear Bench.

• Scavengers: Max out Refiner + Scrappy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Scrappy – Free materials = free progress.

• Spreading upgrades too thin – Focus on a few stations at a time.

• Skipping the Refiner – You’ll bottleneck your progression later.

• Forgetting safe pockets – Always stash rare materials before extraction.

Final Thoughts — Building Smarter, Not Harder

Learning how to upgrade your Workbench in Arc Raiders isn’t just about following recipes — it’s about managing resources and planning ahead. Your Workshop is more than just a crafting hub; it’s your survival strategy.

Invest early in the Gunsmith, Gear Bench, and Scrappy, and you’ll feel the difference in your first few raids. When you’re better armed and equipped, those risky extractions turn into smooth runs.

And if you want to cut down the grind even more, don’t forget you can buy Arc Raiders coins from PVPBank. It’s a safe and trusted way to boost your resources so you can spend less time farming and more time raiding.

Upgrade smart, protect your loot, and build your legacy one Workshop level at a time.