Upgrading your Outpost in ARC Raiders is one of those progression goals that looks simple at first but quickly becomes a serious resource challenge. You might have enough ARC Raiders Items for basic crafting, but expanding your base from Level 1 to Level 4 requires a much larger collection of materials. Sheet Metal, Planks, and several uncommon industrial components will determine how quickly you can complete each stage.



The biggest mistake is waiting until an upgrade becomes available before starting to collect its materials. Some resources are relatively common, while others require targeted farming in specific locations. If you understand the requirements early, you can make better decisions during every raid, save useful materials, and avoid spending several runs searching for a single missing component.

The Complete Outpost Material Checklist
Before heading into another raid, take a look at the total requirements. Knowing which resources appear repeatedly makes it easier to organize your inventory.

Outpost Level

Required Materials

Level 1

3 Planks, 5 Sheet Metal, 10 ARC Alloy, 3 Advanced Electrical Components

Level 2

3 Steel Cable, 20 Sheet Metal, 3 Cable Strippers

Level 3

3 Epoxy Bucket, 35 Planks, 3 Hand Drill

Level 4

40 Sheet Metal, 3 Laser Level, 3 Insulation Roll

For the entire progression, you need 65 Sheet Metal and 38 Planks. You also need three of each listed special component, including Steel Cable, Cable Strippers, Epoxy Buckets, Hand Drills, Laser Levels, and Insulation Rolls.

The numbers explain why basic materials should never be ignored. Sheet Metal is required at three different stages, while Planks become particularly important when you reach Level 3.

Why Sheet Metal and Planks Matter So Much
Sheet Metal deserves a permanent place on your priority list. The first upgrade only asks for five pieces, which does not seem particularly demanding. However, Level 2 requires another 20, and Level 4 adds 40 more.

Planks follow a similar pattern, although their biggest requirement comes later. You only need three for Level 1, but Level 3 suddenly demands 35. If you have been ignoring wooden materials during earlier raids, this upgrade can become an unexpected obstacle.

My recommendation is to collect both materials whenever you have available inventory space. Avoid selling or recycling them simply because you do not need them immediately. Having a reserve is much more convenient than returning to basic farming after reaching a new upgrade stage.

Celeste can also sell some basic materials in exchange for seeds, providing another option when you need to fill a small gap in your collection.

Farming Materials for Level 2
Level 2 introduces Steel Cable and Cable Strippers. You need three of each, alongside 20 Sheet Metal.

Pendola Pass is a useful destination for this farming stage. The Railyard has loose loot that can contain Steel Cable, and the Fallen Emperor is another location worth checking.

For Cable Strippers, concentrate on industrial areas. Search mechanical equipment locations and available containers rather than rushing directly toward your extraction point.

You can combine these searches with ordinary material collection. There is little reason to dedicate an entire raid to Steel Cable if you can also pick up Sheet Metal along the way.

Preparing for the Level 3 Upgrade
Level 3 is where planning becomes more important. The requirement includes 35 Planks, three Epoxy Buckets, and three Hand Drills.

For Epoxy Buckets, explore the dilapidated train cars on Pendola Pass. Check their interiors carefully because useful loot can be easy to miss when moving quickly.

Hand Drills require a different approach. The Railyard is particularly useful, especially its mechanical and industrial desks. Green and red lockers around the Railyard and Observatory are also worth searching.

One detail worth remembering is that Hand Drills are also used for crafting the Workshop Anvil. This means you may have competing demands for the same resource. If your immediate goal is Outpost progression, reserve the three required drills before spending them on other crafting projects.

Finding the Final Level 4 Components
The last upgrade requires 40 Sheet Metal, three Laser Levels, and three Insulation Rolls. The basic metal requirement is substantial, but the rare components are usually the more frustrating part.

On Pendola Pass, prioritize the Observatory and Storm Huts when searching for higher-tier loot. These locations are especially useful when you are specifically looking for industrial equipment.

Flash Freeze events create another opportunity. Storm Huts become important farming targets during snowstorms, with the supplied route pointing to approximately the 28-minute mark. Bring adrenaline and glow sticks so you can prepare for the conditions and search the active huts more efficiently.

Check shelves and available loot instead of spending too much time fighting unnecessary encounters. Other Raiders may have the same farming objective, so remain aware of your surroundings and extract when you have collected something valuable.

A Smarter Way to Manage Your Resources
You do not need to collect every component in one raid. A more practical approach is to divide your farming into stages. Gather common materials during ordinary runs, target industrial locations for mechanical components, and reserve dedicated trips for the rare Level 4 requirements.

Keep track of what you already own, especially materials that are also used in crafting. This prevents unnecessary repeat searches and makes every successful extraction more useful.

If your inventory is consistently missing several important components, checking available ARC Items for sale can also be an alternative worth considering when you want to spend less time repeating the same farming routes.

Final Thoughts on Outpost Progression
Reaching Level 4 is mainly about preparation and knowing which resources deserve your attention. Collect Sheet Metal and Planks early, reserve Hand Drills for important upgrades, and focus on the Observatory and Storm Huts when hunting rare industrial components. A consistent farming routine will make the entire process much less frustrating.