Hey there, fellow Raiders! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours scavenging through the Rust Belt, desperately searching for those elusive Mechanical Components. I remember when I first started playing ARC Raiders, I was completely lost about how to get my hands on these crucial crafting materials. Well, I’m here to share everything I’ve learned through trial and error, so you can avoid the same mistakes I made!
What Are Mechanical Components Anyway?
Let me break it down for you – Mechanical Components are basically the lifeblood of your workshop in ARC Raiders. They’re these uncommon crafting materials that you’ll need for pretty much everything important in the game. I’m talking weapon upgrades, workshop improvements, and even some of the cooler attachments you’ll want to slap on your guns.
When I first started, I had no idea how valuable these things were. I’d find one or two and think, “Cool, I guess?” but now? Now I’m like a treasure hunter every time I spot that Mechanical loot icon on my map. Trust me, once you understand how to use these bad boys, you’ll never look at scrap metal the same way again.
The Best Ways to Get Mechanical Components
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff – how do you actually get these things? I’ve tried pretty much every method out there, and I’m gonna tell you straight up what works and what doesn’t.
Crafting Method (My Personal Favorite)
This is, without a doubt, the most reliable way to get Mechanical Components. Once you’ve built your Refiner workbench (and seriously, prioritize this thing), you can craft Mechanical Components using just two simple ingredients:
- 7 Metal Parts
- 3 Rubber Parts
I know what you’re thinking – “But where do I get those?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Metal Parts and Rubber Parts are everywhere once you know what to look for. I’m talking abandoned cars, industrial crates, mechanical zones – basically anywhere that looks like it used to be part of actual machinery before the ARC showed up.
Pro tip: Upgrade Scrappy as soon as you can! I can’t tell you how much time this saved me. Once I got Scrappy leveled up a bit, he started pointing out Metal Parts and Rubber Parts that I would have totally missed. All you need is a dog collar and some lemons and apricots for the first couple of levels – totally worth it!
Recycling Weapons (The Backup Plan)
Sometimes crafting isn’t an option, or maybe you’re just starting out and don’t have enough base materials. That’s when recycling comes in clutch. Here’s the deal:
- Common and Uncommon weapons will give you regular Mechanical Components when recycled
- Rare weapons will give you Advanced Mechanical Components (more on those later)
- Some weapon mods can also be recycled into Mechanical Components
I’ll be honest with you – recycling weapons for Mechanical Components isn’t the most efficient method. I mean, think about it: you’re basically destroying a potentially useful weapon just to get crafting materials. But when you’re in a pinch? It’s better than nothing.
My personal strategy: I always run with a free loadout when I’m specifically farming for Mechanical Components. I extract safely, recycle those free weapons, and boom – instant Mechanical Components to get my crafting started. It’s like a jumpstart for your workshop!
Finding Them in the Wild
Now, I know what some of you are thinking – “Can’t I just find Mechanical Components lying around?” Technically, yes, but let me save you some frustration here: Mechanical Components are pretty rare as direct loot drops.
I’ve spent hours searching mechanical zones and industrial areas hoping to find these things just sitting there, and let me tell you, it’s not worth the time. You might get lucky and find one or two, but you’ll get way more bang for your buck by focusing on collecting Metal Parts and Rubber Parts instead.
Advanced Mechanical Components – The Next Level
Okay, so you’ve got the basics down and you’re swimming in regular Mechanical Components. What’s next? Well, my friend, it’s time to talk about Advanced Mechanical Components.
These are the big leagues – the rare upgrade materials that you’ll need for the really good stuff. I’m talking high-end weapons, major workshop upgrades, and the kind of gear that makes other Raiders stop and stare when you extract with it.
Where to Find Advanced Mechanical Components?
The absolute best farming spot I’ve found for Advanced Mechanical Components is the Checkpoint in the center of the Blue Gate map. Seriously, this place is a goldmine. There are tons of abandoned cars and equipment crates just waiting to be looted. But be careful – this spot is pretty popular, so you’ll want to watch out for other Raiders. There’s not much cover, so if someone decides they want your loot, you could be in for a fight.
Night Raid events are your best friend when hunting for Advanced Mechanical Components. During these events, all loot values get a serious boost, meaning you’re way more likely to find those rare Advanced Components. Just remember – there’s only one extraction point during Night Raids, and ARC activity goes through the roof. It’s high risk, high reward, but man, is it worth it when you extract with a backpack full of Advanced Mechanical Components!
Crafting Advanced Mechanical Components
Once you’ve upgraded your Refiner to level 2 (you’ll need some uncommon materials like Toasters and Fireball Burners), you can craft Advanced Mechanical Components too. The recipe is:
- 2 Steel Springs
- 2 Mechanical Components
I know it might seem weird to use regular Mechanical Components to craft Advanced ones, but trust me on this – it’s way more efficient than trying to find them in the wild. Steel Springs can be a bit tricky to get, but they’re still more common than Advanced Mechanical Components themselves.
How to Actually Use Your Mechanical Components?
Alright, so you’ve got your Mechanical Components – now what? This is where the real fun begins, my friends. Let me walk you through all the cool things you can do with these crafting materials.
Weapon Upgrades and Attachments
This is probably what you’ll use most of your Mechanical Components for. There are tons of weapon upgrades that require these bad boys. Let me share some of my favorites:
Angled Grip II – This is a game-changer for weapon stability. You’ll need:
- 1 Mechanical Component
- 1 Duct Tape
Extended Magazines – Who doesn’t want more bullets? There are versions for light, medium, and shotguns:
- 1 Mechanical Component
- 1 Steel Spring
Silencer I – Perfect for when you want to be sneaky:
- 1 Mechanical Component
- 1 Wires
I could go on and on (and I will, in the table below), but you get the idea. Pretty much every meaningful weapon upgrade in the game requires Mechanical Components at some point.
Workshop Upgrades
Here’s something that took me way too long to figure out – you need Mechanical Components to upgrade your workshop stations too! Specifically, you’ll need them to get to Gunsmith 2, which is absolutely crucial for progressing in the game.
When I first started, I was so focused on weapon upgrades that I completely neglected my workshop upgrades. Big mistake! Once I finally upgraded to Gunsmith 2, a whole new world of crafting options opened up for me.
Complete Recipe Table
I know I’m throwing a lot of information at you, so I put together this handy table of all the major recipes that use Mechanical Components. I reference this all the time when I’m planning my crafting sessions:
| Item/Upgrade | Required Materials | Workshop Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Component | 7 Metal Parts + 3 Rubber Parts | Refiner 1 |
| Advanced Mechanical Component | 2 Steel Springs + 2 Mechanical Components | Refiner 3 |
| Angled Grip II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Duct Tape | Gunsmith 2 |
| Anvil I | 1 Mechanical Component + 3 Oil | Gunsmith 2 |
| Arpeggio I | 1 Mechanical Component + 3 Magnet | Gunsmith 2 |
| Compensator II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Wires | Gunsmith 2 |
| Extended Light Magazine II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Steel Spring | Gunsmith 2 |
| Extended Medium Magazine II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Steel Spring | Gunsmith 2 |
| Extended Shotgun Magazine II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Steel Spring | Gunsmith 2 |
| Il Toro I | 1 Mechanical Component + 3 Canister | Gunsmith 1 |
| Muzzle Brake II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Wires | Gunsmith 2 |
| Shotgun Choke II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Wires | Gunsmith 2 |
| Silencer I | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Wires | Gunsmith 2 |
| Stable Stock II | 1 Mechanical Component + 1 Duct Tape | Gunsmith 2 |
| Torrente I | 2 Mechanical Components + 4 Steel Spring | Gunsmith 2 |
And that’s not even all of them! There are progressive upgrades for weapons like the Osprey, Renegade, Venator, and Vulcano series that all require Mechanical Components at each upgrade level.
My Personal Farming Strategy
After hundreds of hours playing ARC Raiders, I’ve developed a pretty solid routine for farming Mechanical Components efficiently. Let me share what works for me:
Early Game Strategy
When you’re just starting out, focus on:
- Building your Refiner as soon as possible
- Collecting every Metal Part and Rubber Part you can find
- Running free loadouts and recycling the weapons for initial Mechanical Components
- Prioritizing Scrappy upgrades to help you find materials faster
I remember my first few days playing – I was so focused on getting good weapons that I completely ignored my workshop. Once I shifted my focus to crafting and upgrading, my whole game changed. Suddenly I had access to way better gear, and I wasn’t struggling nearly as much during raids.
Mid Game Strategy
Once you’ve got your basic setup:
- Focus on upgrading your Refiner to level 2 for Advanced Mechanical Components
- Start farming the Blue Gate Checkpoint during regular raids
- Attempt Night Raids when you’re feeling brave (and well-equipped)
- Balance between crafting regular components and saving materials for advanced ones
This is where I really started to optimize my gameplay. I’d spend one or two raids just collecting base materials, then head back to my workshop and craft a bunch of Mechanical Components. Then I’d use those to upgrade my weapons and workshop, which made subsequent raids much easier.
Late Game Strategy
For the endgame players:
- Regular Night Raid runs at the Blue Gate Checkpoint
- Crafting Advanced Mechanical Components in bulk
- Focusing on high-end weapon upgrades and workshop improvements
- Helping newer players (and maybe taking a cut of their loot as payment!)
Honestly, the late game is all about efficiency. You know the maps, you know where to find the best loot, and you’ve got the gear to handle pretty much anything the ARC throws at you. At this point, I can usually run a successful raid, extract with a full inventory of valuable materials, and be back in my workshop crafting within 30-45 minutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let me save you some frustration by sharing some mistakes I made when I was starting out:
Mistake #1: Ignoring the Refiner
I can’t stress this enough – build your Refiner early! I spent way too much time trying to find Mechanical Components in the wild when I could have been crafting them all along. The Refiner is honestly one of the most important workshop stations in the game.
Mistake #2: Recycling Good Weapons
Look, I know I said you can recycle weapons for Mechanical Components, but please – don’t recycle weapons that are actually useful! I made this mistake early on and regretted it big time. Only recycle weapons you genuinely don’t need, or stick to recycling free loadout weapons.
Mistake #3: Not Planning Ahead
Don’t just craft Mechanical Components willy-nilly. Have a plan! Know what upgrades you want to work toward and craft accordingly. I wasted so many materials early on because I was just crafting whatever I could without thinking about what I actually needed.
Mistake #4: Neglecting Workshop Upgrades
Your weapons are only as good as your workshop allows them to be. I spent so much time focusing on individual weapon upgrades that I completely neglected upgrading my Gunsmith station. Once I finally did, I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner!
Pro Tips from a Seasoned Raider
After all this time playing ARC Raiders, I’ve picked up some tricks that I wish I’d known from the beginning:
Tip #1: Always Extract Safely
This might seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost a backpack full of valuable materials because I got greedy and tried to grab one more piece of loot. When your inventory is full of Mechanical Components and other rare materials, extract! You can always go back for more.
Tip #2: Team Up for Night Raids
Night Raids are intense, and trying to solo them, especially when you’re farming for Advanced Mechanical Components, is asking for trouble. Find a reliable team and work together. The loot is so much better when you’ve got backup.
Tip #3: Learn the Maps
I know this sounds basic, but really learning the maps – especially the Blue Gate map – will make your farming runs so much more efficient. I can navigate to the best farming spots in my sleep now, which means I spend less time running around and more time collecting valuable materials.
Tip #4: Don’t Sleep on Scrappy
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating – upgrade Scrappy! The little guy is incredibly useful once you get him leveled up. He’ll help you find materials you would have missed, and that adds up over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Mechanical Components should I aim to have in storage?
I like to keep at least 50-100 regular Mechanical Components in storage at all times. For Advanced Mechanical Components, I try to maintain a stock of 20-30. This gives me enough flexibility to craft whatever I need without having to stop and farm materials constantly.
What’s the fastest way to get Mechanical Components when I’m just starting out?
Hands down, the fastest way for new players is to run free loadouts, extract safely, and recycle those weapons. You won’t get rich this way, but it’s a reliable way to get your first 10-15 Mechanical Components to start crafting.
Are Mechanical Components worth more than other crafting materials?
In terms of value, yes, Mechanical Components are definitely worth more than basic materials like Metal Parts or Rubber Parts. However, Advanced Mechanical Components are even more valuable. I’d say the hierarchy goes: Advanced Mechanical Components > Regular Mechanical Components > Steel Springs > Other basic materials.
Can I buy Mechanical Components from other players?
Technically, yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re really desperate. The trading economy in ARC Raiders can be pretty ruthless, and you’ll usually end up overpaying. It’s almost always better to just farm the materials yourself.
What’s the best weapon to use when farming for Mechanical Components?
I personally prefer a good assault rifle with an extended magazine when I’m farming. You want something that’s versatile enough to handle both ARC machines and hostile players, but not so valuable that you’ll be devastated if you lose it. Save your best weapons for when you’re carrying valuable loot back to extraction.
Final Thoughts
Look, I know this guide is pretty long, but that’s because Mechanical Components are just that important to your success in ARC Raiders. When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing, and I wasted so much time and resources on inefficient farming methods.
Now? Now I’ve got a system that works, a workshop that’s fully upgraded, and weapons that make other Raiders stop and stare. And it all started with understanding how to properly find and use Mechanical Components.
Remember, the key is to be smart about your farming. Don’t just run around randomly collecting stuff – have a plan, know what you need, and focus on the most efficient methods. Build that Refiner early, upgrade your workshop stations, and don’t be afraid to tackle those Night Raids once you’re ready.
Most importantly, have fun with it! ARC Raiders is an amazing game, and there’s nothing quite like the thrill of extracting successfully with a backpack full of valuable Mechanical Components. Good luck out there in the Rust Belt, and happy hunting!
P.S. If you found this guide helpful, make sure to bookmark it for later reference. I update my guides regularly as the game evolves, so you’ll always have the most current information right at your fingertips.