Crafting Station Upgrades
As you progress through Enshrouded, you'll quickly find that your initial crafting stations are limited in their capabilities. To unlock advanced recipes, craft higher-tier gear, and process rarer materials, upgrading your crafting stations is paramount. This section details the process of upgrading each major crafting station, including the necessary materials and where to find them.
General Upgrade Principles
- NPC Requirements: Many upgrades require specific NPCs to be present and settled in your base. Ensure you have rescued and assigned relevant NPCs like the Blacksmith, Carpenter, Alchemist, and Farmer to their respective crafting stations.
- Resource Gathering: Upgrades often demand materials that are found in more dangerous areas, deeper within the Shroud, or require advanced processing. Plan your expeditions accordingly.
- Tiered Progression: Crafting stations are typically upgraded in tiers. You'll need to reach a certain level of progression and unlock specific recipes before the next upgrade becomes available.
Blacksmith Workbench Upgrades
The Blacksmith Workbench is crucial for crafting weapons, armor, and metal components. Its upgrades unlock the ability to work with more advanced metals like bronze, iron, and ultimately, advanced alloys.
- Bronze Age Upgrade:
- Materials: Bronze Ingots, Wood, Stone.
- Strategy: You'll need to smelt Bronze Ingots using Copper and Tin. Copper can be found in early-game mining nodes, often near the starting area. Tin is more commonly found in the rugged terrain of the Kindled Mines. The Blacksmith NPC is essential for this upgrade.
- Iron Age Upgrade:
- Materials: Iron Ingots, Wood, Stone, and potentially a new component like Scraps.
- Strategy: Iron Ore is primarily found in the Scavenger Camps and dungeons deeper within the Shroud, such as the Sunken Tombs. Smelt Iron Ore into Iron Ingots. This upgrade will likely require the Blacksmith to be at a higher skill level or have access to more advanced tools.
Carpenter Workbench Upgrades
The Carpenter's Workbench is vital for building structures, furniture, and crafting wooden tools and components. Upgrades allow for the creation of more complex wooden items and the processing of rarer wood types.
- Advanced Woodworking Upgrade:
- Materials: Refined Wood, Nails, and possibly a specific tool.
- Strategy: Refined Wood is crafted from basic wood at the Carpenter's Workbench itself. Nails are crafted from Iron Ingots. This upgrade often unlocks the ability to craft advanced building materials and more specialized furniture. The Carpenter NPC is key here.
Alchemist Laboratory Upgrades
The Alchemist's Laboratory is where you'll brew potions, craft explosives, and process magical ingredients. Upgrades are essential for creating more potent elixirs and advanced alchemical items.
- Potion Master Upgrade:
- Materials: Glass, Herbs, and potentially a rare Shroud material.
- Strategy: Glass is crafted from Sand. Various herbs can be found throughout the world, with rarer ones requiring exploration into Shrouded areas. The Alchemist NPC is required for this upgrade, and you may need to find them in specific locations like the Spire of Fire.
Farmer's Farmhouse Upgrades
While not a traditional crafting station, the Farmer's Farmhouse and its associated plots are crucial for sustainable resource gathering. Upgrades here allow for larger crops and the cultivation of more advanced plants.
- Advanced Farming Upgrade:
- Materials: Rich Soil, Wood, and specific farming tools.
- Strategy: Rich Soil can be found in specific locations or crafted using compost. This upgrade will unlock the ability to grow more valuable crops like grains and certain magical plants, which are essential for advanced recipes. The Farmer NPC is necessary for this.
Remember to always check the crafting recipes for the upgrade itself, as they will clearly list the required materials and any NPC prerequisites.