To unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders, reach Raider Level 18 and finish the three-stage Sheltered Retreat project. Bring a Camera to photograph a farmhouse on The Blue Gate, hand over the required building materials, then deal damage to flying ARC and a Bully. Once your base is open, expand it from Level 1 to Level 4 and upgrade the Research Station separately. Those two tracks, plus Gunsmith IV, are the route toward weapon amplification in Frozen Trail Update 2.2.
The important distinction is that opening the Outpost does not complete its Research Station upgrades. You can own a base, spend materials on new rooms, and still be unable to research the blueprint or weapon perk you want. This guide helps you plan each step and avoid selling the items you will need next.
ARC Raiders Outpost Unlock: Three Sheltered Retreat Stages
Open the Outpost tab in Speranza and accept Sheltered Retreat before entering a raid. The project has three stages; the current tracker determines which one is active. You do not need to finish all three objectives in a single deployment.
| Project stage | What you must do | Prepare first | Unlock or reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Research Topside Living Conditions | Photograph a farmland house around Ruined Homestead on The Blue Gate. | A Basic or Advanced Camera in your raid loadout. | Advanced Camera Blueprint. |
| 2. Gather Building Materials | Submit 3 Planks, 5 Sheet Metal, 10 ARC Alloy and 3 Advanced Electrical Components. | Reserve these items rather than selling or recycling them. | Red Light Stick Blueprint. |
| 3. Safeguard the Building Site | Deal 800 damage to flying ARC and 300 damage to Bullies. | A controllable weapon, ammo, healing and an exit plan on Pendola Pass. | Hotel Chair Design, 15 Planks, 5 Durable Cloth; Outpost access. |
If you only want to open your base, you can stop after Sheltered Retreat. If your goal is Research Station IV, budget three additional room upgrades and four station levels. These are separate jobs, so decide how far you want to progress before spending rare components.
Unlock the Base or Follow the DIY Route
The project opens the Outpost; Research Bench upgrades are a separate step. Choose the work you actually need.
Stage 1: Bring a Camera to Ruined Homestead
Travel to Ruined Homestead in the southern part of The Blue Gate, near the Olive Grove. The map label can be easy to miss until you zoom in. Equip your Camera, frame one of the farmhouses and take the photo. Simply walking up to the building or taking a normal screenshot does not complete the project objective.
Embark confirms that Cameras can be bought from Shani, crafted at the Workbench or found Topside. Pack yours before the raid. If the photo does not register, verify that Sheltered Retreat is active, you are in the correct homestead area and you actually used the equipped Camera. Check the project tab directly after extracting: the Frozen Trail launch notes warned that an Outpost notification indicator could be missing.
Stage 2: Save the Materials Before You Farm More
Collect 3 Planks, 5 Sheet Metal, 10 ARC Alloy and 3 Advanced Electrical Components. Check your Stash first. The project hand-in accepts items you already have, so an unnecessary raid is the easiest way to waste time here.
Planks and Sheet Metal can be scavenged, and Celeste has offered them for Assorted Seeds. Industrial locations are useful for metal and electrical salvage; residential and older buildings can help with planks. Defeated ARC are a useful source of ARC Alloy. Advanced Electrical Components can also be made through the correct Refiner level if you have the ingredients. Do not recycle your last project materials just to clear space.
Stage 3: Damage Flying ARC and the Bully
The last stage is about damage dealt, not a required kill count. Flying ARC are widespread, but you will need to seek a Bully, one of Frozen Trail’s newer ARC enemies, on Pendola Pass. The project records 800 damage to flying ARC and 300 damage to Bullies.
Make one deliberate combat run instead of chasing every enemy. Carry enough ammunition and healing to survive the encounter, keep cover between yourself and the Bully’s attacks, and extract when the tracker confirms your progress. Check the Outpost tab to claim the stage rewards and open your base.
Outpost Room Upgrades: Levels 1 to 4
Sheltered Retreat grants the initial Level 1 Outpost. Each of the next three expansions adds a room and increases the level cap of the Research Station. Choosing a room style is a personal layout decision; the materials for a level depend on the expansion itself rather than the decoration theme.
| Expansion | Required materials | Practical priority |
|---|---|---|
| Outpost Level 1 | Complete the three Sheltered Retreat stages. | Unlocks your base and lets you begin Research Station progression. |
| Level 1 → 2 | 3 Steel Cable, 20 Sheet Metal, 3 Cable Strippers. | Prepare the matching Research Station II ingredients. |
| Level 2 → 3 | 3 Epoxy Buckets, 35 Planks, 3 Hand Drills. | Save Bully Fragmenters for the next Research upgrade. |
| Level 3 → 4 | 40 Sheet Metal, 3 Laser Levels, 3 Insulation Rolls. | Opens the cap required for Research Station IV and high-end progression. |
Room materials do not pay for Research Station upgrades. A Level 4 Outpost with an underleveled Research Station is still missing research unlocks. Equally, upgrading the station does not automatically unlock specific research projects; those need their own Research Points and ingredients.
Because expansions consume substantial Planks and Sheet Metal, reserve them before you start decorating heavily. If you are choosing a room layout, inspect it carefully before committing: some reported room choices cannot be freely swapped after construction.
Research Station I–IV: All Upgrade Materials
The Research Station is tied to your Outpost but has its own level and material costs. Its level cannot exceed your current Outpost level. This table is based on the October 2026 game Wiki; the in-game station screen takes priority if an update changes an ingredient.
| Research Station | Required Outpost | Research Station upgrade materials | What to plan next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Outpost I | 3 Mini Pumps, 35 Planks, 5 Battered Paperbacks. | Study Research Items and browse starter blueprints and Designs. |
| Level II | Outpost II | 3 Calculators, 3 Raider Logbooks, 5 Skulker Targeters. | Save Skulker components before spending on unrelated gear. |
| Level III | Outpost III | 3 Differential Microphones, 3 Exodus Technical Handbooks, 6 Bully Fragmenters. | Farm specific ARC parts and protect rare technical loot. |
| Level IV | Outpost IV | 3 Thermal Shakers, 3 ARC Data Modules, 1 Frigate Inductor. | Check Amplified Research tasks and Gunsmith IV. |
Two bottlenecks deserve special care: Skulker Targeters from Skulkers and Bully Fragmenters from Bullies. For the last tier, a Frigate Inductor ties research progress to the Frigate operation. None of these materials is simply replaced by collecting more Research Points.
If a material is unfamiliar, use the Resource Gathering Routes guide to choose a useful loot category, or the Frigate walkthrough to understand the higher-risk event. Avoid treating a named POI as a guaranteed drop location.
How to Get Research Points in ARC Raiders
Research Points (RP) come from studying eligible Research Items at the Research Station. They do not appear automatically just because you extracted with loot. Decide whether to keep an item for a station upgrade or study it for RP before converting it. For example, Battered Paperbacks and ARC Data Modules are also used in Research Station upgrades.
| Research Item | Reported Research Points | Best decision before studying |
|---|---|---|
| Battered Paperback | 50 RP | Keep 5 for Research Station I if it is not built yet. |
| Raider Logbook | 100 RP | Keep 3 for Research Station II. |
| Exodus Technical Handbook | 150 RP | Keep 3 for Research Station III. |
| ARC Data Module | 200 RP | Keep 3 for Research Station IV. |
| Frigate Diagnostic Node | 1,000 RP | Good RP value, but weigh the danger of extracting from the Frigate. |
These are reported October 2026 research values, not guaranteed Coins or raid earnings. The available items and Research tab are shown in-game. Treat RP like a second resource budget: set aside the amount required for the specific blueprint or perk you want, then spend additional items only when your next station upgrade is covered.
Research a Blueprint, Then Craft the Item Separately
Some weapon and gadget blueprints can be unlocked through Research rather than random container drops. Research may ask for RP plus specific components. After learning a blueprint, you still need its crafting station and item materials. Buying a blueprint with RP does not put a finished weapon in your Stash.
Not everything is researchable. Several weapons and recipes still belong to particular quests, events, DLC or boss encounters. The All ARC Raiders Blueprints guide owns the item-by-item acquisition routes, while this article helps you unlock the Research infrastructure and manage its cost.
Best Upgrade Order: What Should You Build First?
Your first priority depends on the gear you need to replace after ordinary raids. Do not spend everything on a decorative room or an Amplified weapon plan while your basic healing and ammunition economy is still unstable.
| Your current situation | Recommended next move | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Outpost still locked | Finish Sheltered Retreat. | The Research Station cannot progress before the base is open. |
| Outpost I, research unavailable | Build Research Station I after reserving 35 Planks and the other ingredients. | Lets you begin using Research Items and see the available recipes. |
| You need one particular blueprint | Check its Research Station level and RP/material cost first. | Prevents upgrading rooms you do not yet need. |
| Planning Amplified Weapons | Build Outpost IV, Research Station IV and Gunsmith IV, then review the required research project. | The upgrade path has several separate requirements. |
| Short on a rare ARC component | Target its enemy or event, extract, then submit the station upgrade. | Collecting more basic scrap will not replace a named boss or ARC drop. |
From Research Station IV to Amplified Weapons
Weapon Amplification is the advanced end of this system, but it is not just a normal gun-stat upgrade. Frozen Trail introduced branching weapon behavior upgrades for a selection of 15 weapons. Examples include a fully automatic Burletta and a scoped Renegade. Check your current in-game research menu before committing rare items to a specific branch.
- Unlock the Outpost through Sheltered Retreat.
- Expand to Outpost IV, paying for the three additional rooms.
- Upgrade the Research Station to IV, including the Frigate Inductor.
- Upgrade Gunsmith to IV. Its listed final ingredients include 3 Radial Presses, 3 Magnetic Accelerators and 1 Emperor Modulator.
- Choose the specific Amplified Research task, collect its required ARC parts, complete any task objectives and spend its Research Points.
- Obtain the matching Amplification Module and apply the researched option to a compatible weapon. A completed research project is not itself a delivered finished gun.
The Fallen Emperor Dungeon Guide covers the route to Emperor loot and your first Modulator. If you want to compare whether the effort suits your playstyle, see the current Weapon Tier List before committing to one branch.
Finish Your Research or Compare the DIY Build
Unlocking Research Station IV is only one prerequisite. Research tasks and weapon choices come afterward.
Where to Farm Outpost and Research Bottlenecks
Gather by the material’s source type instead of treating a single map as a permanent high-yield route. Pendola Pass has changing loot value, and PvPvE conditions can make a theoretically rich stop a poor raid for your current loadout.
| Needed item | Practical source to investigate | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Planks and Sheet Metal | Residential/Old World and industrial areas; check Celeste offers when useful. | Recycling reserved project or room materials. |
| Cables, Strippers, Drills, Insulation Rolls and Laser Levels | Industrial and tool-focused loot, especially appropriate Pendola Pass areas. | Assuming one named building guarantees every component. |
| Skulker Targeters | Skulker components during relevant encounters. | Ignoring the detached weapon section that can carry a component. |
| Bully Fragmenters | Bully encounters, including Pendola Pass. | Fighting with too little ammo or failing to make a safe extraction. |
| Frigate Inductor / ARC Data Modules | Frigate-associated loot; use current event availability to plan entry. | Going in without an exit plan and losing the rare material. |
| Emperor Modulator | Fallen Emperor dungeon loot. | Confusing outdoor Redirection payloads with the internal dungeon reward. |
Do not let a Research shopping list override basic extraction judgment. A successful raid with one important item is better than risking it for a second low-priority stop. Before fighting Bully, Skulker or Frigate defenders, check whether you have the inventory space and time to carry the loot home.
Furniture Designs and Outpost Storage: What Matters?
The Outpost is also a place to decorate and display items. Frozen Trail introduced 100 Furniture Designs across several acquisition paths: 73 found Topside, 22 from Outpost upgrades, four tied to the Frozen Trail Pass and one from DLC, according to Embark’s patch notes. A learned Design lets you craft the corresponding furnishing; it is not the same item as a gun blueprint.
Weapon racks, shelves and other furniture can have attached display or storage slots. Check the actual object before crafting several copies: the attached-slot count differs between designs. These are separate from the normal Stash capacity, so do not assume placing a rack automatically raises your standard 328-slot Stash limit.
For power progression, purchase room and Research Station upgrades first. Decorate afterward, especially if your next level calls for the same Sheet Metal or Planks that a furniture piece consumes.
Outpost Troubleshooting After Update 2.2
The farmhouse photo will not complete
Check that Sheltered Retreat is selected, the Camera is equipped, and the farmhouse is at Ruined Homestead on The Blue Gate. Try photographing a clearly visible main house rather than a shed or unrelated structure. Embark previously listed missing project indicators and camera-related issues, so review the actual project objectives rather than relying on the orange notification dot.
A Research Station upgrade looks locked
Compare the Research Station level with your Outpost level. If the room expansion is incomplete, gathering more research materials alone will not lift the station’s cap. Also check whether you are missing one of the named ARC components rather than Research Points.
Decorating or inspecting a bench behaves strangely
Update 2.2 addressed a broken Workshop screen associated with the last available Outpost slot, furniture-inspection camera blockage and camera rotation/blackout issues. If the view still misbehaves, close and reopen the Outpost screen, verify the game is updated, and check current known issues. These fixes do not guarantee every furniture interaction is bug-free.
My research was completed but I cannot craft the item
Look for the final crafting step: research may unlock a blueprint or a weapon behavior, but the item still needs a compatible station, recipe ingredients or an Amplification Module. An upgrade recipe, a blueprint unlock and a completed Amplified Research objective are three different checkpoints.
ARC Raiders Outpost & Research Station FAQ
How do I unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders?
Reach the required Raider level, open Sheltered Retreat from the Outpost tab, photograph the Ruined Homestead farmhouse, submit project materials and complete the ARC damage objective. The project opens your Level 1 Outpost.
What level do I need for the Outpost?
Current October 2026 walkthroughs report Raider Level 18 as the starting requirement for Sheltered Retreat. Check the Outpost tab for your own character’s eligibility.
Where is the farmhouse for Sheltered Retreat?
At Ruined Homestead in southern The Blue Gate, near Olive Grove. Bring an actual Camera and photograph a farmland house.
What materials does the Sheltered Retreat project need?
The hand-in stage needs 3 Planks, 5 Sheet Metal, 10 ARC Alloy and 3 Advanced Electrical Components. The photo and combat stages have separate objectives.
How many Outpost levels are there?
Four in the current Frozen Trail system. Finishing the project opens Level 1; three additional room expansions take the base to Level 4.
Can Research Station IV be unlocked without Outpost IV?
No. The Research Station’s level is capped by your Outpost level. Room expansions and Research Station upgrades have separate material costs.
What is the fastest reliable way to gain Research Points?
Study eligible Research Items at the station, keeping any items required for future station upgrades. A Frigate Diagnostic Node is listed at 1,000 RP, but recovering it can be riskier than studying smaller items from a safer route.
Does Research Station unlock every blueprint?
No. Many blueprints are researchable, but others remain tied to specific projects, events, DLC and encounters. Check each blueprint’s acquisition route before farming.
Do I need Gunsmith IV as well as Research Station IV?
Yes for the Amplified Weapon progression described here. Level IV research unlocks relevant tasks, while Gunsmith IV is a separate crafting-station requirement.
Can I change Outpost rooms after building them?
Some October 2026 guides report that finished room choices cannot simply be reversed. Review the available styles before committing to avoid unwanted layouts.
Do furniture racks give more regular Stash slots?
Furniture provides its own attached slots and display functions. Do not assume it automatically changes the normal Stash maximum. Check the specific rack’s slots in the current furniture menu.
What to Do Next
If the Outpost is still locked, do Sheltered Retreat before spending a long session farming endgame materials. If it is open, check your current Outpost level, current Research Station level and next desired research unlock; those three facts tell you which upgrade bill matters. For an ordinary crafting problem, follow the Advanced Crafting Chains guide instead of buying unrelated Research levels.
