Kenshi is a squad-based open-world RPG with zero hand-holding set in a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland. You start as nobody — literally the weakest entity in the world. Your character can't fight, can't run fast, and will lose to a single starving bandit. Through getting beaten, captured, enslaved, and nearly killed repeatedly, your squad gets stronger. The game simulates an entire living world where factions war, caravans trade, and slavers hunt regardless of your involvement. Kenshi doesn't care about you — and that indifference is what makes every achievement feel earned. Building from nothing to a self-sufficient fortress with a trained army is one of gaming's most satisfying power fantasies.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
The Hub
Key resources: Safe recruitment, copper mining income, basic shop access Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Falling Sun upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Squin
Key resources: Shek recruitment, bounty missions, combat training opportunities Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Falling Sun upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Black Desert City
Key resources: Best shops in the game, UC faction quests, high-tier recruitment Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Falling Sun upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Mongrel
Key resources: Constant combat training, unique recruits, Fogmen loot Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Meitou Weapons max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
World's End
Key resources: AI Cores, rare blueprints, advanced research materials Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Meitou Weapons max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (The Hub — Squin)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Falling Sun once accessible
Mid Game (Black Desert City)
- Push Falling Sun to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Meitou Weapons
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Mongrel — World's End)
- Max out Meitou Weapons — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Black Desert City farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Toughness is the most important stat — it determines how much damage you can take before going down and how fast you recover. Train it by getting beaten up (non-lethally). Hungry bandits are perfect training opponents.
- Farm Black Desert City during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Kenshi Guides
- Kenshi Kenshi Overview
- Kenshi Best Builds
- Kenshi Tier List
- Kenshi Walkthrough
- Kenshi Beginner's Guide
- Kenshi Tips & Tricks
- Kenshi Weapons Guide
- Kenshi Combat Guide
- Kenshi Boss Guide
- Kenshi Maps & Locations
- Kenshi Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Kenshi, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
