Outer Wilds is a time-loop exploration game where you explore a miniature solar system that resets every 22 minutes when the sun goes supernova. Your only progression is knowledge — learning how the alien Nomai civilization connected the planets, why the time loop exists, and what happens at the end. There are no upgrades, no unlocks, no skills. Everything you need to reach the ending is available from minute one — you just need to know where to go and what to do. This makes Outer Wilds one of gaming's most unique experiences and one that absolutely cannot be replayed once completed. Every discovery is genuine, every puzzle solved through understanding, and the ending is profoundly moving.
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
Timber Hearth
Key resources: Ship access, basic lore, village dialogue, underground Nomai ruins Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Signalscope upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Brittle Hollow
Key resources: Southern Observatory, Tower of Quantum Knowledge, Nomai history Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Signalscope upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Giant Deep
Key resources: Progression materials and basic crafting components Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Signalscope upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Dark Bramble
Key resources: Vessel location, Escape Pod data, anglerfish avoidance mastery Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Scout Launcher max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ash Twin
Key resources: Ash Twin Project, time loop explanation, endgame access Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Scout Launcher max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Timber Hearth — Brittle Hollow)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Signalscope once accessible
Mid Game (Giant Deep)
- Push Signalscope to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Scout Launcher
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Dark Bramble — Ash Twin)
- Max out Scout Launcher — 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 Giant Deep 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
- Knowledge is your only progression. Nothing carries between loops except what you've learned and what the ship log records. If you're stuck, you're missing information, not an ability.
- Farm Giant Deep 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 Outer Wilds Guides
- Outer Wilds Outer Wilds Overview
- Outer Wilds Best Builds
- Outer Wilds Tier List
- Outer Wilds Walkthrough
- Outer Wilds Beginner's Guide
- Outer Wilds Tips & Tricks
- Outer Wilds Weapons Guide
- Outer Wilds Combat Guide
- Outer Wilds Boss Guide
- Outer Wilds Maps & Locations
- Outer Wilds Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Outer Wilds, check out these related guides:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Crafting Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Sea of Thieves Crafting Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Crafting Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
