The Outer Worlds is Obsidian Entertainment's first-person RPG set in a corporate-controlled space colony where megacorporations own everything — including you. The game channels the spirit of Fallout: New Vegas with branching quests, meaningful faction choices, and dark humor. Combat uses Tactical Time Dilation (slow-motion targeting) combined with companion abilities. The flaw system uniquely offers permanent character debuffs in exchange for perk points, creating an interesting risk-reward system. Two DLC expansions (Peril on Gorgon and Murder on Eridanos) add substantial content.
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
Edgewater (Terra 2)
Key resources: Parvati companion, first faction choice, early gear, story introduction Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Mandibular Rearranger upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Groundbreaker
Key resources: Ellie companion, Mandibular Rearranger, central shops, faction quests Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Mandibular Rearranger upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Monarch
Key resources: Nyoka companion, Iconoclast/MSI resolution, best open-world content Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Mandibular Rearranger upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Byzantium
Key resources: Endgame quest access, high-tier gear, Board faction content Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Prismatic Hammer max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Tartarus
Key resources: Final boss, ending determination, story conclusion Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Prismatic Hammer max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Edgewater (Terra 2) — Groundbreaker)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Mandibular Rearranger once accessible
Mid Game (Monarch)
- Push Mandibular Rearranger to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Prismatic Hammer
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Byzantium — Tartarus)
- Max out Prismatic Hammer — 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 Monarch 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
- Accept the Robophobia flaw if offered — you rarely fight automechanicals enough for the debuff to matter, but the free perk point is valuable
- Farm Monarch 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 The Outer Worlds Guides
- The Outer Worlds The Outer Worlds Overview
- The Outer Worlds Best Builds
- The Outer Worlds Tier List
- The Outer Worlds Walkthrough
- The Outer Worlds Beginner's Guide
- The Outer Worlds Tips & Tricks
- The Outer Worlds Weapons Guide
- The Outer Worlds Combat Guide
- The Outer Worlds Boss Guide
- The Outer Worlds Maps & Locations
- The Outer Worlds Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy The Outer Worlds, 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
