Crafting is one of the core mechanics in Outbound. Nearly everything in the game depends on crafting, including tools, vehicle upgrades, workstations, farming equipment, and building parts.
- How Crafting Works in Outbound
- Step 1: Unlock Blueprints
- Where To Find Signal Towers
- Step 2: Gather Crafting Materials
- How To Find Scrap Metal
- Step 3: Find The Workbench
- How To Open The Workbench
- How To Craft Items
- The Crafting Minigame Explained
- First Tool You Craft
- Important Early Crafting Recipes
- Why Crafting Is Important
- Beginner Crafting Tips
- Always Collect Resources
- Prioritize Tools First
- Deposit Resources Frequently
- Upgrade Your Vehicle Storage
- Keep Revisiting Signal Towers
- What Happens If You Lack Materials?
- Final Thoughts
If you are confused about how crafting works or where to find the workbench, this guide explains everything beginners need to know.
How Crafting Works in Outbound
To craft items in Outbound, you need:
- Blueprints
- Resources
- Access to the Workbench
Once you have all three, you can start crafting tools and upgrades for your vehicle.
Step 1: Unlock Blueprints
Before you can craft anything, you first need blueprints.
Blueprints are unlocked from Signal Towers located throughout the map.
How To Unlock Blueprints
- Find a Signal Tower
- Interact with the terminal
- Select:
Check Downloads
- Download the blueprint
Once downloaded, the recipe becomes permanently available.
Where To Find Signal Towers
Signal Towers are commonly found:
- Near campsites
- Along roads
- Near major landmarks
- In exploration areas
The first Signal Tower appears very early in the tutorial area.
Step 2: Gather Crafting Materials
After unlocking a blueprint, you need the required materials.
Common Early Resources
| Resource | Used For |
|---|---|
| Scrap Metal | Tools and upgrades |
| Wood | Building and crafting |
| Fibre | Clothing and crafting |
| Rocks | Basic crafting recipes |
How To Find Scrap Metal
Scrap metal is one of the most important early-game materials.
You can find it:
- Near Signal Towers
- Inside containers
- Around campsites
- Scattered across roads
You will need a huge amount later, so collect everything you see.
Step 3: Find The Workbench
The Workbench is located inside your vehicle.
Depending on your vehicle type, it is usually found:
- In the trunk
- At the rear storage area
- Inside the camper section
Approach the workbench and interact with it.
How To Open The Workbench
Walk up to the workbench and press:
E
This opens the crafting menu.
How To Craft Items
Inside the workbench:
- Select a blueprint
- Check the required materials
- Press Craft
If you have enough resources, crafting will begin immediately.
The Crafting Minigame Explained
Crafting includes a small timing minigame.
You must:
- Press the work button
- Time your input while the marker is inside the green zone
Successfully hitting the green area speeds up crafting.
First Tool You Craft
Most players craft the Wrench first.
Wrench Uses
The wrench is required for:
- Repairing gates
- Fixing structures
- Progressing through the tutorial
Important Early Crafting Recipes
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Wrench | Repairs |
| Build Hammer | Base building |
| Axe | Chop large logs |
| Pickaxe | Mine ores |
| Sickle | Harvest crops |
| Homing Boots | Faster travel |
Why Crafting Is Important
Crafting unlocks progression across the entire game.
You need crafted items for:
- Vehicle upgrades
- Better farming
- Building larger bases
- Unlocking new areas
- Repairing bridges and elevators
- Resource gathering
Beginner Crafting Tips
Always Collect Resources
Even basic materials become important later.
Prioritize Tools First
Crafting tools should always come before decorations.
Deposit Resources Frequently
Your backpack fills up quickly early on.
Upgrade Your Vehicle Storage
Storage upgrades make resource farming much easier.
Keep Revisiting Signal Towers
More towers means more recipes and stronger equipment.
What Happens If You Lack Materials?
If you cannot craft something:
- Check missing materials in the recipe
- Explore nearby areas
- Farm resources
- Return later after upgrading tools
Final Thoughts
Crafting is the foundation of progression in Outbound. Once you unlock blueprints from Signal Towers and start gathering resources consistently, the game opens up massively.
The early gameplay loop is simple:
- Explore
- Gather resources
- Unlock blueprints
- Craft better tools
- Expand your vehicle
Once you understand the crafting system, progression becomes much smoother.