ARC Raiders Research Bench is a progression facility introduced with the Frozen Trail 2.0 Outpost on October 8, 2026. It provides a way to work towards equipment unlocks and, when fully upgraded, supports the new fifth-quality Amplified Weapons system.
You won’t find the ARC Raiders Research Bench as a separate structure during an ordinary raid. First you must unlock the Outpost, beginning with a Camera objective, and then develop the workstation to access its higher-level functionality. Here’s how research works and what you’ll need to check before investing materials.
How to Unlock the ARC Raiders Research Bench
Research is part of Outpost progression. The first task in the Outpost project, Research Topside Living Conditions, asks you to photograph a farmland house with the new Camera gadget. Completing the project’s stages unlocks the base, where the workstation becomes available.
You can obtain a Camera from Shani, craft one at the Workbench or find one Topside. Check the project requirements in your progression interface before leaving Speranza so you know what to take on the next raid.
Where Is the Research Bench?
The ARC Raiders Research Bench belongs to the new Outpost, a customizable surface home introduced with Frozen Trail. You manage research through the associated Outpost interface, not by locating a random workbench in an abandoned building.
Outpost modules and furniture provide customization opportunities, but collecting a chair or learning a Furniture Design doesn’t automatically unlock advanced weapons. The research system has its own progression.
What Can You Research?
Embark describes the new station as a way to pursue selected weapon and equipment unlocks rather than relying entirely on finding the right blueprint by chance. Individual research targets can carry their own resource and progression requirements.
The developer has not published a complete research target list with itemized costs in the general 2.0 notes. Check the live interface for the current materials or points associated with the specific unlock you want.
Research Materials and Upgrades
Building the Outpost and improving the ARC Raiders Research Bench requires progression through the new systems. Embark confirms the fully upgraded Research Workstation is necessary for the most advanced Amplified Weapons feature.
That doesn’t mean every advanced weapon is unlocked the instant you complete the Outpost project. Research is a progression path, and individual items can have requirements beyond opening the base.
How to Unlock Amplified Weapons Research
The fifth weapon quality level adds enhancements that can change weapon behaviour. Embark’s examples include a fully automatic Burletta, a scoped Renegade and a Rattler with incendiary ammunition or a large magazine.
Fifteen weapons support Amplification in the initial Frozen Trail rollout. The ARC Raiders Research Bench must be fully upgraded to access that system, and eligible weapons have their own available branches.
Research Bench vs Gunsmith
The Gunsmith is associated with building and improving weapons, while the Research Workstation adds targeted research and high-end upgrades. Both systems contribute to progression, but they aren’t interchangeable menus.
If you have unlocked the ARC Raiders Research Bench and still cannot select a fifth-quality upgrade, confirm that the research facilities and the particular weapon meet the required progression rather than assuming the upgrade is broken.
Can You Research Every Weapon Blueprint?
No blanket promise has been made that every rare or encounter-linked weapon blueprint can be obtained by research. Frozen Trail still includes valuable equipment and technology associated with difficult activities such as the Frigate and fallen Emperor.
The ARC Raiders Research Bench is an additional route towards selected targets, not proof that scavenging, quests or special enemy encounters have been removed from the game.
Is the Research Bench Worth Prioritizing?
If you’re regularly hunting for a specific weapon or equipment unlock, research gives you a more directed objective between raids. For experienced players, advanced weapon enhancements also provide reasons to keep collecting rare technology.
The ARC Raiders Research Bench is especially worth developing once you know which guns you want to use long term. Review the current in-game cost for your next research target before spending materials on less important projects.
Research Bench Requirements Not Showing
Check that the Outpost project is complete and the relevant station is available. Opening the Outpost does not itself guarantee access to every fifth-quality upgrade, and not every gun is eligible for Amplification.
If a particular recipe is missing, look at its current research or Gunsmith requirements. Embark has not published a universal troubleshooting reset for every research option, so avoid deleting progress or unlinking your account based on an unverified fix.
Related Guides
- Frozen Trail 2.0 overview
- Pendola Pass map guide
- Frigate boarding and Hydra
- Outpost unlock
- Amplified Weapons
- Grappling Hook
Official source: Embark Studios Frozen Trail content preview.
