Crafting in Mass Effect: Andromeda marks a major shift for the series. Unlike previous entries, this system introduces a fully fleshed-out loop involving scanning, researching, and developing custom gear. It’s deep, a little convoluted at first, but ultimately rewarding once you understand the structure. This guide walks through every aspect of the system—from acquiring research points to equipping your shiny new custom weapons and armor.

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Crafting in Three Simple Steps

To get the most out of Andromeda’s crafting system, you’ll want to understand the process as a three-step loop:

1. Scan
2. Research
3. Develop (Craft)

This flow remains consistent no matter what you’re making—whether it’s weapons, armor, or augmentations. Mastering this loop is key to unlocking the best custom gear in the game.

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Step 1: Scanning for Research Points

Right from the start of the game, you’re introduced to the scanning mechanic. Use your scanner to target red-highlighted objects and gather research points (RPs). These points are divided into three categories based on tech origin:

• Milky Way: Human and Council species tech from the previous galaxy.
• Helius: Technology native to the Andromeda galaxy.
• Remnant: Mysterious alien tech discovered through gameplay progression.

Some scan targets are repeatable—if you find the same object in a different location, it may still grant points. As you collect RPs, they’ll be categorized on-screen to indicate what tech they belong to.

Keep in mind, scanning is optional outside of a specific story mission. You can still engage in crafting by looting or buying blueprints, skipping scanning entirely. However, skipping scanning limits your access to the widest variety of craftable items—especially the exotic ones.

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Step 2: Researching Blueprints

Once you’ve got RPs, it’s time to spend them in the Research menu. This is where you convert points into blueprints—the essential data files that let you craft specific items.

You can access research terminals on the Tempest, in planet-based research stations, or possibly at outposts (depending on progress). Inside the research interface, you’ll see tabs for each tech category—Milky Way, Helius, and Remnant. Each category includes:

• Weapons
• Armor
• Augmentations

When you select an item to research, you’ll see its RP cost. For example, the Valkyrie assault rifle Tier 1 may cost 150 RPs in the Milky Way category, while a rarer Falcon might cost less due to its lower tier.

It’s important to remember:

• Researching does not require materials, only RPs.
• Blueprints are permanent—once you research a blueprint, it’s available for development indefinitely.
• Higher-tier blueprints require prior tiers and a minimum player level.

For example, to craft Valkyrie Tier 3, you must first research Tier 1 and Tier 2, and meet the level 10 requirement. You can preview crafting material requirements in the research menu by selecting “View Details.”

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Step 3: Development – Crafting Your Gear

Once a blueprint is unlocked, move to the Development tab—located in the same terminal as research. This is where the actual crafting happens.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll see a tab showing all items you’re currently able to craft based on available materials.
• The rest of the tabs let you browse gear by tech origin and category.
• Crafted items require specific materials found through exploration, mining, looting, or purchasing.

Blueprints come from:

• Research (as covered above)
• Looting enemies and containers
• Vendors (selling blueprints directly)
• Default starter blueprints unlocked from the beginning

This means you can entirely skip scanning and researching if you rely on exploration and vendors—but this may restrict your access to rare or exotic items only available through research.

Once ready to craft:

• Select your blueprint (e.g., Valkyrie Assault Rifle Tier 1).
• Confirm you have the materials.
• You can rename your item if desired (useful if you’ve added special augmentations).
• Craft it and it’ll appear in your inventory.

Crafted items display with a blue rarity tag and must be equipped at a loadout station (like the one on the Tempest or at Forward Operating Bases). You can’t equip crafted weapons on the fly.

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Customization and Augmentations

The real magic of Andromeda’s crafting system lies in augmentations—special modifiers that can dramatically alter how weapons and armor behave. Some augmentations require you to craft at Tier 2 or above.

These include effects like:

• Plasma rounds
• Seeking projectiles
• AoE shockwaves on reload

Augmentations are added during development, not afterward—so plan ahead and apply them before finalizing the craft. There’s a lot of room to experiment and build one-of-a-kind weapons tailored to your style.

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Closing Thoughts

While intimidating at first, Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s crafting system becomes an addictive loop once you learn its flow. The three steps—scanning, researching, and developing—form a reliable progression path. It allows for extensive personalization of your arsenal, from naming your gear to creating weapons with outlandish effects.

If you prefer simplicity, you can opt to loot or purchase your way through the game. But for tinkerers and theorycrafters, crafting opens up a side of Andromeda that’s both deep and satisfying. Whether you’re wielding a Valkyrie that you forged from scratch or a plasma-hurling shotgun customized with rare Remnant parts, the system is there for you to make the galaxy your own.

Keep an eye out for future guides covering augmentations in greater detail!