Crafting in Everspace 2 is one of the most intricate and rewarding systems in the game. It allows you to craft powerful equipment, modify weapons, and apply catalysts to enhance your performance. This guide takes a deep dive into crafting fundamentals, including resource gathering, blueprint acquisition, item modifications, and whether crafting is worth it in different stages of the game.

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Understanding Equipment Rarity

Before diving into crafting mechanics, it’s important to understand how item rarity works. Similar to loot-based RPGs like Diablo, Everspace 2 features four basic rarity tiers:

• Common (White)
• Uncommon (Green)
• Rare (Blue)
• Superior (Red)

Higher-rarity items provide better base stats and additional perks. As you level up, you’ll naturally find more high-rarity equipment, reducing the need for constant upgrades.

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Crafting and Modifying Equipment

Crafting can be accessed from the crafting menu by selecting an empty inventory slot or navigating directly through the overview. You can craft new items or modify existing ones. Modifications include:

• Increasing an item’s rarity (requires materials from dismantling gear)
• Increasing an item’s level (can only be done once per item, and not beyond your current level)
• Removing level restrictions (useful for equipping high-level items early)
• Adding catalysts (discussed later)

Restrictions to Keep in Mind

• Crafted items cannot have their rarity increased later.
• Items can only have their level upgraded once.
• You cannot craft Legendary items at this time.

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How to Gather Materials for Crafting

1. Dismantling Gear

The most efficient way to obtain crafting materials is by dismantling unwanted weapons and equipment. To do this, you’ll need a Cargo Unit, which can be bought or found early in the game. Once equipped, dismantling becomes an option in your inventory. The materials gained from dismantling are exclusive to crafting and cannot be obtained in other ways.

2. Mining Resource Nodes

Mining is another essential way to gather materials, but in Everspace 2, mining is streamlined—you simply shoot resource nodes to collect materials. No mining lasers or special equipment are required.

• Mining tip: A Flak Cannon with the mining modifier can destroy a node in a single shot, making mining quick and efficient. If you find one, keep it in your inventory for mining sessions.

3. Looting and Random Drops

Resource nodes can be found throughout the game, including:

• Story missions (as rewards)
• Random encounters
• Jobs and high-risk areas
• Hidden stashes inside asteroids or caves

Later in the game, you will unlock companion perks that improve material acquisition and highlight valuable resources on the map.

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Blueprint Acquisition and What You Can Craft

Blueprints allow you to craft new gear and weapons up to Superior (Red) quality. You can obtain blueprints in two main ways:

• Dismantling three items of the same type (e.g., three beam lasers unlock the blueprint for that weapon type at the dismantled rarity level).
• Looting them from enemies, containers, and special missions.

However, blueprints do not guarantee a specific variant of an item. For example, if you craft a Beam Laser, it may have different stat distributions than another Beam Laser you loot.

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Catalysts: Enhancing Your Weapons and Equipment

Catalysts are powerful modifiers that permanently enhance weapons and gear. Some examples include:

• +20% Shield Capacity
• +25% Energy Damage
• Improved Mining Yield

Catalyst blueprints are obtained from high-risk areas, with rarity depending on the area’s difficulty:

• Uncommon (Green) areas yield Uncommon catalysts
• Rare (Blue) areas yield Rare catalysts
• Superior (Red) areas yield Superior catalysts

Important Notes on Catalysts

• They are one-use only—once applied, they cannot be removed.
• Dismantling an item does not return the Catalyst materials.
• Legendary items cannot have catalysts applied (as of now).

Because catalysts consume valuable resources, use them wisely, preferably on high-rarity gear you intend to keep long-term.

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Is Crafting Worth It? When and What to Craft?

Crafting and modifying items can be extremely useful, but knowing when to craft is key.

Best Practices for Crafting

• Dismantle everything you don’t need—this will provide ample resources for upgrades.
• Prioritize crafting key gear rather than every item—especially your Energy Core and weapons.
• Avoid crafting too often during early levels, as you’ll outgrow items quickly.

Priority List for Upgrading and Crafting Gear

1. Energy Core (Most crucial—prevents running out of energy mid-fight)
2. Shields and Plating (For survivability)
3. Weapons (Only if your current ones are significantly weaker than your level)
4. Cargo Units and Sensors (Only if you have extra materials)

Weapons: Upgrade or Replace?

• You don’t need to keep weapons at max level constantly.
• As a rule of thumb, try not to let weapons fall more than two levels behind you.
• Crafting can bridge the gap if you can’t find a good drop.

Catalysts: Use Sparingly

• Common catalysts are easy to craft—use them liberally.
• Rare and Superior catalysts should be saved for endgame gear.

At max level, crafting becomes a game-changing mechanic for customizing multiple ships for different combat roles. Superior crafting and high-tier catalysts allow you to fine-tune your gear for maximum performance.

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Final Thoughts

Crafting in Everspace 2 is an impactful and well-balanced system that allows players to enhance their gameplay without excessive grind. The ability to customize weapons and gear through catalysts and modifications adds depth to the game’s progression.

While mining lacks complexity, the streamlined nature of resource gathering means you won’t waste hours grinding materials. Instead, you can focus on strategically upgrading key gear while still exploring and enjoying the game’s thrilling space combat.

If you have any more questions about crafting, let us know! Stay tuned for more Everspace 2 guides, and as always—fly safe, pilot!