In the vast and hostile wasteland of Mad Max, strongholds serve as vital hubs for survival and progression. Initially, these bases offer little beyond story progression and a place to salvage vehicles. However, by upgrading them through special project parts and side missions, you can transform these outposts into invaluable resources for Max.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the different types of upgrades available, their benefits, and how to maximize your strongholds to gain a significant advantage.

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1. Finding and Building Stronghold Upgrades

Strongholds are scattered across the wasteland, each offering unique upgrade opportunities. To start building upgrades, you’ll need to find project parts. These parts can be located by interacting with ghostly objects within the stronghold, which highlight their locations on your map. However, you can only track one project at a time, so you’ll need to return to the stronghold frequently to switch objectives.

How to Track Project Parts:

• Hold the left stick while inside a stronghold to see which upgrades are available.
• Interact with ghost objects to mark parts on your map.
• Prioritize upgrades based on your immediate needs, such as ammo or health.

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2. Essential Upgrades for Strongholds

1. Armory:

• Replenishes Max’s ammo whenever you enter a stronghold.
• Has a cooldown period to prevent spamming but is crucial for sustained combat effectiveness.

2. Cleanup Crew:

• Automatically collects scrap from destroyed enemy vehicles without the need to exit the Magnum Opus.
• A must-have for those looking to maximize scrap gains efficiently.

3. Scrap Crew:

• Continuously gathers scrap even when the game is off, provided you have an active internet connection.
• Ideal for players who want a passive income of scrap.

4. Water Storage:

• Automatically refills Max’s canteen with drinkable water upon entering the stronghold.
• Essential for maintaining health during long expeditions.

5. Maggot Farm:

• Fully restores Max’s health whenever you enter the stronghold.
• Practical for minimizing downtime between fights.

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3. Specialized Upgrades

Oil Well:

• Refuels the Magnum Opus whenever you visit a stronghold.
• Perfect for ensuring you’re never stranded without fuel during missions.

Dinky-D and Chum’s Buggy:

• Adds a new vehicle to your collection, useful for scouting and navigating minefields.
• Dinky-D can sniff out mines, allowing you to disarm them safely.

Survey Crew:

• Reveals all scavenging locations in a region, making it easier to find scrap, collectibles, and project parts.
• Highly recommended for completionists aiming for 100% map coverage.

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4. The Least Useful Upgrade: Stockpile

While most upgrades provide direct benefits to Max’s survival and efficiency, the Stockpile project serves a different purpose. It requires scrap instead of project parts and offers little more than a way to boost a stronghold to 100% completion.

Recommendation:

• Save this upgrade for last, focusing first on essential resources like ammo, health, and scrap collection.

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5. Maximizing Stronghold Efficiency

To get the most out of your strongholds:

• Prioritize upgrades that provide passive benefits, such as Scrap Crew and Cleanup Crew.
• Visit strongholds regularly to benefit from automatic refills of ammo, water, and fuel.
• Plan your project parts collection strategically, focusing first on health and ammo.

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Conclusion

Upgrading strongholds effectively transforms them from mere checkpoints into indispensable resources. By prioritizing the right projects, you’ll streamline your scrap collection, ensure steady ammo and fuel supplies, and maintain Max’s health, making your journey through the wasteland significantly easier.

Fortify your bases, manage your resources wisely, and let no enemy stand in your way!