In the harsh world of Arc Raiders, mushrooms aren’t just another collectible—they’re the key to unlocking one of the game’s most powerful long-term upgrades. These elusive fungi hold the secret to maximizing Scrappy’s potential, transforming him into an automated resource-generating powerhouse. If you’re serious about minimizing grinding and maximizing efficiency, mastering mushroom farming is non-negotiable.
Table of Contents
Arc Raiders: Mushroom Quick Reference
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare collectible resource |
| Primary Use | Scrappy Level 5 (Master Hoarder) upgrade |
| Sell Value | 1,000 coins each |
| Health Restoration | 15 HP when consumed |
| Safe Pocket Capacity | Up to 10 mushrooms |
| Visual Identifier | Faint glow (easier to spot at dusk/night) |
| Best Detection Tool | Scanner Pulse |
Prime Mushroom Locations
| Location | Specific Areas | Spawn Points | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroponic Dome Complex | Dam Battlegrounds (South of Victory Ridge) | Water pool edges, fallen tree trunks, western tree trunk | High |
| Swamp Region | Western Dam Battlegrounds | Tree attachments, logs, forested wreckage | Moderate to High |
Why Mushrooms Matter: The Scrappy Connection
The true value of mushrooms lies in their role as essential materials for Scrappy’s Level 5 upgrade—the Master Hoarder ability. This final upgrade transforms your mechanical companion into an automated crafting material factory, delivering large batches of resources directly to your Workshop without any effort on your part.
Once Scrappy reaches maximum level, the hours you spend manually farming common materials become drastically reduced. This efficiency boost compounds over time, freeing you to focus on high-risk, high-reward activities rather than repetitive resource collection.
For players interested in progression optimization strategies in survival games, understanding which upgrades provide passive benefits versus active rewards fundamentally changes how you approach resource allocation.
Location One: Hydroponic Dome Complex
The Hydroponic Dome Complex in Dam Battlegrounds represents your best bet for consistent mushroom harvesting. Located south of Victory Ridge, this facility contains multiple guaranteed spawn points that, when looped efficiently, can yield several mushrooms per run.
Interior Spawns
Upon entering the Dome, immediately scan for small water pools scattered throughout the interior. Mushrooms commonly grow along the edges of these pools, their faint bioluminescent glow providing a subtle indicator in darker areas.
Check every water feature thoroughly—mushrooms can blend surprisingly well with the environment, especially during daylight hours when their natural glow is less pronounced.
Exterior Spawns
Exit the Dome heading south toward the waterline. A fallen tree typically rests in this area, and mushrooms frequently attach to its trunk and exposed root system. Examine the entire tree carefully, checking both the upper trunk surfaces and the tangled roots underneath.
Additionally, a tree trunk on the western side of the Dome area provides another potential spawn point. While not guaranteed every instance, including it in your farming route maximizes your total yield per run.
Location Two: Swamp Region
Moving west from the Hydroponic Dome Complex leads you into the Swamp—a dense, humid zone characterized by thick foliage and scattered wreckage. This environment offers numerous mushroom spawn points, though their distribution is more spread out than the concentrated Dome spawns.
Forested Wreckage Center
Focus your search around the central forested wreckage area where trees grow through and around destroyed structures. Mushrooms attach to standing trees and fallen logs throughout this zone, requiring thorough exploration to locate all available spawns.
The Swamp’s dense vegetation makes visual detection challenging during daylight. The mushrooms’ subtle glow becomes your primary locating method during evening and nighttime in-game hours.
Harvesting Optimization Techniques
Scanner Pulse Usage: Your Scanner Pulse highlights gatherable resources, including mushrooms, for several seconds. This tool proves invaluable in dense areas where visual identification is difficult. Use it liberally—the cooldown is short enough to justify frequent activation.
Time-of-Day Strategy: Mushrooms emit a faint glow that’s significantly more visible during dusk and night cycles. If you’re struggling to locate spawns during daylight, consider timing your farming runs for later in-game hours when the bioluminescence provides clear visual markers.
Safe Pocket Priority: Immediately store collected mushrooms in your Safe Pocket upon pickup. This special inventory slot holds up to 10 mushrooms and, critically, preserves them even if you’re eliminated before extraction. Never risk losing valuable mushrooms to combat deaths.
Combat Avoidance: Both prime mushroom locations attract player traffic and contain ARC enemy patrols. Your objective is resource collection, not engagement. Stick to cover, move deliberately, and avoid unnecessary fights that could end your run prematurely.
Instance Rotation: If you arrive to find empty spawn points, mushroom respawn timers mean you can either circle back after clearing other areas or switch server instances to access fresh spawns.
Understanding Mushroom Value
While mushrooms offer alternative uses, their value hierarchy is clear:
Priority Use – Scrappy Upgrade: The Master Hoarder upgrade represents the best long-term investment, generating passive resource income indefinitely.
Secondary Use – Selling: At 1,000 coins each, selling provides decent immediate income, but only after completing Scrappy’s upgrade path.
Tertiary Use – Consumption: The 15 HP restoration is negligible compared to their upgrade value. Only consume mushrooms if you’ve already maxed Scrappy and have surplus inventory.
The Apricot Connection
Note that Scrappy’s Level 5 upgrade requires both mushrooms and apricots. Plan your farming routes to collect both resources simultaneously, maximizing efficiency. Visit the official Arc Raiders website for complete upgrade requirements and crafting information.
Advanced Farming Route
Optimal Loop: Start at Hydroponic Dome Complex interior → Check water pools → Exit south to fallen tree → Western tree trunk → Move west to Swamp → Forested wreckage center → Extract or continue to secondary objectives.
This route covers both major mushroom zones efficiently while minimizing backtracking and exposure to high-traffic areas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Premature Consumption: Resist eating mushrooms for minor health restoration. Medkits and other healing items are far more abundant.
Immediate Selling: The 1,000 coin value seems attractive, but the long-term passive income from Scrappy far exceeds any immediate sale profits.
Daylight-Only Farming: Mushrooms are significantly harder to spot during bright daylight. Adjust your farming schedule accordingly.
Neglecting Scanner Pulse: This free tool dramatically improves detection rates. Use it constantly during mushroom runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are the best locations to find mushrooms in Arc Raiders, and how can I spot them more easily?
A: The two best mushroom farming locations are the Hydroponic Dome Complex (south of Victory Ridge in Dam Battlegrounds) and the Swamp Region (western Dam Battlegrounds). In the Dome, check water pool edges, the fallen tree south of the exit, and the western tree trunk. In the Swamp, search trees and logs around the forested wreckage center. Mushrooms emit a faint glow that’s much easier to spot during dusk or night cycles. Use your Scanner Pulse liberally—it highlights gatherable resources including mushrooms for several seconds, making them pop out even in dense vegetation. Store collected mushrooms immediately in your Safe Pocket (holds up to 10) to protect them even if you die before extraction.
Q: What should I use mushrooms for in Arc Raiders, and why are they considered so valuable?
A: Mushrooms are essential for upgrading Scrappy to Level 5 (Master Hoarder), the final and most valuable upgrade. Once maxed out, Scrappy automatically delivers large batches of crafting materials to your Workshop over time, dramatically reducing manual farming needs. This passive resource generation saves countless hours of grinding. While mushrooms can be consumed for 15 HP or sold for 1,000 coins each, these uses pale in comparison to the long-term value of the Scrappy upgrade. Only eat or sell mushrooms after you’ve completed Scrappy’s upgrade path. The Level 5 upgrade also requires Apricots, so collect both during your farming runs.
