ABOVE Crafting Guide: Build Gear and Upgrade Your Shelter

Understanding the Crafting System in ABOVE

Crafting in ABOVE is a core gameplay loop that allows you to create essential tools, upgrade shelter facilities, and prepare for expeditions. Unlike simple resource-gathering games, ABOVE ties crafting directly to your narrative progress and the safety of the climbers you rescue. Every item you craft serves a dual purpose: improving guest comfort and enabling new route exploration.

The system unlocks shortly after the tutorial, when you establish your first basic workshop inside the main lodge. From there, you will use raw materials gathered from the surrounding forest and mountains to build everything from better stoves to climbing ropes. Your crafting bench is located in the basement of the shelter, accessible at any time.

Essential Resources and How to Gather Them

To begin crafting, you need to understand the three primary resource categories in ABOVE: Wood, Metal, and Textiles. Each serves a different purpose in the crafting tree.

• Wood: The most common resource. Gather it from fallen branches and dead trees around the shelter. Use an axe to harvest larger logs. Wood is used for basic furniture, fuel, and structural repairs.
• Metal: Found in abandoned mining equipment and rocky outcroppings. You will need a pickaxe to extract scrap metal efficiently. Metal is critical for tools, stoves, and advanced shelter upgrades.
• Textiles: Obtained from old tents, clothing donations, and by trading with rescued climbers. Textiles are used for bedding, warm clothing, and medical supplies.

Unlocking New Crafting Recipes

Recipes in ABOVE are not all available from the start. You unlock them through three main methods: completing story missions, rescuing specific climbers, and exploring hidden locations. Each recipe is tied to a character or event, making exploration rewarding.

For example, rescuing the veteran mountaineer Olga unlocks the "Insulated Boots" recipe, which is essential for crossing icy ridges. Similarly, fixing the old radio tower grants you the "Signal Flare" blueprint, used to call for emergency supplies.

1. Complete Story Chapters

   Progress through the main narrative to receive core recipes like the Basic Workbench and Simple Bed. These are mandatory for shelter functionality.

2. Rescue Climbers

   Each rescued climber may offer a unique recipe as a thank-you. Prioritize rescues when you see them on the map, as some recipes are missable until later seasons.

3. Explore Hidden Caches

   Look for glowing markers on the map that indicate hidden supply caches. These often contain rare blueprints for decorative items and high-tier gear.

Crafting Upgrades for Your Shelter

Your shelter is the heart of your operation. Upgrading it through crafting improves guest morale, reduces resource consumption, and unlocks new abilities. The main upgrade paths are:

• Heating System: Craft better stoves and radiators to keep guests warm. Higher warmth reduces sickness and speeds up recovery after expeditions.
• Kitchen Facilities: Build a proper kitchen to cook meals. Cooked food provides buffs like increased stamina and faster movement for the next day.
• Workshop Tools: Upgrade your crafting bench to reduce material costs and unlock advanced recipes. A level 3 workshop is required for end-game gear.

Advanced Crafting Tips and Strategies

Once you have mastered the basics, focus on efficiency. Crafting in ABOVE has a quality system: using higher-tier materials produces items with better stats. For example, a "Fine Wood" bed restores more energy than a standard one.

• Plan your expeditions: Before leaving, craft exactly what you need for the route. Carrying unnecessary tools wastes inventory space.
• Trade with guests: Some climbers bring unique materials from their home countries. Trade your crafted goods for rare resources.
• Seasonal crafting: Winter requires more warm clothing and fuel. Stockpile these during autumn to avoid shortages.

Can I craft everything in one playthrough? Yes, but you must explore thoroughly and complete all side quests. Some recipes are locked behind specific choices, so consider replaying to experience all content.

What is the rarest material? Ancient Alloy, found only in the highest peaks during blizzard conditions. It is used for the best tools in the game.