ABOVE Gear Guide: Best Equipment and Upgrades for Your Resort

Understanding the Gear System in ABOVE

In ABOVE, gear is the backbone of your mountain resort operation. As the shelter manager in the 1960s, you must equip your staff and facilities to handle the harsh alpine environment. The gear system encompasses everything from rescue equipment to kitchen tools, each piece affecting your resort's efficiency and the safety of climbers you rescue. Proper gear management directly impacts your ability to expand routes and attract more visitors to your high-altitude sanctuary.

Every item you unlock serves a specific purpose. Rescue gear improves your team's ability to save stranded climbers, while kitchen equipment boosts morale and restores energy. Understanding which pieces to prioritize can make the difference between a thriving resort and a failed operation. The game introduces gear gradually, so you have time to learn each category's role.

Essential Rescue Equipment

Your primary responsibility in ABOVE is rescuing climbers from the mountain. Without proper rescue gear, your team cannot reach those in need or bring them back safely. The following equipment should be your first priority when resources become available.

Start by upgrading your climbing ropes to at least level 2. This investment opens up several new rescue zones and significantly reduces the risk of losing climbers during extraction. Pair this with a basic first aid kit upgrade to ensure rescued climbers survive the journey back to your resort.

Kitchen and Hospitality Upgrades

Once climbers arrive at your shelter, you need proper facilities to care for them. The kitchen and hospitality gear directly affect guest satisfaction and recovery speed. Happy guests leave positive reviews, attracting more visitors to your resort.

The kitchen gear tree includes stoves, cooking pots, and food storage containers. Each upgrade expands your menu options and improves meal quality. Better meals mean guests regain energy faster and are more likely to attempt new climbing routes from your base camp. Hospitality items like bedding and heating systems also matter; tired climbers need comfortable rest to prepare for their next ascent.

Route Expansion Gear

Expanding your mountain routes requires specialized equipment. This gear category includes surveying tools, climbing anchors, and weather monitoring devices. Without these items, you cannot establish new paths up the mountain or ensure existing routes remain safe.

Prioritize weather monitors after your basic rescue gear. Knowing when a blizzard is coming lets you plan rescues more effectively and avoid sending teams into dangerous conditions. This strategic advantage saves resources and lives over the long term.

Gear Upgrade Priority List

Not all gear upgrades are equal. Based on our testing, here is the recommended order for upgrading your equipment in ABOVE.

1. Rescue ropes to level 2

   This is your first major milestone. Level 2 ropes unlock new rescue zones and improve extraction speed by 30 percent.

2. Basic first aid kit

   Reduces climber mortality during transport. Essential for keeping rescued guests alive until they reach your shelter.

3. Weather monitor level 1

   Gives you basic storm warnings. This small investment pays for itself by preventing failed rescue missions.

4. Stove upgrade

   Improves meal quality for all guests. Better food means faster recovery and higher satisfaction scores.

5. Surveying tools

   Unlock new route expansion options. More routes mean more rescue opportunities and increased income.

Common Gear Mistakes to Avoid

New players often make several errors when managing their gear in ABOVE. Avoiding these pitfalls will save you time and resources.

Another common mistake is upgrading every piece of gear evenly. Focus on a few key items rather than spreading resources thin. A single powerful upgrade often provides more benefit than several minor ones. Also, avoid ignoring weather monitors early on; losing a rescue team to a sudden storm sets your progress back significantly.

Finally, remember that gear maintenance matters. Regularly check your equipment condition and repair items before they break. A broken climbing rope during a rescue can be catastrophic, potentially costing you multiple guests and reputation points.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock new gear in ABOVE? Gear becomes available as you progress through the game's story and rescue milestones. Check your workshop regularly for new blueprints and upgrade options.

Can I sell or trade gear? No, ABOVE does not feature a gear trading system. Once you craft or upgrade an item, it is permanent. Plan your upgrades carefully.

Does gear quality affect rescue success rates? Yes, significantly. Higher quality gear reduces rescue time, increases climber survival chances, and opens up more difficult rescue scenarios.

Is there a best gear setup for the endgame? For the final chapters, prioritize a level 3 rescue rope set, a fully upgraded kitchen, and a top-tier weather monitor. This combination handles all challenges the mountain throws at you.