Upgrades
Outbound Camper Van Upgrades — Full Path
The camper van is the single most important object in Outbound. Here is every upgrade, cost and unlock requirement in order.
Game version 1.0Updated 2026-05-11Platform: Steam (PC)
| Upgrade | Tier | Cost | Effect | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Panel Mk1 | T1 | Glass ×4, Wire ×2, Iron ×1 | +10 Power | Workshop |
| Storage Crate | T1 | Plank ×8, Scrap Metal ×2 | +12 stacks | Workshop T1 |
| Storage Crate XL | T2 | Plank ×10, Common Minerals ×4 | +24 stacks | Workshop T2 |
| Comfort Bed | T2 | Plank ×6, Strong Weave ×2 | +1 Comfort, faster sleep | Workshop T2 |
| Wind Turbine | T2 | Common Minerals ×4, Wire ×4, Plank ×2 | 1.5–4 PWR/h (storm-boosted) | Workshop T2 |
| Evaporation Rack | T2 | Glass ×4, Hardened Metal ×2 | Salt Water → Salt over time | Workshop T2 |
| Water Filter | T2 | Plastic ×4, Wire ×2, Glass ×2 | Dirty Water → Clean Water | Workshop T2 |
| Lift Module | T3 | Hardened Metal ×4, Casings ×4, Plank ×6 | Enables under-floor builds (Rainwater + Cold Storage) | Workshop T3 |
| Insulated Cabin | T3 | Strong Weave ×4, Hardened Metal ×2, Plank ×6 | Required to enter Mountains | Fabricator T1 |
| Tidal Capacitor | T3 | Hardened Metal ×4, Casings ×2, Wire ×4 | Coast-only generator (tide cycle) | Coast Reef Relay tower |
| Phase Lens | T4 | Chrome Ore ×2, Glass ×4, Electronics ×2 | Required for Communicator | Fabricator T2 |
| Reactor Core | T5 | Adamant ×1 + Hardened Metal ×4 + Electronics ×2 + Rose Mineral ×1 | 5 PWR/h day & night | Fabricator T3 |
| Communicator | T5 | Rose Mineral ×2, Adamant ×1, Phase Lens ×1 | Triggers ending choice at Summit | Fabricator T3 |
Recommended upgrade order
- Solar Panel Mk1 → Storage Crate → Workshop T2 (in Canyons).
- Comfort Bed (massive QoL) → Water Filter + Evaporation Rack.
- Wind Turbine + storage expansion (Storage Crate XL ×4) before pushing to Coast.
- Fabricator → Insulated Cabin → Tidal Capacitor.
- Insulated Cabin + Reinforced tools before Mountains — these gate the endgame.