Arc Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter where most of your long-term progress comes from how well you manage gear, upgrades, and resources. You are not just fighting enemies; you are deciding what to bring in, what to risk, and what to extract safely.

Most players quickly learn that surviving is often more important than winning fights. Gear upgrades, weapon attachments, and crafting materials shape how effective you are in each run. Understanding how these systems work in practice saves time and money and helps avoid common beginner mistakes.

This article focuses on how players usually interact with weapon upgrades, components, and blueprint-related items, using a real example many players encounter during progression.

What Are Blueprints Used for in Arc Raiders?

Blueprints in Arc Raiders unlock the ability to craft or modify specific gear items. Once unlocked, they usually allow you to build the same item again as long as you have the required materials and currency.

In general, blueprints are part of long-term progression rather than short-term power. Most players do not rush every blueprint early. Instead, they prioritize ones that support their preferred weapons or playstyle.

Blueprints often require:

• A currency cost

• Mechanical or industrial components

• Sometimes faction or Gunsmith level requirements

Because of this, unlocking everything immediately is rarely efficient.

How Weapon Attachments Actually Affect Gameplay

Weapon attachments like magazines, barrels, and stocks provide small but meaningful changes. They rarely turn a bad weapon into a great one, but they usually make a reliable weapon easier to use.

Take extended magazines as an example:

• They reduce reload frequency

• They give more room for missed shots

• They help during PvE fights where enemies swarm

Most players prefer attachments that improve consistency rather than raw damage. In practice, survivability often matters more than killing slightly faster.

Understanding Extended Medium Magazine II

Extended Medium Magazine II is a mid-tier attachment that many players encounter once they start investing in Gunsmith progression.

In general, this attachment:

• Increases magazine capacity for compatible weapons

• Slightly increases weapon weight

• Has no impact on damage or recoil

Most players use it on weapons they bring into longer raids, where reload timing can get you killed. It is especially useful when fighting ARC units or multiple Raiders in close succession.

However, it is not mandatory. Players who favor lightweight loadouts or short raids sometimes skip it.

Gunsmith II Requirement: What It Means in Practice

The Gunsmith II requirement tells you that this attachment is not meant for early-game players. Usually, by the time players reach Gunsmith II:

• They understand basic extraction routes

• They have stable income from raids

• They are no longer afraid of losing mid-tier gear

Reaching Gunsmith II is less about grinding and more about consistent successful runs. Most players unlock it naturally over time rather than forcing it.

Required Materials Explained Simply

The materials listed for this upgrade are common but still valuable:

Mechanical Components (2x)

Mechanical Components are widely used across multiple blueprints. Most players find them in:

• Industrial buildings

• ARC facilities

• Tool crates

They are often kept even when inventory space is tight because of their versatility.

Steel Spring (3x)

Steel Springs are more specific but still common. Usually found in:

• Machinery zones

• Broken equipment containers

• Workshop areas

Players often underestimate how quickly Steel Springs get consumed once crafting begins.

The $5000 Cost: Is It Reasonable?

A $5000 cost for an attachment blueprint or craft is fairly standard for mid-game items. Most players earn this amount in one or two successful raids.

In practice:

• Early-game players feel the cost more

• Mid-game players consider it manageable

• Late-game players barely notice it

Because currency is easier to replace than rare components, most players worry more about losing materials than spending money.

How Players Usually Decide If It’s Worth It

Most players ask themselves three questions before crafting or unlocking something like this:

1. Do I use weapons that benefit from it?

2. Will this help me survive more consistently?

3. Am I comfortable losing it if I die?

If the answer to all three is yes, then it usually makes sense.

Some players look for shortcuts and search options like buy arc raiders blueprints online, but in general, experienced players rely on in-game progression and resource management rather than external solutions.

Common Mistakes Players Make With Attachments

Newer players often:

• Over-invest in attachments before learning extraction routes

• Bring upgraded gear into high-risk zones unnecessarily

• Craft items without enough backups

In general, it is better to stockpile materials and only craft upgrades when you can afford to lose them.

Most experienced players keep at least one spare attachment in storage before using it regularly.

How This Fits Into Long-Term Progression

Extended Medium Magazine II is not a game-changing item, but it represents a shift in how players approach Arc Raiders. It signals moving from survival-focused gameplay to optimization-focused gameplay.

Usually, once players start caring about attachments like this, they:

• Choose fights more carefully

• Plan raids around loot efficiency

• Stop treating every run like a deathmatch

That mindset shift is often more important than the attachment itself.

Final Thoughts From a Player Perspective

Arc Raiders rewards patience and planning more than aggression. Items like Extended Medium Magazine II exist to support steady, controlled gameplay rather than flashy moments.

Most players who stick with the game long-term learn that small upgrades, used consistently, matter more than chasing rare gear. Understanding costs, materials, and practical value helps you make better decisions and enjoy the game without frustration.