Gear: Locations, Crowbar Bonus & Machine Slot

Search crates and panels in inhabited areas

Look through inhabited locations for crates and compatible panels. Panel removal uses the Robo-Arm, so follow the panel interaction when the part is attached. Rare loose Gears can also be collected by hand.

Plan the search around the sources you can access. A loose part does not require the panel-removal action, and carrying a Gear is separate from collecting ordinary Metal for repairs. Set aside weight 3 for each Gear you intend to bring back.

Balance damage, weight and part durability

GearBarbell plateScrap

Gear is the lighter of these two Heavy parts and has the higher maximum part durability. Barbell plate gives a larger crowbar damage bonus. Choose around the tool you are preparing and the room in your loadout instead of treating the larger damage number as the only useful difference.

The damage bonus does not specify resources per hit or guarantee how many swings a gathering object needs. The object, interaction and condition of the tool still matter.

Make a separate choice for food processing

The Nutri-Pack-O-Mat also accepts Gear in its Heavy module. Open that machine’s replacement screen to compare processing and accompanying effects. The crowbar’s +10 damage value does not describe a food-production increase.

The Heavy module and Capacity module are separate. A Gear is therefore a different upgrade decision from a barrel or bag used for nutrient storage.

Keep repair Metal beside the upgrade

For a crowbar trip, reserve 1 Metal for repairs in addition to the Gear. Maximum part durability 500 is a part statistic; it does not replace the tool’s maintenance requirement or promise 500 successful strikes.