- Decaying Winter crafting relies on collecting scrap from green Scrapper machines to build weapons at workbenches.
- Workbench crafting requires blueprints and 50 or 100 scrap depending on the weapon's tier and quality.
- Handcrafting allows you to survive without a workbench by combining wood branches and stone rocks.
- Smart scrapping is critical: dismantle low-tier guns and traps to fund high-value items like the Modded AKM.
- Blueprint placement lasts on a workbench until you craft the item or the night phase passes.
Scrapping Basics: Turning Trash into Scrap
Understanding how to accumulate scrap is the foundation of surviving the harsh environment. Scattered around the map, you will find green machines known as Scrappers. These machines are your primary tool for recycling unwanted items into the raw currency needed for crafting.
When you insert an item into a Scrapper, it destroys the item and gives you scrap in return. The amount of scrap you receive directly correlates to the item's inherent value. Low-quality items might only yield 5 scrap, while high-value blueprints can return up to 18 scrap.
Video Highlights:
- Locate green Scrapper machines to dismantle unwanted gear
- Identify which blueprints and weapons are safe to scrap
- Understand the scrap value differences between item tiers
- Learn why holding onto certain traps is a waste of inventory
Do not hoard items you will never use. Crude bandages, useless blueprints, and low-tier melee weapons take up vital space. Feed them into the Scrapper immediately to keep your inventory clean and your scrap reserves high.
What to Scrap
Not all items are worth keeping. To optimize your Decaying Winter how to craft strategy, you should actively scrap the following items:
- Low-Tier Blueprints: Pistol, Rifle, Billhook, Milbow, A.J.M 9, and RSASS blueprints are often ignored by experienced players.
- Weak Healing Items: Aseptic bandages are useless because you already have the S March Tourniquet to prevent bleeding.
- Situational Stims: The CB STM is only good for front liners, and most players will not need it during standard waves.
- Traps: Steel snares are notoriously weak. Scrap every trap you find for a solid 24 scrap return.
- Grenades: Impact grenades fail to one-shot enemies, and M67 grenades often hurt the user. Dynamite is too rare to rely on.
Workbench Crafting Mechanics
Workbench crafting is the most common method for obtaining high-tier weapons. Workbenches spawn at predetermined locations around the map. Finding them can be challenging, but it is necessary if you want to craft powerful blueprints.
To craft at a workbench, you need two things: the specific blueprint for the weapon and the required amount of scrap. Once you place a blueprint onto a workbench, a holographic image of the weapon will appear. The blueprint will stay on that workbench until you craft the item or until the current night passes.
Some blueprints use condensed names. The Hi-Capa blueprint crafts the STI DVC Limited Custom, the Billhook is an alias for the Artisan's Hook, and the AKM blueprint crafts the Modded AKM.
Scrap Costs for Weapons
The crafting cost is straightforward. If the item is lower quality, it costs 50 scrap. If the item is high quality, it costs 100 scrap.
| Category | Weapon / Blueprint | Scrap Cost | Alias / Real Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee | Reaper's Scythe | 100 | N/A |
| Melee | Firerier Axe | 50 | N/A |
| Melee | The Decimator | 100 | N/A |
| Melee | Executioner Sword | 100 | N/A |
| Melee | Maria | 100 | N/A |
| Melee | Billhook | 100 | Artisan's Hook |
| Gun | Hi-Capa Blueprint | 50 | STI DVC Limited Custom |
| Gun | A.J.M 9 Blueprint | 100 | A.J.M 9 |
| Gun | Rifle Blueprint | 100 | Modded Rifle |
| Gun | AKM Blueprint | 100 | Modded AKM |
| Gun | RSASS Blueprint | 100 | R11 RSASS |
| Gun | KSG Blueprint | 100 | Kel-Tec KSG |
| Misc | Milbow Blueprint | 50 | Compound Milbow |
Best Weapons to Craft
Knowing what to craft is just as important as knowing how to craft it. If you spend 100 scrap on the wrong weapon, you risk crippling your team's defensive capabilities. Below is a breakdown of the best weapons to craft based on their damage output, utility, and ammo efficiency.
Modded AKM
- 59 headshot damage
- Low recoil
- Best medium ammo gun
- Costs 100 scrap
Hi-Capa (STI DVC)
- Top light ammo weapon
- High headshot efficiency
- Costs only 50 scrap
- Great backup sidearm
KSG (Kel-Tec KSG)
- 228 headshot damage
- 14 round capacity
- Tight spread pattern
- Best shell ammo shotgun
The Modded AKM is the undisputed king of medium ammo weapons. If you find an AKM Blueprint, prioritize saving 100 scrap to craft it immediately. For light ammo, craft the Hi-Capa. For shells, the KSG offers the best balance of damage and capacity.
Guns You Should Scrap Instead
To fund your high-tier crafts, you need to scrap inferior weapons. Here is a breakdown of guns you should dismantle rather than keep.
| Ammo Type | Keep & Use | Scrap for Parts | Reason to Scrap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Ammo | Hi-Capa, SIG MPX | Glock 17, Chris Vector | Tied with 45 headshot, outclassed |
| Small Ammo | Peacemaker, M1911A1 | N/A | Most small ammo guns are viable |
| Short Ammo | Mark 7 | A.J.M 9, Winchester 940, M1927A1 | A.J.M 9 eats ammo fast, others have low damage |
| Shell Ammo | KSG, AA-12 | Mvdks 23, Caldwell Hand Cannon | Single shot or high spread makes them useless |
| Medium Ammo | Modded AKM | M249 | Deals less damage than Hi-Capa, not worth ammo |
| Long Ammo | The Redeemer | N/A | Best all-rounder with 200 headshot damage |
Handcrafting Survival Guide
Unlike workbench crafting, handcrafting does not require a workbench or blueprints. This system allows you to combine raw materials found in the environment to create useful utility items. The base cost for handcrafting is free, making it an essential survival tool when you are isolated from the main base.
Players using the Prophet perk can handcraft approximately 2x faster than other perks. If your team needs caltrops, punjis, or crafted bows, assign the Prophet to gather materials.
Handcrafting Recipes
Handcrafting relies on combining wood branches, stone rocks, and scraps. You will see a cursor indicator showing whether two items can be combined.
Wood and Stone Combinations:
| Material 1 | Material 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Branch | Wood Branch | Wood Scrap |
| Stone Rock | Stone Rock | Stone Scrap |
| Wood Branch | Stone Rock | Crafted Caltrops |
| Stone Scrap | Wood Branch | Crafted Spear |
| Wood Scrap | Stone Rock | Crafted Pavise |
| Crafted Knife | Wood Branch | Crafted Bow |
| Crafted Knife | Wood Scrap | Crafted Punjis |
| Crafted Knife | Crude Bandage | Crafted Splint |
Always keep a few wood branches and stone rocks in your inventory. A crafted splint or crafted caltrops can save your life when you are far from base and out of medical supplies.
Step-by-Step Crafting Process
Mastering the crafting loop ensures you always have the right gear for each wave. Follow these steps to efficiently move from scavenging to crafting.
Locate a Scrapper Machine
Explore the map to find the green Scrapper machines. Insert any low-value blueprints, weak melee weapons, and unwanted traps to begin accumulating scrap.
Find a Workbench
Search predetermined locations for a workbench. Remember that workbench spawns vary each match, so mapping out potential locations is key.
Secure Your Blueprint
Locate the blueprint for the weapon your team needs. High-value targets include the AKM Blueprint, KSG Blueprint, and Executioner Sword.
Place and Craft
Interact with the workbench and place the blueprint onto it. A holographic image will appear. Ensure you have 50 or 100 scrap, then hold E to craft the item.
Crafting Preparation Checklist:
- Scrap all steel snares and impact grenades immediately
- Unload ammo from unwanted guns before scrapping them
- Prioritize finding the AKM Blueprint for medium ammo dominance
- Keep wood branches and stone rocks for emergency handcrafting
- Communicate with your team to avoid crafting duplicate weapons
Advanced Crafting Strategies
Once you understand the basics of Decaying Winter how to craft, you can begin optimizing your team's overall economy. Crafting is not just about making weapons; it is about resource allocation.
Before scrapping any gun, press G to unload the ammunition. You keep the ammo and still get the scrap value of the weapon. This is critical for maintaining a steady supply of medium and light ammo.
Team Role Distribution
Different team members should focus on crafting different items based on their perks and roles.
| Role | Priority Craft | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Front Liner | Modded AKM, KSG | Needs high damage for close-quarters wave defense |
| Support | Crafted Splints, Bandages | Keeps the team alive during extended engagements |
| Sniper | The Redeemer | Best long ammo weapon with 200 headshot damage |
| Scout | Crafted Bow, Crafted Caltrops | Silent tools for early-game scavenging |
Do not craft weapons that overlap in ammo type. If your team already has a KSG, do not craft an AA-12. Diversify your ammo types to prevent shortages during critical waves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between workbench crafting and handcrafting in Decaying Winter?
Workbench crafting requires a workbench, a specific blueprint, and scrap to create high-tier weapons. Handcrafting is free and uses basic environmental materials like wood branches and stone rocks to create utility items such as crafted knives, splints, and caltrops.
Q: How much scrap do I need to craft a Modded AKM?
Crafting a Modded AKM from the AKM Blueprint requires 100 scrap. This is because the AKM is considered a high-quality weapon. Lower quality items like the Hi-Capa or Milbow only require 50 scrap.
Q: Should I scrap or keep the A.J.M 9?
You should generally scrap the A.J.M 9. While it is useful for the Sledge Queen boss fight, it consumes ammo extremely fast and is not practical for standard wave defense. Scrapping it provides valuable resources for better weapons.
Q: Can I move a blueprint once it is placed on a workbench?
Once a blueprint is placed onto a workbench, it will stay there until you craft the item or until the night passes. You cannot pick it back up, so make sure you have enough scrap before committing to a placement.