The Last Caretaker Scraps & Materials Guide

Understanding the Scrap System

The Last Caretaker's economy revolves around 6 scrap categories that convert into 15+ material types. Instead of mining raw resources, you salvage wrecks, dismantle modules, and loot debris fields to collect scrap. Each scrap type converts to specific materials through your boat's processing systems.

Think of scraps as "raw ore" and materials as "refined ingots"—you can't craft without first processing scraps into usable components. This guide breaks down scrap-to-material mappings, optimal farming routes, and conversion efficiency strategies.

Core Scrap → Material Flow

1. Salvage: Use salvage tool on wrecks/debris to collect scrap (6 types)

2. Process: Return to boat to auto-convert scrap → materials (ratios vary)

3. Craft: Combine materials into components (Alloy Frame, Circuit Board, etc.)

4. Build: Assemble components into modules (generators, storage, weapons)

The 6 Scrap Categories Explained

Each scrap type has distinct material outputs, farming locations, and strategic value. Prioritize farming based on your current build goals.

🔩 Metal Scrap (Universal Priority)

Converts to: Alloy Frame, Bolts, Metal Plating

Yield ratio: 2 Metal Scrap → 1 Alloy Frame | 3 Metal Scrap → 2 Bolts (average, skills improve)

Why farm: Alloy Frames are used in 60-70% of all recipes from Tier 2-18. Metal Scrap is the bottleneck material for most builds. Even endgame players farm Metal Scrap daily.

Best Locations:

→ Starter Zone: Abandoned shipyard wrecks (high density)
→ Industrial Coast: Factory ruins (large yield per wreck)
→ Sunken City: Building debris (mixed with Mechanical Scrap)

⚙️ Mechanical Scrap (Early Priority)

Converts to: Gears, Pistons, Springs, Hydraulic Parts

Yield ratio: 2 Mechanical Scrap → 1 Gear | 3 Mechanical Scrap → 1 Piston (average)

Why farm: Gears and Pistons are essential for Tier 2-8 modules (engines, salvage arms, storage systems). Demand drops after Tier 10 when recipes shift to Electronics/Energy focus.

Best Locations:

→ Junkyard Flats: Vehicle wrecks (pure Mechanical focus)
→ Old Harbor: Crane assemblies (high Gear yield)
→ Rust Belt: Industrial machinery (mixed yields)

🔌 Electronic Scrap (Mid-Late Priority)

Converts to: Circuit Board, Wiring, Microchips, Sensors

Yield ratio: 2 Electronic Scrap → 1 Circuit Board | 1 Electronic Scrap → 2 Wiring (average)

Why farm: Electronics are critical for Tier 6-15 modules (power grids, scanning systems, automation). Low priority early game but becomes bottleneck at Tier 8+.

Best Locations:

→ Tech District: Server rooms (highest Circuit yield)
→ Communication Tower: Radio equipment (Sensor-rich)
→ Research Station: Lab debris (mixed Electronics)

⚡ Energy Scrap (Power Build Priority)

Converts to: Solar Cell, Battery Pack, Capacitor, Power Coil

Yield ratio: 3 Energy Scrap → 1 Solar Cell | 2 Energy Scrap → 1 Battery Pack (average)

Why farm: Required exclusively for power generation modules (Lumilite, Whisper, Cyclone, batteries). If you're not building/upgrading power systems, you can skip Energy Scrap farming.

Best Locations:

→ Solar Farm Ruins: Panel arrays (Solar Cell focus)
→ Power Plant: Generator debris (Battery Pack heavy)
→ Electrical Substation: Transformer wreckage

🌿 Organic Scrap (Situational Priority)

Converts to: Biofuel, Plastics, Rubber, Composite Materials

Yield ratio: 1 Organic Scrap → 1 Biofuel | 2 Organic Scrap → 1 Plastic (average)

Why farm: Biofuel powers diesel generators (Tier 4-8 alternative to solar/wind). Plastics used in storage modules and insulation. Lower priority unless building diesel-focused power grids.

Best Locations:

→ Overgrown Ruins: Plant overgrowth (Biofuel focus)
→ Coastal Marshes: Algae blooms (high Organic density)
→ Abandoned Farms: Equipment debris (mixed yields)

💎 Rare Scrap (Endgame Priority)

Converts to: Advanced Components, Rare Alloys, Quantum Parts

Yield ratio: 1 Rare Scrap → 1 Advanced Component (1:1, skills can improve to 1.5:1)

Why farm: Required exclusively for Tier 15-21 endgame modules. Extremely rare drops—expect 1-3 Rare Scrap per hour in high-tier zones. Save for final build upgrades.

Best Locations:

→ Deep Sea Trenches: Ancient wrecks (guaranteed Rare Scrap)
→ Crashed Satellite: High-tech debris (best yield)
→ Experimental Labs: Prototype equipment (rare spawns)

Optimizing Scrap Farming Efficiency

Efficient farming requires route planning, skill investment, and understanding scrap respawn mechanics. Follow these strategies:

🗺️

Create Circuit Farming Routes

Wrecks respawn every 15-20 in-game days. Design 5-10 minute loops hitting 8-12 high-density wreck clusters. Example route: Starter Zone Shipyard → Industrial Coast Factory → Return to base → Repeat in 20 days.

Pro tip: Mark wreck locations on your map. Track respawn timers with in-game notes to maximize efficiency.

⚡

Invest in Salvage Skills Early

Tier 3-8 Crafting skills increase scrap yields by 10-25% and reduce salvage time by 30-50%. A maxed salvage build farms 2x faster than baseline. Unlock these before Tier 10 for compounding gains.

Key skills: "Efficient Salvager" (Tier 3, +10% yield), "Master Salvager" (Tier 8, +25% yield, -40% time)

📦

Upgrade Storage Before Long Runs

Default inventory holds ~40-60 scrap units. Tier 4-8 storage expansions increase capacity to 100-150 units, reducing base trips by 60%. Prioritize storage skills alongside salvage skills.

Breakpoint: At 100+ inventory slots, you can complete full circuit routes without returning mid-run.

🎯

Target-Farm Specific Scrap Types

Before building Tier 6+ modules, calculate exact material needs with the Resource Planner. If you need 40 Circuit Boards, focus Electronic Scrap zones exclusively. Avoid mixed routes when targeting specific materials.

Example: Building Lumilite requires 6 Solar Cells = ~18 Energy Scrap. Farm Solar Farm Ruins for 1 hour instead of random wrecks.

♻️

Dismantle Obsolete Modules

When upgrading from Tier 4 to Tier 8 modules, dismantle old modules to recover 60-70% of materials as mixed scrap. This "recycling" approach saves 5-10 hours of farming per major upgrade cycle.

Warning: Never dismantle Tier 10+ modules unless you have duplicates—recovery rates drop to 40-50% for high-tier items.

Material Conversion Reference

Quick reference for average scrap-to-material ratios (before skill bonuses). Actual yields vary by scrap quality and your skill tree investment.

Scrap Type	Primary Materials	Base Ratio	With Skills
Metal Scrap	Alloy Frame, Bolts	2:1, 3:2	1.5:1, 2:2
Mechanical Scrap	Gears, Pistons	2:1, 3:1	1.5:1, 2:1
Electronic Scrap	Circuit Board, Wiring	2:1, 1:2	1.5:1, 1:3
Energy Scrap	Solar Cell, Battery Pack	3:1, 2:1	2:1, 1.5:1
Organic Scrap	Biofuel, Plastics	1:1, 2:1	1:1.5, 1.5:1
Rare Scrap	Advanced Components	1:1	1:1.5

* "With Skills" assumes Tier 8+ salvage skills unlocked. Actual yields may vary by ±10% based on scrap quality (common/uncommon/rare).

Quick Farming Tips

✅DO

→ Mark high-density wreck clusters on your map for future runs
→ Unlock Tier 3-8 salvage skills before Tier 10 for compounding ROI
→ Use Resource Planner to calculate exact scrap needs before farming
→ Dismantle Tier 2-4 modules when upgrading to recover 60-70% materials
→ Farm Metal/Mechanical Scrap early game, Electronics/Energy mid-game

❌AVOID

→ Don't farm Rare Scrap until you need Tier 15+ modules (very low drop rates)
→ Don't ignore storage upgrades—constant base trips waste 30% of farming time
→ Don't dismantle Tier 10+ modules unless you have duplicates (poor recovery)
→ Don't farm mixed scrap zones when you need specific materials
→ Don't skip salvage skills thinking "I can just farm longer"—skills are 2x more efficient

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Now that you understand scrap farming and material conversion, try these resources:

→ Use the Resource Planner to calculate scrap requirements for your next build
→ Check the Skills & Builds Guide to plan salvage skill investments
→ Review Beginner's Guide for early game farming routes and scrap priorities
→ Explore Data Sources for verified material conversion data