If you’re exploring the vast world of Aloft, it’s important to make the most of your journey across its large map. The good news is that once you familiarize yourself with your tools and weapons early in the game, you’ll gain access to impressive upgrades that can enhance your gameplay experience.
First, you’ll need to discover the recipe for the Upgrade Station along with the components required to add three upgrade parts to it. This will allow you to enhance your tools and weapons in three significant ways: sharpening, coating, and adding Trinkets.
As you traverse the map and explore the three distinct biomes, keep an eye out for knowledge stones, which will lead you to recipes for pieces of the Upgrade Station. Each biome appears to house one upgrade, and unlocking the first one will also give you the frame for the Upgrade Station itself.
Once you obtain the frame for any Upgrade Station, you can construct and place it on your home island. However, without recipes for additional upgrade parts, your progress will be limited. In Aloft, you can find and install three different upgrades for the Upgrade Station, allowing you to pull materials directly from your island’s storage when you’re ready to use them.
Be sure to visit the Upgrade Station frequently to ensure that your tools are fully buffed before heading out on your next expedition. The enhancements have a limited number of uses, so keeping everything upgraded is essential.
One upgrade you’ll want to pay attention to is the Coating Station. After getting started with the Research Lab, you will frequently want to return here to coat your gear with fungicide before tackling corrupted islands. This antidotal coating will yield healthy mykter samples for further study back at the Research Lab. The more samples you collect, the more research opportunities you’ll have!
Next up is the Sharpening Station, where you can put all those hardstones you’ve collected to good use. Each use requires two hardstones, and when you refine a tool or weapon, you’ll notice an increase in damage output. This added sharpness is signified by a small diamond icon that appears under the corresponding inventory item.
Finally, the Customization Station lets you utilize the Trinkets you’ve crafted. Here, you can install Trinkets onto your weapons and tools, granting various status boosts, from enhanced damage against enemies to improved resource gathering during specific weather conditions. Experiment with different Trinkets to find the combination that aligns best with your playstyle.