- Mycopunk upgrade crafting revolves around a grid-based system with 587 upgrade options.
- Grid placement matters: module shapes and slot positions determine your final build value.
- Commit to one role: damage, control, support, or survival — avoid splitting early resources.
- Materials come from missions: prioritize upgrades that boost consistency across multiple runs.
- Reassess after failures: change one upgrade at a time so improvements are measurable.
Understanding Mycopunk Upgrade Crafting
Mycopunk upgrade crafting is the backbone of long-term progression in Pigeons at Play's co-op looter shooter. Rather than a simple linear upgrade tree, the game uses a grid-based upgrade system where modules with different shapes and effects are fitted into limited slots on your weapons, grenades, and characters. The Steam store page currently lists 587 upgrades, so knowing how to allocate resources is far more valuable than unlocking everything at random.
Video Highlights:
- Official gameplay showing the co-op FPS loop and fungal enemies
- Weapon customization and futuristic loadout variety
- Mission-based structure across 4 regions and 9 missions
The crafting layer interacts directly with mission flow: you deploy, complete objectives, extract with resources, then invest those materials into modules that reinforce your chosen role. A player who spreads upgrades across unrelated playstyles will progress noticeably slower than one who builds around a single combat purpose.
A strong Mycopunk build starts with a clear combat purpose — not a collection of individually powerful upgrades. Pick the job first, then craft modules that reinforce it.
Upgrade Categories and Grid Mechanics
Upgrades in Mycopunk apply across three main equipment layers. Each layer has its own grid, shape constraints, and upgrade logic:
| Equipment Layer | What Upgrades Affect | Grid Considerations | Priority Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Damage, ammo efficiency, handling | Shape fitting, slot limits | ★★★★★ |
| Grenades | Radius, duration, recharge | Limited slots, high impact per module | ★★★★ |
| Characters | Mobility, recovery, team utility | Long-term progression path | ★★★★ |
| Modules (general) | Cross-equipment synergies | Placement-dependent combos | ★★★★★ |
How Grid Shapes Change Outcomes
The grid rewards space efficiency. Modules occupy different footprints, and tightly packed grids let you stack more effects on a single weapon. When planning combos:
- Place role-defining modules first, then fill remaining space with general improvements.
- Avoid spending heavily on modules that only boost weapons or tools you rarely use.
- Commit early points to one branch that improves your main role before diversifying.
Players often chase rare modules without checking whether their shapes fit the remaining grid space. A powerful module that forces inefficient placement can be worse than two moderate modules packed cleanly.
Crafting Priorities by Build Role
Your crafting priorities should follow the role you perform in a 4-player squad. These four role archetypes define how most successful teams distribute upgrade investment:
Damage Build
- Focus: Damage consistency, ammo efficiency
- Craft modules that improve reliable target elimination
- Add a finishing or defensive utility option
- Best for: standard encounters, learning players
Crowd Control Build
- Focus: Radius, duration, recharge upgrades
- Craft area-denial tools that group enemies
- Use control before the team is surrounded
- Best for: objective defense, wave management
Support Build
- Focus: Ally safety and uptime modules
- Craft utility that covers the team's weakest area
- Avoid duplicating teammates' damage tools
- Best for: 4-player missions, uneven experience
Survival Build
- Focus: Mobility and recovery upgrades
- Craft options that reduce repositioning cost
- Keep weapons effective while moving
- Best for: solo play, objective runners
Resource Spending Order
| Resource Category | Primary Source | Main Use | Recommended Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission rewards | Successful extraction | Funding equipment improvements | High |
| Upgrade materials | In-mission collection | Module crafting and grid expansion | High |
| Weapons/equipment | Progression milestones | Expanding role flexibility | High |
| Character growth | Repeated deployments | Long-term effectiveness | Medium |
| Special equipment | High-value milestones | Specialized encounter utility | Medium |
Improve your main source of damage or utility first, then reinforce the same combat plan with supporting modules. Keep enough resources banked for mission-critical improvements before a difficult deployment.
Step-by-Step Upgrade Crafting Workflow
Follow this workflow between missions to keep your crafting efficient and your grid space productive:
Review Your Last Mission
Identify whether the failure point — if any — came from positioning, resource use, target priority, or coordination. Craft upgrades that address the actual problem, not a perceived one.
Define One Combat Purpose
Choose damage, control, support, or survival for the next deployment. Every module you craft this cycle should reinforce that single purpose.
Fit Role-Defining Modules First
Place your highest-impact modules into the grid before filling gaps. Check shape footprints so the remaining space stays usable.
Fill With Supporting Upgrades
Add general improvements — survivability, ammo efficiency, mobility — only where they support the selected loadout.
Test and Adjust One Variable
Run the next mission, then change only one part of the build at a time. This keeps improvements measurable and prevents masking real problems.
Review the grid after every deployment and base changes on repeated problems rather than a single unlucky encounter. One bad run is data; three identical bad runs are a build flaw.
Upgrade Planning Checklist
Use this checklist to keep your Mycopunk upgrade crafting on track across a session:
Crafting Session Goals:
- Confirm one combat purpose before spending materials
- Place role-defining modules before general upgrades
- Check grid shapes for efficient space usage
- Keep reserve materials for mission-critical upgrades
- Change only one build element per mission cycle
In a 4-player squad, coordinate crafting so the team covers damage, control, support, and objective roles. Four overlapping damage builds leave dangerous gaps during extraction defenses.
FAQ
Q: How many upgrades are available in Mycopunk upgrade crafting?
The Steam store page currently lists 587 upgrades covering weapons, grenades, and character progression. The system is grid-based, so placement and module shapes matter as much as the upgrades you choose.
Q: Can I respec or move modules in the upgrade grid?
Treat early resources as a commitment. The most efficient approach is to plan around one role before spending materials, and review the grid between missions — replace upgrades that did not contribute to your plan rather than constantly rebuilding.
Q: Which upgrade category should I craft first?
Prioritize upgrades that improve your main weapon's damage consistency or your role's core utility, followed by survivability, ammo efficiency, and mobility. General improvements should come last and only when they support the same loadout.
Q: How does upgrade crafting work in co-op missions?
Coordinate with your squad so upgrades cover distinct roles — damage, crowd control, support, and objective play. Teams that split upgrade investment across roles handle extraction waves and high-threat encounters more reliably than four identical damage builds.