The Outer Worlds, in development by Obsidian, looks and feels like a shooter but is, at its core, an RPG. One element of The Outer Worlds that reinforces its status as an RPG is the Workbench. Scattered around the game are Workbenches that you can use to modify, upgrade and repair your weapons and amour.
Modifications applied to weapons can be applied to different parts of the gun. For example, I was using a T&L Auto-Mag Pistol and was able to modify its magazine and/or its Sight.
I used a Mag-2-Power mod that changed the weapon’s damage type to Plasma. By installing it, my Handgun went from dealing standard damage to dealing Plasma damage.
That meant that I had the ability to use it against enemies that were weak to Plasma and deal extra damage.
The Outer Worlds Workbench
I was also able to install an Extend-O-Sight mod on my Handgun. This mod increased the effective range of the gun by 6.25m and increased the max range by 50m.
With these mods installed, my Handgun fundamentally changed and was far more effective for sneaking and attacking from range. I was previously using it when up close as pressing LT to ADS didn’t zoom.
Even melee weapons can be modified. By adding a Speedgrip mod to my melee weapons I increased it’s DPM by 2,180 and its DPS by 36. Essentially, the Speedgrip mod made me swing the weapon faster.
Repairing weapons and armour at a Workbench requires Weapon Parts and Armor Parts. However, you can repair items at Vending Machines by spending Bits.
If you increase your Engineering Skill to 20, you’ll be able to repair Weapons and Armor in your Inventory without having to go to a Workbench or a Vending Machine. Likewise, if you increase your Science Skill to 20 you’re able to improve your Weapons and Armor in the Inventory.
By finding and installing mods, you’ll be able to create your own loadout that suits your play style and deals the most damage possible.
The Outer Worlds will be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One on October 25, 2019. It will release for Switch at a later date.