The standard Workbench is one of the first base objects you’ll build in Windrose. It serves as a basic way to craft some beginner supplies and can be a real lifesaver when it comes to healing yourself and building some extra fast travel points around the gigantic map. As you continue to progress in Windrose, you’ll be able to build more and more niche Workbenches to craft specific items and gear.
However, as you’ll quickly learn, each Workbench you build starts at level one and can be upgraded to higher levels to craft more advanced items. Windrose doesn’t do a great job of explaining how these Workbench upgrades work, though, so let’s see how you can get to level two and beyond.
Upgrading a Workbench in Windrose
If you go into a Workbench’s menu by interacting with it, you can hover over any of the craftable items to see what level your Workbench needs to be to make that item. For example, a shovel at a standard Workbench only requires it to be level one, but Wooden Planks require a level two station, as you can see in the screenshot below.
Naturally, if you only have to craft items that require a level one station, then you’re completely fine as long as you have the right materials. However, once you start running into items that need an extra level, you need to figure out how to upgrade your Workbench.
Luckily, it’s not overly difficult to upgrade a Workbench in Windrose. All you need to do is build another base station within your base limits. Every Workbench in the game has a subsequent upgrade station that can be built while in building mode. Once you build that upgrade station, its partnered Workbench will be automatically upgraded to the next level.
For example, if you build the standard Workbench, you can then build the “Sawhorse.” The Sawhorse, and most other upgrade stations, can’t be interacted with, but once you build it, the standard Workbench upgrades to level two. To make things easier, you’ll always find the upgrade station for a Workbench right next to it in the “Crafting & Utilities” menu while in building mode.
Here’s a list of some Workbenches and their level two upgrade stations:
- Workbench – Sawhorse
- Cooking Fire – Cutting Table
- Weaponsmith Workshop – Shipwright’s Workshop
- Alchemy Table – Stove and Pot
As you’ll see, upgrade stations for Workbenches are only unlocked by progressing the story in Windrose. For example, you can only build the Shipwright’s Workshop after securing your first ship through the main quest “I Need a Bigger Boat.”
Now that you know how to upgrade your Workbenches, you’re on your way to making some much rarer materials, but none are more useful than gunpowder in Windrose.