Crafting in Fallout 76 is more than just slapping together scraps and hoping for the best. If you want to survive Appalachia's toughest challenges and dominate both PvE and PvP, mastering the art of gear crafting is essential. Whether you're a solo explorer or part of a well-equipped squad, these 24 tips will help you squeeze the most out of your materials, perks, and time.

1. Max Out Your Intelligence Stat

The Intelligence stat directly affects crafting and repair efficiency. Higher Intelligence means better condition and higher mod quality for crafted gear.

2. Use the Right Perk Cards

Invest in cards like Armorer, Gunsmith, and Science! to unlock advanced mods and reduce material costs. For melee weapons, Blacksmith is a must.

3. Farm Plans Early

Don't wait to stumble upon essential crafting plans. Focus on vendors in Watoga, Whitespring, and player camps. Events like "Guided Meditation" and "Enclave Events" can also drop valuable plans.

4. Break Down Everything

Scrap every weapon, armor, and junk item you find. Not only do you free up inventory, but you also learn mods which are critical for customization.

5. Use Crafting Benches Regularly

Even if you don’t need a new weapon, craft and scrap low-level items to unlock mods. This is a reliable way to progress your crafting knowledge.

6. Mod Before Repairing

Always add mods before repairing gear. Modding can sometimes restore item condition, saving resources and caps.

7. Join a Crafting Team

Public crafting teams offer a temporary Intelligence boost, which increases crafting quality and mod chance.

8. Starched Genes + Class Freak Combo

Use Starched Genes to lock in beneficial mutations, and Class Freak to reduce the negative effects. Some mutations, like Marsupial and Speed Demon, can make looting and crafting more efficient.

9. Use Power Armor for Weight Reduction

Crafting materials are heavy. When gathering resources or heading to a crafting session, equip Power Armor with calibrated shocks for extra carry weight.

10. Tag for Search

Always tag needed components in your crafting menu. It’ll help highlight junk with relevant materials while looting.

11. Keep a Workshop

Claiming a workshop provides access to crafting benches, storage, and free resource generation. It's a great spot for large-scale crafting sessions.

12. Collect High-Value Junk

Items like Desk Fans, Typewriters, and Microscopes contain valuable screws and gears. Prioritize these when scavenging.

13. Use the Ammo Converter

The Ammo Converter helps turn excess ammo into points to buy more needed ammo types, saving time and materials.

14. Upgrade Your CAMP’s Crafting Stations

Don’t settle for basic workbenches. Unlock and place the best versions of each crafting station to speed up the process and improve results.

15. Sort Your Inventory Before Crafting

Dump unneeded weapons and gear before diving into crafting. It makes inventory management easier and prevents accidental scrapping.

16. Check U4GM for Player Trade Insights

Looking to fill in gaps in your build? Sometimes it’s more efficient to Buy Fallout 76 Caps online or seek out crafted gear from other players. U4GM is known among the community as one of the best sites to buy Fallout 76 Items without the headache of in-game grinding.

17. Don't Waste Legendary Modules

Only use Legendary Modules on weapons and armor that you plan to keep long-term. They’re expensive and better used when your build is optimized.

18. Stack Repair Kits and Scrap Kits

Stockpile these during events and scoreboards. They’re life-savers when crafting in the wild or making room in your stash.

19. Be Smart With Armor Sets

Mixing pieces from different sets (like Secret Service and Brotherhood Recon) can optimize stats. Focus on balance rather than just visual aesthetics.

20. Use the Legendary Crafting System Carefully

The Legendary Crafting System allows you to re-roll gear, but RNG can be brutal. Target one-star or two-star rolls first to build a solid base before chasing the perfect three-star combination.

21. Craft During Events

Some seasonal and weekly events offer crafting bonuses or double XP. Use these windows to mass craft and level efficiently.

22. Buy Resources When Needed

If you're short on screws, adhesive, or ballistic fiber, consider checking trading communities or using a site like U4GM. It’s often quicker than endless farming and can help you focus on what really matters—enjoying the game.

23. Make Use of the Vault Steel Exchange

Use your Vault Steel wisely at Purveyor Murmrgh’s shop or for crafting Secret Service gear. It’s some of the best endgame armor available.

24. Keep Learning and Adapting

Fallout 76 is a constantly evolving game. As new mods, perks, and crafting materials are introduced, stay current with patch notes and player guides.

Crafting the best gear in Fallout 76 isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s about knowing how to use them efficiently. From learning mods to finding reliable trade sources like U4GM, optimizing your approach saves time and makes you far more effective in the Wasteland.

Remember, whether you're a builder, fighter, or trader, having control over your gear means having control over your destiny in Appalachia.