Which Buildings Should I Upgrade First in Dredge: The Iron Rig?

Which Buildings Should I Upgrade First in Dredge: The Iron Rig?

As an old salt with more years at sea than I care to remember, let me tell you, the Iron Rig is no ordinary vessel. The tasks listed here are the very backbone of her mighty frame, each one a piece of the puzzle that makes this floating metropolis tick.


venturing through the latest DLC expansion of “Dredge,” titled “The Iron Rig,” I find myself tasked with upgrading various facilities on this sprawling platform. Each new structure brings fresh and enhanced items and abilities for my trusty boat. With so many options, it’s natural to ponder which buildings I should prioritize upgrading in The Iron Rig DLC. This guide aims to clarify the mechanics of upgrades within “Dredge’s ‘The Iron Rig'” and provide a comprehensive list of prerequisites for each upgrade.

Dredge: The Iron Rig – Building Upgrades Explained

In the game titled “Dredge: The Iron Rig“, players engage with an altered offshore drilling facility that resembles a massive oil derrick. However, this platform wasn’t designed to extract oil; it was constructed by the Ironhaven Corporation for a secretive research project. Players find themselves right in the thick of this intriguing investigation.

Which Buildings Should I Upgrade First in Dredge: The Iron Rig?

Upon reaching the title location, Iron Rig, players initially observe limited interactivity or opportunities for upgrades. This setup is designed intentionally, as the Iron Rig evolves throughout the main storyline. As the tale unfolds, players are tasked with both constructing and enhancing multiple new facilities on the platform. The sequence of these new building projects is primarily influenced by the narrative, rather than player choice. Herein, we outline the order in which each structure will be developed, offering insight into what players can anticipate and when a desired Boat upgrade might become accessible.

Despite not having full control over when to construct structures, understanding the sequence and prerequisites is extremely beneficial. In fact, being aware of the necessary resources ahead of time allows players to gather those materials right from the start of ‘The Iron Rig,’ thereby avoiding a significant amount of unnecessary travel or retracing their steps.

How and When to Craft Every Building in Dredge: The Iron Rig

Which Buildings Should I Upgrade First in Dredge: The Iron Rig?

Complete Building List:

As an enthusiast, my journey towards constructing The Iron Rig begins with its discovery. Although it’s quite conspicuous across the map, I’ll share a handy tip just in case. You can find The Iron Rig nestled between the Twisted Strand and Devil’s Spine, either in the heart or the northern part of the map. Upon reaching this location, my adventure kicks off with my very first crafting necessities. Here’s a rundown of what I’ll need, starting from here and continuing through to the end:

  • Upon docking at the Iron Rig for the first time, players will be introduced to the Ironhaven Crates. These lost supplies are essential to building and upgrading every new facility on the platform. Any time you encounter them floating in the sea, make sure to collect them.

Each building’s construction or upgrade becomes available upon finishing a particular mission or story milestone. You can tell that a building is ready to be built when its name displays a tiny, yellow flag at the top.

Iron Rig PursuitFacility NameProject RequirementsResult
“Getting Power”Generator
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • The Generator is the Fish Market on the Iron Rig.
  • Access to the Science Lab
  • Unlocks first three Building Tasks
  • The Iron RigPursuit (General)
  • “Strange Specimens” Pursuit (Scientist)
Building Task OneFactory
  • Complete “Getting Power”
  • One Ironhaven Crates
  • Factory Constructed
  • Factory Tier 1 items: Improved fishing equipment.
Building Task TwoFoundry
  • Available after “Getting Power”
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • Foundry Constructed
  • Foundry Tier 1 items: Ironhaven Crates
Building Task ThreeTech Lab
  • Available after “Getting Power”
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • Tech Lab Constructed
  • Tech Lab Tier 1 Items: Ability upgrades
Special ProjectUndermarket
  • Available after constructing The Foundry
  • No materials required
  • The Founder who runs the Foundry will open a market beneath the platform.
Upgrade Task OneFactory Tier 2
  • Available after “Strange Specimens” Part 1 at The Marrows
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • The Factory Upgraded
  • Tier 2 items: Material Gathering Equipment
  • Unlocks “Contamination” Pursuit
  • “Strange Specimens” is put on pause until ‘Contamination’ is complete.
Upgrade Task TwoTech Lab Tier 2
  • Available after completing “Contamination”
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • Only Tech Lab Upgrade
  • Tier 2 Tech Lab Items: Individual mechanical upgrades
  • Resume “Strange Specimens”
Upgrade Task 3Foundry Tier 2
  • Available after “Strange Specimens” Part 2 at Gale Cliffs
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • Only Foundry Upgrade
  • Tier 2 Foundry Items: Create basic crafting materials
Upgrade Task 5Factory Tier 3
  • Available after “Strange Specimens” Part 2 at Gale Cliffs
  • Two Ironhaven Crates
  • Factory Upgraded
  • Tier 3 Factory Items: Craft repair items & tea
Upgrade Task 6Factory Tier 4
  • Available after “Strange Specimens” Part 3 at Stellar Basin
  • Two Ironhaven Crates
  • Final Factory Upgrade
  • Tier 4 Factory Items: New Bait Items
Final Building TaskFleet Services
  • Available after speaking to the Researcher at Stellar Basin and building the Iron Rig’s Defenses.
  • Meet with the Executive
  • One Ironhaven Crate
  • Fleet Services Constructed
  • New Hull upgrade available, 11 new storage spaces.

The tasks you see outlined here encompass all the building and improvement plans for the game called Dredge: The Iron Rig. If players choose to move swiftly, they can finish these projects rather quickly. However, a significant part of the charm in Dredge lies in taking your time and savoring the environment. Despite this being the complete list of construction tasks, there are still more narrative elements that will come to light once players have fully built the Iron Rig.

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2024-09-14 08:23