What is the Cooling Fan and why should I care?
The Cooling Fan is classified as a Rare, Technological item. It weighs 3 units, stacks up to 3, and can be sold for 2,000 coins if you decide not to use it. Its main value comes from recycling and crafting, rather than selling. In practice, most players keep Cooling Fans because they are required in multiple Core System and Framework projects.
One of the most common questions I hear is: “Do I need this for crafting?” The answer is yes, if you’re planning to upgrade Core Systems or build advanced frameworks. Without it, your progress slows down, especially if you focus on electrical or technological upgrades.
Where can I find Cooling Fans in Buried City?
Cooling Fans are primarily found in Server Racks, which are scattered throughout technological zones in Buried City. These racks can be looted during exploration, but keep in mind that some racks are guarded or hidden behind environmental hazards.
In practice, players tend to farm specific sectors repeatedly. The layout of the city means you can usually find 1–2 Cooling Fans per run if you know the racks’ locations. Experienced players often combine fan runs with other scavenging, like Durable Cloth and Wires, to maximize efficiency.
How do I use Cooling Fans in crafting?
Cooling Fans are required for several project stages, including Core Systems and Framework upgrades. For example, one project might ask for:
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35× Durable Cloth
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30× Wires
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30× Electrical Components
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5× Cooling Fans
The fan itself can’t be substituted. In other words, if you’re missing even one, the project won’t start. This makes them a bottleneck item in practice.
If you’re just starting, it’s worth noting that some players buy fans to save time. There are online communities and marketplaces offering cheap arc raiders blueprints for sale, which sometimes include fan requirements. While it’s not necessary, it can speed up crafting if you’re short on scavenging time.
Should I recycle or salvage Cooling Fans?
One of the most practical questions I get is: “Should I keep old fans or recycle them?” Here’s how it works in practice:
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Recycling: Gives you 14 Plastic Parts and 4 Wires.
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Salvaging: Gives you only 4 Wires.
For most players, recycling is the better option if you have extra fans. It’s an efficient way to stock up on crafting materials for electrical components or other upgrades. Salvaging is usually only done when you need wires and don’t have time to recycle.
How do players manage multiple Cooling Fans?
Stacking is limited to 3, so inventory management is important. Here are some common strategies:
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Prioritize active projects: Keep only as many fans as you need for current projects.
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Recycle extras immediately: This frees up inventory space and gives useful crafting materials.
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Plan scavenging runs: Experienced players plan routes in Buried City that hit multiple racks, ensuring they always have enough fans without overfilling their inventory.
Most new players make the mistake of hoarding fans without considering inventory limits. This slows down looting and forces more backtracking.
Tips from experienced players
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Mark server racks: If you’re running through Buried City regularly, remember the racks that yield fans. Repeated runs are faster if you know the exact locations.
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Combine projects: Some projects require multiple rare components, not just fans. Collect them in batches instead of one at a time to save travel time.
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Monitor your stack: Since fans only stack to 3, don’t pick up extras unless you plan to recycle them immediately.
By applying these habits, you’ll find that Cooling Fans stop being a frustrating bottleneck and become just another manageable resource.
The Cooling Fan might seem minor, but in practice, it has a clear role in crafting and upgrading Core Systems and Frameworks. Knowing where to find them, how to use them efficiently, and when to recycle them can save you a lot of frustration. Most experienced players treat them as a strategic resource rather than just loot, and this mindset makes a noticeable difference in Buried City runs.
Keeping track of your fans, combining scavenging routes, and using recycled materials effectively ensures that you can maintain progress without wasting time. In short, treat Cooling Fans like the small but essential gear they are.
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