Augments are essential gear that expand your backpack slots, boost carry capacity, determine shield compatibility, add safe pockets for loot protection, and provide unique perks starting from Mk2 and Mk3 variants. They cannot be swapped mid-raid, so picking the right one defines your playstyle: looting runs, aggressive PvP, or squad support.
With the recent Headwinds update introducing Looting Mk3 Safekeeper and Tactical Mk3 Revival, the meta has shifted toward high-capacity looters with defensive perks and weapon protection. Drawing from wikis, guides, and community tier lists, here is the current meta breakdown as of early 2026.
Augment Tier List
This tier list combines data from recent patches (1.11+), focusing on overall value in PvPvE. S-Tier dominates all scenarios; A-Tier excels in specific roles; B-Tier is situational; C-Tier for beginners.
| Tier | Augment | Key Stats | Perk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Looting Mk3 (Survivor) | 20 slots, 80kg, Light/Medium shield, 3 safe pockets, 5 quick slots, 1 utility aux | Downed stationary regen to 75% max downed health | Looting runs, solo survival, max extraction value |
| S | Looting Mk2 | 22 slots, 60kg, Light shield, 2 safe pockets, 4 quick slots, 3 trinket aux | Auto-throw Ticks after 1s | Budget looting king, better value than some Mk3s |
| S | Tactical Mk3 (Defensive) | 20 slots, 60kg, Light/Medium/Heavy shield, 1 safe pocket, 5 quick slots, integrated recharger | Shield rechargers usable while running | Versatile combat/looting hybrid |
| A | Combat Mk3 (Aggressive) | 18 slots, 65kg, Light/Medium/Heavy shield, 1 safe pocket, 4 quick slots, 2 grenade aux | Regen 2 HP every 5s (pauses 30s on damage) | PvP aggression, grenade spam |
| A | Looting Mk3 (Safekeeper) | 18 slots, 65kg, Light/Medium/Heavy shield, 1 safe pocket, 4 quick slots, 2 trinket aux | One safe pocket holds ANY item (weapons included) | PvP weapon protection, boss fights |
| A | Tactical Mk3 (Healing) | 16 slots, 55kg, Light/Medium shield, 3 safe pockets, 4 quick slots, 3 healing aux | Healing cloud on revive (20 HP over 10s, 30s CD) | Squad medic role |
| B | Looting Mk3 (Cautious) | 24 slots, 70kg, Light shield, 2 safe pockets, 5 quick slots, integrated binocs | Weak Adrenaline Shot on shield break | Pure looting with escape tool |
| B | Tactical Mk3 (Revival) | 16 slots, 65kg, Light shield, 2 safe pockets, 5 quick slots, integrated defib | Regen 1 HP every 5s (pauses 30s on damage) + defib (240s CD) | Squad revival utility |
| B | Combat Mk3 (Flanking) | 20 slots, 60kg, Light shield, 2 safe pockets, 5 quick slots, 3 utility aux | Pistols/Hand Cannons equip 33% faster | Pistol rush builds |
| C | Mk1/Mk2 variants & Free Loadout | Varies (lower stats) | Basic or weak perks | Early game only |
Breakdown of Meta Picks
1. Looting Mk3 (Survivor): The Uncontested King
This Epic reigns supreme with unmatched 80kg capacity and 3 safe pockets, letting you haul massive loot hauls while supporting Medium shields for decent defense. Its downed regen perk shines in solos or when squads wipe, buying time for revives or crawls to extract. Farm it via Gear Bench Level 3 or Lance trader after unlocking blueprints.
2. Looting Mk3 (Safekeeper): PvP Game-Changer
Post-Headwinds, this allows safe-pocketing primary weapons, countering loot thieves in hot drops. Pair with Heavy shields for tanky fights. Capacity is solid at 65kg, but gun weights limit it for pure looting. Ideal for high-risk PvP maps.
3. Combat Mk3 (Aggressive): PvP Beast
Heavy shield access, grenade aux slots, and doubled regen make this a duelist's dream. Run it with Heavy shields and nades for room-clearing dominance. Weak looting, so extract fast.
4. Tactical Mk3 (Defensive): All-Rounder
Run Shield Rechargers mid-sprint for endless uptime. 60kg and Heavy shield compatibility fit looting or fights. Perfect if you hate shield downtime.
How to Unlock and Farm Mk3 Augments
Craft at Gear Bench Level 3 using Advanced Electrical Components and Processors. Blueprints drop from high-tier raids (e.g., Blue Gate Locked), Lance vendor rotations, or world loot. Prioritize Survivor and Safekeeper blueprints in Headwinds hotspots.
Final Tips
Swap augments pre-raid based on squad comp and map: Survivor for loot-focused runs, Aggressive/Safekeeper for PvP lobbies, Healing/Revival for teams. Rares like Looting Mk2 outperform some Epics in value. Stay updated with patches, as balances shift fast. Gear up, Raider, and claim those extractions!
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