How to Get a Spud Gun and Trade Up
The trading system, the Caged Farmer mechanic, and the Spud Gun upgrade path explained.
Why the Spud Gun is the most important weapon
The Spud Gun is the first projectile weapon you can reliably wield in Scrap Mechanic, and it is the only weapon that consistently drops Farmbots from a safe distance. Until you own one, your options for clearing warehouses are limited to melee, which is slow and dangerous. This guide walks through every step of acquiring one and upgrading through the full family.
Where to find the trader
The trader operates out of a hideout, always marked with a small trader flag icon on the in-game compass. The location is randomised in every world, but it is always near a road and within easy reach of the Mechanic Station. If you cannot spot the flag, drive along the road until you see a wooden gazebo with crates and a single NPC.
What to bring
The Spud Gun trade requires three things:
- 10 Produce Crates of any tier (orange or blueberry crates work for the first Spud Gun).
- A Caged Farmer — found at random campsites. Each campsite has a small pen with one farmer inside. Carry the cage by hand or strap it to a flatbed vehicle.
- Spare storage — the trade dialog clears your inventory of those crates, so make room before you trigger the dialog.
Higher-tier Spud Guns (Shotgun, Spudling, Launcher) require rarer crates like Red Berry crates and Pineapple crates, plus Caged Farmer variants.
The Caged Farmer mechanic
Caged Farmers are unique NPC units. When you pick up a cage, your movement speed drops dramatically and bots will aggro on you from across the map. The recommended workflow is:
- Scout the campsite first to confirm a caged farmer is there.
- Build a small wooden cart and strap the cage to it.
- Drive the cart to the trader, using the controllers and sensors to automate defence on the way.
- Avoid fights if you can — every encounter risks breaking the cage.
The full Spud Gun upgrade path
| Weapon | Trade cost | Why you want it |
|---|---|---|
| Spud Gun | 10 produce crates + 1 Caged Farmer | First ranged weapon, unlocks warehouse gameplay |
| Spud Shotgun | Red Berry crates + 2 farmers | Best indoor weapon for Tapebots |
| Spudling Gun | Pineapple crates + 3 farmers | Fast firing, ideal for Trash Bot adds |
| Spud Launcher | Crate of every crop + 4 farmers | Splash damage and fire — clears trees and base layouts |
If you are playing solo, prioritise the Spud Gun first and add the Shotgun as soon as you can afford the crates.
How 1.0 changed trading
Drilling Thunder added new trade recipes, including bulk crate exchanges and a way to recycle Caged Farmers for bonus produce. The Trader hideout now also stocks the Ore Prospector schematics, which is a free source of rare metals once you complete the underground questline.
For everything else you can craft at the Trader, see the recipes and crafting page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Can I lose my Caged Farmer to bots?
Yes. If a Haybot hits the cage it will break and you lose the farmer. Always transport the cage on a vehicle, never on foot.
Does the trader restock?
The trader offers the same recipes throughout the game. The only thing that changes is your ability to meet the cost — keep stockpiling crates and you can buy every weapon in one sitting.
What if I cannot find a Caged Farmer?
Drive along every road in your world. Campsites are placed near intersections, and each one has a 50% chance to contain a caged farmer in the 1.0 patch.