Active Matter Loot Priorities Guide
A safe decision path for what to keep, refine, extract or protect when the item table is still changing.
Quick answer: keep the first copy of anything tied to an Investigation, blueprint, Fusion or an unknown enriched-item use; extract it before risking another raid. Refine or dismantle only after the current item screen shows that the copy is replaceable. Put high-value or hard-to-replace loot in a safe container and use Temporary Storage for evacuated gear.
The 10-question loot decision tree
- Does the item show an Investigation, blueprint unlock or current Fusion requirement? Keep one copy.
- Is it an enriched item from a Turned Soldier? Extract the first copy before refining it.
- Is it needed by the Replicator? Keep it until the current recipe and cost are clear.
- Is it a safe-container item or rare gear you cannot easily replace? Protect it before re-entering a raid.
- Is it ordinary barter junk with no visible objective, recipe or storage role? It is the safer candidate for refining or selling.
- Are you carrying more than the current objective needs? Extract rather than waiting for a perfect haul.
- Did a recent patch change Fusion or storage? Read Updates before copying an older route.
- Are you unsure whether a refining output is current? Treat the in-game preview as the authority and leave the item unprocessed.
- Will death risk the only copy? Move it to a safe container or storage before another fight.
- Does a third-party loot table conflict with the game? Keep the claim marked unverified instead of treating it as a recipe.
Keep, refine or extract?
| Item situation | Default action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First enriched item | Extract and keep one | The official notes confirm the drop rule, not a complete item-by-item use table. |
| Blueprint or Investigation material | Keep one before refining | Unlocks can be harder to replace than ordinary loot. |
| Fusion input | Check the current Replicator preview | Update 0.4.0.156 reworked Fusion and its cost flow. |
| Ordinary duplicate with no visible use | Refine only after preview | The current output must be confirmed in-game. |
| Valuable carried gear | Protect or extract early | Carried loot is at risk when a raid fails. |
Enriched industrial items
The official rule is narrow: Turned Soldiers always drop enriched loot since Update 0.4.0.50. It does not publish a complete enriched-industrial-item list, drop rate or universal refining ranking. Keep the first unfamiliar item, inspect its current objective and recipe hints, then use the Enriched Items guide for the dated evidence.
Storage, Fusion and death are one system
Loot decisions do not stop at the raid exit. The latest documented Fusion update reworked the interface and cost flow; equipped gear returns to Temporary Storage after creating a Personal Timeline, while Shelter-placed items remain in place. Use the Replicator guide, storage guide and death guide together rather than copying a pre-launch checklist.
What not to trust
- Undated loot spreadsheets that claim exact drop rates without a patch or in-game screenshot.
- A universal ‘best loot’ list that ignores your blueprint, Investigation and current storage space.
- Third-party exploit or ESP claims. They are not a legitimate progression route and may put the account or device at risk; use official support for reports instead.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
What should I keep in Active Matter?
Keep the first copy of items tied to an Investigation, blueprint, Fusion or an unknown enriched-item use; extract it before risking another raid.
What should I refine in Active Matter?
Only refine a duplicate after the current in-game preview shows its output and you have kept any copy needed for an objective or recipe.
Should I extract enriched items?
Extract the first unfamiliar enriched item before refining it. Turned Soldiers always drop enriched loot, but the official item-by-item use table is not complete.
What are enriched industrial items?
They are enriched loot items associated with the raid economy; the official sources confirm the drop rule but do not publish a complete industrial-item table.
Is there an Active Matter best loot list?
Not one reliable universal list. The right choice depends on current blueprints, Investigations, Fusion inputs and what you can safely extract.
Did the Fusion system change?
Yes. Update 0.4.0.156 reworked the Fusion interface and cost flow; check the current Replicator preview before using an old recipe route.
How do I protect loot?
Use safe containers for protected items, move evacuated gear through Temporary Storage, and extract early when carrying a unique copy.