Research both recipes in Arc Raiders only if you expect to recraft both weapons after losses; otherwise, start with the gun that matches your regular ammo role. Trader, Reward Pass, and loot copies can get a weapon into your loadout before research, while ARC Raiders Items is a separate gear option to compare; none of those copies teaches its blueprint.
Choose by ammo role and driver supply
Bantam suits close reactions and hip-fire with Heavy Ammo, while Stiletto is for paced, controlled shots with Light Ammo. Their Research Station projects cost the same number of Research Points, so your preferred range and the drivers in your stash are the real deciding factors.
| Weapon | Best fit | Level 1 blueprint cost | Gunsmith Level 1 craft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bantam | Close reactions, hip-fire, Heavy Ammo | 3,000 Research Points and 8 Hornet Drivers | 4 Mechanical Components and 4 Simple Gun Parts |
| Stiletto | Paced long-range shots, Light Ammo | 3,000 Research Points and 15 Wasp Drivers | 4 Mechanical Components and 4 Simple Gun Parts |
Researching both takes 6,000 Research Points, 8 Hornet Drivers, and 15 Wasp Drivers. The craft recipe is the same for either gun, but it only becomes available after you learn that weapon's blueprint. Treat the research cost as the entry fee for repeat crafts, not as the cost of a ready-to-use gun.
If your loadout needs an Uncommon hand cannon, Bantam has a clear slot: the older Anvil moved to Rare when these weapons arrived. That does not make the blueprint an automatic purchase. If you mostly take paced shots at range, save your first 3,000 Research Points for Stiletto instead.
Unlock the station before spending points
The Research Station sits behind the Outpost project, so secure that access first. The location may also be called the Research Bench or Research Workstation; focus on completing the Outpost unlock rather than searching for three separate facilities.
Start Sheltered Retreat.
Photograph the farmland house by Ruined Homestead on Blue Gate.
Finish the Outpost project and build the Research Station.
At the Outpost, open Research Station, select the Bantam or Stiletto blueprint, and spend the listed Research Points and drivers.
After the project completes, check that the blueprint is marked as learned in the Research Station recipe list. Then open Gunsmith Level 1 and check for the base craft recipe; a trader, Reward Pass, or looted weapon is not proof that research has been completed.
Hornet Drivers and Wasp Drivers are the named materials for these Level 1 projects. Tag the type you still need in your stash and plan a Topside route around its named source; do not commit to both projects if the second driver stack is missing and you would rather use those Research Points elsewhere.
Use a copy to test before researching
Tian Wen sells Bantam I for 11,400 Coins, with listings often showing three in stock. The Frozen Trail Reward Pass awards Bantam I at Tier 4 and Stiletto I at Tier 8. These are practical ways to try a weapon before paying its blueprint cost, but owning or claiming one does not unlock repeatable crafting.
Cassio may offer Stiletto IV for 8 Candleberries, 2 Cable Strippers, and 2 Mini Pumps when that barter is in rotation. Treat it as an opportunity, not a fixed plan: the offer depends on the live stall, and the upgraded copy still does not teach the Stiletto recipe.
Looting is another way to find either weapon or its blueprint in weapon cases, lockers, Raider caches, and other Topside containers, including on Pendola Pass. No landmark guarantees a blueprint spawn, and a find only reaches your stash if you extract with it. Do not keep repeating one location on the assumption that it has a guaranteed recipe drop.
Check your stash for the required drivers, then choose the one blueprint tied to your usual loadout; unlock the second only when you expect to recraft both guns. If buying Bantam is your alternative, compare your Coins budget with ARC Coins for sale, then check Tian Wen's in-game price before spending.
