Upgrade Kits

[6000 Chipmunks]

So I've been playing a bit of everything(Vanilla, Scenarios, Workshop scenarios, etc...) with this game recently and, I keep coming across these "Upgrade Kits" for various weapons.
From what information I've been able to glean from the searching I've done...You use these kits to upgrade your T-2 weapons to Epic, I think, once you've reached the appropriate research level(s).

But, this begs the question, if I've got the research done and, with the proper ingredients can create my own now, apparently, then why do I need the upgrade kit?

Unless you are not permitted to make Epic weapons unless you have an upgrade kit, maybe?

[mathaniel]

The upgrade kits work with a regular weapon in the class to make it upgraded. Haven`t played in a while but IIRC, you need a T1 and a kit, and it makes you a T2. I`m not sure if the Epic is a class above a T2.

[The Big Brzezinski]

They're just a component for more advanced weaponry. They're pretty easy to find. Interweap traders sell them.

Tier 2 small arms aren't a thing anymore since the recent weapon rebalance.

[6000 Chipmunks]

OK, so...I throw the upgrade kit into a constructor and...It makes an advanced weapon of that type for me?
OR,
Do I need to throw my old weapon in their too?

Do I need to have the appropriate tech levels for that particular upgrade, and if so, why?
I could just make one without the upgrade kit at that point, right?

[Brew]

(Speaking for vanilla, at least) Both the tech tree (for unlockable recipes) and appropriate constructor tell you what ingredients you need to build things. An upgrade kit is an ingredient for more advanced weapons. Looks like a previous "tier" weapons is also often an ingredient, but not always. Look at the recipes.

Originally posted by Royronicus:

Do I need to have the appropriate tech levels for that particular upgrade, and if so, why?
I could just make one without the upgrade kit at that point, right?

You must have the recipe and ingredients (and proper constructor) to make anything. If the recipe says you need an upgrade kit, then that's what you need. There is no point at which the recipe will change such that you don't need it, as far as I've seen. You can never make epic weapons either, as far as I know. Upgrade kits are used for more advanced (but not epic) weapons.

Unlocking a recipe in the tech tree grants you access to the recipe. Until then, you can't craft the item. You need unlock points to unlock recipes. You earn unlock points by gaining levels.

[6000 Chipmunks]

Thanks Brew!
I see.
Things have changed a bit over the years.
So, even if I had unlocked say a level(?)3 rifle, I still need the upgrade kits to create it.
I saw that mechanic in one of the workshop scenarios and figured it was something they had added.

[Tarc Novar]

Originally posted by Royronicus:

Thanks Brew!
I see.
Things have changed a bit over the years.
So, even if I had unlocked say a level(?)3 rifle, I still need the upgrade kits to create it.
I saw that mechanic in one of the workshop scenarios and figured it was something they had added.

Not sure where you have been, but this has been the case for a few years now for vanilla.

[6000 Chipmunks]

LOL!
Yes, it has.
It may have always been this way and I just forgot.