What is a Rotary Encoder and Where Do I Find It?



The Rotary Encoder is classified as a Rare item. In terms of raw stats:



Stack size: 3



Weight: 1.5



Sell price: 3,000 coins



You can find it in locations like Exodus during scavenging missions. Some players also see it drop from enemies or as part of event rewards. Its rarity is high enough that most players notice it immediately in their inventory.



The main thing to remember is that while it’s rare, it’s recyclable. That means it can be converted into other resources you might need for crafting.



What Does Recycling a Rotary Encoder Actually Give Me?



Recycling the Rotary Encoder isn’t just a placeholder option—it produces materials that players actually use in builds. In practice, when you recycle one, you’ll typically get:



2 × Electrical Components



2 × Processor



These are useful if you’re actively crafting or upgrading gear. Electrical Components go into almost every tech item, while Processors are key for advanced blueprints.



For players who haven’t fully committed to crafting yet, it’s important to note that you don’t get the item back after recycling. It’s a permanent conversion. So recycling is most valuable if you have a surplus or don’t need it for quests.



Do I Need the Rotary Encoder for Quests?



Yes, and this is a big consideration. One quest in particular, With A View, requires 1 × Rotary Encoder. That means if you recycle all your Rotaries before completing that quest, you’ll need to farm or scavenge another one to proceed.



From experience, many players make the mistake of auto-recycling rares without checking quest requirements. The safest approach is to keep at least one in your inventory if you’re mid-quest.



Is It Better to Recycle or Save It?



This depends on your play style. Here’s how it usually breaks down:



If you are focused on crafting or upgrading: Recycling is often worthwhile. Getting 2 Electrical Components and 2 Processors per Rotary can save a lot of scavenging time. For instance, I’ve recycled multiple Rotaries just to stockpile the materials needed to craft several tech items at once. Some players even prioritize recycling them over selling because the crafting payoff is higher.



If you’re completing quests or hoarding for future content: Keep it. The demand for Rotary Encoders can spike if a new quest or blueprint comes out, so having one on hand is a low-risk choice. For example, if you’re planning to buy Tempest blueprint, having the right crafting materials from Rotaries can make the difference between a fast unlock and a slow grind.



If your inventory is full: Recycling is also practical. A single Rotary takes 1.5 units of weight, which isn’t huge, but in late-game scavenging, weight adds up quickly. Recycling frees space and gives useful crafting items.



How Do Players Actually Use Recycled Materials?



In practice, the Electrical Components and Processors you get from Rotary Encoders mostly go into:



Upgrading weapons and tools



Crafting high-tier gadgets



Completing blueprint requirements



Players rarely recycle for coin value, since 3,000 coins per Rotary isn’t huge compared to the crafting benefit. Most experienced players save rares for crafting efficiency rather than immediate sale.



The key takeaway is that recycling gives materials you might otherwise have to spend hours scavenging for. It’s especially useful if you’re targeting specific blueprints or need to bulk-craft items for squad missions.



Are There Risks to Recycling?



Yes, a few things to keep in mind:



Quest locking: As mentioned, you might accidentally recycle a Rotary needed for a quest. Always double-check your quest log.



Rarity shortage: Rotary Encoders are rare. If you recycle everything, farming replacements can be time-consuming.



Blueprint timing: Some blueprints require components from Rotaries. If you recycle before you have the blueprint, you may have to wait to farm more.



In short, recycling isn’t risky if you plan ahead. The item is most valuable as crafting material once you’re past the quest requirement.



Practical Tips for Managing Rotary Encoders



Here are some practical strategies that work for most players:



Keep at least one in reserve for quest purposes.



If you have multiples and no immediate quest needs, recycle the extras for materials.



Track your crafting goals. If you’re planning upgrades or want to buy Tempest blueprint, recycling helps ensure you have the necessary components.



Monitor scavenging runs. If you know you’ll be running Exodus a lot, don’t panic about recycling one—more will appear.



Balance inventory space. Rare items are heavy, and recycling helps manage weight while still giving useful materials.



Bottom Line



Rotary Encoders are a small but meaningful part of Arc Raiders’ crafting economy. In my experience:



Recycle extras for materials if you’re focused on building or upgrading tech.



Keep at least one for quest needs.



Plan your scavenging and crafting around your goals, especially for blueprints that require Processors or Electrical Components.



By thinking a few steps ahead, you can turn a rare item like the Rotary Encoder into a strategic advantage rather than just another inventory clog.

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