Mech Arena – F2P Gear Hub Guide
The Gear Hub in Mech Arena is the central progression system that determines how you unlock new mechs and weapons. For free-to-play (F2P) players, resource management is critical. Spending A-Coins and Credits wisely can make the difference between a weak hanger and a competitive late-game setup. This guide provides a complete tier-by-tier roadmap, showing which mechs and weapons to prioritize, which to skip, and how to maintain an efficient progression path without overspending.
Understanding the Gear Hub
The Gear Hub is structured into nine sequential tiers. To progress, you earn Tier Stars by purchasing or upgrading mechs and weapons. Unlocking new tiers grants access to stronger gear, but only stars earned in your current tier count towards progression. For F2P players, the golden rule is simple: prioritize acquiring new mechs and weapons over upgrading old ones. Buying cheap gear gives more Tier Stars per resource spent.
Tier 1: Getting Started
In Tier 1, the game introduces you to Paragon, Lancer, Autocannon 4, and RPG 2. These are tutorial units and will not stay relevant long-term. The one worthwhile pickup is Thermal Lance 2, as it is cheap and effective for early fights. Avoid upgrading mechs here; none will survive beyond the next couple of tiers.
Recommended setup: Paragon and Lancer with Thermal Lance 2.
Tier 2: Early Foundations
Your priority mechs are Slingshot and Juggernaut (only buy Juggernaut if completing the A-Coin task, since it refunds more than it costs). MD can be taken for progression, while Puma can be skipped unless you want cheap stars.
For weapons, the best options are:
- Shotgun 4
- RPG 6
- Plasma Cannon 4 and 6
- Longarm 8
- Javelin Rack 4
Avoid Gauss Rifles. They are overpriced and weak compared to alternatives. Don’t bother with Shotgun 8 either—it isn’t necessary for progression.
Recommended setup: Slingshot with Shotgun 4, Juggernaut with RPG 6, plus starter mechs as fillers.
Tier 3: Expanding Options
The top mech priority is Ares, with Guardian available for free from promo codes. Avoid Shadow—it is weak and not worth investing in.
Weapons to focus on include:
- Ember Gun 6
- Fragment Gun 6
- Longarm 10 (progression only)
- Pulse Cannons 6/8 (progression only)
- Cryo Launcher 6 (or Missile Rack 6 if preferred)
Avoid Arc Torrent 6 and any A-Coin-only weapons. Don’t rank up Guardian or Ares—both get replaced later.
Recommended setup: Ares with Ember Gun 6, Guardian with Fragment Gun 6, plus filler weapons for star progression.
Tier 4: Preparing for Legendaries
Here, you gain access to stronger mechs. Arachnos is free through events, but can also be bought with Credits. Between Stalker and Tengu, pick one, with Stalker generally the safer choice.
Top weapon priorities are:
- Storm Rack 6 (best choice)
- Revoker 6
- Ember Gun 8
- Helix Rack 8
- Fragment Gun 8 (optional)
Avoid Voltaic RPG, Particle Beam, Repeater, and Chain Gun—they perform poorly. Save A-Coins for Tier 5.
Recommended setup: Arachnos or Stalker with Storm Rack 6, Tengu with Ember Gun 8, and filler weapons for stars.
Tier 5: First Major Power Spike
This is where A-Coin spending becomes essential. The must-buy mech is Aegis, one of the strongest defensive units. Pair it with Zephyr for crowd control. Redeemer is optional, but expensive for F2P.
Best weapons to acquire:
- Pod Gun 8 (top priority)
- Natal Launcher 10
- Cryo Launcher 10
- Disc Launcher 8 (optional)
- Viper 8 (alternative)
Avoid cheap bait like Fragment Gun 12—it’s not viable. Pair Aegis with Pod Gun 8 for a powerful core setup.
Tier 6: Advanced Loadouts
The focus here is on top-performing mechs: Orion, Panther, and Killshot (or Redeemer if you already have it). Sentinel can be ignored—it’s weak for long-term play.
Best weapons:
- Storm Rack 10 (priority)
- Revoker 10
- Graviton Beam 10 (strong with Panther)
- Voltaic RPG 14 (progression only)
Avoid cheap but underpowered weapons like Particle Beam or Chain Gun. Use this tier to solidify your hanger with strong mechs and meta weapons.
Tier 7: The Long Grind
Tier 7 introduces legendary mechs. Surge and Eclipse are absolute priorities—both cost A-Coins and will carry you into the late game. Avoid Brickhouse, Redux, and Scorpius.
Weapons to prioritize:
- Revoker 12 (first choice)
- Storm Rack 12
- Minigun 12 (optional long-term investment)
Cheaper weapons like Carbine, EM Rifle, or Disc Launcher lose effectiveness here. Save A-Coins for Revokers and Storm Racks. Tier 7 is a long grind, so use it to strengthen your core builds and save Credits for Legendary Pilot events.
Tier 8: The Endgame
The final tier revolves around two mechs: Hemlock (top priority, bought with Credits) and Nomad. Skip Bastion, Gatecrasher, and Onyx—they are inefficient A-Coin sinks.
Best weapons are:
- Storm Rack 16
- Revoker 16
- Minigun 16 (optional, very costly)
Endgame hangers typically run Surge, Eclipse, Aegis, Orion/Panther, and Hemlock/Nomad, armed with Storm Racks, Revokers, and Pod Guns. This composition is close to the top meta and achievable for dedicated F2P players.
Resource Management Tips
- Save A-Coins for Tiers 5–7. Early spending will cripple long-term progress.
- Don’t over-upgrade mechs. Focus on those that remain useful into the late game (Aegis, Orion, Surge, Eclipse, Hemlock).
- Avoid weak credit weapons. Even if cheap, they become dead weight.
- Use free promo codes and events. Many give free mechs or weapons, saving both Credits and A-Coins.
For F2P players, the Gear Hub in Mech Arena is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is patience and efficient spending. By following this tier-by-tier strategy—buying the right mechs, avoiding costly traps, and saving A-Coins for critical purchases—you can build a competitive hanger capable of challenging even heavy spenders. The journey may take time, but careful planning ensures you stay strong throughout. For the best gaming experience, play Mech Arena on BlueStacks!
Keep progressing in Mech Arena – Shooting Game with our other in-depth guides.
