SAND Loot and Money Guide: Crates, Safes, Mechanical Parts and What to Extract

1. Read Crates Before Opening Everything

Mobalytics notes that crate color and top markings help identify what is inside: common crates are lower priority, stronger colors point to better loot, and symbols hint at utility, weapon or cannon contents. Use those cues to spend less time standing exposed.

SignalWhat it suggestsWhen to take itWhen to skip

Utility markParts, tools or support itemsYou need repair or rebuild suppliesYour ship is healthy and bags are nearly full

Weapon markPersonal weapon or ammo valueYou are low on defense optionsYou came for coral or tech materials

Cannon markShip weapon or ammo relevanceYou are tuning Trampler combatYou cannot extract it safely

2. Publicly Noted Loot Sources

Safes

Public guides point to safes as a strong source of valuables. Coral guides also highlight Rare Valuables Safes for Coral Chunks.

Cabinets

Mobalytics notes cabinets as a place to check for medical items, making them useful before risky extraction holds.

Broken or locked rooms

Some richer rooms may need explosives or time bombs to open. Only do this if the noise and time cost match the run goal.

3. Extraction Priority Order

Run-saving materials:
Mechanical parts matter because they help rebuild after losses. Treat them as insurance, not filler.
Target resources:
If this is a coral, ammo, repair or upgrade run, the target item outranks random valuables.
High-value sale items:
Safes, valuables and black boxes can fund upgrades, but only if you actually leave with them.
Convenience loot:
Food, meds and ammo are worth taking when they support the current run, but do not let them crowd out progression materials.

4. Low-risk Loot Loop

Public looting advice favors small POIs and wreck-to-wreck routes early because they expose you less than parking in a big named area. Use big POIs when you specifically need their loot, not because they look exciting.

Start

Outer containers

Grab quick value and check if the area is quiet before committing deeper.

Middle

One valuable source

Choose a safe, cabinet cluster, black box target or crate group. Do not split attention across every room.

Exit

Extract before greed

If mechanical parts or target resources are secured, start moving toward a radio tower.

5. Craft to Consolidate

Mobalytics highlights the value of a workbench on the Trampler because crafting happens mid-run, not from the lobby menu. Use it to turn messy materials into ammo, tools or a clearer plan before extraction.

Before crafting:Check whether the material is needed for a tech tree unlock or a higher-priority upgrade.

Before selling:Search the item database for the item name, rarity and recipe use.

Before extending:If crafting fixed the immediate problem, extract. Do not turn a solved run into a fresh gamble.

6. Looting Mistakes That Shorten Runs

Opening every container while the Trampler sits unguarded.
Ignoring mechanical parts because they do not look exciting.
Filling inventory before reaching the resource you came to farm.
Staying in a named POI after gunfire, dust trails or flare smoke appear.