Thousands of PUBG players find themselves sitting on mountains of polymers without understanding their purpose. These mysterious material items accumulate in your inventory every time you salvage unwanted weapon skins, yet their function remains unclear to many battleground survivors. Polymers represent PUBG’s crafting currency specifically designed for one crucial purpose: upgrading progressive weapon skins to unlock stunning visual variants and exclusive animations.
The Weapon Skin Upgrade system launched during Season 12.1 in May 2021, introducing a progression mechanic that transforms standard weapon cosmetics into customizable masterpieces. Unlike static skins that never change, progressive skins evolve through 10 distinct levels, each adding new cosmetic elements ranging from magazine textures to kill-feed designs. Understanding how to efficiently gather and spend polymers separates casual players from those who showcase truly distinctive arsenals.
What Are Polymers in PUBG?
Definition and Core Function
Polymers are material items that function as PUBG’s specialized upgrade currency. They exist exclusively for enhancing upgradeable weapon skins, which differ from ordinary cosmetics by featuring multiple visual tiers. When you inspect a progressive skin in your inventory, polymers become the fuel driving aesthetic transformation.
These materials don’t affect gameplay mechanics, damage output, or tactical advantages. Their value lies entirely in cosmetic progression, allowing dedicated players to showcase rare visual effects that signal commitment and style. Think of polymers as the building blocks between your basic skin and its fully realized form—each upgrade unlocking another layer of detail.
The Progressive Skin System
Progressive weapon skins revolutionized PUBG’s customization landscape by introducing upgradeable tiers that permanently modify appearance. The original [PROGRESSIVE] Gear Head – Beryl M762 skin exemplifies this system with 10 progressive levels:
| Level | Upgrade Feature | Polymer Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Skin Cosmetic | Starting point |
| 2 | Magazine/Muzzle Skin | Requires polymers |
| 3 | Uncommon Skin Cosmetic | Requires polymers |
| 4 | BATTLESTAT Total Kills | Requires polymers |
| 5 | Unique Weapon Animation | Requires polymers |
| 6 | Killfeed Skin | Requires polymers |
| 7 | Grip Skin | Requires polymers |
| 8 | Rare Skin Cosmetic | Requires polymers |
| 9 | Loot Crate Skin | Requires polymers |
| 10 | Scope Skin | Maximum level |
Each progressive tier becomes permanent and irreversible once applied. Players seeking specific aesthetic stages should carefully consider their upgrade path before committing polymers.
How to Get Polymers in PUBG
Salvaging Weapon Skins
The primary method for obtaining polymers involves salvaging duplicate or unwanted weapon skins through the Hideout menu. This salvage system mirrors PUBG Mobile’s dismantle feature, converting cosmetic items into crafting materials. Simply navigate to your weapon skin inventory, select items you don’t need, and dismantle them for immediate polymer rewards.
Salvage returns vary dramatically based on skin rarity tiers:
| Skin Rarity | Polymer Yield | Additional Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Common | 4 Polymers | None |
| Classic | 8 Polymers | None |
| Special | 16 Polymers | None |
| Rare | 28 Polymers | None |
| Elite | 40 Polymers | None |
| Epic | 200 Polymers | None |
| Legendary (Ordinary) | 800 Polymers | None |
| Legendary (Upgradeable) | 800 Polymers | 3 Schematics |
Note: Event, Basic, and Ultimate tier skins cannot be salvaged.
Strategic Polymer Farming
Experienced players maximize polymer acquisition by targeting high-yield skins on the Steam Community Market. Certain legendary items like Gold AK and Groza skins provide substantial polymer returns when salvaged. Calculate the real-money cost of purchasing market skins versus their polymer value to determine if investment makes financial sense for your upgrade goals.
Contraband Crates from the Hideout represent another polymer source. Opening these crates with Contraband Coupons (earned through missions and BP) or G-Coins (purchased with real money) grants weapon skins suitable for salvaging. Weekly mission completion generates steady coupon income without spending cash.
How to Use Polymers in PUBG
Step-by-Step Upgrade Process
Using polymers requires accessing your progressive weapon skin inventory:
- Navigate to your inventory from the main menu
- Locate progressive weapon skins (marked with upgrade indicators)
- Inspect the desired skin to view available upgrade tiers
- Verify polymer requirements for the next level
- Confirm the upgrade if you have sufficient materials
The upgrade applies immediately and permanently. Your weapon skin transforms to display new cosmetic features visible both in-game and in menus. Some upgrades add kill trackers (BATTLESTATS) or animated effects that activate during specific actions.
Material Requirements Beyond Polymers
While most progressive levels require only polymers, certain high-tier upgrades also demand schematics. These secondary materials drop from salvaging Legendary upgradeable skins (3 schematics per salvage). Plan your material gathering accordingly when pursuing maximum-level progressive skins that blend both material types.
Maximizing Polymer Efficiency
Prioritizing Your Favorite Weapons
New players often make the mistake of upgrading every progressive skin they own. This scattershot approach depletes polymer reserves without completing any single weapon’s transformation. Instead, focus polymer investments on weapons you consistently use in matches. A fully upgraded main weapon creates more satisfaction than multiple partially upgraded alternatives.
Research each progressive skin’s upgrade path before committing materials. Some level 10 designs may appeal less than level 7 aesthetics, and since upgrades are irreversible, informed decisions prevent regret.
Cost-Benefit Analysis for Market Purchases
Players pursuing rapid polymer accumulation can purchase cheap weapon skins from Steam Community Market purely for salvage value. This strategy works when:
- Market skin price < (Polymer yield × Your subjective polymer value)
- You need immediate materials for time-sensitive upgrades
- You’ve exhausted free polymer sources from duplicate crate drops
Calculate your personal polymer-to-dollar ratio to determine if market purchases align with your budget and customization priorities.
The Scrap Economy Connection
Scraps earned from duplicate Contraband Crate attempts can be exchanged at the Scrap Broker for additional Contraband Coupons or direct weapon skins. These scraps never expire, enabling patient players to accumulate substantial reserves over time. Converting scraps to skins, then salvaging those skins, creates an indirect polymer generation loop that operates entirely within the free-to-play framework.
Common Polymer Misconceptions
Polymers Don’t Enhance Performance
A frequent misconception claims polymers improve weapon damage, accuracy, or recoil patterns. This remains completely false. Polymer upgrades affect exclusively cosmetic elements—visual appearance, animations, and kill-feed displays. Your upgraded Beryl M762 deals identical damage to an unupgraded version. The advantage exists purely in aesthetic distinction and personal satisfaction.
You Can’t Trade or Sell Polymers
Unlike weapon skins themselves, polymers cannot be traded, sold, or transferred between accounts. Once you salvage a skin for polymers, those materials become permanently bound to your account. This limitation prevents polymer trading markets but ensures upgrade achievements reflect genuine player investment.
Not All Skins Produce Polymers
Players expecting polymer returns from every skin type face disappointment. Event skins, Basic tier items, and Ultimate rarity cosmetics cannot be salvaged. Always verify an item’s salvage eligibility before purchasing it specifically for polymer farming.
Key Takeaways
- Polymers are PUBG’s cosmetic upgrade currency, obtained by salvaging unwanted weapon skins and used exclusively for upgrading progressive weapon skins to unlock visual variants
- Salvage yields range from 4 polymers (Common skins) to 800 polymers (Legendary skins), with upgradeable legendary items also providing 3 schematics
- Progressive skins feature 10 upgrade levels adding cosmetic elements like magazine textures, animations, kill trackers, and scope designs—all changes are permanent and irreversible
- Focus polymer investments on weapons you frequently use rather than spreading materials across multiple incomplete upgrades for maximum satisfaction
- Polymers provide zero gameplay advantages—they enhance only visual appearance and have no impact on damage, accuracy, or tactical effectiveness
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are polymers used for in PUBG?
Polymers are specifically used to upgrade progressive weapon skins in PUBG. These material items unlock higher cosmetic tiers for upgradeable skins, adding visual enhancements like custom animations, kill-feed designs, and BATTLESTAT trackers. They serve no other purpose in the game.
How do I get polymers in PUBG without spending money?
You obtain free polymers by salvaging duplicate weapon skins from Contraband Crates earned through weekly missions and BP purchases. Complete in-game missions to earn Contraband Coupons, open crates, then salvage unwanted skins for polymer yields ranging from 4 to 800 polymers depending on rarity.
Can polymers improve my weapon’s performance or damage?
No, polymers affect only cosmetic appearance and have zero impact on gameplay mechanics. Upgraded weapon skins deal identical damage, maintain the same recoil patterns, and perform identically to base versions. The benefit exists purely in visual distinction and personal satisfaction.
What’s the difference between polymers and schematics?
Polymers are the primary material for most progressive skin upgrades, while schematics are secondary materials required only for certain high-tier legendary upgrades. You receive 3 schematics when salvaging Legendary upgradeable weapon skins. Both materials work together for maximum-level customization.
How many polymers do I need to fully upgrade a progressive weapon skin?
The exact polymer cost varies depending on the specific progressive skin and its upgrade path. Most progressive skins feature 10 upgrade levels, with polymer requirements increasing at higher tiers. Check your specific skin’s upgrade menu to see total costs before beginning the upgrade process.
Are progressive weapon skin upgrades reversible?
No, progressive skin upgrades are completely permanent and irreversible once applied. You cannot downgrade to previous visual tiers or recover spent polymers. Carefully review each upgrade level’s appearance before confirming to ensure you’re satisfied with the aesthetic changes.
Which weapon skins give the most polymers when salvaged?
Legendary tier skins provide the highest polymer yields at 800 polymers each. Epic skins offer 200 polymers, while Elite provides 40 polymers. Specific high-value items mentioned by players include Gold AK and Groza skins. Always check the Steam Community Market for cost-effective legendary items if purchasing purely for salvage value.
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