At a glance
| Added in | 1.9: The Enemy Update (June 2026) |
|---|---|
| How you earn one | Each player level-up, until all normal weapons are unlocked |
| Unlock order | Any weapon, any order |
| Shocklance | Overtime Assignment only |
| Diffraction Driver (1.0) | Resources, after player level 10 |
| Secret weapons | Carver and Globbler use quest routes |
What an Armament License is
Mycopunk players often spell it “armement license”, but the in-game item is the Armament License. It is a single-use unlock token for weapons. You do not buy it, farm it or find it on a map. It arrives as a reward when your player level goes up, and you redeem it in the weapon unlock screen.
The official 1.9 notes describe the change in one line: until you have unlocked all normal weapons, leveling up provides an Armament License, which can be used to unlock weapons in any order. That last part is the important one. Before 1.9 the path to new weapons was more fixed. Since then, you choose which weapon arrives next.
The word “normal” matters too. Licenses cover the regular weapon roster. They do not cover weapons the developer deliberately gates behind missions, quests or secrets, which are listed further down this page.
How to get more Armament Licenses
The only documented source is levelling up your player level. Each level-up grants one license while there are still normal weapons left to unlock. There is no shop, no currency exchange and no daily login reward for licenses in the official notes.
That means the fastest way to get more is simply to earn player experience. Finish missions, complete objectives and play with a crew that clears contracts reliably. Our beginner overview explains the mission loop, and the Yeuco guide covers the resource side of progression that runs alongside levelling.
Players sometimes ask whether licenses keep coming after the roster is complete. The 1.9 wording says the reward lasts until you have unlocked all normal weapons, and fan wikis report that it stops there. We found no official statement that unused licenses convert into anything else, so there is no reason to hoard them.
Spending a license: which weapon first?
Because order is free, the best first weapon is the one that fixes a weakness in how you play. A license spent on a weapon you never equip is wasted progression, while a weapon that suits your employee and your crew pays off on every mission.
A few practical rules help. Unlock something that covers a role your current loadout lacks, such as reliable damage against large targets or an easier way to deal with crowds. Prefer weapons that pair well with the upgrades you already own, since the upgrade grid is where Mycopunk builds come together. If you play in a regular crew, avoid doubling up on what teammates already bring.
Weapon balance changes between patches, so this page does not rank weapons. Read the current in-game tooltips, try a weapon in an easy mission and check the build guide before committing your grid to it.
- Fill a missing role before adding a second weapon of the same style.
- Check which of your current upgrades fit the new weapon.
- Coordinate with your regular crew so the team covers more situations.
- Spend licenses as they arrive instead of saving them.
Weapons a license cannot unlock
Not every weapon can be bought with an Armament License. The 1.0 release notes say the Shocklance can only be unlocked after completing the Overtime Assignment. If the Shocklance is greyed out while you hold a license, that is intended, not a bug.
The 1.0 notes also introduce a new weapon, the Diffraction Driver, and state that it can be unlocked with some resources after you reach level 10. That is a different route from a license, so check its cost in the unlock screen once you pass level 10.
The Accelerator arrived with the Oxythane Breach update and is tied to that Special Assignment. We found no source confirming that a license unlocks it; our Accelerator page keeps the documented route.
Secret weapons keep their own routes
The Carver chainsaw and the Globbler are secret weapons, and they never appear as normal license options. The Carver is assembled by completing the Broken Frame with modules collected across the HUB and several regions. Our chainsaw guide walks through every module.
The Globbler starts with three hidden switches at Gravity Farms, which open a facility holding the Scorched Transponder. That item leads to a mission rewarding the Globbler blueprint. The bunker guide explains the facility, and the hidden weapons guide compares both routes.
This split is a common source of confusion. If a weapon is missing from your license choices, it is far more likely to be a secret or mission unlock than a removed item.
Armament Licenses after the 1.0 release
Mycopunk left Early Access on October 20, 2026, with the 1.0 release on PC and the launch on PS5. The license system from 1.9 still frames ordinary weapon unlocks, while 1.0 added new content around it, including the Mycologist employee, the Diffraction Driver and a reworked HUB.
PS5 players start fresh, so the license loop is the first progression system many console players meet. Every level-up early on is a chance to choose a weapon, which makes the first few hours a good time to experiment. Our PS5 guide covers the console launch details.
PC players who levelled before 1.9 may already own most of the roster. In that case few or no licenses arrive, and that is expected. The remaining unlocks are usually the gated weapons described above.
Common questions
Can I refund a license? We found no official refund or respec option for weapons unlocked with an Armament License, so treat each choice as permanent and decide with your build in mind.
Do licenses carry over between platforms? We found no confirmation of cross-platform progression between Steam and PS5, so a license earned on one platform stays there. See the crossplay page for the current platform status.
Where can I see how a weapon is unlocked? The in-game Codex in your inventory lists acquisition details for non-secret weapons and upgrades, which is the most reliable reference after a patch.
Quick summary
Level up, collect an Armament License, and unlock the normal weapon that best fills a gap in your loadout. Spend licenses as soon as they arrive. Do not expect a license to unlock the Shocklance, the Diffraction Driver, the Accelerator or the secret weapons, because each has its own route.
Once you have a weapon you like, the real work is the upgrade grid. Continue with the build guide, then try the Accelerator build or the Glider rocket build for complete examples.
Sources and further reading
- 1.9: The Enemy Update — official announcement (Jun 25, 2026)
- Mycopunk official Steam news feed (patch notes)
- Oxythane Breach — official announcement (Nov 3, 2025)
- Progression — Mycopunk community wiki (fan site)