The Merlies Scraps Guide - Collection & Upcycling
Scraps are the only currency in The Merlies: what to collect in every biome and the official upcycling conversions that turn junk into a village.
Published September 27, 2026 · Last updated September 27, 2026
Quick Answer: What Are Scraps and Why Do They Matter?
Scraps are the only currency in The Merlies: the remains of a long-gone human civilization, gathered on every expedition and spent on the village. "For one man's junk is a Merlies' treasure", the official store text promises — collect scraps to create and decorate your village, accommodate your Merlies and train them for exploration. No gold, no shops, no gear tiers: what you carry home is what your community becomes.
| Source | What You Find | What It Becomes |
|---|---|---|
| Forest canopy | Scraps tangled in branches | Village building material |
| Pond shallows | Water-worn junk | Decoration and furniture |
| City ruins | The densest salvage field | The famous upcycling conversions |
| Pipes & underground | Buried leftovers | Cozy interior fittings |
The Official Upcycling Examples
The developers have named three conversions themselves: "make a cozy house out of a lamp, a huge map out of a slate or a store room out of an ice cube tray." They capture the whole design: everyday human objects take on gigantic proportions and a new purpose for the community. The full scrap-to-building catalog will be documented after launch.
- Lamp — becomes a cozy Merlie house.
- Slate — becomes a huge map for the community.
- Ice cube tray — becomes a store room.
Recycling as a Way of Life
Scraps are also the game's thesis. The Merlies is explicitly a solarpunk game — post-apocalyptic "but not like you would expect", a bright tale where the community rebuilds "through recycling and upcycling human junk". Wacky constructions and clever upcycling are described by the developers as the key to comfort and happiness for the tribe.