Quick Answer
Your first factory should be readable before it is perfect. Keep power above demand, automate iron plates, rods, screws, wire, cable, concrete, and basic storage, then rebuild only after the hub and milestones reveal what the next tier actually needs.
Starter Build Order
| Step | Build | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hub, craft bench, equipment workshop | Unlock early milestones and tools |
| 2 | One miner feeding smelters for iron ingots | Stop hand-mining iron |
| 3 | Constructors for plates and rods | Cover the most repeated parts |
| 4 | Separate screw production | Prevent rods and screws from fighting for output |
| 5 | Copper wire and cable line | Support power poles and early equipment |
| 6 | Limestone to concrete | Keep foundations and belts available |
| 7 | Storage containers at line ends | Create buffer before milestone pushes |
Power Checklist
- Keep at least one extra biomass burner ready before adding machines.
- Feed burners with solid biofuel as soon as possible.
- Check the power graph after every production expansion.
- Put poles where you can read the line, not where they look decorative.
- Add power before unlocking a milestone that requires several new machines.
- Carry leaves, wood, and solid biofuel while exploring.
Early Ratio Guidance
| Part | Early pattern | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Iron plates | One simple plate line with storage | Plates always empty during hub upgrades |
| Iron rods | One rod line before screws | Rods vanish because screws consume all output |
| Screws | Separate constructor chain | Assemblers stall because screws arrive late |
| Wire and cable | Copper line with split output | Cable blocks power expansion |
| Concrete | Limestone miner to storage | You avoid foundations because concrete is scarce |
Rebuild Rules
Do not rebuild every time a belt looks messy. Rebuild when the same item blocks multiple milestones, when power trips repeatedly, or when storage containers prove that one line is permanently starved. Foundations, straight belts, and labels help, but stable output matters more than symmetry in the first hours.
Related Guides
FAQ
Should I chase perfect ratios immediately?
No. Perfect ratios are useful after you know the target output. In the starter phase, build clear lines and leave room to expand.
Why does my power keep shutting down?
You probably added machines before adding fuel capacity. Expand burners first, convert biomass into solid biofuel, then reconnect production.
When should I use foundations?
Use them once basic parts are automated. Foundations make later rebuilding easier, but they should not delay plates, rods, wire, cable, concrete, and power stability.
