Goal: By the end of this guide, you will have a working factory producing the first 4 science packs (red, green, blue, gray) automatically.
Step 1: The First 10 Minutes
Punch iron ore and copper ore by hand. Craft your first iron plate and copper plate manually.
Priority: Get 1 burner mining drill on iron ore ASAP
Next: 1 stone furnace smelting iron plates
Then: Craft a burner inserter to automate feeding the furnace
Step 2: Power and Automation
Place boilers and steam engines to generate electricity. You need power before you can use electric mining drills and assemblers.
Power formula: 1 boiler + 1 steam engine = 900 kW. A small factory needs 2-3 steam engines early on.
Step 3: Your First Science Packs
Research automation first. Then build an assembler making electronic circuit (green circuits).
| Science Pack | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Red (Automation) | Iron gear + Iron plate |
| Green (Logistic) | Electronic circuit + Iron gear |
| Blue (Chemical) | Engine unit + Electronic circuit + Plastic bar |
| Gray (Military) | Piercing rounds magazine + Defender capsule |
Step 4: Scaling Up
Once red and green science are automated:
- Build a main bus — long belts carrying iron/copper plates through your base
- Add steel furnaces or electric furnaces
- Automate inserters and transport belts production
- Expand mining outposts as ore patches deplete
Mistake to avoid: Don't try to build everything in one tight area. Leave space for expansion from the beginning.
Checklist Before Launch
- [ ] Red + Green science fully automated
- [ ] Blue science production started (requires oil)
- [ ] Steel production running
- [ ] A few gun turrets with ammo near your base
- [ ] Radar placed (reveals map around your base)
- [ ] Started planning your rocket silo location
Next up: Read the Production Ratios guide to optimize your assembler counts.