Beacon and Module Layout —8-Beacon Setup

Beacons amplify module effects across multiple buildings.

Beacon

Productivity

How Beacons Work

Beacons transmit module effects to nearby buildings:

• Range: 9 tiles (affects buildings in 9脳9 area)
• Distribution: Effect is split —50% transmission to each building
• Stacking: Multiple beacons stack additively
• Limit: Maximum 12 beacons can affect one building

Key rule: Beacons don't affect other beacons. Only production buildings (assemblers, furnaces, chemical plants, etc.).

The 8-Beacon Layout

The standard endgame layout:

• 1 assembler (3脳3) in center
• 8 beacons surrounding it (in the 12 possible positions, use 8)
• Beacons filled with
  Productivity
  Speed Module 3 (+50% speed each)
• Assembler filled with
  Productivity
  Productivity Module 3 (+10% productivity, -40% speed)

The math:

• 8 beacons 脳 +50% speed 脳 50% transmission = +200% speed
• Assembler PM3: -40% speed, +30% productivity
• Net: +160% speed, +30% productivity

Module Combinations

Different goals need different setups:

Recommendation: Use max productivity for expensive recipes (rocket parts, science packs). Use max speed for cheap bulk items (gears, circuits).

Power Cost

Beacons and modules draw massive power:

• Beacon: 480 kW base + module drain
• Speed Module 3: +70% power consumption
• Productivity Module 3: +80% power consumption

8-beacon setup power:

• 8 beacons 脳 480 kW = 3.84 MW
• 8 SM3s 脳 70% = +560% drain
• Total: ~25 MW per assembler

The tradeoff: 25 MW sounds expensive, but +30% productivity means 30% less ore, oil, and processing for the same output. Power is cheap; resources are precious.

What Veterans Learn the Hard Way

• 12-beacon is overkill —8 beacons hits the sweet spot. 12 beacons = marginal gains, massive power cost.
• PM3 first, then beacons —productivity modules reduce resource cost. Speed beacons fix the speed penalty.
• Not for everything —8-beacon setups are overkill for cheap items. Use for expensive recipes only.
• Power grid matters —100 beaconed assemblers = 2.5 GW. Plan your nuclear setup accordingly.

Common Mistakes

The Bottom Line

8-beacon layouts with PM3 assemblers and SM3 beacons are the endgame standard. +30% productivity saves resources. Power cost is acceptable at scale. Use for expensive recipes, skip for cheap bulk.

Related: Production Ratios | Oil Processing