Two Systems Decide Everything
In Satisfactory there is no boss to beat — the challenge is logistics, and the reward is a factory that runs itself. Two systems determine how fast you grow: how you generate power and how you move parts across the map. Get these right and every other problem becomes solvable. This guide ranks both and gives you a roadmap.
Power Generation, Ranked
Your power grid has to scale ahead of your factory, because the moment demand exceeds supply, the whole grid trips and everything stops. Here is the progression — the full power tier list covers every option.
Start: Biomass Burner
The Biomass Burner is hand-fed and tedious by design. Its only job is to keep your first machines running until you can automate power. Do not over-invest here.
Breakthrough: Coal Generator
Reaching the Coal Generator is the single biggest quality-of-life jump in the game — your first fully automatable power source, fed by mined coal and piped water. Build a dedicated coal plant and never hand-feed biomass again.
Scale: Fuel Generator
The Fuel Generator burns liquid fuel for 250 MW each and scales cleanly with the planet's plentiful oil. Upgrade to turbofuel to multiply the power from every generator. This is the practical backbone of most large factories.
Endgame: Nuclear
The Nuclear Power Plant outputs a massive 2,500 MW per building, but you must build a closed loop to process its radioactive waste. It is the ultimate power source and the ultimate engineering puzzle.
Logistics, Ranked
Power is useless if parts can't reach your machines. Match the transport to the distance — see the full logistics tier list.
| Method | Best for | Notes |
| Conveyor Belts | Short/medium runs | The connective tissue of every floor |
| Trains | Long-distance bulk | Highest throughput once built |
| Drones | High-value over terrain | Set-and-forget, battery-limited |
| Trucks & Tractors | Medium hauls pre-rail | Quick to set up, pathing quirks |
| Pipelines | All fluids | Mind head-lift and pump placement |
The rule of thumb: belts on the factory floor, trains across the map, drones for the awkward high-value runs, and pipes for everything liquid.
A Scaling Roadmap
- Early: Biomass → rush the Coal Generator. Belts everywhere.
- Always: Keep feeding the Space Elevator to unlock the next tech tier.
Plan power ahead of demand and match transport to distance, and your factory will climb from a few coal generators to a planet-spanning, self-running network. For every machine, recipe, and milestone in depth, the Satisfactory wiki has you covered.
