Factorio is the factory-building game that has ruined sleep schedules since 2016. You crash-land on an alien planet and must build increasingly complex automated factories to launch a rocket and escape. What starts as hand-mining iron ore evolves into continent-spanning logistics networks with trains, robots, and nuclear power. The 'one more belt' addiction is real — optimizing production ratios, throughput bottlenecks, and logistics creates a satisfaction loop that few games match. The 2.0 update and Space Age expansion added space platforms, new planets, and elevated rails, extending the endgame dramatically.
Factorio features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starting Area | First 2-4 hours | First iron/copper patches, starting base location, initial research completion | City Block |
| 2 | Oil Fields | Mid game (4-8 hours) | Petroleum gas (plastic, sulfur), lubricant (blue belts, robots), light oil (flamethrower fuel) | City Block |
| 3 | Uranium Patch | Late game | Nuclear fuel (fastest train fuel), nuclear reactor power (160MW per pair), atomic bombs, uranium ammo | Main Bus |
| 4 | Enemy Bases | All game phases | Safe expansion territory, reduced attack frequency, alien artifacts (in modded games) | Main Bus |
| 5 | Rail Network | Mid-Late game | Bulk material transport, scalable logistics, City Block factory design | Main Bus |
Starting Area — Starting Area
The area cleared of biter nests around your spawn point. Size depends on map settings. Contains your initial iron, copper, and stone patches. Build your starter base here with basic smelting, science production, and your first mall (automated crafting of belts, inserters, assemblers).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | First 2-4 hours |
| Key Rewards | First iron/copper patches, starting base location, initial research completion |
| Recommended Build | City Block |
| Key Equipment | Flamethrower Turret |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of belt logistics — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Oil Fields.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Oil Fields — Early Game
Oil is found in pumpjack-mineable patches, usually at moderate distance from spawn. Oil processing is the first major complexity spike — you must handle three fluid outputs (heavy, light, petroleum) simultaneously. Build your oil processing at the oil field or pipe it home.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid game (4-8 hours) |
| Key Rewards | Petroleum gas (plastic, sulfur), lubricant (blue belts, robots), light oil (flamethrower fuel) |
| Recommended Build | City Block |
| Key Equipment | Flamethrower Turret |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering circuit networks — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Flamethrower Turret if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Uranium Patch.
Uranium Patch — Mid Game
Uranium ore patches require sulfuric acid piped to the miner to extract. Uranium processing involves centrifuging ore into U-238 (99.3%) and U-235 (0.7%), then using Kovarex enrichment to convert U-238 into more U-235. The patch is usually far from spawn and requires rail infrastructure.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Late game |
| Key Rewards | Nuclear fuel (fastest train fuel), nuclear reactor power (160MW per pair), atomic bombs, uranium ammo |
| Recommended Build | Main Bus |
| Key Equipment | Flamethrower Turret |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Rocket Launcher becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master train systems for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Enemy Bases — Late Game
Biter nests cluster in groups called bases. They expand toward your pollution cloud and spawn attack waves. Clearing them requires military force — personal weapons for small bases, artillery for large ones. Cleared territory provides safe expansion space but nests regenerate near pollution sources.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All game phases |
| Key Rewards | Safe expansion territory, reduced attack frequency, alien artifacts (in modded games) |
| Recommended Build | Main Bus |
| Key Equipment | Rocket Launcher |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Rocket Launcher should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- biome defense mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Rail Network.
Rail Network — Endgame
Your rail network is the circulatory system of a large factory. Well-designed rail networks use standard intersection blueprints, proper signaling, and dedicated loading/unloading stations. The rail network connects remote resource patches to your main base and enables the City Block design pattern.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid-Late game |
| Key Rewards | Bulk material transport, scalable logistics, City Block factory design |
| Recommended Build | Main Bus |
| Key Equipment | Rocket Launcher |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Death World for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Starting Area → Oil Fields → Uranium Patch → Enemy Bases → Rail Network. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Factorio Guides
- Factorio Factorio Overview
- Factorio Best Builds
- Factorio Tier List
- Factorio Walkthrough
- Factorio Beginner's Guide
- Factorio Tips & Tricks
- Factorio Weapons Guide
- Factorio Combat Guide
- Factorio Boss Guide
- Factorio Crafting Guide
- Factorio Classes & Characters
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