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.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket Launcher | S | Death World | The personal rocket launcher fires explosive rockets in an arc, dealing heavy AoE damage. |
| Flamethrower Turret | A | Death World | The most efficient static defense in the game. |
| Laser Turret | A | Main Bus | Laser turrets draw power from your electricity grid and fire automatically at enemies. |
| Artillery | B | Train World | Artillery turrets and wagons fire massive shells at extreme range (up to 7 chunks), automatically targeting biter nests. |
| Atomic Bomb | B | Death World | The ultimate weapon — a nuclear warhead fired from the Spidertron or rocket launcher that annihilates everything in a massive radius. |
S-Tier: Rocket Launcher
The personal rocket launcher fires explosive rockets in an arc, dealing heavy AoE damage. Essential for clearing biter nests before you unlock artillery. Each rocket costs 4 explosive rocket fuel + 2 electronic circuits to craft. Bring 50+ rockets for a nest-clearing expedition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Death World |
| Key Mechanic | belt logistics |
| Recommended Build | Main Bus |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Rocket Launcher: Pairs naturally with Main Bus thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Flamethrower Turret
The most efficient static defense in the game. Flamethrower turrets deal massive AoE damage over time and are incredibly cost-effective. They require pipe connections to a fluid source (light oil or crude oil). Place them behind walls with a gap so flames reach over the wall. One row of flamethrowers handles virtually any attack.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Death World |
| Key Mechanic | circuit networks |
| Recommended Build | City Block |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Flamethrower Turret: Pairs naturally with City Block thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Laser Turret
Laser turrets draw power from your electricity grid and fire automatically at enemies. No ammo needed but they consume significant electricity — 24MW during sustained fire. Best used as a secondary defense layer behind flamethrower turrets. The lack of ammo logistics makes them convenient for remote outposts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Main Bus |
| Key Mechanic | train systems |
| Recommended Build | Spaghetti |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Laser Turret: Pairs naturally with Spaghetti thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Artillery
Artillery turrets and wagons fire massive shells at extreme range (up to 7 chunks), automatically targeting biter nests. This is the endgame solution for base expansion — the artillery clears nests before they become a threat. Artillery wagons on trains create mobile bombardment platforms.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Train World |
| Key Mechanic | nuclear power |
| Recommended Build | Train World |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Artillery: Pairs naturally with Train World thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Atomic Bomb
The ultimate weapon — a nuclear warhead fired from the Spidertron or rocket launcher that annihilates everything in a massive radius. Each bomb requires uranium-235, explosives, and rocket fuel. Use sparingly because it destroys your own structures too. One bomb clears an entire biter base cluster.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Death World |
| Key Mechanic | biome defense |
| Recommended Build | Death World |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Atomic Bomb: Pairs naturally with Death World thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Starting Area
- Flamethrower Turret → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Laser Turret → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Rocket Launcher → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- The ratio for Red Science is 1 assembler each for copper plates → gears → red science. For Green Science, you need 6 inserter assemblers per 5 belt assemblers per 1 green science assembler. Use a ratio calculator for complex recipes.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Factorio Guides
- Factorio Factorio Overview
- Factorio Best Builds
- Factorio Tier List
- Factorio Walkthrough
- Factorio Beginner's Guide
- Factorio Tips & Tricks
- Factorio Combat Guide
- Factorio Boss Guide
- Factorio Maps & Locations
- Factorio Crafting Guide
- Factorio Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Factorio, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
