Satisfactory is Coffee Stain Studios' first-person factory building game set on an alien planet where you automate resource extraction, processing, and manufacturing for the FICSIT corporation. Unlike top-down factory games, Satisfactory puts you on the factory floor in a stunning 3D world, building conveyor belts, train networks, and massive production facilities. The game reached 1.0 in 2024 after years of Early Access, adding nuclear power, quantum computing, and the full Space Elevator progression.
Satisfactory 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 | Grass Fields | Tier 0-3 | Iron, Copper, Limestone, Coal, easy building terrain | Organized Factory |
| 2 | Rocky Desert | Tier 2-5 | Caterium (smart splitters), Quartz (crystal oscillators), Sulfur | Organized Factory |
| 3 | Northern Forest | Tier 4-7 | Nitrogen Gas, diverse ores, crash sites | Spaghetti Builder |
| 4 | Dune Desert | Tier 5-7 | Oil, Bauxite (Aluminum), Pure nodes for high throughput | Spaghetti Builder |
| 5 | Blue Crater | Tier 7-8 | SAM Ore (endgame), rare resources, challenging exploration | Spaghetti Builder |
Grass Fields — Starting Area
The recommended starting area with flat terrain, abundant Iron, Copper, and Limestone nodes. Easy access to Coal for early power. Low enemy density. The flatness makes factory building straightforward.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Tier 0-3 |
| Key Rewards | Iron, Copper, Limestone, Coal, easy building terrain |
| Recommended Build | Organized Factory |
| Key Equipment | Rebar Gun |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of conveyor 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 Rocky Desert.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Rocky Desert — Early Game
A resource-rich area with Caterium, Quartz, and Sulfur in addition to basic ores. More hostile enemies and uneven terrain. Contains several crash sites with valuable Hard Drives.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Tier 2-5 |
| Key Rewards | Caterium (smart splitters), Quartz (crystal oscillators), Sulfur |
| Recommended Build | Organized Factory |
| Key Equipment | Rebar Gun |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering power grid management — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Rebar Gun if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Northern Forest.
Northern Forest — Mid Game
Dense forest with Nitrogen Gas nodes (needed for endgame recipes). Challenging terrain with cliffs and water. Contains rare resources and crash sites. Building here requires significant terraforming with foundations.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Tier 4-7 |
| Key Rewards | Nitrogen Gas, diverse ores, crash sites |
| Recommended Build | Spaghetti Builder |
| Key Equipment | Rebar Gun |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Xeno-Basher becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master alt recipe research for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Dune Desert — Late Game
A large open area with Oil and Bauxite nodes essential for mid-to-late game production. The openness makes large factory construction easier. Contains multiple Pure resource nodes (highest extraction rate).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Tier 5-7 |
| Key Rewards | Oil, Bauxite (Aluminum), Pure nodes for high throughput |
| Recommended Build | Spaghetti Builder |
| Key Equipment | Xeno-Basher |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Xeno-Basher should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- train networks mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Blue Crater.
Blue Crater — Endgame
An endgame area with SAM Ore and high-tier resources. The most hostile environment with dangerous creatures. SAM Ore is required for the final Space Elevator tiers.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Tier 7-8 |
| Key Rewards | SAM Ore (endgame), rare resources, challenging exploration |
| Recommended Build | Spaghetti Builder |
| Key Equipment | Xeno-Basher |
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 Train Network for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Grass Fields → Rocky Desert → Northern Forest → Dune Desert → Blue Crater. 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 Satisfactory Guides
- Satisfactory Satisfactory Overview
- Satisfactory Best Builds
- Satisfactory Tier List
- Satisfactory Walkthrough
- Satisfactory Beginner's Guide
- Satisfactory Tips & Tricks
- Satisfactory Weapons Guide
- Satisfactory Combat Guide
- Satisfactory Boss Guide
- Satisfactory Crafting Guide
- Satisfactory Classes & Characters
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