- Plan B: Terraform ratios: 6 extractors feed 1 factory (90 ore = 30 bars per cycle)
- Core chain: Extractors → Depot → Factory → Depot → Assembly Plant
- Concrete trick: 1 factory (30/min) supports 3 road assembly plants (10/min each)
- Waste rule: Always consume recycled output or backlogs halt city growth
- Level 9 pivot: Trains replace trucks with far higher capacity
Core Production Ratios Explained
Understanding Plan B: Terraform ratios is the single most important skill for building an efficient planet. Every machine in the game consumes inputs at fixed rates, and matching those rates to your extractor output prevents both shortages and backlogs.
Video Highlights:
- Start on high-altitude terrain near cities with iron, silver, and aluminum
- Six extractors at 15 ore each perfectly supply one factory's 90-ore demand
- Double up on extractor and factory production early to future-proof your setup
- Dedicated single facilities per product make tracking output simple
The foundational math is simple: each extractor produces 15 iron ore per cycle, and each factory consumes 90 ore to output 30 steel bars — exactly 6 extractors' worth. That 6:1 ratio is your template for nearly every chain in the game.
| Ratio | Producer | Output | Consumer | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:1 | Iron Extractor x6 | 90 ore | Steel Factory | 90 ore → 30 bars |
| 1:3 | Concrete Factory x1 | 30/min | Road Assembly Plants x3 | 10/min each |
| 6:1 | Atmospheric Extractor x6 | Carbon | Polymer Factory | 1 factory's input |
| 1:2+ | Depot Mark 2 Assembly | 2x range/speed | All logistics | Scale as needed |
Hold Left Alt at game start to reveal elevation and water-flow lines. Building on light-blue low ground means your factory drowns once oceans form.
Building Your First Production Chain
Every chain follows the same five-stage pattern. Master it once and you can replicate it for any resource in the game, from steel to high-tech parts.
Place Extractors and Depots
Drop depots assigned to iron ore near an iron patch, then place extractors adjacent. Six extractors per depot cluster keeps the 90-ore ratio intact.
Add the Factory
Place a factory next to the depot to convert 90 ore into 30 steel bars. Add a second depot to receive the finished bars.
Finish with an Assembly Plant
The assembly plant converts bars into machines — extractors first, then depots, factories, and more assembly plants.
Duplicate the Layout
Repeat the full set to produce factories and assembly plants themselves, keeping ratios identical.
Double Everything
Before moving on, double your extractor, depot, and factory output. Early over-investment saves constant micromanagement later.
Blue triangle markers show future ocean locations and thick lines show likely rivers. Avoid these zones or use the underwater-alert button to fix flooded factories fast.
Transport and City Supply Ratios
A single truck moves roughly 5 concrete per cycle against a factory's 30-per-cycle output, so scale truck counts until capacity matches production. Cities initially demand only 10 concrete per cycle — one factory covers three cities, but demand grows as the population climbs.
| Transport | Capacity | Best Use | Upgrade Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks | Low (~5/cycle each) | Early game, flexible routing | Available from start |
| Trains | High, multi-unit per loop | Level 9+, dedicated lines | Requires rail loop |
| Ships | Slow but steady | Sea routes between regions | When land routes impractical |
| Depot Mark 2 | 2x range and throughput | All mid-game logistics | Polymer + aluminum bars |
One Resource Per Supply Center
- Easier tracking of what goes where
- Simple scaling later
- Faster bottleneck diagnosis
Backup Supply Centers
- Mark recycled-goods centers as backup
- City consumes recycled stock first
- Preserves new production
Second City Early
- Different resource centers need different cities
- Botanical Research Center requires city 2
- Prepares endgame food chains
If you build a truck route backwards, use the reverse-angle button to swap start and end points instantly — no need to rebuild the line.
Waste Recycling Ratios
At city size 300, waste disposal becomes mandatory. Metal waste recycles back into steel and aluminum bars — but only if something downstream consumes them, or the recycling chain backs up and city growth stops entirely.
| Waste Type | Recycled Into | Best Sink | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal (steel) | Steel bars | Extra extractors | Low — easy to consume |
| Metal (aluminum) | Aluminum bars | High-tech parts | Medium — few direct uses |
| Organic | Compost (add nitrogen) | Food production | High — easy to overproduce |
Compost is one of the hardest resources to balance. Always consume organic waste first, then add standard compost production only to fill the remaining gap.
Mid-to-Late Game Milestones
Progression gates are tied to population milestones, and each one changes your ratio requirements. Prepare production before hitting each threshold to avoid stalls.
| Population | Unlock | New Ratio Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Waste disposal | Recycling chain + consumption sinks |
| 3,000 | Space elevator base | Elevator cables, city specialization |
| 10,000 | Trees (pine/eucalyptus) | Oxygen generation, greening phase |
| 20,000 | Nano composite seeds | Food chain overhaul, organic waste |
| Late game | Farms + grain silos | 3-ingredient food, field seeds |
Ratio Mastery Checklist:
- Build 6:1 extractor-to-factory chains for every resource
- Double production capacity before expanding
- Set up waste recycling with confirmed consumers
- Upgrade to Depot Mark 2 and trains at level 9
- Prepare second city for specialized resource centers
Leave deliberate gaps between production sectors. That space is where train stations for inputs and outputs will go — cramped layouts run out of station room fast.
FAQ
Q: What is the core Plan B: Terraform ratio for steel production?
Six extractors producing 15 iron ore each (90 total) feed one factory that converts them into 30 steel bars. This 6:1 ratio is the template for most early-game chains.
Q: How many road assembly plants can one concrete factory support?
A factory produces 30 concrete per cycle while each road assembly plant only needs 10, so you can run three assembly plants off a single factory for optimal road production.
Q: Why did my city stop growing?
The most common cause is a waste backlog. If your recycling centers fill up because nothing consumes the recycled steel or aluminum bars, waste disposal halts and the city freezes. Route recycled bars into extractors or high-tech parts.
Q: Are trains better than trucks?
Yes, once unlocked at level 9. Trains carry far more per trip and multiple trains can share one track without colliding — just ensure the rail forms a complete loop.