Alchemy Factory just hit 91% positive reviews on Steam (680+ ratings since Dec 12 Early Access launch)—and players are raving about its Satisfactory-meets-medieval shop sim vibes. Priced at $16.19 (10% launch discount till Dec 25), it’s exploding with 6k peak players, multiplayer co-op, and voxel automation that scratches every factory itch.
We are tackling steel ingots—your gateway to cannons, gears, large stands, and shop overhauls. Steel unlocks structural upgrades (3×3 stands, directional cannons vs. straight catapults), high-value sales (steel gears = big coin), and scales your base from peasant hut to magnate empire. We’ll cover coke powder ratios (fuel king post-charcoal), Athanor recycling loop (25% steel yield), advanced fertilizer tweaks (60/min nurseries), the game-changing Cannon Shelf blueprint (discreet shop stocking), and full modular builds with blueprint tips (Patreon/Discord shares incoming).
Perfect for mid-game players (Lv7+ post-fertilizer) rushing turquoise potions, transformation potions, yeast, and tech tree (avoid yeast quests till auto’d!). Free demo on Steam—try steel basics risk-free. Let’s automate!
Why Steel Now? Mid-Game Progression & Economy Boost (Dec 23 Patch)
Steel = multiplier:
- Sales: Steel gears/plates fetch 31+ coins/day (per Nilson runs).
- Builds: Cannons (directional launches), large stands (3×3 floors/ceilings).
- Tech Unlock: Turquoise, yeast powder, gloom spores, transformation potions (next tier relics).
Patch Notes (Dec 21 build 21273213): Blueprint saves catapult/cannon targets, bulk delete pipes (G), conveyor lifts fixed—ideal for steel scaling. r/AlchemyFactory buzzing: coke > charcoal for space/fuel (1 crusher + furnace = 3-4x output).
Economy Hack: Steel gears sell fast—stock via cannons for rep gains (richer customers). Nilson: “Cannons shoot anywhere—catapults straight only.”
Blueprint #1: Compact Coke Powder Module (20/min – Fuel Meta)
Coke powder (660P heat) crushes charcoal (48P)—3x efficient for Athanors/furnaces. Nilson rebuilt from charcoal: Coal → Coke (Crucible) → Powder (Grinder).
Ratios (20/min, Fuel Eff Lv2 rec):
| Machine | Count | Input → Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher | 1 | Coal Ore → Coal | 10/min |
| Furnace | 1 | Coal → Coke (10/min) | Planks fuel |
| Crucible | 2 | Coke → Coke | Heat loop |
| Grinder | 2 | Coke → Powder (5/min ea) | 10/min total |
| Athanor | 1 | (For steel later) | Nails req |
Build Steps (Nilson Modular):
- Fuel Loop: Wood → Charcoal (temp) → Split crucibles.
- Coal Line: Crusher → Furnace → 2 Crucibles → 2 Grinders → Output.
- Compact: Under-belt launcher saves space—”works better closer.”
Pro: 20/min = steel fuel + sales. Scale: Dupe 2-3 for Athanors.
Patreon Blueprint: Nilson upload—Google Drive for supporters (Discord too).
Blueprint #2: Steel Ingots Athanor Recycler (3.75/min Net)
Steel: Iron + Coke Powder in Athanor—25% yield, 75% recycles (genius loop!).
Ratios:
| Machine | Count | Input/Out | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smelter | 1 | Iron Ore → Ingots (10/min) | Pre-fill |
| Athanor | 1 | 15 Ingots + 15 Coke → 3.75 Steel + 11.25 Iron recycle | Priority merger |
| Merger | 1 | Recycle + Fresh | Lower priority fresh |
Build (Nilson Testbed):
- Iron inbound → Smelter → Merger (recycle loop).
- Coke → Athanor (15/min).
- Output: Steel to box (yellow filter overflow).
- Key: Lower belt = priority recycle; top supplements 25%.
Net: 3.75/min/module—dupe 3x for gears/cannons. Fuel: Coke excess.
Common Pitfall: Merger priority—test with G fill.
Blueprint #3: Steel Gears & Cannons (Modular – 3.75/min)
Chain: Steel → Gears (Assembler) → Cannons (4:1).
Ratios:
| Machine | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Assembler | 1 | Steel → Gears |
| Assembler | 1 | 4 Gears → Cannon |
Nilson Loop: Steel stockpile → Gears → Cannon output. Trim belts for compact.
Why Cannons? Shoot any direction (vs. catapults straight)—”Amazing for structure.”
The Cannon Shelf: Nilson’s Shop Overhaul (15+ Goods Auto-Stocked)
Genius: Gates → Cannons → Upper shelves—discreet, vertical shop.
Design:
- Lower: 1-2 shelves/gate (middle=2, sides=1).
- Upper: 4 Cannons (hit everywhere except down).
- Inbound: Belts through gates → Requestors.
Build:
- Punch walls → Gates (middle placement).
- Cannons target shelves (B blueprint saves targets).
- Test: Steel gears cannon to assembler—auto-feeds!
Overhaul: 15 goods (12+ potions/Jupiter)—doors/windows for aesthetic. Bouncy Shroom stairs—cozy vibe.
Blueprint: Community shares (r/AlchemyFactory, Discord)—paste via B > Blueprints tab (C:\Users[You]\AppData\Local\AlchemyFactory\Saved\Blueprints).
Advanced Fertilizer Update: 60/min Nurseries (Overscale Fix)
Nilson: Swapped basic → Advanced (double output)—60/min (trim every other).
Ratios (alchemy-factory-codex.com):
| Fert Type | V/s | Nursery Output |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 12V/s | 30/min |
| Advanced | 144V/s | 360/min (belt cap 60) |
Tip: Stockpile till advanced grinder—scale farms!
Money Loop & Shop Hacks: Turnaround Post-Steel
- Belts: Physical coins → Boxes → Cannons → Buyers.
- Sales: Steel gears/plates + potions = rebound (31/day).
- Hazards: Cannon fire? Customers love it—rep up!
Common Pitfalls & Fixes (Steam/Reddit Wisdom)
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Merger Priority | Lower = recycle; test G |
| Launcher Angle | Closer = better; under-belt |
| Blueprint Stuck | Tab drag / Caps Lock lock |
| Fuel Stall | Coke > Charcoal (space king) |
Tools: alchemy-factory-codex.com (planner/calc)
Next: Turquoise, Yeast, Transformation – Relic Tier Rush
Nilson teases: Gloom spores → Yeast → Pots (daily quests incoming). Daily episodes thru Christmas—Patreon blueprints (steel/cannon shelf).
Roadmap (dev post): QOL builds, multiplayer polish.
Final Thoughts: Build Effective, Stay Profitable
Nilson’s steel/cannon revamp = mid-game godsend—compact, profitable, beautiful. Dupe modules, blueprint everything (B > F > H), overhaul shops vertically. r/AlchemyFactory for shares—91% love proves it’s meta.
Your PB steel time? Cannon Shelf pics? Drop below! Sub for Ep next (turquoise rush). Stay effective—magnate awaits!
