Ore Factory Squad Best Upgrade Order & License Guide

FIELD LOG // EARLY PROGRESS

This is the safest beginner default, not a universal speedrun order. Procedural property resources, current Contracts, remaining stock, and player workload can justify a change.

Buy the complete solution to the first proven bottleneck. Do not buy one attractive component of a system you cannot yet use.

Do not use fixed cash tiers such as $0–5k, $5k–20k, and $20k+. A launch-week Mining Lift Head cost only $25, while the first tested metal-processing core cost $3,500. Those old bands do not match the current progression.

SNAPSHOTTested Progression Snapshot

Early opening

A reliable early loop includes:

• Greenpark/basic-property resources;
• a working Sorting Station;
• simple production machines such as the Stone Crusher;
• finished pallets inside tracked storage;
• one achievable contract route;
• Stock Sell for immediate cash;
• Shovel, Pickaxe, or Detector upgrades chosen by need;
• a usable Mining Lift before deep recovery becomes repetitive.

Level 3 observation

In one launch-week run, Mining Lift parts were available in the Mine & Lift equipment section during Level 3 progression:

This does not prove that Level 3 alone is the exact unlock trigger in every save. It does prove that the Lift is not a $20k+ late-game license.

Level 4 observations

Separate launch-week progression captures confirm these Level 4 developments:

• Metal Processing License #1 and the Smelting Furnace became available;
• Dynamite appeared in the upgrade panel;
• Forest became available as the next metal-focused property direction.

Observed costs relevant to this stage:

The $3,500 total covers only the first License and Smelting Furnace. It does not include every pallet, property, transport, or later production expense.

Level 5 unlock screen

The tested Level 5 panel included:

• Metal Processing License #2;
• Warehouse Automation License;
• Factory Size expansion;
• another Pickaxe upgrade;
• Fabrication Station;
• Pallet Dispenser.

One later metal-related License was displayed at $4,000 in that run. The exact later Plate recipe, machine sequence, and production time were not fully verified.

TREERecommended Upgrade Decision Tree

    [ What stops progress right now? ]
                    │
        ┌───────────┼───────────┬──────────────┐
        ▼           ▼           ▼              ▼
    Extraction   Location    Production      Logistics
      too slow   uncertain     blocked         manual
        │           │           │              │
        ▼           ▼           ▼              ▼
    Tool upgrade  Detector   Required License  Warehouse
    or new route  / Property  + full machine   Automation
                              chain            only if complete

Add a fifth branch:

    Required resource absent from active property
                       │
                       ▼
          Preserve basic-material reserves
                       │
                       ▼
        Replace it with a suitable property

PHASE 1Stabilize the Basic Cash Loop

Before buying an advanced system:

1. mine resources available in the active property;
2. send raw resources through the Sorting Station;
3. produce an exact finished product;
4. keep its pallet inside the marked storage area;
5. complete a contract you can already fulfill;
6. use Stock Sell for confirmed surplus;
7. keep enough cash to finish the next purchase chain.

Do not begin by refining Iron or Copper if the current property only supplies basic materials. The first metal-processing stage appeared at Level 4 in the tested run.

PHASE 2Choose the Correct Mining Upgrade

Buy the Detector when location is the bottleneck

The Detector is useful when:

• Remaining Resources confirms the target exists;
• easy visible deposits are gone;
• the target remains in Mid or Deep;
• repeated blind digging costs more time than the upgrade.

Delay it when visible material remains or a production machine—not locating raw material—is the real blocker.

Buy Dynamite for access, not routine mining

Dynamite is valuable for:

• a confirmed Secret Cave entrance;
• a thick obstruction;
• a direct route toward a confirmed target.

It reduces total resource yield and costs another $50 for each throw in the observed build. Do not use it as a general ore-profit upgrade.

Buy the Jackhammer when repeated excavation is the bottleneck

The displayed launch-week price was $1,500. A direct Detector-versus-Dynamite-versus-Jackhammer efficiency formula was not completed, so choose by task:

• Detector locates;
• Dynamite clears a specific obstruction;
• Pickaxe recovers exposed material precisely;
• Jackhammer supports repeated mechanical excavation.

Extend the Mining Lift when depth is the bottleneck

Check Remaining Resources first. The Lift is most useful when the target remains in Mid or Deep and you expect to reuse the route.

For the tested build process, see the Mining Lift guide.

PHASE 3Enter Metal Processing Deliberately

Choose Metal Processing License #1 and the Smelting Furnace when:

• Copper or Iron is already in Factory Storage;
• Ingot contracts or later production require it;
• you can afford the License and machine together;
• an output pallet and factory space are ready.

The tested workflow is:

    Raw Copper / Raw Iron
            │
            ▼
      Sorting Station
            │
            ▼
      Factory Storage
            │
            ▼
      Smelting Furnace
            │
            ▼
    Copper Ingot / Iron Ingot Pallet

The same Smelting Furnace can select Copper Ingot or Iron Ingot. The exact raw-metal ratio and per-Ingot production time were not recorded, so do not assume 1:1.

PHASE 4Decide Whether Warehouse Automation Is Ready

Do not buy Warehouse Automation simply because the Level 5 panel shows it.

The system can involve:

• Warehouse Automation License;
• Warehouse Robot;
• Drop Zones;
• Pallet Dispenser;
• Palletizer and related pallet equipment;
• enough factory space for valid work routes.

The official Full Automation achievement requires a Warehouse Robot, Palletizer, and Drop Zone in one working setup. Buying one piece does not automatically replace the Forklift or the contract-specific Pallet Packer.

Choose this branch when:

• manual pallet movement consumes most of the workday;
• production is already reliable;
• the complete system is affordable;
• you have a clear start and destination for the tested work order.

Otherwise, complete another basic contract and preserve cash.

PHASE 5Change Property for the Right Resource

Do not leave a property only because its Surface is empty. Check all three layers.

Change property when:

• the next production stage requires a resource not present there;
• the last useful Detector readings require disproportionate travel;
• basic-material reserves can support existing contracts;
• underground boxes and useful loose items have been recovered;
• the next property and required processing chain are affordable.

Forest is the important Level 4 direction when Copper, Iron, Bronze, or Steel blocks progress. It is not automatically the best choice when you still need more Limestone, Clay, Stone, Coal, or Sandstone.

OLD DATAWhat Not to Buy Based on the Old Guide

Current reliable sources do not confirm licenses named:

• Standard Conveyor Belt License;
• Standard Smelter License;
• Splitter & Merger License;
• Cement Kiln License;
• Clay Brick Oven License;
• Automatic Pallet System License;
• Forklift Dealership License;
• Heavy-Duty Mining Lift License.

Use the exact names visible in the current License and Marketplace interfaces.

The following old progression sequence is also unsafe:

    Iron/Copper first
      → Filter Splitter/Merger
      → APS/Cement Kiln/Brick Oven
      → $20k+ Mining Lift

It conflicts with tested Level 3, 4, and 5 progression and uses multiple unconfirmed entities.

MISTAKESCommon Upgrade Mistakes

Use the beginner guide for the complete opening route. When Metal Processing becomes the bottleneck, continue with the Cement and Ingot recipe guide; when the active site lacks the required material, use the property-switching guide.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions