Ore Factory Squad Secret Cave & Dynamite Guide

FIELD LOG // CAVE SCAN

The Ore Detector is a distance tool, not a quality meter. Select a target resource and compare the reading as you move. A shorter distance means you are getting closer; a longer distance means you moved away or passed the nearest point.

Dynamite is an access tool, not a precision mining tool. Use it to clear a confirmed obstruction or open a Secret Cave, then switch back to the Pickaxe when the valuable material becomes visible.

STEP 01Confirm the Property Still Contains the Target

Open:

Warehouse Computer
      │
      ▼
   Properties
      │
      ▼
 Active Property
      │
      ▼
Remaining Resources

Read Surface, Mid, and Deep separately.

A zero in Surface does not mean the whole property is depleted. The target may remain in Mid or Deep. Conversely, a non-zero estimate does not provide a fixed coordinate, exact collectible count, or guaranteed short route.

Use the panel to answer two questions:

1. Does this property still contain the resource?
2. At which layer should I begin scanning?

If the target is only in a deeper layer, build a reliable vertical route first. Our Mining Lift guide covers the tested ladder and packed-box workflow.

STEP 02Follow Detector Distance Correctly

Select the exact target in the Detector interface. Then compare consecutive readings instead of walking continuously in one direction.

A documented Limestone search produced:

2.1 m → 1.3 m → 1.4 m

The first drop showed movement toward the target. The increase from 1.3 m to 1.4 m suggested that the closest point had been passed.

Use this repeatable routine:

1. record the current distance;
2. move one short step;
3. compare the new reading;
4. continue if the number falls;
5. return to the previous position if it rises sharply;
6. change height or direction before extending another long tunnel.

The Detector measures in three dimensions

A reading near one or two meters can still mean the target is above, below, or behind you. Change one axis at a time.

Check:

• the wall in front;
• both side walls;
• the floor;
• the ceiling;
• the tunnel behind your current position.

Remove a small amount of ordinary terrain and rescan. Stop when the number suddenly becomes much larger.

What the Detector does not confirm

Ignore these unreliable shortcuts:

• a visual waveform whose height measures ore density;
• faster audio pings proving a higher-grade deposit;
• weak signals meaning low-quality ore;
• battery cycles;
• spare Detector units;
• false readings caused by low power.

The tool can make a sound, but the reproducible navigation method is the displayed distance.

STEP 03Decide Whether Dynamite Is Worth It

Dynamite appeared at Level 4 in one launch-week progression run. The strongest uses were:

• opening a confirmed Forest Secret Cave entrance;
• clearing a thick Deep Layer obstruction;
• widening a cramped access route;
• removing terrain between the player and a confirmed Detector target.

It was usually poor value for:

• mining a visible high-value deposit;
• collecting the final few units for a contract;
• clearing ordinary Surface soil;
• searching randomly without a useful Detector reading;
• repeatedly enlarging a crater with no specific obstruction.

Every throw costs money, and the in-game description warns that explosions reduce total resource yield. A bigger hole is not automatically a more profitable result.

STEP 04Use One Controlled Throw

The tested action is Throw, selected from the equipment wheel. Dynamite is not placed as a bundle against a wall.

Use this process:

1. confirm the target or barrier;
2. make sure the route behind you is clear;
3. aim at the ordinary terrain blocking access, not the center of exposed ore;
4. throw one stick;
5. move away;
6. wait for the blast to finish;
7. inspect the opening, Detector distance, cash balance, and recovered material;
8. use the Pickaxe on exposed valuable resources;
9. spend another $50 only if a new confirmed obstruction remains.

A close explosion caused a visible hit reaction in launch-week testing. The test did not establish:

• instant death;
• a universal safe distance;
• a 6-8 tile rule;
• a corpse-recovery system;
• a fixed damage value.

Keep your distance and leave yourself a clear retreat path.

CAVESSecret Caves

Official sources confirm that Forest caves are small generated pockets rather than massive cave networks. Their entrances are blocked by breakable walls and require Dynamite.

The official Open Sesame achievement is tied to:

Blasting through an entrance with Dynamite and discovering a cave.

Forest and Quarry can both generate Secret Caves. A launch hotfix fixed a problem that could leave generated Forest and Quarry caves without resources.

Is an empty Secret Cave worth more Dynamite?

No. If the opened pocket is empty, leave it. Current players still report caves that appear empty after the entrance is opened. Clear the visible pocket and inspect one obvious inner wall, but do not keep blasting forward because the cave “must” contain loot.

A Secret Cave is useful for the Open Sesame objective and may contain a useful find, but it is not a guaranteed ore room. Spend the next Dynamite only when you can identify another blocked entrance or a route you actually need.

Do not assume that both property types always share:

• the same entrance appearance;
• the same depth;
• the same cave size;
• the same resource pool;
• the same number of required explosions.

The Forest entrance requirement is officially documented. Quarry entrance behavior still needs a controlled comparison.

KITA Safe Underground Kit

Bring only items supported by the current route:

• Detector;
• an appropriate digging tool;
• Dynamite when a confirmed obstruction justifies the cost;
• mining boxes for recovered material;
• Placeable Lights;
• enough inventory space to compare results.

Use construction lights, flood lights, or hanging lamps to mark the Mining Lift, junctions, and return path. Space them where direction changes; a fixed lamp count is unnecessary.

The Detector is an upgrade tool, not a consumable that requires two or three battery-powered copies.

FLOWDetector + Dynamite + Pickaxe Workflow

[ Remaining Resources confirms target ]
                   │
                   ▼
   [ Detector distance becomes shorter ]
                   │
                   ▼
  [ Check wall / floor / ceiling / behind ]
                   │
          ┌────────┴────────┐
          ▼                 ▼
  [ Soft terrain ]   [ Thick barrier / Cave wall ]
          │                 │
          ▼                 ▼
   [ Dig precisely ]   [ Throw one Dynamite ]
          │                 │
          └────────┬────────┘
                   ▼
         [ Rescan the opening ]
                   │
                   ▼
      [ Pickaxe exposed resource ]
                   │
                   ▼
      [ Pack → Mining Lift → Surface ]

AVOIDCommon Mistakes

Check Remaining Resources and property switching before searching a depleted site. If the target remains in a lower layer, build the reusable route in the Mining Lift guide before widening more tunnels.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions