Or perhaps it’s more like phaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase 4. Where each prior phase is more or less determined by unlocking a new type of power source, Phase 4 is that and more. Biofuel is a simple 2 step process, Coal is 3 steps, and Oil starts simple enough, then turns into major fun time. Just look at this thing!

Phase 4 has you unlock Aluminum – a complex process that requires 4 different things and a by-product you need to build back into your lines. (Small note, pipes prioritize the lower flow; see here) Alternative recipes allow for a major increase in productivity, and as a result, trains become life bringers to a main factory.

I know it’s possible to “finish” the game without ever using nuclear power – there’s ample oil with each node giving ~20MW of power. A nuclear plant, on a single node of Uranium, should be able to give you 250MW, but sweet baby sally, the setup required to get it going is bonkers.

I recall in all prior patches that the complexity of phase 4 builds meant multiple (dozens, honestly) trips to central storage for materials. Just look at the foundations used there, that’s honestly enough concrete+iron plates for 2 full runs to base. Dimensional Depots to the rescue! It has the same feel as playing in Creative Mode, but it’s so much more rewarding because I know I’ve set up the production chains to make it work.

Side note: Mk5 belts are easier to deploy and use than any other belt in the game. And not by a small margin. Mass-produce aluminum, feed sheets into 2 Dimensional Depots and you’ll never have a belt problem again.

Note that while I was waiting for Nuclear to fill the up the belts (it operates on a manifold) I went and collected every Somersloop on the map, and an extra 100 Mercer Spheres. The former gives me a 70% boost to power levels, and the latter means that my Dimensional Depots are fully maxed, and have every item needed for crafting available – there are more than you would think. The net effect is that a) the entire map is discovered, b) I’ve got all the boosts I can get, c) the ‘narrative’ seems to have reached a conclusion or I’m simply bugged, d) I’ve collected enough slugs to power Manhattan, and e) I have a newfound appreciation for map design. Sure, let’s stick with appreciation.

So now I’ve got all the pieces of Phase 4 unlocked, nearly 100MW of power to get things going, and time to unlock Phase 5. Most of that is simple enough, as it’s just mixing items I already have. Except for Nuclear Pasta. That is it’s own battle.

The great news in all this is that my main factory bus is still functional.