Arknights Endfield Factory Guide
Master the AIC system - automation, power management, and efficient production.
Updated: January 30, 2026
Why Factory Matters
The AIC (Automated Industry Complex) is half the game in Arknights Endfield. Your factory runs 24/7, even offline, producing gear, materials, and resources essential for operator development. A well-designed factory gives you a massive advantage in progression.
AIC Factory Basics
The Automated Industry Complex (AIC) is Arknights Endfield's factory building system. It gathers raw materials, processes them through production lines, and stores finished products automatically - all running in the background while you play or even when offline.
Core Components
PAC (Protocol Anchor Core)
The central hub of your factory. Controls resource output, storage access, and serves as the main connection point for all production lines.
Sub-PACs (Outposts)
Satellite factories unlocked through exploration. Share storage with your main PAC, effectively expanding your total production capacity.
Electric Miners
Place on ore deposits to automatically gather raw materials. Require power connection via Relay Towers and Electric Pylons.
Processing Units
Refining Units, Shredding Units, Packaging Units, and more. Each transforms input materials into processed goods.
What Factories Produce
Power System Guide
Power is the heart and soul of your factory. Unlike other games where power is global, Endfield requires you to physically connect power sources to machines.
Power Infrastructure
Thermal Banks
Primary power generators. Convert Originium Ore or Batteries into electricity. Always switch to batteries ASAP - they're much more efficient than raw Originium.
Relay Towers
Extend your power grid up to 80 meters from a powered source. They don't power machines directly - they transmit signal to Electric Pylons.
Electric Pylons
Place near factories or mining rigs to provide wireless power to everything in range. Must be connected to Relay Towers.
⚠️ Avoiding the Death Spiral
If your base runs out of power completely, your Shredding and Packaging Units stop → no batteries produced → Thermal Banks stop → total shutdown. Always keep one Thermal Bank connected to a dedicated Originium miner as backup power.
Pro Tip: Reverse Building
You can build unpowered Relay Towers "backwards" from a remote location toward your base. Once the chain connects to your power grid, everything powers up. Great for reaching distant ore deposits or ancient machinery.
Conveyor Belts & Logistics
Conveyor belts connect your production facilities into automated lines. Resources flow from PAC outputs → through processing units → back to PAC inputs or storage.
Key Logistics Components
Transport Belts
Basic item transfer between facilities. Keep them organized - crossed belts slow everything down.
Splitters
Divide one belt into 2-3 output lines. Essential for parallel processing.
Belt Bridges
Allow belts to cross over each other without interference. Clean up messy layouts.
Protocol Stash
Game-changer! Dumps items directly to storage without long return belts. Keeps layouts compact.
Layout Best Practices
- ✓Plan before building - Sketch your layout mentally before placing structures
- ✓Use Protocol Stashes - Position between Refining and Packaging units to eliminate wasted space
- ✓Rotate structures strategically - Allow backward output connections for tighter layouts
- ✓Designate zones - Separate gear/medicine production from battery production
- ✗Avoid crossing belts - Slows production; use Belt Bridges instead
- ✗Don't overload belts - If production exceeds belt capacity, everything jams
Early Game Factory Setup
Early game spans from start until around Authority Level 18 when you unlock Ferrium mining. Focus on these priority items:
Priority Production
Amethyst Components
Essential for early gear crafting to unlock basic armor skills for your operators. Combines Amethyst Fiber + Amethyst Bottle + Origocrust. Production rate: ~6/minute.
Buck Capsule C
Used for Stock Bill Trading at Valley IV outposts. Requires a Buckflower farm with seed-planter loop → Shredding Unit → Filling Unit with Amethyst Bottle.
Amethyst Parts
Store extras for later - needed by various buildings and machines throughout progression. Only produce if you have surplus Amethyst.
⚠️ Don't Overuse Amethyst!
Amethyst is the primary bottleneck in early game. Focus mining efforts on Amethyst and Originium ore deposits. Capture every Mineral Bed you find on the map.
Recommended Upgrade Order
- 1Power I - Always upgrade power first
- 2Logistics (All) - Item Control Ports and Belts for transfers
- 3Field Stash - Faster item pickups
- 4Pylon Relaying - Extended power range
- 5Depot Bus - More storage connections
Mid-Late Game Production
Once you unlock Ferrium mining (~Authority Level 18+), production priorities shift significantly.
Mid-Game Priority
Battery Production
Batteries become your most important product. They power Thermal Banks far more efficiently than raw Originium. One well-fed Packaging Unit can maintain multiple Thermal Banks, keeping your entire operation running.
Late-Game Priority
Sandleaf Powder
The most important late-game resource. Everything you craft in late-game uses Sandleaf Powder. You'll need hundreds per minute - consider using an Infinite Loop Farm for maximum output.
Automation-Core Layout
The Automation-Core is perfect for Sandleaf Powder production - you can have up to nine output streams in a relatively small space. This frees up Depot Buses for other production lines.
Efficient Production Tips
- •Use 4 Thermal Banks per PAC output for optimal power generation
- •Choose between manifold layout or load-balanced layout for battery distribution
- •Specialize each Sub-PAC for different product categories rather than making everything everywhere
- •Monitor production via PAC's Protocol Management tab to identify bottlenecks
Blueprint Codes
Blueprints save entire factory layouts including machines, belts, and power setups. Import community-tested designs to skip trial-and-error.
Note: Blueprint codes can be server-locked. A code created on Asia server may not work on EU/NA, and vice versa.
Early Game Blueprints (US/EU)
EFO013o72I2588a90579EFO01893u0E03415UI73EFO01o083aOa8261IieOEFO01Iao8151oE965o08Mid-Game Blueprints
EFO012I45uAu4e83eIOoEFO011ea0ioia3Ue34O7Complete Mid-Game Layout
EFO014o5OUA2oO3aE71AProduces Origocrust, Ferrium, Amethyst, Steel, and Cryston parts with tested power setup.
EFO01a658e7U9IAeoe5eSame layout adapted for Asia server.
Finding More Blueprints
Browse public blueprints in-game, or check community sites like EndfieldTools.dev and Talos Pioneers for specialized setups.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
✓ Pro Tips
- •Simple > Flashy - A working factory beats an optimized one that doesn't run
- •Use blueprints - Save tons of time by importing proven layouts
- •Focus one item at a time - Especially for multi-building production chains
- •Check offline production - Your factory runs 24/7, even logged out
- •Expand through outposts - Use Stock Bills to increase factory space via AIC Steward
✗ Common Mistakes
- •Ignoring power backup - Always have emergency Originium miner
- •Burning all Amethyst - It's a bottleneck resource, conserve it
- •Crossing belts - Slows everything; use bridges instead
- •Skipping AIC upgrades - Power Index should always be maxed
- •Using Originium for power - Switch to batteries immediately when possible
Arknights Endfield Factory FAQ
What is the AIC in Arknights Endfield?
The AIC (Automated Industry Complex) is Arknights Endfield's factory building system. It allows you to mine resources, set up automated production lines, and craft gear, medicine, explosives, and other materials. Your AIC runs 24/7, even when you're offline.
How important is the factory in Arknights Endfield?
Extremely important - it's essentially "half the game." Your factory is the primary source of resources for operator and weapon development. A well-designed AIC gives you a massive advantage in progression compared to players who neglect it.
What should I produce first in Arknights Endfield factory?
In early game, focus on Amethyst Components (for gear crafting) and Buck Capsule C (for trading). Be careful not to overuse Amethyst as it's the main bottleneck. In mid-game, prioritize battery production for efficient power generation.
How do I power remote mining locations?
Use Relay Towers to extend your power grid (up to 80m per tower), then place Electric Pylons near mining rigs to provide wireless power. You can build towers "backwards" from the destination to your base and connect them when the chain is complete.
What is the Death Spiral in Arknights Endfield?
The Death Spiral occurs when your base runs out of power: production units stop → no batteries produced → Thermal Banks stop → total shutdown. Prevent this by always maintaining a backup Thermal Bank connected to a dedicated Originium miner.
How do I use blueprint codes in Arknights Endfield?
Import blueprints through the AIC interface to instantly place pre-designed factory layouts. Note that codes can be server-locked - an Asia server blueprint may not work on EU/NA and vice versa. You need the required materials and power to actually build the blueprint.
What are Sub-PACs and how do they work?
Sub-PACs are satellite factories found at Outposts during exploration. They expand your total production capacity and share storage (Depot) with your main PAC within each region. Unlock them through story progression and quest completion.