Maintenance script: BlockFactory wiki

2026-10-19T07:05:13Z

BlockFactory wiki

New page

Block Factory's progression is split into '''epochs''', from the hand-fed start to nuclear power. Every research belongs to one Knowledge Scroll tier, and that tier is its epoch: research paid with Knowledge Scroll II belongs to Epoch 2, and so on. Everything you can build without any research belongs to Epoch 0.

== How epochs work ==
* Each research costs [[BlockFactory:Research|Knowledge Scrolls]] of one tier (I to V). That tier is the research's epoch.
* Each tier ends with a "Scholars" research. It costs scrolls of its own tier and unlocks writing the next tier: '''Goblin Scholars''' unlocks Scroll II, '''Golem Scholars''' Scroll III, '''Rune Scholars''' Scroll IV, '''Core Scholars''' Scroll V.
* Every research of a tier also needs that tier's Scholars research, even if the techtree line does not show it. Scroll I research is the exception: you can start it right away.
* Each team progresses on its own (see [[BlockFactory:Teams and Raids|Teams and Raids]]).

=== The epoch display ===
Under the minimap the HUD shows '''Epoch:''' followed by the highest scroll tier your team can write. A new world starts at '''I · Steam''', because Knowledge Scroll I needs no research. The display moves up each time a Scholars research is finished. The techtree at the Outlander Test Site uses the same names.

=== Music ===
The soundtrack follows your team's progress. It uses the highest tier among the research your team has completed:

{| class="wikitable"
! Completed research up to !! Music
|-
| none (Epoch 0) || calm, rural
|-
| Tier I or II || playful, mechanical
|-
| Tier III to V || grand, solemn
|}

== Overview ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Epoch !! Name in game !! Paid with !! What changes
|-
| 0 || – || no research || Everything by hand; you refuel every machine yourself
|-
| 1 || I · Steam || [[File:BlockFactory_Knowledge_Scroll_I.png|24px]] Knowledge Scroll I || First power grid, automation, steel
|-
| 2 || II · Logistics || [[File:BlockFactory_Knowledge_Scroll_II.png|24px]] Knowledge Scroll II || Faster belts, fluids, trains, Golems, Goblin logistics
|-
| 3 || III · Oil || [[File:BlockFactory_Knowledge_Scroll_III.png|24px]] Knowledge Scroll III || Oil, plastics, sulfur, batteries, circuit network
|-
| 4 || IV · Industry || [[File:BlockFactory_Knowledge_Scroll_IV.png|24px]] Knowledge Scroll IV || Runes, processing units, Hob-Goblins
|-
| 5 || V · Nuclear || [[File:BlockFactory_Knowledge_Scroll_V.png|24px]] Knowledge Scroll V || Uranium, reactors, the Great Portal
|}

The full list with costs and prerequisites is on [[BlockFactory:Research Tree|Research Tree]].

== Epoch 0: the start ==
You start with what you can build without research: the Wooden Drill, Brick Furnace, Belt T1, Coal Grabber, Wooden Chest, Pipe T1, Gun Tower and Wooden Walls. Every machine burns fuel that you top up yourself or feed with a Coal Grabber.

The big goals of this epoch:
# Rebuild the [[BlockFactory:Portal of the Ancient|Portal of the Ancient]] near the bunker.
# Summon two [[BlockFactory:Goblins|Goblins]] for a '''Goblin Research Center''' and an [[BlockFactory:Outlanders|Outlander]] for the '''Outlander Test Site'''.
# Deliver products to the research center, write Knowledge Scroll I and test your first research.

== Epoch 1: Steam ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Research !! What it brings
|-
| Steam Power || Water Pump, Water Boiler, Steam Generator, Small Power Pole, Auto Drill, Lamp
|-
| Automation || Fabricator T1, Grabber T1
|-
| Logistics || Underground Belt T1, Splitter T1, Iron Chest
|-
| Steel Processing || Blast Furnace, Steel Plate, Steel Beam, Steel Chest
|-
| Goblin Carts || Rail, Buffer Stop, Goblin Cart
|-
| Goblin Scholars || Knowledge Scroll II
|}
Also in this epoch: Hunting, Masonry, Firearms and Light Armor. See [[BlockFactory:Power|Power]] and [[BlockFactory:Smelting|Smelting]].

== Epoch 2: Logistics ==
The factory outgrows hand feeding. Key research: Automation 2 (Fabricator T2), Logistics 2 (Belt T2), Fast Grabber, Concrete, Fluid Handling, Coal Power, Railway and Rail Signals, '''Golemcraft''' (the Golem call at the portal and the Stone Golems Refinery), '''Goblin Logistics''' (Goblin Hut, Logistic Chests and the [[BlockFactory:Goblin Planner|Goblin Planner]]), Rangertower, Cryonics, Tree Farming and Heavy Armor.

The epoch ends with '''Golem Scholars''', which unlocks the '''Golem Research Center''' and Knowledge Scroll III. See [[BlockFactory:Golems|Golems]] and [[BlockFactory:Railways|Railways]].

== Epoch 3: Oil ==
Oil comes as fluids, and its processing makes by-products that need somewhere to go. Key research: Oil Processing and Advanced Oil Processing, Plastics, Sulfur Processing, Advanced Electronics, Silicon Processing, Solar Energy, Batteries, Logistics 3, Reinforced Pipes, '''Goblin Logistics 2''' (Big Goblin Hut), Circuit Network and Programmable Interface.

The epoch ends with '''Rune Scholars''' (Knowledge Scroll IV). See [[BlockFactory:Oil Processing|Oil Processing]] and [[BlockFactory:Fluids|Fluids]].

== Epoch 4: Industry ==
Rune modules make machines faster, more efficient or more productive. Key research: Rune Etching, Rune Crafting and Rune Crafting 2 (rune modules and the Rune Beacon), Processing, Automation 3 (Fabricator T3), Advanced Smelting, Golemcraft 2, Electric Engine, '''Hob-Goblin Construction''' (Hob-Goblins and the build modes of the Goblin Planner), '''Ancient Rites''' (build more portals), Golem Locomotive and Modular Armor.

The epoch ends with '''Core Scholars''' (Knowledge Scroll V). See [[BlockFactory:Rune Modules|Rune Modules]].

== Epoch 5: Nuclear ==
Key research: Uranium Processing (Uranium Golems Refinery), Nuclear Power, Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing, Golem Resonance, Logistics 4, Hob-Goblin Construction 2 and Rune Crafting 3. The last research of the game is '''Great Portal'''. See [[BlockFactory:Nuclear Power|Nuclear Power]] and [[BlockFactory:Great Portal|Great Portal]].

== How much research per epoch ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Epoch !! Researches !! Scrolls in total
|-
| 1 Steam || 10 || 18 × Scroll I
|-
| 2 Logistics || 21 || 60 × Scroll II
|-
| 3 Oil || 21 || 68 × Scroll III
|-
| 4 Industry || 19 || 80 × Scroll IV
|-
| 5 Nuclear || 9 || 49 × Scroll V
|}
What one scroll costs in research points is on [[BlockFactory:Research|Research]].

== See also ==
* [[BlockFactory:Research|Research]]
* [[BlockFactory:Research Tree|Research Tree]]
* [[BlockFactory:Field Manual and HUD|Field Manual and HUD]]

{{BlockFactory Nav}}

BlockFactory:Epochs - Revision history

Maintenance script: BlockFactory wiki