Adding Auto-Build Items to the Queue

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Auto-build items are always in italic, but appear differently in the production inventory and queue.

When they're in the inventory, they are labeled as Auto-build. When you add them to the queue, they are labeled <Item> up to <number>; for example, 'Factories Up to 50'. The latter number indicates that the queue will ATTEMPT to produce the stated number of that item every year.

Auto-build Mineral Alchemy is the exception. It displays as 'Mineral Alchemy as needed'. When you insert this anywhere except as the LAST item in the queue it is associated with the item directly below it. When that item is completed and removed from the queue the Auto-build Mineral Alchemy item above it also goes away, regardless of whether alchemy contributed to the minerals needed to complete the item. It's a great insurance policy that always does the right thing.

Tip: To spend all remaining resources on Mineral Alchemy, place Alchemy is the last item in the queue.

Auto-build items can be used to create a default queue for newly colonized worlds, or for items you wish to produce on any world whenever extra resources are available for production, or when the queue is empty of anything but auto build items. For example, early in the game, it's useful to continuously build mines and factories. It's always useful to auto-terraform when conditions are less than perfect and you have the means.

Like any production item, auto build items can be inserted anywhere in the queue. An auto-build item stays in the queue until you remove it. This means your production queue will annually attempt to build these items when possible. You can always place other items ahead of auto-build items, or rearrange the items in the queue. Auto build items that cannot be built are skipped.

There are, however, differences between the behavior of auto-build items and others in the queue:

♦        Auto-build items do not block the queue. If they cannot be performed, they are skipped over.

♦        Auto-build items are never automatically removed from the queue. They remain there until manually removed and activate only when necessary and possible.

♦        You never make "progress" on auto-build items. When work is done it is seen as a partially completed normal build item in the queue.

Auto-build items include Mines, Factories, Defenses, Mineral Alchemy, Terraforming, and autobuilding and flinging MIneral Packets (if you have a mass driver).

Learn more about

Adding Terraforming to the Queue

Adding an Item to the Production Queue