Factorio Forums

I'd like to see an option to command construction bots to automatically upgrade your base to higher level components once they are available to your logistics network.

(Please tell me this is not the case already so I am not embarrassed!)

I use yellow inseters, coz they use less power. I use tier2 assemblers coz some products don't need higher productivity.
Its a no from me.

/thread

I echo the desire for a means of auto-upgrading things. I wouldn't say it auto-upgrades EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME, because that doesn't fit everyone's play styles.

Someone else already suggested an upgrade planner with logic conditions and specific upgrades to do. For example, "When the logistics network has >50 Assembler 3's, upgrade an Assembler 1 or 2 with an Assembler 3." Could easily apply that to belts, splitters, etc. If you don't want inserters auto-upgrades, don't put that logic in.

Mod for automatic upgrade vanilla stuff
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/BeltUpgrader

Upgrading a belt or assembler completely destroys the finely tuned throughput calculations of a sub-factory module. So if implemented in any form, this should not be fully automatic.

While we do need functionality of Upgrade Planner the process should not be unattended as there are way too many applications of using lower tier items while you have access to higher tiers. Belt weaving is an excellent example.

I think auto-upgrading via bots should be paired with infinite research.

Right now we have a bit ridiculous system where we do a level-up research and all turrets start shooting faster. This completely skips the hassle to go to each separate item (e.i. turret) and upgrade it. I think this system takes all fun and planning from upgrades.

Instead we could have "upgrade packages" that would level up items without changing them. So once you have researched a new upgrade, you have to produce "upgrade packages", load bots with them and send the bots to upgrade your base. Of course the bots interface should allow to detail what items and where are to be upgraded.