Factorio Forums

Hello,

I would like to suggest a small but (in my opinion) logical addition to the atomic bomb mechanics. Currently, when the atomic bomb explodes, it destroys enemies and terrain objects, but ore patches remain untouched.

It feels a bit inconsistent that such a powerful weapon does not affect the ground resources at all. From both realism and gameplay perspectives, it could make sense if the explosion also removed ore patches within the blast radius, effectively "scorching" the land.

This would not only add an interesting trade-off (risking permanent loss of resources if used near valuable deposits), but it could also serve as a form of terraforming. Sometimes ore patches appear in inconvenient places and interfere with base design. Being able to "clear" them with a bomb would solve that problem — as one Reddit user put it: "Under no circumstances shall I suffer the detestable image of ore besprinkled across my sacred concrete."

What do you think?

Personaly I use a-bombs so infrequently allready (artillery + PLDs in relevant quantity solves most of my biter problems), no need to make me hesitate the few times it happens.

I think it's not a good idea.

A lot of the point of clearing an area is to get to the resources there. If at the end there won't be any resources, why bother?

It'll just mean that atomic bombs never get used.

Kyralessa wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:13 pm I think it's not a good idea.

A lot of the point of clearing an area is to get to the resources there. If at the end there won't be any resources, why bother?

It'll just mean that atomic bombs never get used.

I only suggest extending the existing mechanics (Vulcanus/Aquilo) to Nauvis (for example, a crater with water)

ufaweb wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 5:17 pm

Kyralessa wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:13 pm I think it's not a good idea.

A lot of the point of clearing an area is to get to the resources there. If at the end there won't be any resources, why bother?

It'll just mean that atomic bombs never get used.

I only suggest extending the existing mechanics (Vulcanus/Aquilo) to Nauvis (for example, a crater with water)

screenshort from wiki

Destroying ore isn't necessarily unsound but it sounds like something for a mod. With some thought you can have a dedicated nuclear support next to a spidertron wolf pack. Nukes actually already eliminate the possibility of making trees in an area, this is just taking that idea a step further. It doesn't mean you'll never do it, it just means you run normal rockets in a forested area if you want trees.

As for extending the idea in the way you suggest? If you gave me water fill, like the stuff from say Dectorio. You would give me the option of breaking off sections of the land so I never needed to install turrets in that area. I just need to put a moat the biters can't hop across (2-4 meters or several nukes using your idea).

I was also considering using True Nukes ability to add water craters to see if I couldn't sneak water into places I normally wouldn't have it in Space Exploration. You know, like the Genesis Project from Star Trek.

I like the idea. I've always hated building over ore patches for the same OCD reasons as everything being symmetrical.
Of course, you have to bite the bullet eventually since I know I'm not going to use the tiny patch that is square in the middle of my factory.

Especially since this mechanic already exists on Vulcanus and Aquilio. Though I don't think it should create water lakes on Nauvis since that would be too broken for defense against biters. Though perhaps they could create shallow lakes on Gleba (the type that enemies can still walk over).

I also disagree that nukes would be useless against biters since you'll still have plenty of nests to deal with that aren't directly located on ore patches. It means you have to actively engage in clearing them out rather than just dropping one nuke from a safe distance.

Yes, shallow lakes (in the crater) are a great idea for Nauvis (as in the "Space Exploration" mod).

ufaweb wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 5:17 pmI only suggest extending the existing mechanics (Vulcanus/Aquilo) to Nauvis (for example, a crater with water)

An option to generate water source legally anywhere I please to? GIVE IT TO ME.

Shirasik wrote: Fri Aug 29, 2025 3:29 am An option to generate water source legally anywhere I please to? GIVE IT TO ME.

Where I want my nuclear reactor? Atomic bomb will make beautiful lake for it.

ufaweb wrote: Tue Aug 26, 2025 6:16 am Yes, shallow lakes (in the crater) are a great idea for Nauvis (as in the "Space Exploration" mod).

There never going to let me cut a defensive line because I'll never need turrets. The man also knows that one man's nuclear weapon is another man's pen, and it's best to say "EEEEEEH, you can get that action from Dectorio!"

I do think the idea of destroying ore's is productive.

ufaweb wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 5:17 pm I only suggest extending the existing mechanics (Vulcanus/Aquilo) to Nauvis (for example, a crater with water)

At first i thought this would be introduced in the game like on the mod, when it was done for Vulcanus / Aquilo. But i think i understand why it's not the case :

In Aquilo you don't have ennemies, and in Vulcanus, there are not much "density" of ennemy, it's only the worm, but in Nauvis, you have large cluster of nests that can cover your whole screen, and if you try to nuke them, you would loose all the ressources. This would deter many players to use them with their spidertrons.

Sad_Brother wrote: Sat Aug 30, 2025 3:48 pm

Shirasik wrote: Fri Aug 29, 2025 3:29 am An option to generate water source legally anywhere I please to? GIVE IT TO ME.

Where I want my nuclear reactor? Atomic bomb will make beautiful lake for it.

Lemme surround my base with a moat and solve the defense problem forever while i'm out there exploring space and getting infinite ressources ....

on vulcanus ok, because the worm doesn't care where you put lava, it will still go at you, but in Nauvis it would be easy to abuse.

mmmPI wrote: Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:45 pm Lemme surround my base with a moat and solve the defense problem forever while i'm out there exploring space and getting infinite ressources ....

I think we can all agree that creating lakes on Nauvis is too broken but I think this idea has taken over the topic a bit.

mmmPI wrote: Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:45 pm In Aquilo you don't have ennemies, and in Vulcanus, there are not much "density" of ennemy, it's only the worm, but in Nauvis, you have large cluster of nests that can cover your whole screen, and if you try to nuke them, you would loose all the ressources. This would deter many players to use them with their spidertrons.

I don't really understand this criticism.
You can still use nukes on clusters of nests, just not the one directly on ore patches.
Having to diversify your arsenal a bit and actually engage with the now stronger nests rather than just dropping nukes from a safe distance just sounds interesting to me.
I'm not sure how popular the "big bertha" approach of just getting a giant artillery wagon train is in 2.0 with the stronger nests but it is also still an option for clearing out large areas.

JackTheSpades wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 1:14 pm

mmmPI wrote: Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:45 pm Lemme surround my base with a moat and solve the defense problem forever while i'm out there exploring space and getting infinite ressources ....

I think we can all agree that creating lakes on Nauvis is too broken but I think this idea has taken over the topic a bit.

I agree sorry, this is indeed not the suggestion, which is only about removing ore.

JackTheSpades wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 1:14 pm

mmmPI wrote: Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:45 pm In Aquilo you don't have ennemies, and in Vulcanus, there are not much "density" of ennemy, it's only the worm, but in Nauvis, you have large cluster of nests that can cover your whole screen, and if you try to nuke them, you would loose all the ressources. This would deter many players to use them with their spidertrons.

I don't really understand this criticism.
You can still use nukes on clusters of nests, just not the one directly on ore patches.
Having to diversify your arsenal a bit and actually engage with the now stronger nests rather than just dropping nukes from a safe distance just sounds interesting to me.
I'm not sure how popular the "big bertha" approach of just getting a giant artillery wagon train is in 2.0 with the stronger nests but it is also still an option for clearing out large areas.

[/quote]

When making the "positive" and the "negative" in balance, i can only see very little positive, it's cosmetic/ aesthetic, but the downsides are potentially harmful, removing "intended" the use case of nukes for some players, that's my understanding of why "no water/no removal of ore" on Nauvis. Maybe i'm wrong ^^ , but that's also giving "negative" appreciation for the suggestion, i think it's better currently, when it's only a mod that allows this.

mmmPI wrote: Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:45 pm

Sad_Brother wrote: Sat Aug 30, 2025 3:48 pm

Shirasik wrote: Fri Aug 29, 2025 3:29 am An option to generate water source legally anywhere I please to? GIVE IT TO ME.

Where I want my nuclear reactor? Atomic bomb will make beautiful lake for it.

Lemme surround my base with a moat and solve the defense problem forever while i'm out there exploring space and getting infinite ressources ....

on vulcanus ok, because the worm doesn't care where you put lava, it will still go at you, but in Nauvis it would be easy to abuse.

I forgot to end my note with

If I understand right shallow water on Nauvis is walkable (but not used) and so will not solve defence problems.

Sad_Brother wrote: Tue Sep 02, 2025 7:31 am

mmmPI wrote: Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:45 pm

Sad_Brother wrote: Sat Aug 30, 2025 3:48 pm

Shirasik wrote: Fri Aug 29, 2025 3:29 am An option to generate water source legally anywhere I please to? GIVE IT TO ME.

Where I want my nuclear reactor? Atomic bomb will make beautiful lake for it.

Lemme surround my base with a moat and solve the defense problem forever while i'm out there exploring space and getting infinite ressources ....

on vulcanus ok, because the worm doesn't care where you put lava, it will still go at you, but in Nauvis it would be easy to abuse.

I forgot to end my note with

If I understand right shallow water on Nauvis is walkable (but not used) and so will not solve defence problems.

That sounds like it could be a good idea for an option on mod that exist and makes nukes in Nauvis create water crater, a less cheaty version than impassable terrain. But i'm still not sold on the "removed ressources" thing. It still sound to me like the benefit are only cosmetic while the drawbacks are seriously impacting how often and where and how players can use nukes

To be honest I do not like both ore removing and atomic bomb usage.