Satisfactory can feel overwhelming for new players because the game throws a lot of systems at you right away. The good news: you have all the time in the world to experiment and get comfortable. Some mechanics aren’t even explained, yet you’ll absolutely want to use them. And it’s not always clear what to focus on first. That’s why we’ve compiled the best beginner tips so you have a clear path forward and always know what to do next. Don’t worry — you can’t miss anything and should play the game the way you enjoy it.
Use the Satisfactory hotbar efficiently: quick access and shortcuts
To avoid opening the build menu over and over, start using the hotbar at the bottom of the screen as early as possible. Open the build menu, hover your mouse over the building you want on the bar, then press a number key from 1–0 to assign it. The corresponding hologram will be saved to that slot.You can have up to 10 hotbars, which is incredibly useful in a complex game like Satisfactory. Create themed bars (e.g., Logistics, Production, Power, Foundations/Construction) and switch between them with Alt + mouse wheel. This lets you build whole sections of your factory without detours.
Another handy inventory trick: use the middle mouse button to pick the building you’re currently looking at.
Early power in Satisfactory: automate biomass and use solid biofuel
Having enough power is something you need to handle right from the start. Always collect leaves and wood you find in the world. Early on, you only have the Biomass Burner, and you should make extensive use of it.Once you unlock Biomass by finishing Tier 0 (Satisfactory Beginner’s Guide: Tier 0, The HUB & Automation) , you should automate its production (e.g., a Constructor chain: Leaves/Wood → Biomass). That way, you won’t have to craft as much by hand. In Tier 2, you unlock Solid Biofuel, which you can also produce automatically from Biomass — it’s much more efficient and lasts longer.
Pro tip: Keep a buffered supply on hand and refuel burners in time to avoid outages.
Build straight in Satisfactory: automate iron plates and concrete for foundations
There are flat areas on the map, but building on terrain isn’t always ideal. Start using foundations early to put everything on a single level. You unlock them with the Base Building milestone in Tier 2, and you craft them from iron plates and concrete. You’ll need foundations throughout the entire game — so automate both resources as early as possible.You’ll unlock more foundation variants later with items from the AWESOME Shop (see Tip 6). Uniform levels also make conveyor heights, machine spacing, and clean logistics much easier.
Power management in Satisfactory: plan production, consumption, and buffers
As mentioned, electricity is one of your most important resources early on. To keep the lights on, always watch how much power you produce and how much you consume. Some rough benchmarks:
- A Constructor uses about 4 MW
- A Miner Mk.1 uses about 5 MW
This helps you estimate how much you need to generate. The generator or power grid UI shows production, usage, and headroom (excess). Later, in Tier 4, you unlock Power Storage to better absorb peak loads. Early game rule of thumb: maintain a steady surplus to avoid blackouts.
Map and markers: quickly find resources and your base in Satisfactory
The map is huge and invites exploration — but it’s also easy to get lost. Use markers to note important points: resource nodes, dropped crates, outposts, or production bottlenecks.You don’t always have to open the map: in-game, hold Alt and right-click what you’re looking at to place a marker with an appropriate icon. You’ll find your way back faster and plan more efficiently.
AWESOME Sink and FICSIT Coupons: smartly convert surplus in Satisfactory
In Tier 2 you unlock the AWESOME Sink — an essential building for handling excess items. The machine consumes almost anything and, after reaching certain point thresholds, gives you a FICSIT Coupon to redeem in the AWESOME Shop.Early on, good candidates include extra concrete, cable, or quartz. Keep in mind: the more you sink the same item, the lower its efficiency becomes. Use coupons to buy useful upgrades like additional foundation variants (see Tip 3), ladders, new conveyor belts, or pipes. The earlier you start, the faster comfort and build quality improve.
MAM research in Satisfactory: scanner upgrades, parachute, and inventory slots
At the end of Tier 1 you unlock the Molecular Analysis Machine (MAM). Alongside milestones, it adds dedicated research trees that grant new recipes, equipment, and scanner functionality. The categories are more specialized and often require new resources.Don’t neglect the MAM — it offers excellent rewards: the parachute, additional inventory slots, alternate recipes, and scanner upgrades for rare resources. Explore actively, collect samples, and keep your research progressing continuously.
Playstyle and motivation: enjoy Satisfactory without stress
Remember that Satisfactory is a sandbox game. If it starts to feel like work, take a break, explore the map, hunt for new nodes, or build a decorative project. There are no time limits — take as long as you like. You can’t play “wrong”; carve your own path.
Conclusion: Satisfactory beginner tips for a strong start
Keep these in mind early on: use shortcuts intentionally, plan power ahead, build on foundations for clean layouts, mark your map, start using the AWESOME Sink early, and run MAM research regularly. You’ll stay organized and work step by step toward your dream factory. And if you don’t want to play alone, rent one of our Satisfactory servers and play with your friends. That way, everyone can focus on the tasks they enjoy most.
