Satisfactory can be overwhelming for new players because the game throws a lot of systems at you. The good news: you’ve got all the time in the world to try things out and get comfortable. Some mechanics aren’t even explained, yet you should absolutely 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’s next. Don’t worry—there’s nothing you can miss. Play the way you enjoy it most.
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 key from 1–0 to assign that hologram.You can have up to 10 hotbars, which is extremely handy in a complex game like Satisfactory. Create themed bars (e.g., Logistics, Production, Power, Construction) and switch between them with Alt + mouse wheel. This lets you build entire sections of your factory without detours.
Another handy inventory trick: use the middle mouse button to copy the building you’re currently looking at into your hand.
Early power in Satisfactory: automate biomass and use solid biofuel
A reliable power supply 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—use it extensively.Once you unlock Biomass after completing Tier 0 (Satisfactory Beginner's Guide: Tier 0, HUB & Automation) , you should automate its production (e.g., a Constructor chain: Leaves/Wood → Biomass) to cut down on manual crafting. In Tier 2 you’ll unlock Solid Biofuel, which you can produce automatically from Biomass—it’s much more efficient and lasts longer.
Pro tip: Keep a buffered stock and refuel your burners in time to avoid outages.
Building straight in Satisfactory: automate foundations, iron plates, and concrete
There are flat spots on the map, but building doesn’t always align nicely. Start using foundations early to keep everything on one level. You unlock them with the first milestone in Tier 1 and craft them from iron plates and concrete. You’ll need foundations all game long—automate both resources as soon as possible.You’ll unlock more foundation variants later via 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. A few rules of thumb:
- A Constructor consumes about 4 MW
- A Miner Mk.1 consumes about 5 MW
This helps you estimate how much you need to generate. The generator UI shows production, consumption, and headroom. Later, in Tier 4, you’ll unlock Power Storage to handle peak loads. Early game rule: aim for a steady surplus to avoid blackouts.
Map and markers: quickly find resources and your base in Satisfactory
The map is huge and great for exploration—but it’s easy to get lost. Use markers to remember important spots: resource nodes, dropped crates, outposts, or bottlenecks in your production.You don’t always have to open the map: in-game, hold Alt and right-click the spot you’re looking at, then pick an icon. You’ll find your way back faster and plan more efficiently.
AWESOME Sink and FICSIT Coupons: turn Satisfactory excess into progress
In Tier 2 you unlock the AWESOME Sink—an essential building to dispose of excess items. It eats almost anything and, after enough points, spits out a FICSIT Coupon you can spend in the AWESOME Shop.Early on, surplus items like concrete, cable, or quartz are good candidates. Keep in mind: the more you sink the same item, the lower its efficiency (diminishing returns). Use coupons to buy useful stuff like additional foundation variants (see tip 3), ladders, new conveyor options, or pipes. The earlier you start, the faster your 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 gives you additional research trees with new recipes, equipment, and scanner functions. These categories are more specialized and often require new resources.Don’t neglect the MAM—its rewards are fantastic: the Parachute, extra inventory slots, Alternate Recipes, or scanner upgrades for rare resources. Explore actively, gather samples, and keep your research progressing continuously.
Playstyle and motivation: enjoy Satisfactory without stress
Remember that Satisfactory is a sandbox. If it starts to feel like work, take a break—explore the map, find new nodes, or build a decorative project. There are no time limits, and you can take things as slowly as you like. You can’t play “wrong”—forge your own path.
Conclusion: Satisfactory beginner tips for a strong start
Keep these in mind early on: use shortcuts deliberately, plan power ahead, build on foundations for clean layouts, use map markers, feed the AWESOME Sink early, and research in the MAM regularly. You’ll stay on top of things and progress 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 friends. That way, everyone can focus on the tasks they enjoy most.
