Iron
Solarpunk Iron guide: what it does, when to prioritize it, related resources links, and practical player advice.
Iron is a Solarpunk resource. Processed metal used for upgraded tools, rods, and machines.
Quick Answer
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Resources |
| Player use | Processed metal used for upgraded tools, rods, and machines. |
| Best check | Reserve it for tools, power devices, machines, or late exploration projects before using it casually. |
Decoded Gameplay Stats
| Stat | Value | Decoded Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace/cooking time | 1 Iron Ore -> Iron: 20s | S_Smeltable row IronOre, high confidence |
| Max stack size | 16 | DB_Items extraction, high confidence |
| Recycler value | 1 (Recycler return) | DB_Items extraction, high confidence |
| Item type | Resources | DB_Items extraction, high confidence |
Used In Crafting
| Recipe | Station | Ingredient Need |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Crafting Table | Crafting Table | 5 Iron |
| Airship | Crafting | 10 Iron |
| Animal Receiver | Advanced Crafting Table | 20 Iron |
| Animal Transport | Advanced Crafting Table | 4 Iron |
| Bathtub | Crafting Table | 5 Iron |
| Battery | Advanced Crafting Table | 10 Iron |
| Bedside Lamp | Advanced Crafting Table | 5 Iron |
| Benches | Crafting Table | 2 Iron |
| Cable Connector Small | Advanced Crafting Table | 2 Iron |
| Daytime Sensor | Advanced Crafting Table | 5 Iron |
| Decorative Fairy Lights | Crafting Table | 5 Iron |
| Decorative Guitar | Crafting Table | 5 Iron |
| Decorative Guitar | Crafting Table | 3 Iron |
| Decorative Mill | Advanced Crafting Table | 20 Iron |
| Diamond Axe | Crafting Table | 2 Iron |
| Diamond Hoe | Crafting Table | 2 Iron |
| Diamond Pickaxe | Crafting Table | 2 Iron |
| Dock | Crafting Table | 20 Iron |
| Drill | Advanced Crafting Table | 10 Iron |
| Also used in 44 more recipes; use the Crafting Calculator to total a build plan. |
Used In Research
| Research | Cost Share | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Airship Dock | 5 Iron | Dock |
| Cooking | 2 Iron | Kitchen Counter |
| Curtain | 1 Iron | Curtain |
| Decorative Fairy Lights | 2 Iron | Decorative Fairy Lights |
| Decorative Plates & Pots & Pans | 2 Iron | Kitchen Details |
| Iron Rod | 1 Iron | Progression gate |
| Iron Tools | 5 Iron | Iron Axe, Iron Pickaxe, Iron Hoe |
| Magnetic Fishing Rod | 1 Iron | Fishing Rod |
| Music Decoration Pack | 2 Iron | Decorative Guitar |
| Repair Kit | 2 Iron | Repair Kit |
| Research Tier 3 | 1 Iron | Progression gate |
| Washtub & Trunk | 1 Iron | Trunk With Axe, Washtub |
Found In Loot
| Chest Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Normal | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Phase 2 | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Phase 3 | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Phase 4 | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Phase 5 | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Phase 6 | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Rare | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
| Trash | High-value material check for tool, machine, or power progression. |
When To Care
Care about Iron when tools, power, machines, or late exploration are the next bottleneck. Process ore before judging whether you have enough for the unlock.
Practical Use
Store Iron beside the projects that spend advanced materials: tools, energy devices, machines, or airship work. Do not mix it with common wood and food overflow.
Related Strategy
For resource planning, count backwards from the project you want to finish. A power push needs electrical parts and metals, a building push needs processed construction materials, and an airship push needs technical components. That is more useful than hoarding every pickup equally.
Common Mistakes
- Do not leave Iron in an unsorted dump chest if it feeds an active project; put it beside the station or build area that spends it.
- Do not burn or process a material just because storage is full; first check whether tools, power, building, animal care, or airship work will need it.
- Do not measure value only by rarity. A common material on the right route can save more time than a rare material sitting in the wrong chest.
Related
Resources, Crafting Machines And Materials, Crafting, Machines And Automation