In Arknights: Endfield, one of the main gameplay elements is your AIC Factory. You have to build it up, power it, and make it run efficiently. At the start, you will not run into many issues with it, but as you go and you add more and more machines, this is where the first problem hits.
If your AIC suddenly feels “full” and you cannot place new machines anymore, you have probably hit the same wall as everyone else.
Why Power Becomes a Problem
Power in Endfield works like a shared electricity pool. By default, your factory starts with 200 power capacity. Every machine you place consumes part of that energy, and sooner or later, you will run out.
If you are setting up refining, crafting, or automation lines, the limit is hit pretty fast.
That is normal, since more machines consume more power, but the solution is simple! You need Thermal Banks to increase that power output.
The Best Solution – Thermal Banks
Thermal Banks are power-generating AIC buildings that:
- Convert fuel into power
- Continuously supply electricity to your entire factory
- Increase your total power capacity as long as they are fueled
Think of them as power plants for your AIC.
How to Unlock Thermal Banks
You will unlock Thermal Banks through research.
- Open the AIC Factory Plan
- Go to the Power section
- Unlock the Power I node (Basic II tier)
Requirements:
- Electricity I
- Power Relay
- Basic II tier (unlocked via the main quest “Paving the Way“)
- A Basic AIC Index to activate the node
Once unlocked, you will also receive one free Thermal Bank to test the system.
How Thermal Banks Generate Power
Sadly, Thermal Banks do not generate power on their own, they do need fuel. You have two main options to fuel your Thermal Banks:
- Originium Ore (Early Game)
- Output: 50 Power
- Simple and direct
- Easy to feed early on
- Good enough when your factory is still small.
- Batteries (Much Better)
- LC Valley Battery: 220 Power
- SC Valley Battery: 420 Power
Batteries are far more efficient and become essential once your factory grows. Originium Ore is perfectly fine for the beginning, but eventually, you will have to switch to Batteries.
They save factory space, reduce the number of Thermal Banks needed, and can also be sold at the Outpost for extra income. Once Packaging Units are unlocked, batteries fit naturally into automated production lines.
You unlock those through the research as well:
Basic Placement & Setup Tips
You do not need perfect optimization, but here are a few tips that can help you with the placement of your Thermal Banks:
- Make sure fuel conveyors actually connect to the Thermal Bank
- Place Thermal Banks after your fuel production is stable
- Expand power gradually as you add new machines, do not just add ten Thermal Banks if you do not really need them
If a Thermal Bank runs out of fuel, your entire factory can be blocked, so you want to make sure you can easily fuel it before you expand more.
Once set up properly, the Thermal Bank becomes one of the most important pillars of your AIC. As long as you keep your factory powered, everything will keep running and producing as intended.
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