Connect the Pipeline before placing the Fabricator
At the Collector, use the Grav Beam on its Pipeline connector, extend the Pipeline and confirm placement to make the connected build node available. Enter Fabricator placement mode, align it with the highlighted node until it snaps into position, then confirm the build.
What each part of the construction setup does
| Equipment | Purpose | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline | Provides connected positions for buildings and defenses, and transports resources. | Extend it from the Collector's connector and confirm placement. |
| Grav Beam | Handles the Pipeline connector, mined material and Build Kits. | Use it to interact with the connector and move materials or kits into position. |
| Fabricator | Produces the Build Kits used to expand your defenses. | Place it on a connected build node, then return to purchase defense kits with build funds. |
| Mining Laser | Breaks resources free and repairs damaged defensive structures. | Mine the required deposit, or aim at a damaged Turret and use the repair interaction. |
| Turret Build Kit | Becomes a defense after successful placement. | Purchase it at the Fabricator, pick it up with the Grav Beam and place it on an available build point. |
Extend the first Pipeline from the Collector
- Approach the Collector and locate its Pipeline connector to find the starting point for your network.
- Interact with the connector using your Grav Beam to begin extending the Pipeline.
- Extend the Pipeline as the tutorial instructs to position the connection.
- Confirm the Pipeline placement to finish the connection and make its build node available.
- Check the tutorial's confirmation that the Pipeline is connected and the build node is ready before attempting the Fabricator.
Start this task at the Collector rather than at a resource deposit. Your first Fabricator needs a connected position on the Pipeline. If the objective remains on the connection task, check that you confirmed placement: moving the connector without finishing the action does not advance it.
Snap the Fabricator onto the highlighted build node
- Enter Fabricator placement mode when the tutorial asks you to build it.
- Move the Fabricator over the highlighted build node until it snaps into the valid position.
- Confirm the snapped placement to complete the Fabricator assembly objective.
The usable position is on the connected node. Holding the Fabricator beside the Pipeline can leave the build action unavailable, even when it looks close to the network. Move it over the highlighted position and finish the confirmation instead of leaving the kit in placement mode.
Separate connection, socket and funding problems
| Check | What to inspect | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnected or unfinished node | Check whether the intended node belongs to the connected Pipeline and whether you finished confirming the connection. | Return to the Pipeline connection and make sure the node is active before positioning the Fabricator again. |
| Occupied socket | Inspect the intended location for a structure that already occupies it. | Try an available connected build point and check alignment again. |
| Insufficient build funds | At the kit purchase, compare the purchase requirement with your available build funds. | Deliver mined resources into the collection system to earn funds for defenses through the Fabricator. |
Check these parts separately so you can identify where the build stops. If the connection objective has not advanced, resolve that before spending time adjusting the Fabricator. If you are at the purchase stage, check affordability before assuming the socket is responsible.
An active node can still require more careful alignment. The Fabricator must snap to a valid position, and the objective does not advance while you are merely holding it in placement mode. Confirm the build after the snap rather than treating the preview as a completed structure.
Turn resource delivery into your next defense
- Mine the marked Titanium deposit with the Mining Laser to release the required material.
- Pick up the mined material with the Grav Beam so you can move it into the collection system.
- Feed the material into the Collector's processor port or onto a connected Pipeline to deliver it and earn build funds.
- Purchase the prompted Turret Build Kit at the Fabricator once you have the necessary funds.
- Pick up the Turret Build Kit with the Grav Beam to prepare it for placement.
- Switch to placement mode to position the Turret at an available build point.
- Place the Turret where it can protect the Collector so it can contribute to the defense.
Mining and delivery are separate actions. If the resource objective has not advanced, inspect where the pieces landed: material that misses the processor or Pipeline has not reached the collection system. Move closer and use the Grav Beam to reposition it, watching it enter before returning to the Fabricator.
Keep the defense working and check placement fixes
Once construction works, use breaks between waves to gather resources, prepare defenses and repair damage. Drone View provides an overhead view with nearby detected enemies marked in red. Use that information to support the threatened side of the Collector, and repair damaged Turrets with the Mining Laser when it is safe.
The earlier playtest-to-demo update separately addressed getting stuck while building a Fabricator and Build Kits becoming trapped under trees. Those were demo preparation fixes. Keep that history separate from the Early Access Turret placement correction when comparing an older problem with what you are seeing now.