Valley Stock Bill Farm Base and Outpost Blueprint Guide
This guide is a complete, hands‑on walkthrough for building a reliable Valley IV Farm Base and matching Outpost that consistently produces Stock Bills using repeatable, compact blueprints. It assumes you want a setup that’s easy to import, simple to troubleshoot, and straightforward to scale. The approach centers on three repeatable modules you can copy across the map: a power core, an infinite seed loop, and one or more Buck Capsule production lanes. Read straight through for the full blueprint logic, placement tips, timing tricks, and troubleshooting steps you can apply immediately in Arknights Endfield.
Core design philosophy and goals
The single best design decision you can make for Valley IV is to treat your factory as a set of modular, testable units rather than one sprawling, interdependent mess. Each module should be compact enough to fit inside a small footprint so you can import it into Outposts or clone it across the Core with minimal editing. The three modules are:
Power core: sized to handle base load plus one extra production lane; stable and toggleable.
Infinite seed loop: continuous Buckflower production that never stalls the capsule lines.
Buck Capsule lane: a short, linear chain from planter output to capsule press to Depot.
Design goals are reliability, predictability, and ease of scaling. Build one module, test it, then clone it. When you need more output, duplicate proven lanes rather than extending a single chain. This reduces debugging time and prevents cascading failures.
Preparing the site and initial placement
Choose a flat area near the AIC node with room for expansion. Reserve a 24×24 block for the Core so you can place the battery cluster, seed loop, and one or two capsule lanes without belt crossings. Keep mining rigs and raw material inputs on the periphery so they feed into a centralized processing hub rather than crossing plant logistics.
Start by placing the AIC node and the Depot where you want finished Stock Bills to collect. The Depot should be within two tiles of the capsule press in your primary lane; this minimizes travel time and reduces belt congestion. Leave a two‑tile buffer around the Depot for a small storage buffer (2–3 stacks) that absorbs temporary surges.
Power core: sizing, placement, and management
Power is the backbone. For Valley IV, aim for a ~3300 power capacity at the Core if you plan to run two capsule lanes and several processing units. Use a compact battery cluster placed within six tiles of the AIC node to reduce belt length and latency. The cluster should include:
A main battery block sized for continuous load.
One thermal bank on a secondary bus for burst capacity, manually toggled.
A small control panel or switch area where you can start and stop lanes without rewiring.
Why this layout? Batteries close to the AIC node reduce the time belts spend carrying thermal output and make it easier to balance loads. The thermal bank on a secondary bus gives you a safety valve: if you see a brownout when starting a second lane, toggle the thermal bank for a short burst while the batteries recharge.
When you first place the battery cluster, do a staged power test. Start with the seed loop and one capsule lane. Let the grid stabilize for several cycles. If the voltage remains steady, add the second lane. If you see dips, pause and add a second battery or stagger lane starts by a few ticks.
Infinite seed loop: footprint, timing, and buffering
The seed loop is the heart of continuous Buckflower production. Build it inside a protected 12×12 footprint so it’s easy to copy into Outposts. The loop should follow this physical flow: Seed Picker → Planter → Harvester → Seed Picker. Keep the belt run short and use a single splitter feeding two planting slots to prevent stalls when one planter lags.
Key details to get right:
Splitter placement: Use one splitter to feed two planters; this prevents a single planter delay from stopping the entire loop.
Buffering: Place a small buffer (one or two stack capacity) between the harvester output and the processing lane. This buffer absorbs temporary surges and prevents the seed loop from backing up into the planter.
Protection: Enclose the loop in a small wall or fence if the game allows it, or simply keep it away from heavy traffic belts. The fewer belt crossings, the fewer jams.
Timing is crucial. The loop must produce seeds at a rate that matches the consumption of your capsule lane. If the capsule press is starved, production stalls; if the loop overproduces, you waste space and belts. Start with one planter and one capsule lane, measure the seed consumption over several cycles, then scale by cloning the loop and adding a second lane if needed.
Buck Capsule lane: compact chain and throughput
A Buck Capsule lane should be a short, linear chain that minimizes transport time between stages. The recommended sequence is: Planter output → Grinder/Refiner → Chemical Processor → Capsule Press → Depot. Keep the capsule press within two tiles of the Depot to reduce travel time and avoid long belt runs.
Design choices that matter:
Linear layout: A straight line is easier to balance and troubleshoot than a serpentine chain. If you need to add a second lane, place it parallel to the first and offset the start by one production tick to smooth power draw.
Staggered starts: When running multiple lanes, stagger their start times by a tick or two. This prevents simultaneous power spikes that can cause brownouts.
Short belts: Keep belts between stages as short as possible. Long belts introduce latency and increase the chance of jams.
If you need higher throughput, duplicate the entire lane rather than lengthening a single chain. Two identical lanes are easier to balance and will produce more consistent output than one long, complex line.
Outpost setup: mirror, scale, and connectivity
Outposts should be treated as semi‑independent copies of the Core. Mirror the Core’s modules but scale them down: one battery bank (smaller, ~840 power), one seed loop, one capsule lane, and a small storage buffer. The Outpost’s Depot should be placed close to the capsule press so it can funnel surplus Stock Bills back to the Core Depot when needed.
Outpost placement tips:
Proximity: Place Outposts near resource nodes you plan to exploit. This reduces raw material transport time.
Independence: Do not rely on shared power. Give each Outpost its own battery bank sized for its lanes.
Buffering: Add a 2–3 stack buffer between the capsule press and the Depot to absorb surges and prevent backpressure into the press.
Use Outposts to raise regional levels and to provide redundancy. If the Core experiences a problem, Outposts can continue producing and supply the Core once the issue is resolved.
Mining and raw material routing
Scatter mining rigs across Valley IV to maintain a steady supply of ore and crystals. Route raw materials into a centralized processing hub near the AIC core. Use load‑balanced splitters to distribute raw inputs evenly across multiple processors. Keep raw material belts separate from plant loops to avoid cross‑traffic and accidental jams.
When routing raw materials, prioritize short, direct runs into the processing hub. Long, winding belts are fragile and harder to debug. If you must cross belts, do so at right angles and use dedicated crossing points to reduce interference.
Scaling strategy and cloning modules
Scaling is simple if you follow the modular approach. When you need more output, clone the module that’s already working. For example, if one Buck Capsule lane is stable and producing, copy that lane and place it parallel to the first. Do not try to extend a single lane by adding more stages; cloned lanes are easier to balance and less likely to create bottlenecks.
When cloning, remember to:
Keep the same spacing between lanes to maintain consistent belt lengths.
Stagger lane starts to avoid synchronized power spikes.
Add battery capacity in proportion to the number of lanes.
A good rule of thumb: for every additional capsule lane, add roughly 30–40% of the original battery capacity to maintain stability under peak load.
Fine tuning: timing, buffers, and power smoothing
Small adjustments make a big difference. If you see periodic stalls, add a tiny buffer at the problem stage rather than redesigning the whole module. If power dips occur when multiple lanes start, stagger their activation or add a thermal bank for short bursts.
Buffer placement is the most effective tuning tool. A one‑stack buffer between a grinder and a processor or between a press and a Depot can absorb transient mismatches and keep the line flowing. Use buffers sparingly; they solve timing mismatches without adding complexity.
Common failure modes and fixes
Belts jam: Shorten runs, add splitters, and avoid acute‑angle crossings. If a particular junction jams repeatedly, rebuild it with a different splitter orientation or add a small buffer upstream.
Power dips: Pause one lane and toggle the thermal bank. If dips persist, increase battery capacity or stagger lane starts by a few ticks.
Seed loop stalls: Check splitter feeding planters and ensure harvesters are not backing up into planters. Add a buffer between harvester output and processing to decouple timing.
Capsule press starvation: Increase seed loop throughput or add a second seed loop dedicated to the capsule lanes. Alternatively, clone the capsule lane and balance seed supply across lanes.
Importing blueprints and testing workflow
When importing blueprints, follow a staged testing workflow. Import the battery cluster and test power stability with no production. Next, import the seed loop and run it alone to verify continuous seed output. Finally, import one Buck Capsule lane and connect it to the Depot. Run the lane for several cycles and watch for jams, dips, or starvation. Only after the single lane is stable should you import a second lane.
Testing in stages isolates problems and makes debugging faster. If something fails after you import a new module, remove the last module and test the previous configuration to identify the fault.
Efficiency and quality of life tweaks
Place small signage or markers in your layout to indicate lane numbers and buffer locations. This helps when you return later and need to edit or expand. Keep spare splitters and a small maintenance area near the AIC node so you can quickly swap components if a junction proves unreliable.
If the game supports automation toggles or scripting, use them to schedule lane starts during off‑peak times or to automatically toggle thermal banks when battery levels fall below a threshold.
Minimal checklist for a successful Valley IV run
AIC node and Depot placed with a two‑tile buffer.
Battery cluster sized for base load plus one lane, thermal bank on secondary bus.
Seed loop inside a 12×12 footprint with splitter feeding two planters and a small buffer.
One Buck Capsule lane built linear from planter output to Depot.
Outpost mirror with smaller battery, seed loop, and capsule lane.
Mining rigs feeding centralized processing hub with load‑balanced splitters.
Staggered lane starts and small buffers at critical junctions.
Troubleshooting examples in practice
If your capsule press is starved despite a running seed loop, inspect the splitter feeding the planters. A misaligned splitter or a planter that’s offline will starve the line. Add a one‑stack buffer between harvester output and the grinder to decouple timing. If power dips occur when you start a second lane, pause the lane and toggle the thermal bank for a short burst while batteries recharge. If belts jam at a crossing, rebuild the crossing with a dedicated splitter and a short buffer upstream.
Long‑term maintenance and expansion
As you expand, keep the modular mindset. Add new lanes as clones and expand battery capacity proportionally. Periodically audit belt runs and replace long runs with shorter, parallel lanes where possible. Keep Outposts as independent production centers that can feed the Core when needed rather than relying on shared infrastructure.
FAQ
How many Buck Capsule lanes should I run at Valley IV? Start with one lane to validate the seed loop and power core. Add a second lane once the grid is stable. For sustained surplus, three or more lanes are possible, but each additional lane requires proportional battery capacity and careful staggering.
Where should I place Depots for best performance? Place Depots within two tiles of the capsule press. This minimizes transport time and reduces the chance of belt congestion between the press and storage.
Can Outposts share power with the Core? No. Design Outposts as semi‑independent units with their own battery arrays. Sharing power introduces fragility and complicates troubleshooting.
What’s the best way to prevent belt jams? Keep belt runs short, use splitters to balance flow, avoid acute‑angle crossings, and add small buffers at critical junctions. If a junction jams repeatedly, rebuild it with a different splitter orientation.
How do I smooth power draw when starting multiple lanes? Stagger lane starts by a tick or two, add a thermal bank for short bursts, and increase battery capacity in proportion to the number of lanes.
What’s the ideal battery size for Core and Outpost? Aim for ~3300 power at the Core if you plan two lanes and several processors. For Outposts, a smaller ~840 power battery is usually sufficient for a single lane.
How do I scale without breaking the factory? Clone proven modules rather than extending a single chain. Duplicate lanes in parallel, add battery capacity proportionally, and stagger starts to avoid synchronized spikes.
Seed Loop Module Tile‑by‑Tile Import Blueprint
This is a compact 12×12 seed loop designed to be copy‑pasted into your Valley IV Core or Outpost. Place the module with its origin tile (0,0) at the lower‑left corner of a cleared 12×12 area. All coordinates are (x,y) with x increasing to the right and y increasing upward. The module produces continuous Buckflower seeds and raw plant output, feeds a one‑stack buffer, and is tuned to avoid planter stalls.
Legend: SP = Seed Picker; PL A = Planter A; PL B = Planter B; HV = Harvester; SPL = Splitter; BUF = one‑stack buffer chest; arrows show belt direction.
Grid (12×12) with component placements by coordinate:
(1,1) — SP (Seed Picker) facing right → belt out to (2,1)
(2,1) — straight belt → (3,1)
(3,1) — SPL (Splitter) output A → (4,1); output B → (3,2)
(4,1) — belt → PL A at (5,1) (Planter A facing right)
(5,1) — planter tile; planter output belt to (6,1)
(6,1) — belt → (7,1) → joins main return to HV at (7,2)
(3,2) — belt from splitter → (4,2) → PL B at (5,2) (Planter B facing right)
(5,2) — planter output belt to (6,2) → merges with (6,1) at (6,3) via short lift or crossing point designed for minimal interference
(6,3) — merged belt → HV (Harvester) at (7,3) facing left; harvester output to (6,3) belt direction left → (5,3)
(5,3) — belt → (4,3) → BUF at (3,3) (one‑stack buffer chest) with belt continuing from (4,3) to (2,3)
(2,3) — belt → (1,3) → returns into SP intake at (1,2) (arrange intake tile adjacent to SP so seeds reenter picker)
Orientation and belt notes: set SP to output seeds to the right. The SPL at (3,1) must be configured to split evenly between the two planter feeds. Planters are placed side‑by‑side (PL A at y=1, PL B at y=2) so their outputs can be merged with a short, controlled crossing into the harvester feed. The HV (harvester) faces left so harvested product returns toward the buffer chest at (3,3). Keep the buffer chest one tile upstream of the processing chain so it absorbs surges.
Short Placement Checklist (minimal bullets)
Clear a 12×12 area and set origin (0,0) at lower‑left.
Place SP at (1,1) facing right; connect output to splitter at (3,1).
Install SPL at (3,1); route outputs to PL A (5,1) and PL B (5,2).
Place PL A and PL B facing right; route their outputs to merge into harvester feed at (6,3).
Put HV at (7,3) facing left; route harvester output to BUF at (3,3).
Connect BUF output back to SP intake so seeds loop continuously.
Test with one planter active; confirm no stalls, then enable second planter and observe for steady flow.
Tuning tips (short)
If planters stall, rotate the splitter orientation or add a tiny delay by moving PL B one tile right and rebalancing the merge.
If the buffer fills constantly, increase downstream processing or add a second buffer chest at (2,3).
Keep heavy raw‑material belts away from the 12×12 footprint to avoid accidental crossings; if a crossing is necessary, use a dedicated crossing tile and a short upstream buffer.
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