How to Forge Steel in Rimworld: A Step-by-Step Guide

Steel is an essential building material needed to construct various structures and items in Rimworld. It is versatile, durable, and can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions. However, steel is not readily available and must be created through a process called smelting. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make steel in Rimworld, a popular survival strategy game.

To create steel in Rimworld, you first need to obtain the necessary raw materials. You’ll need a sufficient quantity of iron and coal to start the smelting process. These can be found through mining, trading, or collecting from the environment. Once you have acquired the necessary raw materials, you can start smelting them using a smelter, which can be crafted by your colonists. Creating steel requires careful attention to detail and a bit of patience, but the end result is a valuable resource that will help your colony thrive in the harsh Rimworld environment.

Section 1: Understanding Steel Rimworld

What is Steel Rimworld?

Steel Rimworld is a popular strategy and simulation game that tasks players with managing a colony of survivors on a distant planet. In the game, players will have to build structures and tools, garden and hunt for food, research and manufacture technologies, and defend their colony against marauding pirates, hostile wildlife, and other threats. One of the most essential aspects of surviving on this planet is crafting steel, a strong and durable material that will help players construct better tools and structures in their colony.

Why is Steel Important in Rimworld?

Steel is a crucial element in the world of Rimworld, as it is the primary material for making high-quality weapons, tools, and structures. It is more durable than wood and stone and can withstand extreme weather conditions, harsh environments, and fierce battles. As players progress in the game, they’ll need to find ways to produce steel regularly to improve their colony’s quality of life and productivity.

The Different Ways to Obtain Steel in Rimworld

There are several ways players can obtain steel in Rimworld, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common ways to acquire steel include:

1. Mining

The most straightforward way to obtain steel is by mining it from the earth. Rimworld has a lot of resources that can be harvested by mining, including steel. Players can locate steel by examining the game’s map and looking for veins of steel ore, which would be easy to identify because of its bluish-gray color. Once identified, players will have to mine the ore, gather and smelt it in a smelter to get steel ingots.

2. Trading

Players can also obtain steel by trading with other civilizations or traders present in the game. Trading is a bit of a gamble, as players won’t always find steel ingots with the traders they encounter. The chances of finding traders with steel will depend on the player’s luck.

3. Recycling Mechanoids

Players can also recycle mechanoids, mechanical creatures in the game, to obtain steel and other valuable resources. This method is entirely risk-free and gives players a significant amount of resources in return, though it is not always easy to find or bring down mechanoids.

4. Crafting Items That Contain Steel

Players can craft items that require steel as a component. This method, though not very efficient, ensures that players always have enough steel to keep their production running.

How to Make Steel in Steel Rimworld

1. Smelting Steel Ore

The most popular way to make steel is to smelt steel ore. To smelt steel, players need to have mined steel ore, which can be done by designating an area to mine on the game’s map. Once obtained, players must create a smelter and harvest the steel as ingots. The smelter requires a fuel source, such as wood or coal, to run.

2. Recycling Mechnoids for Steel

Another viable method for making steel is to recycle mechanoids. Mechanoids are a rare encounter in the game, but when encountered, players should attempt to take them out. Recycling mechanoids can produce useful resources such as steel, plasteel, and advanced components. To recycle a mechanoid, players must designate a pawn to dismantle the destroyed mechanoid. This method is entirely free and produces a significant amount of steel.

3. Trading for Steel

Trading for steel is also a viable option for players who don’t want to mine or recycle mechanoids. Players can trade items they don’t need to acquire steel from other civilizations or traders.

4. Crafting Items That Contain Steel

Players can craft items that contain steel to supplement their steel production. Some of these items include firearms, turrets, and equipment that require steel as a component.

Tips to Efficiently Produce Steel in Rimworld

1. Prioritize Researching Steel Production

Producing steel in Rimworld requires a player to research it, so it’s crucial to prioritize the research of how to produce steel in the colony. Players can research electric smelting and machining, which will make the production of steel easier than using a traditional smelter.

2. Formulate a Plan to Harvest Resources Efficiently

As players look to produce more steel, they will need other resources such as wood, coal, and food. Develop an efficient plan to manage the resources to keep production of steel steady.

3. Keep Mechanoids for Recycling Purposes

Whenever players encounter mechanoids, it is best to keep and recycle them for steel and other vital resources. Players should not waste time and resources trying to destroy them when encountering them.

4. Trade Strategically

When trading, players should trade for specific items they need to produce steel, such as wood, coal, and components.

5. Don’t Rely on One Method to Produce Steel

Relying on one method to produce steel can slow down production, so players should use more than one approach to produce steel.

6. Keep an Eye on Colony’s Needs

Maintain a balance between production of steel and other important needs of the colony. Over-reliance on steel production can cause other areas of the colony to suffer.

Conclusion

Steel production can be a daunting task for players on Rimworld, but with the right plan, it can be an effortless process. Incorporating a mix of methods to produce steel and implementing them efficiently, players can produce enough steel to enhance their colony’s growth and success.

Materials Needed for Making Steel in Rimworld

Making steel in Rimworld is an essential part of the game, as it is needed to craft some of the most important components and structures in the game. However, before we get into the steps on how to make steel, it’s important to know the materials needed for the process. In this section, we’ll discuss the materials you’ll need to start making steel in Rimworld.

Iron Ore

The first material you’ll need for making steel is iron ore. Iron ore is a common resource found in most biomes in Rimworld, and you’ll need a decent amount of it to start making steel. You can mine for iron ore by selecting your colonists and right-clicking on a rock protruding from the ground. Once your colonists have mined the iron ore, you’ll need to transport it to a smelter.

Electric Smelter

To smelt the iron ore and turn it into steel, you’ll need to have an Electric Smelter in your colony. The Electric Smelter is a machine that uses electricity to melt raw resources into usable items. You can build an Electric Smelter by selecting the Production tab in your build menu and selecting the Electric Smelter icon.

Chemfuel

When using the Electric Smelter to make steel, you’ll need to power it with Chemfuel. Chemfuel is a liquid fuel that can be made by refining wood, hay, or other organic materials. To make Chemfuel, you’ll need to build a Refinery, which converts raw materials into usable resources.

Steel Production Technologies

There are various steel production technologies that you can research in Rimworld to improve your steel production efficiency. Some of the technologies that can be researched include Electric Smelting, Advanced Electric Smelting, and Multi-Analyzer. These technologies will allow you to produce steel faster and more efficiently, which is essential for keeping your colony well-equipped with weapons and tools.

Colonist Skills

The skills of your colonists play an important role in steel production in Rimworld. Colonists with higher levels of Mining, Crafting, and Intellectual skills will be more efficient in various stages of steel production. By assigning the right colonists to the right jobs, you can significantly improve your steel production efficiency.

Firefoam Popper

When working with the Electric Smelter, there is always a risk of explosions and fires. To prevent disasters from happening, it’s recommended to have a Firefoam Popper nearby. The Firefoam Popper is a machine that automatically sprays fire retardant foam in the event of an explosion or fire.

Steel Production Bench

Another essential item for making steel in Rimworld is a Steel Production Bench. The Steel Production Bench is a workbench that allows your colonists to craft steel items faster and more efficiently. Without the Steel Production Bench, your colonists will have to manually craft steel items, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Steel for Weapons and Armor

Steel is a valuable resource in Rimworld, as it can be used to craft powerful weapons and armor. Weapons and armor made from steel are much more effective than those made from other resources, making steel production a critical aspect of keeping your colonists safe from raiders and other dangers.

Trade

If you find that your colony is struggling to produce enough steel on its own, you can always trade with nearby factions for the resource. Rimworld has a dynamic trading system that allows you to trade with other factions for the resources you need. By trading with other factions, you can get your hands on steel when your own production isn’t enough.

Stockpile Management

Finally, effective stockpile management is important for steel production in Rimworld. You’ll need to designate specific areas for your raw materials, such as iron ore and chemfuel, and separate areas for your finished steel products. By keeping your stockpiles organized and easy to access, you can improve your colony’s overall efficiency and productivity.

The Process of Making Steel Rimworld

Steel is a crucial material for survival in Rimworld, as it is used to create weapons, armor, buildings, and other essential items. While it may seem like a daunting task to create steel, the process is not as complicated as it seems. In this section, we’ll delve into the step-by-step process of making steel in Rimworld.

Gathering Raw Materials

To create steel, you will need to gather three raw materials: iron ore, coal, and wood. Iron ore can be found in the ground and mined with a pickaxe or drill. Coal can be found in the form of veins, and wood can be harvested from trees. When gathering resources, it is important to have a designated area for storing them to prevent clutter.

Making Steel at the Smelter

Once you have gathered the necessary materials, it’s time to start the smelting process. The smelter is an essential building that can convert raw materials into usable steel. To use the smelter, you will need to select it and then choose the “smelt metal from slag” option. Once you have completed this step, you will need to add the resources needed for the smelting process: iron ore, coal, and wood.

The Temperature and Time Required for Smelting

The smelting process requires a high temperature and time to create steel. The temperature needs to be at least 1500F or hotter to melt the metal, and it takes about 12 hours to complete the process. It is essential to monitor the temperature throughout the process to ensure it doesn’t get too hot, which can cause the steel to become brittle and weak.

Maintaining the Smelter

Maintaining the smelter is crucial to ensure the smelting process goes smoothly. The building needs to be kept clean and free of debris to prevent clogs and other issues. You will also need to make sure there are enough resources to keep the smelter running, and the temperature is properly regulated.

Using Steel in Rimworld

Once you have created steel, it can be used in a variety of ways. Steel can be used to create weapons, armor, buildings, furniture, and other essential items. It’s an excellent material for drapes, hospital beds, and doors because it’s both strong and decorative. Steel can also be sold to other factions for a profit.

In conclusion, creating steel in Rimworld may seem like a daunting task, but with the right resources and steps, it can be accomplished with ease. Gathering the necessary raw materials, using the smelter to create steel, and using the steel for various applications are ways to ensure the survival of your Rimworld colony.

Time to Craft your Steel Rimworld

Well, that’s all for now! We hope that this guide has given you the knowledge and inspiration necessary to make the most out of your Rimworld experience. Remember to take the time to plan out your base carefully, and to carefully manage your resources to ensure that your colony thrives. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, we’re confident that you’ll be able to build a thriving steel Rimworld that will stand the test of time. Thanks for reading, and be sure to stop by again soon!