Ore Factory Squad Tools & Equipment
Shovel, pickaxe, jackhammer, and dynamite in Ore Factory Squad — unlock order, stats, and best use for each mining tool.
Hand Tools Progression
Ore Factory Squad equips miners with a shovel, pickaxe, jackhammer, and dynamite over progression. Tools are not cosmetic — each handles block types others cannot efficiently break. Upgrade tiers reduce swing count and expand compatible materials as contracts fund shop purchases.
Swap tools with hotkeys or scroll wheel per your keyboard bindings. Co-op squads synchronize upgrade timing so no player stalls on hard rock with outdated pickaxes while teammates blast ahead.
Mining strategy tying tools to ore depth is in the mining guide.
Shovel and Pickaxe
The shovel clears dirt, loose rubble, and post-dynamite debris fast without wasting pickaxe durability where implemented. Use shovels to open shaft entrances and maintain walkways for Modular Mining Lift access.
Pickaxes break standard rock and harvest ore nodes — Copper and Iron early, Gold deeper. Tier upgrades matter before jackhammer unlock because pickaxes remain backup when power tool fuel or cooldown systems apply in some patches.
Practice pickaxe node targeting to avoid breaking surrounding support rock unnecessarily in procedural caverns.
Jackhammer
Jackhammers accelerate hard face mining with sustained hold-to-chisel action. Ideal for widening Gold approaches and Iron chambers where pickaxe swings feel sluggish. Audio cues alert co-op partners — voice coordination prevents two jackhammers on one pillar while another shaft stalls.
Jackhammer tiers unlock with contract milestones — prioritize jackhammer over cosmetic purchases when depth gates progress.
Pair jackhammer teams with lift operators hauling bins on schedule to prevent underground pileups.
Dynamite
Dynamite clears marked explosive tiles in controlled bursts. Essential for stubborn clusters blocking shaft alignment. Always plan escape routes and announce detonations on Patch 7.0 voice chat in co-op.
Overusing dynamite without structural planning collapses useful tunnels or buries ore drops under rubble — shovel time follows every reckless blast.
Achievement hunters among 35 Steam goals may include safe or cumulative blast challenges — read achievement tips before spamming charges.
Equipment Beyond Mining Tools
Lighting equipment, crates, and wearable utility items if present in your build assist long sessions. Storage crates near lift stops reduce inventory micromanagement for miners without vehicles.
Vehicles are not hand tools but complement equipment progression — forklifts and trucks unlock via separate licenses on the vehicles page.
Demo players access a subset of tool tiers — compare full unlock path on demo vs full game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tool for Gold ore?
Upgrade jackhammer tiers for hard deep rock, with pickaxe backup for precision node work. Dynamite clears blocking clusters on the path to Gold veins.
Can dynamite destroy ore nodes?
Blasts can destroy or scatter nearby blocks including nodes if placed carelessly. Target marked hard tiles and clear valuable ore first when possible.
Do tools break or need repair?
Check current patch tool durability rules in-game. Many factory sims use tier upgrades rather than per-swing durability — verify after updates.
How do I unlock jackhammer and dynamite?
Purchase or unlock via contract milestones at the equipment shop. Early Copper and Iron contracts fund first jackhammer tier quickly.
Can each co-op player use different tool tiers?
Typically yes — individual loadouts upgrade from shared squad cash pools on host saves. Coordinate spending so one player is not stuck on base pickaxe.