Altering Pollution Diffusion Rates Mid-Game In Factorio

In the game Factorio, pollution is represented as a red cloud that spreads outwards from buildings involved in processing items at a steady rate. The game's default spread rate is 2%. Players can change the pollution settings via map generation settings or disable them entirely. In-game, pollution attracts 'biters' to the player's factory. Players can modify the pollution dissipation rate using console commands. There is also a mod called Change Map Settings that allows players to change the pollution settings mid-game without using the console.

Mods can change pollution settings mid-game without affecting other settings

Mods can be used to change pollution settings mid-game without affecting other settings in Factorio. The "Change Map Settings" mod is one such example, allowing players to alter their map and map generation settings at any time. This includes the ability to turn on peaceful mode, which prevents biter attacks, and turn it off when ready to face some action.

Another option is to use console commands to change pollution settings mid-game. By accessing the "data/base/prototypes/map-settings.lua" file, players can modify various values related to pollution, including the diffusion ratio and the minimum pollution required for it to start diffusing. However, it's important to note that using console commands or mods will disable achievements in the game.

Players seeking a middle ground in their pollution settings desire a setup where pollution has an effect, spreads if the factory is unchecked, but also dissipates when energy consumption is reduced or alternative energy sources like solar power are utilised. While the default settings may not offer this balance, adjusting the spread rate and using efficiency modules can help achieve the desired outcome.

Mods and console commands provide Factorio players with the flexibility to customise their gameplay experience, even after a game has started. However, it's important to back up saves and understand the potential impact on achievements before making any changes.

Console commands can be used to change pollution dissipation rate

Console commands can be used to change the pollution dissipation rate in Factorio. The command is:

/c game.map_settings.pollution.ageing = N

Where N is the desired value for the pollution dissipation rate. This command can be entered directly into the console to modify the rate during gameplay.

Additionally, the file 'map-settings.lua' in the 'data/base/prototypes' folder of the Factorio directory contains various values related to pollution settings, including the diffusion ratio and the minimum pollution required for it to start diffusing. Editing this file allows for further customisation of pollution behaviour.

It is worth noting that while these methods allow for changes to the pollution dissipation rate, they may not address the underlying issue of wanting more control over how pollution affects the world and enemies. For example, one player expressed a desire for a setting where pollution has an effect, spreads if the factory is left unchecked, but also dissipates when energy consumption is kept under control. While the commands and file edits mentioned above can be used to adjust the dissipation rate, they do not directly influence how pollution impacts the world or triggers enemy attacks.

To more directly address the relationship between pollution and enemies, one suggestion is to modify the 'min_pollution_to_damage_trees' setting, which determines the amount of pollution required to start damaging trees. Increasing this value can create a buffer zone of trees that absorb pollution before it reaches enemy spawners. Additionally, the 'pollution_per_tree_damage' and 'pollution_restored_per_tree_damage' settings can be adjusted to control how much pollution is absorbed by trees and the rate at which they recover from pollution damage.

These settings can be found in the 'map-settings.lua' file mentioned earlier, providing a means to fine-tune the interaction between pollution, the environment, and enemies without relying solely on the dissipation rate.

The default spread rate is 2%

Pollution is represented as an abstract "cloud" and is produced by buildings involved in processing items. It spreads outwards at a steady rate and can be seen on the map as a blocky red cloud when the "pollution" setting is turned on. This setting can be adjusted to suit the player's preferences and can even be disabled entirely.

The default spread rate of 2% can be increased or decreased to create different gameplay experiences. For example, increasing the spread rate will result in a larger and thinner cloud that attracts more enemies. On the other hand, a lower spread rate will result in a smaller and denser cloud, which may be preferable for players who want to manage their pollution levels more effectively.

Players can also adjust other settings related to pollution, such as the “pollution dissipation” setting, which controls how quickly pollution disappears. Additionally, the “min_to_diffuse” setting determines how much pollution is required in a chunk before it starts to spread. These settings can be changed via the console using specific commands.

It is worth noting that the evolution factor of enemies is not directly influenced by the spreading or absorbed pollution. Instead, it is determined by the total pollution produced by the player's machinery at each tick. This means that regardless of how the player tries to contain the pollution, enemies will still evolve at the same rate, but they will attack less frequently if the pollution is contained.

Higher spread rates reduce total pollution

In the game Factorio, pollution is represented as a red cloud that spreads out from the player's factory. This cloud is used to trigger attacks from enemies called "biters" who are trying to destroy the source of the pollution. The player can change the settings for pollution spread, also known as the diffusion rate, in the game's map generation settings.

Higher spread rates reduce the total pollution in the game. This is because the pollution cloud will cover more chunks, and each chunk has a natural absorption rate. So, the more the pollution spreads, the more is absorbed. Additionally, higher spread rates can lead to fewer biter attacks. This is because the number of biters depends on the amount of pollution absorbed by their nests, not the number of nests affected. A larger cloud will cover more area, and more pollution will be absorbed by vegetation and non-stone/concrete tiles instead of by biter nests.

Players can also reduce pollution by using efficiency modules in their machinery, which lower power requirements and reduce pollution output. Another strategy is to leave more trees standing, as trees absorb pollution. However, trees will degenerate and lose leaves when exposed to high levels of pollution.

Trees absorb pollution

Every single tree absorbs a small amount of pollution in its chunk per second. If the total pollution in a chunk is above 60 units, once per second some of the trees in that chunk each have a chance to either lose one stage of leaves or have their leaves become one stage more grey. Regardless of whether the tree loses leaves or gets grayer, 10 units of pollution are absorbed by the tree. A tree stops losing leaves/becoming more grey once the sum of its grey percentage and its leaves lost percentage is above 120%. 50% of trees stop their leaf progression one stage earlier. As the grayness and leaf stage are then locked for that tree forever, it is possible for trees to keep some leaves in heavily polluted chunks but in turn be very grey, or the other way around. The less dense the leaves, the slower the tree absorbs pollution, however, tree grayness does not affect pollution absorption.

Trees degenerate slowly when exposed to pollution at high levels. The wiki states that after trees absorb a total of 3500 units of pollution in their lifespan, they deteriorate, absorbing less pollution per tick as they deteriorate further. However, when generating a new map, the 'advanced settings' tab has a setting that says: "Minimum to damage trees (Any pollution above this amount starts to damage trees) [Default = 3500]. Absorbed per damaged tree (The amount of pollution absorbed by a tree when it is damaged by pollution) [Default = 500]." This has led to some confusion among players as to whether trees deteriorate slowly or only once a certain level of pollution is reached.

Trees are the main pollution buffering resource, but they get degraded over time due to pollution exposure. They can be set on fire by flamethrowers and flamethrower turrets, which will cause a large amount of pollution to be released. Once on fire, trees cannot be extinguished, but the spread of the fire can be limited by creating a firebreak.

Frequently asked questions