Overview
Transform your automated construction network into a defensive powerhouse! Laser Construction Bots adds combat-capable construction and logistic robots that can defend themselves while they work. These upgraded bots are equipped with integrated laser weapons, allowing them to automatically engage enemies within range while continuing their primary tasks of building your factory or transporting items.
Features
Combat-Ready Robots
• Laser Construction Robots: Your construction bots now pack a punch! These upgraded units automatically fire lasers at nearby enemies while building structures, deconstructing items, or repairing damaged buildings.
• Laser Logistic Robots: Even your supply chain fights back! Logistic robots equipped with laser weapons will defend themselves while transporting items between chests and maintaining your logistics network.
Kamikaze Defense System
When a laser bot's health drops critically low (below 10 HP), it enters a dramatic kamikaze mode:
• The damaged bot identifies the nearest high-priority threat (biters and worms take precedence over spawners)
• It becomes invulnerable and charges directly at the target
• Upon reaching the enemy, it detonates in a spectacular EMP explosion
• The EMP blast slows all affected enemies to a crawl (95% movement reduction) for 6 seconds
• Deals minimal electric damage - this is primarily a crowd control ability, not a damage dealer
Scalable Power Through Research
Laser Damage - Scales with vanilla infinite research:
• Base damage: 5 per shot
• Automatically benefits from Energy Weapons Damage research
• Each research level adds +10% damage (multiplicative)
• Infinite scaling potential for late-game power
Fire Rate - 10 research levels:
• Base: 5-second cooldown between firing bursts
• Level 10: Instant firing with no cooldown
• Progressive upgrades unlock at different science pack tiers
• Early game: Production science (levels 1-3)
• Mid game: Utility science (levels 4-5)
• Late game: Space science (levels 6-7)
• End game: Space Age DLC sciences (levels 8-10, if installed)
Balanced Gameplay
• Base laser damage: 5 (scales with research)
• Energy consumption: 1000J per shot
• Attack range: 15 tiles
• Firing pattern: 2-second burst, then cooldown
• Smart targeting: Only fires when not in roboport and has sufficient energy
• Kamikaze EMP radius: 12 tiles
• Slowdown effect: 95% movement speed reduction for 6 seconds
Crafting Recipe
Upgrade your existing robots with military technology:
• 1x Construction Robot (or Logistic Robot)
• 1x Laser Turret
• 3x Advanced Circuit
Unlocked through dedicated research requiring production science packs.
Performance Optimized
Designed to handle massive robot networks efficiently:
• Chunk-based processing: Bots are processed in groups to distribute CPU load
• Research caching: Damage and fire rate values cached for 5 seconds per force
• Smart early exits: Bots in roboports or on cooldown skip processing
• Only tracks laser bots: Vanilla bots are completely ignored for zero performance impact
• Handles 5000+ laser bots smoothly with proper chunking
Space Age Compatible
Full compatibility with Factorio: Space Age DLC:
• Higher-tier fire rate research requires Space Age science packs
• Progressively unlocks with Metallurgic, Agricultural, Electromagnetic, and Cryogenic sciences
• Seamlessly integrates with multi-planet logistics networks
Visual Effects
• Laser beams: Standard Factorio laser-beam visuals
• Kamikaze trail: Sparking electricity and white smoke
• EMP explosion: Blue electric sparks with dramatic sound effects
• Slowdown stickers: Electric arcs on affected enemies
Strategy Tips
• Keep laser bots charged - they won't fire if energy is below 1000J
• Kamikaze mode prioritizes biters and worms over spawners for maximum tactical value
• The EMP slowdown is perfect for buying time during enemy attacks on your construction zones
• Damage scales infinitely - invest in Energy Weapons Damage research for late-game power
• Fire rate research is capped at 10 levels but drastically improves combat effectiveness
Compatibility
• Works with all mods that don't modify base robot behavior
• Safe to add to existing saves
• No conflicts with logistic or construction network modifications
• Automatically detects Space Age DLC and adjusts research accordingly
Transform your peaceful construction network into an active defense system. Your factory will build itself and defend itself!