Factorio Gleba Survival Guide: Blueprints, Tips, Tricks, & More

Gleba is one of the new planets included in the Factorio Space Age expansion. Although it has a similar structure to Nauvis, Gleba stands out by focusing on unique elements inspired by the microcosmos of various elements like algae, fungi, and lichen. However, underneath the lush beauty of Gleba lies different dangers and challenges. So, keep reading as we help you survive and thrive in this forest-inspired alien world!

The Gleba Planet in Factorio: An Overview

Gleba showcases vibrant life through various immersive features, including aesthetic plant overgrowth and captivating audio. For instance, players notice that the ground squelches with each step, revealing a vibrant yet eerie ecosystem of mycelium, lichen, and diverse tiny creatures. Atop the torrential landscape, ancient sting fronds disperse spores hauntingly. Ascending, the ground dries, revealing pitted rock-like formations of dark grey Stromatolites. Here, towering beige sponges filter air and release vibrant spores. Exploring the rest of the planet greets players with autumnal tones, with orange lichen, thorny fungal vines, and bulbous mushrooms bearing inflated spore sacs. Traversing the swampy wetlands of reds and pinks intensifies the calls of mysterious animals, culminating in thunderous stomps as you approach. Players who get lost in the vibrancy of Gleba may fail to notice the planet's unique challenge – Spoilage. While in Gleba, most spoilable items expire after specific periods, ranging from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Players should consider each item’s spoilage duration to prevent it from becoming relatively unusable. Other features to consider in Gleba include the following:

Exclusive Items

• Agricultural Tower
• Agricultural Science Pack
• Artificial Jellynut Soil
• Artificial Yumako Soil
• Overgrowth Jellynut Soil
• Overgrowth Yumako Soil
• Captive Biter Spawner
• Heating Tower
• Biochamber
• Biolab
• Rocket Turret
• Spidertron
• Stack Inserter
• Toolbelt Equipment
• Productivity Module 3
• Efficiency Module 3

Biomes

• Depp Water (impassable)
• Shallows
• Green Lowlands
• Red Lowlands
• Green Midlands
• Red Midlands
• Highlands

Basic Resources

• Water
• Stone
• Iron Ore
• Copper Ore
• Coal
• Plastic Bars
• Sulfur
• Lubricant
• Rocket Fuel
• Heavy Oil

Factorio Gleba Blueprints for Survival

One of Factorio’s core objectives is for the player to gather as many resources as possible to survive the distinct environments of each planet, including Gleba. As with surviving (and thriving) on other planets, survival in Gleba generally requires using blueprints, and here are some helpful plans to help you in that regard:

Gleba Bioscience Blueprint

Reddit user ThandirBH noticed some discouragement regarding Gleba and bioscience, prompting the creation of this blueprint. Use this user-created plan to help generate Agricultural Science Packs, Bioflux, and nutrients. Simply feed it Jellynuts, Yumako, water, and a few eggs to start. If it clogs, it will self-unclog without needing manual intervention.

Gleba Iron and Copper Production

The same Reddit user who created the previously mentioned blueprint also created plans to help other players produce Iron and Copper on Gleba. These blueprints can also aid certain players, especially those who landed on Gleba for the first time, in producing these resources without worrying about clogging.

Gleba Basics

Two of the biggest challenges in Gleba are Spoilage and ensuring downstream overdraw. Thankfully, Reddit user TwevOWNED created the Gleba Basics blueprint to limit fruit and Bioflux flow based on belt saturation. Doing so places nutrients as a top priority of the production line.

Gleba Survival Tips & Tricks

Despite its unique challenges, it’s not impossible to build a production empire in Gleba. Below are some useful tips and tricks to ensure your survival on this planet that's rich in organic life.

Heating Tower for Power

Although it’s possible to use solar power output in Gleba, using the Heating Tower is still one of the best ways of generating electricity for your factory in this planet. Various organic products are available in Gleba that the Heating Tower can burn for power. However, burning Jellynut Seeds and Rocket Fuel are the best items for outputting the highest heat for electricity.

Strategic Tower Locations

Look at the map to see white dots representing ore patches near Yumako or Jellynut fruit trees. These markers are your main renewable resources, which you can collect and replant at the Agricultural Tower. Note that the Agricultural Tower must be placed close to the fruit trees. Initially, you may need to use a landfill for marshy areas. Automate landfill production and consider building a Heating Tower, along with a Heat Exchanger and two Steam Turbines for efficient power generation on Gleba.

Biochambers over Assemblers

Biochambers are more generally more favorable in Gleba than Assemblers, despite the latter having the ability to create certain products. Note that Biochambers have 50% better productivity than Assemblers, especially for fruit mashing, resulting in extra seeds for special landfill and farm expansion. Initially, build Biochambers using Iron, Green Circuits, Landfill, nutrients from Spoilage, and Pentapod Eggs. Then, place the first Biochambers near fruit tree patches, choosing either dry land on a plateau or wet marshland requiring landfill. Remember, these locations typically have their challenges, so decide an optimal and fairly safe place to build your Biochambers.

Overconsume Nutrients

Remember, Biochambers need nutrients as fuel, which can originate from Spoilage, Yumako Mash, or Bioflux. It's essential to ensure a constant supply of nutrients to each Biochamber since any perishable item can generate Spoilage. Being stingy while in Gleba can lead to the accumulation of belts carrying perishables. To manage Spoilage before using bots, set up a belt with nutrients on one side and Spoilage on the other, utilizing filtered Splitters or Inserters. Consume excess Spoilage in Heating Towers, which can also produce efficient Rocket Fuel when properly managed. Ultimately, overconsumption of Spoilage is preferable to prevent backup and excess Spoilage.

Pentapod Eggs for Agricultural Science

Agricultural Science Packs are required to produce various items and technologies in Factorio, such as the Asteroid Productivity and Railgun Damage technology trees. Once you have a Bioflux in Gleba, you can start multiplying Pentapod Eggs, a crucial item for Agricultural Science. Remember, protect the eggs from spoiling with turrets and repair packs. Additionally, Agricultural Science Packs can spoil. However, you have an hour to process it in a lab, so manage Spoilage effectively without wasting renewable inputs.

Be Wary of Spores

On Gleba, you can release as much carbon dioxide as you want to maximize production and speed modules. However, watch out for Spores from Agricultural Towers, which is a pollution-like mechanic that attracts Pentapods. Place multiple turrets to safeguard your factory from attacking Pentapods. You can also preemptively wall off your production facilities to eliminate Pentapods.