Beam Link

Beam Link is a buildable block that transmits electrical power across distance by linking to another Beam Link and energizing adjacent blocks. It was added in Build 136 and made available outside the editor in Build 147. In Build 147 it received a concrete construction cost and time, and its maximum power range was reduced from 1000 to 500.

Beam Links must be configured manually to form a connection between two Beam Links. Each Beam Link supports exactly one 1-to-1 connection with another Beam Link; they do not auto-connect to other Beam Links or to arbitrary blocks. Once two Beam Links are paired, they conduct power to every block adjacent to each linked unit, effectively sharing power between the two local areas.

Construction details introduced in Build 147:

• Build cost: 250 Silicon, 75 Phase Fabric, 75 Surge Alloy, 250 Beryllium, 150 Oxide, 75 Carbide.
• Build time: 16.20 seconds.
• Power link range: 500 (reduced from 1000 in an earlier build).

Operational behavior and interaction notes:

• To establish or change a connection, click one Beam Link and then click the target Beam Link. Clicking a Beam Link that already has a different connection opens that link's configuration instead of immediately creating a new link. Clicking the original Beam Link again removes its existing connection.
• Beam Links do not initiate connections to ordinary buildings; links must be set up explicitly by the player.
• Each Beam Link pair forms a dedicated channel; only the two linked Beam Links exchange power between their adjacent blocks.
• Beam Links transmit power to all blocks adjacent to the linked units. This makes them effective for supplying entire clusters (power grids, defense arrays, factories) at the opposite end of the link.

Compatibility and limitations:

• Beam Links cannot be directly connected by Beam Node or Beam Tower lasers, but placing a Beam Link adjacent to a Beam Node or Beam Tower allows power transmission through standard adjacency. In practice, Beam Links work as part of a hybrid network when combined with conventional power rails and adjacent energy-consuming structures.
• The one-to-one pairing means you cannot hub multiple distant bases with a single Beam Link; use multiple links or traditional power networks for more complex topologies.

Practical uses and map occurrences:

• Beam Links are used on several campaign maps to control power flow and isolation of enemy bases or objectives. On Basin they were used to power the southern base next to the player start core. On Crossroads, Beam Links let an eastern base run all Large Barrier Projector turrets on a separate, isolated circuit so that they depower when the base’s power production is destroyed. On Origin, Beam Links were used to share power between bases.
• The Beam Link is unlocked after landing on Crossroads, but researching the block requires Phase Fabric to be available; Phase Fabric must be obtained or researched (for example by unlocking it on Serpulo or by landing on Karst to access Phase Synthesizer research) before building Beam Links in a new playthrough.

Strategy tips:

• Use Beam Links to keep high-draw defensive arrays on an isolated circuit that can be shut down by destroying a single power source.
• Place Beam Links so they cover entire clusters of consumers via adjacency rather than trying to route power into individual blocks.
• Remember the manual pairing behavior when managing multiple links in close proximity to avoid inadvertently opening another link’s configuration.