Naval Factory

The Naval Factory is a specialized production building that constructs naval units. Introduced in the 6.0 update, it functions as the sea-focused counterpart to land unit factories and is the in-game facility used to manufacture vessels such as the Retusa. The block is tied to the game's progression: its availability and research are linked to sea-related map objectives rather than the typical land-focused campaigns.

Naval Factory became able to produce the Retusa in Build 127. In Build 147 its research prerequisites were changed so the factory is researched after landing on the Windswept Islands rather than after capturing Ruinous Shores; this reflects the theme that advanced naval technology is unlocked through exploration and operations on remote, naturally defended islands. One map narrative describes enemies establishing a base on a remote, naturally defensible island; destroying that outpost yields access to advanced naval technology and research, which connects to how Naval Factory-related tech is obtained in those scenarios.

Practical notes and mechanics:

• The Naval Factory follows the same storage rule as other unit-producing blocks: it can hold up to double the production cost of the unit it builds. This allows the factory to queue or stockpile resources for one or more upcoming ships, smoothing production during supply interruptions.
• The Retusa’s production parameters were adjusted in Build 147: its Metaglass cost was reduced from 25 to 0, and its build time decreased from 50 to 35 seconds. This change makes Retusa significantly cheaper in materials and faster to deploy once the Naval Factory is available.
• Because the block is focused on naval units, place it adjacent to water access or on platforms designed to launch sea units efficiently; research gating tied to island objectives means Naval Factory deployment commonly occurs in maps or stages that emphasize naval operations.
• Treat the Naval Factory as part of a broader sea-control strategy: research and capture of island objectives that grant naval tech are necessary steps to unlock and leverage the factory’s capabilities.

Designers added the Naval Factory in version 6.0 and subsequently adjusted its unit lineup and research progression across builds to better integrate naval unit access with island-focused map content.