Reinforced Payload Router

The Reinforced Payload Router is a payload-routing block that directs payload-type items (such as surge cores, ores that count as payloads, or any payload-compatible object) along selectable output directions based on filter settings. It is placed with an orientation that determines a single "facing" direction; that facing side is treated specially by the router's input/output behavior and determines the block's front, left, and right relative directions.

The router accepts payloads on every side except the tile in the direction the block is facing. This means inputs can be fed from the back and the two lateral sides as well as from above by conveyor or adjacent blocks, while the facing tile is not a valid input. When no filter is set, the Reinforced Payload Router cycles through its three output directions in a fixed order: front, left, then right. Each time it outputs a payload it advances to the next direction in that sequence, effectively distributing payloads in a round-robin fashion across the three outputs.

When a filter is selected, the router enforces a deterministic split: payloads that match the configured filter are always sent to the front output, and any payloads that do not match the filter are sent to the left and right outputs (distributed according to the router's internal cycling between those two). This allows one-block sorting of a single payload type to a dedicated line while diverting all other payloads into alternate routes.

Practical notes and implications:

• Inputs are allowed from all sides except the facing direction; orient the block so its forbidden input side is where you will never need to feed payloads.
• With no filter, use the router as a simple load balancer to spread payloads evenly across three paths in the order front → left → right.
• With a filter set, use the front as a dedicated output for the filtered payload type (e.g., a specific core or item treated as a payload) and use the left/right outputs as overflow or general-purpose lines.
• The left and right outputs will share non-matching payloads via the router’s cycle, so downstream systems drawing from both can expect alternating deliveries.
• Because the block does not accept input from its facing tile, placing conveyors or other feeders against the front will work only for receiving routed payloads, not for providing inputs.

These behaviors make the Reinforced Payload Router well suited to compact sorting and distribution setups where one payload type must be segregated while others continue along shared infrastructure.