Sorter

Sorter is a light-transfer item-routing block that instantaneously moves items without buffering them. When an input item matches the Sorter’s selected filter it is sent directly forward (the tile opposite the input); when an item does not match or no filter is set the item is output to both side tiles. Because Sorters have no internal item capacity they do not clog like Routers and they transfer items instantly along conveyors and other light-transfer devices.

Sorters share placement and chaining restrictions with the other four instant-transfer devices (Sorter, Inverted Sorter, Overflow Gate, Underflow Gate). The game prevents chains longer than two consecutive light-transfer blocks from transporting items to avoid instantaneous long-range transport; this is enforced by the Max Consecutive stat: items will not enter a sorter or gate if following any path from that block would exceed the configured maximum consecutive light-transfer blocks. Recent updates removed any previously reported unknown item capacity and explicitly disallow long chains beyond the limit.

Practical notes and common uses:

• Unconfigured (null) Sorters default to sending incoming items to the left and right. Two side-by-side null Sorters can form a 2:4 splitter without crossing lines; pairs of null Sorters can be stacked to make 2:6 splitters that preserve throughput because transfers are instantaneous.
• Because Sorters transfer instantly and lack capacity, splitters built from Sorters can provide effectively unlimited instantaneous throughput for batched inputs (examples include Plastanium route splitters using Sorters).
• A matching item always moves forward; non-matching or null-filter items are duplicated to both sides rather than forwarded. This behavior lets Sorters be used both as selective pass-throughs and as branching distributors.
• Sorters cannot be chained for effective item transport beyond two blocks in a row; mixing different light-transfer devices does not bypass this limit since they share the consecutive-placement restriction.
• When using Sorters in large routing networks, be mindful of orientation: the “forward” direction is opposite the input side, so layout must place target conveyors accordingly to avoid flipped outputs.
• Sorters are ideal where instantaneous, lossless branching or filtering is needed, but they are not appropriate when a buffer or temporary storage (as provided by Routers or Vaults) is required.

Designers should combine Sorters with conventional conveyor logic (Routers, Junctions, overflow/underflow gates) when buffering, controlled throttling, or long-distance item transport is desired. Sorters excel at instant splitting, filtering, and high-throughput branching within the two-block light-transfer limit.