RimWorld Odyssey Chemfuel Guide
Written by Andrew Hammel
In RimWorld Odyssey, chemfuel is the main fuel source for your gravship. Without it, you can’t launch, travel, or escape threats. You’ll need a steady supply, especially if you're using a mobile ship as your main base.
How to Get Chemfuel
There are three main ways to produce chemfuel in Odyssey:
1. Biofuel Refinery
This is your most reliable method. You can craft one early with basic research.
Requires: 2 components, 100 steel
Needs power to run
Converts organic materials into chemfuel
You can feed it:
Wood (low yield)
Food (wasteful unless you’re overproducing)
Corpses (most efficient early on)
Use Do Until X settings to prevent wasting all your raw materials.
2. Boomalope Farming
If you tame boomalopes, they generate chemfuel passively.
Needs handling skill
Needs pen setup and food
Slower than refining, but it stacks over time
This works best when you stay in one spot for a while, which is rare in Odyssey.
3. Map Loot and Trade
Ancient stockpiles, mechanoid bases, and ruined camps can contain chemfuel.
Clear enemy outposts and underground hatches
Look for fuel tanks and sealed crates
Trade for chemfuel at faction settlements
Stockpile any you find, even if you don’t need it right away.
How Much Fuel You Need
Minimum takeoff: Around 50 chemfuel
Better range: 200+ lets you move far enough to avoid trouble
Ideal backup: Keep 400–600 in reserve on your ship
Fuel use depends on weight, thrusters, and distance. The more your ship grows, the more fuel you’ll need per jump.
Tips to Stay Fueled
Grow rice, convert it into chemfuel
Butcher raiders or animals and refine the meat
Land in forests or ruins with wood and corpses
Always keep a refinery on your ship
Don’t use biofuel refinery power unless you actually need to craft
Chemfuel tanks must be full and attached to your gravship to launch. Partial tanks reduce your range, even if your thrusters are fine.
Final Blurb
Odyssey doesn’t hold your hand when it comes to fuel. If your ship runs dry, you’re stuck. Chemfuel is your ticket to survival, mobility, and progress. Bring a refinery, use your trash, and never leave camp without checking your tank.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best way to make chemfuel in Odyssey?
Use a biofuel refinery and feed it corpses or crops.
Q: Can I fly without a full tank?
Yes, but your range will be limited. Under 50 chemfuel may block takeoff.
Q: Is boomalope farming good in Odyssey?
Only if you're stationary. Camps are too short-term to farm them well.
Q: Can I trade for chemfuel?
Yes, but it’s not common. Always loot stockpiles and ruins for it first.
Q: How do I keep fuel production automatic?
Use a bill with limited stockpile range and “Do Until X” settings to stop waste.
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