Paving The Way marks a significant turning point in your Arknights Endfield journey. This main quest sits within The Turbid Heavens Chapter I – Process II, unlocking after you’ve wrapped up the Fort Showdown mission. Unlike combat-heavy quests, this one focuses entirely on expanding your understanding of the Hub’s production capabilities and teaching you how advanced manufacturing works.
If you’re just getting started with base management, our Arknights Endfield guides hub covers everything from basic setup to advanced optimization strategies. For players looking to maximize their economic output while completing this quest, check out our Stock Bills farming guide to understand how these production chains generate income.
Starting Your Factory Expansion
Head to the AIC Core Area and locate Andre to kick things off. The owl-shaped NPC walks you through the improvements waiting in your factory’s future. You’ll immediately gain access to the AIC Factory Plan—essentially a development tree that gates access to progressively better construction options.
Before spending any points, you need to collect AIC Index Points scattered across the map. Look for tall yellow balloon markers indicating Protocol Datalogger locations. These collectibles fuel your progression through the development tree, so grab them whenever you spot one during exploration.
The Factory Plan includes a Simulation feature that deserves your attention. These practice scenarios let you experiment with different constructs and material chains without wasting actual resources. Completing simulation objectives also awards useful rewards, making them worth your time beyond just learning the mechanics.
Setting Up Mining II Operations
Your first major upgrade focuses on Mining II technology, which enables extraction of rare ores like Amethyst. The belt-free transfer feature represents a significant quality-of-life improvement—materials flow directly to your PAC without needing conveyor infrastructure.
Electric Mining Rig Simulation
Enter the Electric Mining Rig simulation to practice the setup:
- Position three Electric Mining Rigs on separate Amethyst deposits
- Install an Electric Pylon with coverage reaching all three rigs (multiple Pylons work if spacing requires it)
- Locate the nearest Relay Tower and establish a power connection to your Pylon
- Verify each rig shows as active—watch for “unplugged” warnings indicating power issues
Once your rigs are humming along, approach the PAC Output Port and transfer Amethyst Ore into a Refining Unit. This produces Amethyst Fiber and completes the simulation sequence.
Implementing Your Real Factory Setup
Back in your actual Hub, follow the quest marker to designated Amethyst beds. Place two Electric Mining Rigs with an Electric Pylon positioned centrally between them. Connect power from a nearby Relay Tower using the same method you practiced.
Next, relocate to your Originium Ore deposits. If older mining machines occupy these spots, clear them out first. Interact with each outdated rig, select quick action, then choose stash to remove them cleanly.
Install two Electric Mining Rigs at the Originium locations. Here’s a handy tip: if the PAC sits within 80 meters, you can power the Pylon directly from the PAC itself rather than hunting for another Relay Tower. This saves time and simplifies your power grid.
Collect 50 Amethyst and 50 Originium from either the rigs themselves or the PAC storage, then deliver both batches to Andre. For more advanced mining techniques and resource location guides, we’ve got dedicated tutorials available.
Mastering Gearing Tech Production
Gearing Tech introduces you to combining multiple refined materials into finished products. This simulation teaches the belt-based logistics that power complex manufacturing chains.
Gearing Tech Simulation Steps
- Connect PAC Output Port 1 to a Refining Unit using a Belt
- Run another Belt from PAC Output Port 3 to the second Refining Unit
- Link both Refining Units to the Gearing Unit with Belts
- Unload Originium Ore at PAC Output Port 1
- Unload Amethyst Ore at PAC Output Port 3
Watch the magic happen: your Refining Units process raw ores into Origocrust and Amethyst Fiber, which the Gearing Unit then combines—five of each material produces one Amethyst Component.
Blueprint Implementation
Access the Blueprints option through AIC Factory Options (bottom right corner interface). The Amethyst Component Blueprint automates the entire setup you just learned. Place it in your Hub, connect it to the PAC, and the system configures itself.
Feed Amethyst Ore and Originium Ore into the designated outputs, then wait for 20 Amethyst Components to finish crafting. Open your crafting menu and produce four Miner Overalls using these components before delivering them to the quest marker.
Players interested in optimizing their production efficiency should explore our guides on blueprints and battery production for additional automation strategies.
Unlocking Parts Fitting
The final segment introduces Parts Fitting technology, which transforms refined materials into specialized parts. Open your development tree and spend a Basic AIC Index to unlock this capability.
Building Your Parts Production Line
Construct a Fitting Unit adjacent to an unused PAC Output Port. Unload Amethyst Fiber into this output and connect it to the Fitting Unit via Belt.
For maximum efficiency, consider this enhanced setup: place a Refining Unit between the PAC and Fitting Unit, linking all three with Belts. Add one final Belt running from the Fitting Unit back to the PAC. This creates a complete automation loop where Amethyst Ore becomes Fiber, transforms into Parts, and automatically returns to your Depot storage.
This closed-loop design exemplifies the kind of thinking that separates functional factories from highly optimized ones. Understanding these principles helps when expanding your Core AIC area and managing power output across larger facilities.
Manufacture 10 Amethyst Parts and deliver them to Andre, completing the Paving The Way quest. You’ve now unlocked critical manufacturing technologies that form the backbone of mid-game progression.
Beyond Basic Production
With these fundamentals mastered, you’re positioned to tackle more complex manufacturing challenges. The skills learned here apply directly to crafting gear templates, managing aerospace materials, and eventually outfitting your operators with top-tier equipment.
Don’t forget to leverage the Quick Stash system as your factory grows—it becomes invaluable for managing the inventory overflow that complex production chains generate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need specific characters or team compositions for Paving The Way?
No combat occurs during this quest, so team composition doesn’t matter. You’ll spend the entire mission learning factory mechanics and setting up production chains. Focus on understanding the systems rather than worrying about your operator roster.
What happens if I mess up the simulations during Paving The Way?
Simulations provide a consequence-free learning environment. Mistakes inside simulations don’t waste real resources or materials. Take your time experimenting until you understand how each component interacts before implementing designs in your actual factory.
Can I skip the belt-based production and just use belt-free mining everywhere?
Belt-free transfer only works for electric mining rigs connected to the PAC. Complex production chains involving Refining Units, Gearing Units, and Fitting Units still require Belts to move materials between stages. You’ll use both systems depending on what you’re manufacturing.
How many AIC Index Points do I need for completing Paving The Way?
You’ll need at least one Basic AIC Index to unlock Parts Fitting during the quest’s final segment. However, collecting more Protocol Dataloggers while exploring helps unlock additional development tree options sooner, accelerating your overall progression through the manufacturing tech tree.
