Sandustry Tier List Hub
Research and unlock priorities ranked for demo runs and Early Access factory planning.
Gold in Sandustry is scarce until your refinery stabilizes, so research order matters as much as conveyor layout. This hub collects tier-style rankings for what to unlock first, which tools justify their cost, and how to avoid spending on branches that do not fix your current bottleneck. Rankings assume single-player demo or Early Access progression and align with the core loop described in How to Play Sandustry: dig Sand, wet it, shake for Gold, burn Slag, press Burnt Slag, then reinvest.
Why tier lists help in Sandustry
Unlike combat RPGs where a single S-tier weapon carries a run, Sandustry tiers describe timing. Refining 1 on day one is mandatory; Drones in hour one is usually a trap. A good priority list tells you when Logistics beats Filters, when Pipes beat more Shakers, and when the Flamethrower pays for itself on ice and slag alone. Cross-check every recommendation against your factory state using the Production Ratio Helper and material pages on Materials.
Pages in this hub
Research Priority Tier List
The main ranking most players search for. Covers Refining 1, Logistics 1, Filters, Pipes/Pumps/Vents, Refining 2 (Kinetic Slag Press), Tools, Guns, Lights, Drones, and Planter Boxes. Includes a video walkthrough of typical unlock flow and links to Buildings for exact gates.
Early Game Unlocks
Focused on the first two hours: what to buy before conveyors, when manual hauling is still fine, and how to avoid rebuilding because you skipped Refining 1 or diagonal Shakers. Pairs with Getting Started and How to Get Gold.
Tools and Weapons Priority
Ranks Flamethrower, Vacuum, Cryoblaster, Grappling Hook, and gun branches for exploration and slag lines. Explains why many players unlock Flamethrower early for ice and slag even before deep automation. See also Keyboard Shortcuts for build keys that pair with tool use underground.
How we rank
S-tier (immediate) — Unlocks that multiply gold per minute or remove a hard stop (no Shakers, no conveyors when hauling fails).
A-tier (next) — Quality-of-life or second income stream (Slag Press, Filters, Pipes) once the primary loop runs.
B-tier (situational) — Strong in specific biomes or layouts (Cryoblaster in hot zones, Lights before deep digs).
C-tier (defer) — Drones, advanced guns, or side systems until baseline logistics and slag recovery work without babysitting.
Tiers shift if you are puzzle-gated or modding custom maps via Custom Maps; vanilla demo progression follows the order above.
Related planning tools
- Research Checklist — Tick-box style unlock path you can follow in-game.
- Automation Basics — When tier recommendations assume conveyors and launchers are online.
- Slag Processing — Why Refining 2 moves from B-tier to A-tier once slag piles grow.
- Updates — Early Access roadmap may rebalance costs; revisit tiers after major patches.
Using tiers without over-optimizing
Tier lists are guides, not laws. If water is your bottleneck, Pipes may outrank another Shaker row even though Shakers rank higher on paper. If you are stuck behind ice, Tools branch jumps ahead of Drones. Read the tier page that matches your pain point, then return to Guides for step-by-step layouts. When Early Access launches 2026-08-13 on Steam, GOG, Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass, expect small cost tweaks — mechanics described here remain the foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common Sandustry questions.
What is the best research order in Sandustry?
Most runs start with **Refining 1** (Shakers), then **Logistics 1**, then **Filters** and **Pipes** as needed, **Refining 2** for the Slag Press, and **Tools** (Flamethrower early) before **Drones**. Full detail on [Research Priority](/tier-list/research-priority/).
Should I get Conveyors or Shakers first?
Unlock **Refining 1** and place diagonal Shakers before **Logistics 1**. Conveyors scale a working line; they do not fix missing shakers. See [Early Game Unlocks](/tier-list/early-game-unlocks/).
When is the Flamethrower worth it?
Early for burning **Slag** and melting **Ice** underground. It often outranks cosmetic or drone tech. Rankings on [Tools and Weapons Priority](/tier-list/tools-weapons-priority/).
Do tier lists apply to the free demo?
Yes for the core refinery loop. Demo scope may omit late branches; check [Demo Review](/review/demo-review/) and [Release Date and Platforms](/updates/release-date-platforms/) for differences.
Where do Drones rank?
Usually after reliable conveyors and slag recovery. Digger and Hauler drones save time but do not replace a broken Wet Sand line. See [Automation Basics](/guides/automation-basics/).