Usefulness of Factory

[legionof1]

Okay is there a good use for this building considering it requires a further 4 large barracks and a power plant(a total of 17 tiles) to build and fully utilize? such a setup precludes very much else(26 of 35 tiles used). Given the build time and the massive 15 mil build cost it needs to do something worth the investment. 

Vessel production potentially comprises good base defense principles since you cant isolate the necessary hanger.

Production of pure cash items(grog or forgery) requires an additional building and additional barracks space to reach full utilization if you want a garrison. Given the limited space ground defenses are of limited value at low tech. A garrison seem the best option for defense.  While such a setup would make a lot of money very quickly the investment and setup time makes me question the effort when much smaller setups can produce significant positive cash flow.

I have a base with a only 70 runts on grog making a half mil in profit per month.

[BetaSpectre]

From a money making standpoint it's probably not better than normal workshops if you can't sqeeze in the living space.

However, certain items can only be produced at factories. So its not without merit.

[legionof1]

i have yet to encounter an item that is factory required. at least im pretty sure manufacturing list get quite dense late game. Industrial printer is needed for several things but the printer is only 2x2 . The factory is 3x3.

[Star_Treasure]

You can make more than half a mill per month with less runts if you make Helerium and then refine that into Vodka for sales.

[Rince Wind]

Underwear also beats grog for money making.