Schematics and the Schematicbot
Every collectible Schematic, every unlock location, and how the 1.0 recipe gate works.
What Schematics are
Schematics are collectible blueprint items introduced in the 1.0 chapter. Each Schematic is a physical object you pick up in the world — a rolled paper tube, a data chip, or a glowing crate — and carry back to base. Once scanned at a Schematicbot, the Schematic permanently unlocks one or more new recipes on your Craftbot. Without Schematics, you cannot craft plasma tools, Trash Bot parts, or several late-game functional blocks.
This page is the reference index for every Schematic in Survival Mode. For the bench that reads them, see the crafting bench page. For the items those recipes produce, see the items catalog.
How the Schematicbot works
The Schematicbot is the fifth bench in the standard crafting chain. Place it within five blocks of your Craftbot and within five blocks of the Dispenserbot at the Mechanic Station. When you walk near the Schematicbot while holding a Schematic in your inventory, the bot’s chest screen lights up and the scan begins automatically. You do not need to press a button.
After a successful scan:
- The Schematic item is consumed.
- The linked Craftbot recipe appears in your recipe list permanently.
- A notification appears on screen naming the unlocked recipe.
The Schematicbot can scan any Schematic tier. Basic Schematics unlock single recipes; advanced Schematics unlock entire recipe groups. Scanned recipes persist across saves and multiplayer sessions — once unlocked on a world, every player on that world can craft the recipe.
Recipe gating in 1.0
Before the 1.0 chapter, most Craftbot recipes were available from the start. The 1.0 patch moved dozens of recipes behind Schematic gates to slow early-game progression and reward exploration. The gating works in three tiers:
Tier 1 — Surface Schematics
Unlocked from warehouse interiors, roadside wreckage, and the early questline. These Schematics unlock basic automation parts: Digital Clock, Boombox, improved bearings, and the first Trash Bot component.
Tier 2 — Underground Schematics
Found only after you reach the underground mining layer. These unlock the Plasma Drill, Ore Prospector, Battery Generator, and Sawbot chassis parts. You cannot craft mid-game mining rigs without at least two underground Schematics.
Tier 3 — Boss and quest Schematics
Awarded by completing the Trash Bot encounter, the Trader questline finale, and the underground elevator sequence. These unlock the Plasma Saw, Turret Seat, UV Grow Bed, and the advanced Trash Bot upgrade kit.
If a recipe does not appear on your Craftbot despite having the materials, check this tier list first. The game will not hint that a Schematic is missing — it simply hides the recipe until scanned.
Where to find Schematics
Warehouses
Every warehouse in the 1.0 chapter contains at least one Schematic spawn point. The spawn location is always on the second floor or in a locked side room behind a Tapebot patrol route. Clear the Tapebots first, then search shelves, desks, and the roof access ladder. Warehouses near the Mechanic Station tend to hold Tier 1 Schematics; warehouses farther along the road network hold Tier 2 previews that still require underground access to use.
Underground
The underground layer adds Schematic crates at fixed landmarks: the ore elevator platform, the titanium vein chamber, and the Cablebot nest room. These crates respawn after seven in-game days, making the underground the only renewable Schematic source in Survival Mode. See the full landmark list on the underground mining page.
Quests
The 1.0 questline awards three guaranteed Schematics at scripted moments:
- Mechanic Station arrival — unlocks the Digital Clock schematic after you place your first Craftbot.
- Trader introduction — unlocks the Boombox schematic after your first trade.
- Trash Bot defeat — unlocks the Trash Bot chassis schematic after the boss falls.
Skipping the questline means missing these guaranteed unlocks. Speedrunners often backtrack to trigger the quest dialog manually.
Schematic checklist for mid-game
Most players aim for this scan order:
- Digital Clock (quest) — proves the Schematicbot works.
- Plasma Drill (underground) — enables mining rigs.
- Ore Prospector (underground) — reveals vein locations on the map.
- Trash Bot chassis (boss) — unlocks automated hauling.
- Battery Generator (underground) — powers off-grid bases.
Once all five are scanned, you have access to every recipe needed for a self-sufficient mid-game base.
Common Schematic mistakes
- Scanning before placing a Schematicbot. The Schematic stays in your inventory but nothing unlocks. Place the bench first.
- Dropping Schematics on the ground near the bot. The scan only triggers when the Schematic is in a player inventory slot, not on the ground.
- Assuming Creative Mode Schematics carry over. Creative and Survival Schematic lists are separate. Start fresh in Survival.
- Selling Schematics to the Trader. Some players accidentally trade Schematics before scanning. The Trader accepts them, and the recipe is lost for that world unless the crate respawns underground.
What comes after Schematics
Once your Schematic collection is complete, the next progression step is building plasma-powered automation. Read the plasma tools page for every unlocked part and how they connect to mining rigs and automated farms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Can I scan the same Schematic twice?
No. Each Schematic item is consumed on scan. Duplicate Schematics found in the world can be scanned again if you find another copy, but the recipe unlock only applies once.
Do Schematics work in multiplayer?
Yes. Scans are world-wide. If one player scans a Schematic, every player on that world can craft the unlocked recipe.
What happens if I lose a Schematic before scanning?
The recipe stays locked until you find another copy. Underground Schematic crates respawn after seven in-game days; warehouse spawns do not respawn.