Construction depot not working as advertised

[Digital Packrat]

So bought one of these and my minions keep running to the main depot under the helipad... Very occasionally i have seen them use this but not very often.
Maybe i have it in a bad spot? I have in centralised right next to my stairs, I thought it would be a good place, Maybe not?
Any suggestions or is this thing just bugged.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1719786902728464224/C6F863921AC3EB1C258F04972DA59BE24465072A/

[Majere]

Originally posted by Digital Packrat:

So bought one of these and my minions keep running to the main depot under the helipad... Very occasionally i have seen them use this but not very often.
Maybe i have it in a bad spot? I have in centralised right next to my stairs, I thought it would be a good place, Maybe not?
Any suggestions or is this thing just bugged.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1719786902728464224/C6F863921AC3EB1C258F04972DA59BE24465072A/

First off, thanks for posting that question because I couldn't figure out how to build the thing and that SS showed me. (For those still unsure, it has to go in a Research Lab because obviously it does)

Second, it seems there's a limit to how quickly the depot can make things. It has four ports that load up minions with items, so I think that if you order more than four things at a time, the excess still comes from the helipad. It certainly seems to work if I only build the odd item, but fail if I go crazy with it.

[StenchMaster]

Yep, it's yet another piece of useless equipment.

[jonny330]

Glad it's not just me...
I put one right next to a massive vault I was building. Had someone use the construction depot like twice in the entire construction.

[Revanite]

It feels quite useless. I had hoped getting it would lead to less activity in certain corridors, that tended to get too much activity otherwise and it was completely pointless.

[Stabbity]

The reason it doesn't work well is after 4 workers are que'd to use it, then the helipad recieves the remaining work orders. The equipment should have an additional calculation built into it that allows workers to consider:

1. is helipad hella far?
if yes then wait for opening on equipment.

that's it.

[Toma Arnesto]

Ok, this one is easy to answer.
The MAIN reason it doesn't work for you is cause your helipad is far closer, and easier to access, for the workers than this item. Its that simple.
This item is designed to be used more on other floors to save time for workers from running down and up long bases, no other major reason. If you never build on more than the first floor then this item will most likely be ignored by your workers.
Its sad, but your average worker isn't intelligent enough to realize its closer to the machine than the depot, but oh well.
My suggestion is to only use this device on floors other than the first, or just ignore it completely since by the time you get it its nor really amazingly usefull anymore.

[andrew.ch.]

Works every other time. Doesn't work if you order too many items at the same time. Build before leaving the helipad. Those. there is a helipad, then a corridor of traps, then a guard post, and next to this object. Then the minions do not go to the area of the helipad for the item.

[Digital Packrat]

Here's the thing, For the cost to build this it should be more worth it to build, I wouldn't even care if my guys were queued up for a few minutes waiting for items if it meant not having to run all the way to the helipad.

I cant tell you how many times i have been trying to build something only to have 30+ minions die because there running into agents well trying to retrieve something at the helipad.

I think the depot should have a toggle option to "use only" instead of the helipad..

The way that it is set up of only being able to queue up 4 then have the minions run to the helipad is stupid when you consider that most of the time your not ordering one or two things, But instead 10-20+ items after building a room.

Like i said, For the cost, Its just not worth it..

[Revanite]

Originally posted by Digital Packrat:

Here's the thing, For the cost to build this it should be more worth it to build, I wouldn't even care if my guys were queued up for a few minutes waiting for items if it meant not having to run all the way to the helipad.

I cant tell you how many times i have been trying to build something only to have 30+ minions die because there running into agents well trying to retrieve something at the helipad.

I think the depot should have a toggle option to "use only" instead of the helipad..

The way that it is set up of only being able to queue up 4 then have the minions run to the helipad is stupid when you consider that most of the time your not ordering one or two things, But instead 10-20+ items after building a room.

Like i said, For the cost, Its just not worth it..

Yeah, the price and energy dependency aren't worth the "occassional" visit. Not to mention the size. If it was smaller and less costly with the same amount of minions that can retrieve from it, you can atleast justify it by stating you can build multiple of them. Why would you even use it for the occasional little thing...