Structure Status

Each structure can exist in three states: Active, Idle, or Disabled. The Active state is the default once construction has been completed; an Active structure has all of its requirements met, is not seriously damaged, and is functioning normally.

Structures become Disabled for several reasons:

EMP Attack. Structures that require Power to operate become Disabled if a successful EMP attack is made against them. (EMP attacks disrupt a structure’s ability to draw Power.) The structure will continue to draw Scientists and Workers, but will not draw any Power and will not function until the duration of the EMP effect has passed and Power is restored. (NOTE: Structures that do not require Power, such as the Tokamak, are not affected by EMP attacks.)

Lack of Connection to Command Center. Structures that require either Scientists or Workers to operate become Disabled if they are not connected to a Command Center; this prevents the structure from obtaining people. The structure will continue to draw Power, but will not use any Scientists or Workers and will not function until the connection is regained (new Tubes are laid) and all Colonist requirements are met.

Heavy Damage. Structures whose Hit Points fall below 25 percent become Disabled. The structure will continue to draw Power, Scientists, and Workers, but will not function until repaired. Insufficient Power. Structures that require Power to operate become Disabled if there is insufficient Power to fully meet the requirement. Should this happen, the structure will continue to draw Scientists and Workers normally, but will not draw any Power and will not function.

Insufficient Scientists. Structures that require Scientists to operate become Disabled if not enough Scientists are available to fully meet the requirement. Should this happen, the structure will continue to draw Power and Workers normally, but will not use any Scientists and will not function until sufficient Scientists are available.

Insufficient Workers. Structures that require Workers to operate become Disabled if not enough Workers are available to fully meet the requirement. Should this happen, the structure will continue to draw Power and Scientists normally, but will not use any Workers and will not function until sufficient Workers are available.

Special Requirements. Some structures have special operational requirements, without which they become

Disabled. For example, the Solar Power Array requires a corresponding Solar Satellite in orbit.

You may choose to deactivate, or Idle, any Active or Disabled structure, generally for the purpose of freeing up resources for use at other structures. (Another reason to Idle a structure is that Idled structures take less damage from disasters and attacks.) All Power, Scientists, and Workers are released when a structure is Idled. If, while a structure is Idled, something happens that would have caused it to become Disabled had it been Active, you will be unable to reactivate the structure until the problem has been fixed. Put another way, structures cannot be activated into a Disabled state. (Should you try to activate such a structure, a message will appear in the Status Bar informing you as to the reason the structure cannot be activated. The structure will remain Idle.)

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