Best Power Source in Outbound
Short answer: Reactor Core late game, Solar + Wind in parallel mid game. Below is the 7-source ranking with output and biome fit.
30-second answer
- Hours 0\u201310 (early): 2\u00d7 Solar Panel + 1 Power Unit emergency.
- Hours 10\u201320 (mid): 4\u00d7 Solar + 1\u00d7 Wind Turbine + 1\u00d7 Rainwater on the Lift.
- Hours 20+ (late): Reactor Core + 2\u00d7 Wind backup + Geothermal Vent on Mountain hot-spring.
The full per-source comparison with hourly output and biome fit lives on the deep-dive page: all 7 power sources ranked.
Why "Reactor Core" is the late-game answer
Five-star output day and night with no weather dependency. The cost (1 Adamant Metal + 4 Hardened Metal + 2 Electronics + 1 Rose Mineral) is significant but you only build one. After install, the Reactor frees you from chasing Solar angles or storm windows entirely.
Why "Solar + Wind" is the mid-game answer
| Time of day | Solar (4×) | Wind (1×) | Combined PWR/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon, clear | 8 PWR/h | 1.5 | 9.5 |
| Dusk | 2 | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Night, storm | 0 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Night, clear | 0 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
The combined output hits 9.5 PWR/h at noon \u2014 enough for any mid-game base build. Even the worst window (clear night) still gives 1.5 PWR/h, which covers passive draw from the Stove and Workshop.
Common best-power questions
What is the best power source in Outbound?
Reactor Core is the best late-game source — 5-star output day and night. Mid-game the best build is Solar + Wind in parallel (Solar covers daytime, Wind covers night and storms).
Solar or Wind first in Outbound?
Solar first — it is cheaper (4 Glass + 2 Copper) and unlocks at Workshop Tier 1. Add a Wind Turbine once you reach Workshop Tier 2 for night coverage.
Where does Outbound power rank vs Pacific Drive?
Outbound power is more nuanced — 7 generators vs Pacific Drive’s 2. The added depth makes power optimisation a real meta-game; the Solar+Wind+Reactor stack is the dominant build.