Dome Keeper Co-Op: How to Automate Hauling With the Droneyard

In Dome Keeper co-op, unlocking and deploying the Droneyard automates resource hauling so both players do not waste combat prep time dragging iron, water, and cobalt up long tunnels. With two players mining separate shafts, loose ore quickly outpaces normal carrying capacity. Installing the Droneyard sends autonomous drones down into your corridors to retrieve loose resources, allowing one player to dig continuously while the other defends the dome and manages base upgrades.

Establish Split Roles for Mining and Defense

To make drone automation effective, divide responsibilities so your team does not double up on the same tasks:

• The Deep Miner: Invest early upgrades into drill strength and jetpack speed. Dig out lower rock densities, open gadget chambers, and leave mined resource clusters directly on the shaft floor without hauling them to the top.
• The Base Anchor: Focus early upgrades on weapon handling and dome logistics. Clear upper tunnels adjacent to the dome between attack cycles, manage tech purchases, and man the dome weapon station the moment an attack klaxon sounds.

This division prevents combat stations from sitting empty when flying spitters or heavy attackers arrive at the dome. Because the deep miner does not need to drag heavy loads upward, they can return quickly if an elite wave requires dual inputs.

Recommended Droneyard Upgrade Priority

Focus initial Droneyard investments on fleet size and flight speed before considering combat drone utility. Fast, numerous drones prevent resource bottlenecks when both players open distinct mining shafts.

Upgrading flight speed first ensures that early iron reaches the dome fast enough to buy crucial weapon and shield upgrades before wave timers expire.

Tunnel Layout for Drone Pathfinding

Drones rely on clear line-of-sight pathing to return items to the Droneyard hatch. Jagged single-tile corners and winding horizontal branches slow their movement and create delivery backlogs.

• Dig wide vertical trunk lines: Maintain straight vertical drop shafts directly beneath the dome station.
• Throw ore into main arteries: When mining lateral corridors, toss loose iron and water into the central vertical shaft instead of leaving them in side pockets.
• Avoid tight choke points: Prevent loose clusters from accumulating in two-tile transit hubs where player sprites and drones can collide.

Balancing Logistics with Dome Defenses

Automating resource transport accelerates your economy, but it does not stop monsters from destroying the dome. Balance your iron and cobalt spending across these cycle milestones:

1. Waves 1 to 4: Purchase initial drill strength and establish the Droneyard. Reserve enough iron to upgrade primary weapon movement or beam damage before wave three hits.
2. Waves 5 to 10: Expand your drone fleet and purchase flight speed upgrades. Direct all subsequent iron into dome shield capacity and main weapon damage.
3. Wave 11 Onward: Upgrade carry capacity to handle deep-vein yields. Keep your cobalt reserved for dome structure repairs and health restoration rather than optional gadget overclocks.