====== Applied Energistics 2 (AE2) ======

^ Author | Applied Energistics Team |
^ Category | Storage & Automation |

A sci-fi storage and automation mod focused on converting matter to energy and back again. Build a compact ME Network that stores items on storage cells, routes them through cables, and automates crafting at scale.

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===== Getting Started =====
**Find a Meteorite**

Craft a **Meteorite Compass** to locate a **Mysterious Cube**. Mine the meteorite core for **inscriber presses**, **certus quartz clusters**, **buds**, and **budding certus**. Do not break flawless budding certus.

**Grow Certus Quartz**

Buds on **budding certus** mature into clusters. Early breaks drop dust, full clusters drop crystals. Budding blocks can degrade as buds grow. Repair or create budding blocks by tossing a certus block or degraded bud into water with **Charged Certus Quartz**. **Growth Accelerators** speed it up.

**Make Fluix**

Throw **Charged Certus**, **Redstone**, and **Nether Quartz** into water. Use a **Charger** to produce Charged Certus when needed.

**Inscribers and Processors**

Use the four presses from the Mysterious Cube in an **Inscriber** to make AE2 processors. The machine is sided for simple hopper automation. Rotate with a **Certus Quartz Wrench**.

**First ME System**

Recommended starter kit:
  * **ME Drive**, **ME Terminal** or **ME Crafting Terminal**
  * **Energy Acceptor** or early power source
  * A few **ME cables** (glass/covered/smart)
  * A few **Storage Cells** (4k are a solid start)

Place drive, power it via Energy Acceptor, attach terminal, insert cells, and you have searchable storage.

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===== Core Concepts =====
**ME Storage**

Items live inside **Storage Cells** which sit in an **ME Drive** or **ME Chest**. The chest lets you access a single cell. The drive scales out.

**Devices and Channels**

Many devices require a **channel**. A small network supports up to **8 channels**. Add an **ME Controller** to expand beyond that. Use **Smart Cables** to see live channel usage and routing. Channels consume tiny power per node they travel. Keep networks treelike and avoid loops.

**Import/Export**

**ME Export Bus** pushes items from the network into machines. **ME Import Bus** pulls results back in.

**Autocrafting**

Use **patterns** with **ME Pattern Provider** and **ME Interface** to automate recipes, batch to machines, and keep items in stock. Works with items and fluids, and can integrate with other mod materials. Arrange patterns to increase parallelism.

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===== Power Tips =====
  * Add an **Energy Cell** to handle spikes.
  * An **ME Controller** can reduce net power if it shortens channel paths across many nodes.

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===== Practical Tips & Tricks (1.20.1) =====
  * Remove Optifine if you see rendering or guide issues.
  * Keep the network **treelike**. Avoid loops. Group full-block devices in **8 or fewer** between splits until you understand routing well.
  * Pick one **wood type** for all patterns to avoid substitution headaches.
  * Split patterns across providers so crafts run in **parallel**.
  * Use **water** in the **Matter Condenser** if you need a sink.
  * Do not flood the system with random mob gear. Every unique durability or enchant state is a new **type** that clogs cells.
  * Processing outputs must **enter the network** via Import Bus, Interface, or Pattern Provider return. A Storage Bus on a chest is not enough for processing returns.

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===== Scaling Up =====
  * Add more **drives** and **controllers** as you pass 8 devices.
  * Use **Smart Cables** while building. They visualize channel counts per segment which prevents silent device failures.

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===== Useful Blocks & Items (quick list) =====
  * **ME Drive**, **ME Chest**, **Storage Cells** (1k to 64k)
  * **ME Terminal**, **ME Crafting Terminal**
  * **Energy Acceptor**, **Energy Cell**
  * **ME Controller**
  * **ME Cables** (glass, covered, smart, dense)
  * **ME Import/Export Bus**, **ME Interface**, **ME Pattern Provider**
  * **Inscriber**, **Charger**, **Growth Accelerator**
  * **Meteorite Compass**

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===== Mechanics =====
Applied Energistics 2 comes with a number of deeper systems and mechanics. These have their own dedicated pages:

**Overview**
  * [[ae2_mechanics|AE2 Mechanics Overview]]

**Detailed Guides**
  * [[ae2_mechanics_autocrafting|Autocrafting]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_bytes_types|Bytes and Types]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_cable_subparts|Cable Subparts]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_certus_growth|Certus Growth]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_channel|Channels]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_energy|Energy]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_import_export_storage|Import, Export & Storage]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_meteorites|Meteorites]]
  * [[me_network_connections|ME Network Connections]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_p2p_tunnels|P2P Tunnels]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_quantum_bridge|Quantum Bridge]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_spatial_io|Spatial IO]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_subnetworks|Subnetworks]]
  * [[ae2_mechanics_devices|Devices]]