The Excavation Lathe is a ship component that performs terraforming operations.

Each lathe will terraform the closest terraforming marker in range and requires no energy to function.

The Excavation Lathe is arguably the most powerful tool you have available in Creeper World IXE; the ability to terraform the map allows you to control the where and when of what you fight. The number of advanced tactics this opens up is insane; they are an integral part of the bulk of the strategies listed on the advanced strategies page.

Early game Excavation Lathes are insanely useful in gathering kirkium and gaining access to upgrade gems. Later in the game they are necessary to unlock walled off portions of the map to open up objectives. Shields are exceptional at slowing down the creeper, and digging out a hole to hide in can massively restrict the creeper flow