diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/entities/comp/BuildingComp.java b/core/src/mindustry/entities/comp/BuildingComp.java
index 3ccc414500..b98b8bf470 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/entities/comp/BuildingComp.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/entities/comp/BuildingComp.java
@@ -1018,6 +1018,11 @@ abstract class BuildingComp implements Posc, Teamc, Healthc, Buildingc, Timerc,
 
     }
 
+    /** @return the cap for item amount calculations, used when this block explodes. */
+    public int explosionItemCap(){
+        return block.itemCapacity;
+    }
+
     /** Called when the block is destroyed. The tile is still intact at this stage. */
     public void onDestroyed(){
         float explosiveness = block.baseExplosiveness;
@@ -1026,7 +1031,7 @@ abstract class BuildingComp implements Posc, Teamc, Healthc, Buildingc, Timerc,
 
         if(block.hasItems){
             for(Item item : content.items()){
-                int amount = items.get(item);
+                int amount = Math.min(items.get(item), explosionItemCap());
                 explosiveness += item.explosiveness * amount;
                 flammability += item.flammability * amount;
                 power += item.charge * amount * 100f;
diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/storage/StorageBlock.java b/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/storage/StorageBlock.java
index 006d462e6f..be74e98402 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/storage/StorageBlock.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/world/blocks/storage/StorageBlock.java
@@ -83,6 +83,12 @@ public class StorageBlock extends Block{
             return itemCapacity;
         }
 
+        @Override
+        public int explosionItemCap(){
+            //when linked to a core, containers/vaults are made significantly less explosive.
+            return linkedCore != null ? Math.min(itemCapacity/60, 6) : itemCapacity;
+        }
+
         @Override
         public void drawSelect(){
             if(linkedCore != null){