Ultimate Frostpunk 2 Survival Guide – Essential First Steps for Success

The highly anticipated sequel to the ice-themed city builder, Frostpunk 2, has finally launched over six years after its predecessor. While the core concept of the game remains intact, Frostpunk 2 introduces a variety of innovative gameplay features and mechanics. This guide provides essential tips on the best initial steps to take for preparing your city for survival in Frostpunk 2.

Start the Generator

When you begin your game, it’s crucial to turn on your city’s Generator, which is off by default. This should be your first priority.

Utilize the Pause Control

Right away, be prepared to use the Pause function for strategizing. Since the game continuously progresses, it can quickly become overwhelming as you determine your next moves or design your districting zones.

Make Use of Fast Forward

After issuing commands for your populace, don’t hesitate to use the fast forward functionality. This feature maximizes your active playtime and prevents wasted time watching your frostbreakers and builders complete their tasks at a slow pace.

Read Tooltips

Most on-screen elements feature pop-up tooltips. These tooltips not only provide more detailed information and insights into game mechanics but may also link to additional tutorials that are worth exploring.

Prioritize Frostbreaking

With vast areas of the map to explore and resources scattered throughout, prioritizing your frostbreaking missions is essential. Always head towards the nearest Coal deposits first, as Heat is crucial for your icy city’s survival. Minimize creating single hex paths, as this can cause navigation difficulties.

Efficient Heat Conservation Zoning

When zoning districts with high Heat demand, such as Housing, position them as close to the Generator or Food Districts as possible for optimal efficiency. Use the blue Heat overlay as a guide, and connect three hexes to another district to offset Heat costs.

Stockpile Coal

Coal serves as the lifeline of your frozen community, making it your top priority in labor division and investment. After establishing the Extraction District over Coal deposits, constantly monitor the remaining resources for mining to plan your future energy needs. Consider expanding the Extraction District as soon as resources permit, as this will open additional building slots that can boost efficiency.

Understand Resource Extraction Speed

Extracting resources from multiple deposits near Extraction and Food Districts will not double the extraction speed. Instead, it will increase the quantity of mined resources after extraction at the standard rate.

Focus on Food Production

Once your energy production is operational, prioritize food production by zoning Food Districts near Housing Districts for the heat bonus. Remember to leave enough space around these zones for future expansions, which will enhance total output.

Engage in Politics

While you may avoid politics initially, you will eventually need to explore the political side of your city. Building the Council Hall will facilitate this process.

Faction Negotiations

With several distinct factions vying for your attention, you’ll need to tread carefully when passing new laws. Avoid consistently siding with a single faction, especially if they are not a significant portion of your city’s population. Always be cautious with votes, as losing a close proposal can damage your reputation and potentially lead to your downfall.

Faction Promises and Compromises

When making promises to factions for their votes on specific laws, ensure that you deliver within the agreed timeframe, but not necessarily at the next session. If you’re reluctant to pass a promised law, you may still negotiate your way out, as a successful outcome wasn’t strictly guaranteed. Timing your promises to align with your own objectives can also help curry favor with factions.

Build Industrial Districts

Eventually, allocate resources for producing goods by establishing Industrial Districts at a medium distance from the city center, ideally near Extraction Districts. Avoid placing them close to Housing Districts, as they can contribute to Disease and Squalor.

Start Researching

The Research Institute is vital for your city’s progression, so build at least one as soon as your resources allow. This will unlock the Idea Tree, your tech tree equivalent. While additional Research Institutes can improve research speed, they are not essential in the early game.

Prepare for Random Events

Occasionally, you will encounter random event pop-ups that present choices affecting faction trust. These can help balance faction issues outside of regular legislative events.

Plan for District Expansion

When constructing specific buildings within a district, you might find yourself blocked due to insufficient hex coverage to unlock building slots. Proactive planning for expansion is essential; avoid clustering different districts too closely and leave adequate room for growth.

Implement Emergency Shifts

In times of high demand, do not hesitate to apply the Emergency Shifts function in a district. While this may slightly decrease baseline trust, losing a worker during an emergency shift can lead to a more significant trust drop, so use this option with caution.

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