To make an outpost operate in Frostpunk 2, connect a discovered Frostland site to a City entry point and have enough Frostland Teams to meet its requirement. To turn an eligible outpost into a settlement in Story mode, choose Embrace the Frost, research Settlement Heating, build a Skyway connection, then provide the population, Cores and Prefabs shown by that site.
How to make an outpost
- Find an outpost. Explore the Frostland to discover sites. They may provide resources such as Coal, Materials, Food or Oil, or other benefits such as faster research or reduced Disease.
- Connect the site to the City. Build a connection from the outpost to one of the City’s entry points. Trails are available by default.
- Meet its Frostland Teams requirement. Once the connection is complete and enough Frostland Teams are available for that site, the outpost activates automatically.
A connection alone is not enough: check the site’s team requirement if it does not begin operating.
Should you use Trails or Skyways?
Trails are the immediate, default option. Skyways require research, but a connection built entirely from Skyways increases the connected outpost’s resource output by 25 percentage points, according to Frostpunk 2 Wiki and Guides (Game-Vault). Skyways also improve the capacity for transferring resources between the City and Colonies, as described in the Skyways guide.
Use Trails when you need a site connected before researching Skyways. For a resource-producing outpost you expect to rely on, consider whether the researched all-Skyway connection and its higher output justify the investment.
#1 Best Overall
- Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival single-player game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.
- Frostpunk 2 elevates the city-survival genre to a new level. Take the role of a Steward and lead your city through a cascade of calamities taking place in a postapocalyptic, snowy setting.
- The world is overtaken by an ever present winter, which makes expansion of the city the only way for the survival of mankind.
- In order to grow, the metropolis needs resources like coal and oil, just like its citizens require food and warmth. In Frostpunk 2, it's your job to tackle this never ending circle of supply and demand.
- In addition to the base game, Frostpunk 2 ICEBREAKER EDITION includes: A meticulously crafted New London pop-up diorama, a redemption code for the official Frostpunk 2 artbook, and a redemption code for the 'Warm Flesh' novella (English version).
How to turn an outpost into a settlement
Unlock Settlement Heating in Story mode
- Choose Embrace the Frost during the Story mode decision.
- Research Settlement Heating in the Heating category.
The cited guide says Settlement Heating is unavailable on the Defeat the Frost path. Settlement conversion is also limited to eligible outposts; do not assume every site can be upgraded.
Build the settlement
- Check the outpost’s in-game panel to confirm it can become a settlement and review its requirements.
- Connect it to the City using Skyways. A settlement requires a Skyway connection.
- Provide the required population transfer from the City, Cores and Prefabs shown for that location, then confirm construction.
There is no single settlement price: required population, Cores and Prefabs vary by site. Use the displayed costs rather than planning around a price from another location.
Rank #2
Outpost or settlement: what are the trade-offs?
| Consideration | Outpost | Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Resource supplies are finite and can eventually run out. | Can provide inexhaustible output. |
| Initial commitment | Requires a connection and enough Frostland Teams for the site. | Requires a Skyway connection, transferred City population, Cores and Prefabs; amounts vary by location. |
| Ongoing costs | No settlement operating expenses are specified in the cited guide. | Adds operating expenses. Upgrades increase both output and upkeep. |
| Whiteouts | Can be blocked by Whiteouts. | Upgraded settlements are described as resisting Whiteouts. |
| Other site benefits | Some sites provide benefits beyond resources, including faster research or reduced Disease. | Check the site panel to see what conversion and upgrades offer at that location. |
Convert when the value of durable production or a site’s benefits outweigh the population and materials committed up front and the settlement’s continuing upkeep. A finite resource site may still be more useful as an outpost if its output meets your needs without the extra settlement costs.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival single-player game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.
- Frostpunk 2 elevates the city-survival genre to a new level. Take the role of a Steward and lead your city through a cascade of calamities taking place in a postapocalyptic, snowy setting.
- The world is overtaken by an ever present winter, which makes expansion of the city the only way for the survival of mankind.
- In order to grow, the metropolis needs resources like coal and oil, just like its citizens require food and warmth. In Frostpunk 2, it's your job to tackle this never ending circle of supply and demand.
- In addition to the base game, Frostpunk 2 ICEBREAKER EDITION includes: A meticulously crafted New London pop-up diorama, a redemption code for the official Frostpunk 2 artbook, and a redemption code for the 'Warm Flesh' novella (English version).
Rank #3
- POST-APOCALYPTIC SURVIVAL GAME: In Frostpunk, players will take on the role of leaders of a small colony of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world that was hit by a severe ice age. Their duty is to effectively manage both its infrastructure and citizens.
- STRATEGY BOARD GAME: Make the Laws, send out expeditions to uncover the fate of humanity in the frozen wastes, face the consequences of your actions in front of those you swore to protect.
- MULTIPLE PATHS TO VICTORY: The players will decide the fate of their people. Will you treat them like another resource? Are you going to be an inspiring builder, a fearless explorer, or a bright scientist? Is your rule going to be a sting of tyranny or an era of law and equality?
- HIGHLY VARIABLE: The core gameplay is brutal, challenging, and complex, but easy to learn. The citizens won’t just be speechless pieces on the board. Society members will issue demands and react accordingly to the current mood, so every decision and action bears consequences.
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This board game is designed for 1 to 4 players and is suitable for ages 16 and older. Average playtime is approximately 120-150 minutes.
Why an outpost may not be operating
- No connection: build a route to a City entry point.
- Not enough Frostland Teams: meet the requirement shown for that site; activation is automatic once both the connection and team conditions are satisfied.
- Whiteout: an outpost can be blocked by a Whiteout, interrupting its usefulness.
- Supply exhausted: an ordinary resource outpost has a finite supply, so production may end when it runs out.
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