Frostpunk 2: Best Factions To Prioritize In The Early Hours

Frostpunk 2: Best Factions To Prioritize In The Early Hours

As a seasoned survivor of the frozen wastes, I must say that Frostpunk 2 has truly outdone itself by taking the genre to new heights. The shift from mere survival to nation-state politics has given this game an edge over its predecessor and even grand strategy titles like Victoria 3.


As a devoted fan, I must say, Frostpunk 2 truly pushed boundaries by transcending its initial gameplay formula. Instead of simply offering an enhanced version of the first game with added features, it dramatically expanded the scale and breadth of the environment to deliver a richer gaming experience. Shifting from mere survival to a political landscape reminiscent of nation-states, Frostpunk 2 aligns more closely with the industrialization themes and factional intrigue found in grand strategy titles such as Victoria 3.

Factions play a crucial role in catering to the diverse needs of the populace within “Frostpunk 2”. Each faction offers unique advantages for joining them, offering fresh perspectives on New London. Initially, during the early stages of the game, certain factions may provide perks or boast superior facilities to aid players as they establish themselves in this harsh and unyielding environment. Keep in mind that these benefits come at a cost and alliances should be carefully considered.

4 The Faithkeepers (Story Mode)

Trust Is Essential In Early Game Production Booms

Frostpunk 2: Best Factions To Prioritize In The Early Hours

In the prelude chapter of Frostpunk 2, players are introduced to the game mechanics prior to encountering the challenges of Chapter 1. They are presented with a significant choice: whether the city from the end of the first game was governed by Faith or Order to maintain order. This decision, influenced by the player’s actions in the previous game – leaning towards relentless efficiency or benevolent inefficiency – sets the stage for this captivating city-building game. It’s not just about being a ruthless ruler or a kind one, it’s about choosing what humanity needs most to endure: structure or belief in a higher cause. Although these profound philosophical and narrative moments distill into a single choice during the prologue, this decision determines the faction players will initially encounter in story mode.

In New London, Faith serves as their lifeblood. Consequently, the city’s founding faction could be named the Faithkeepers. Unlike the Stalwarts, who emerge when the ruling Order is driven by philosophy, the Faithkeepers lead Evening Prayers that foster trust. Trust plays a crucial role in maintaining the populace’s goodwill towards the Steward during the early stages of the game, particularly when establishing a substantial resource reserve. This usually involves compelling workers to work longer hours, imposing taxes, and constructing buildings that may cause illness. These measures help ensure the city can endure the first harsh weather conditions.

3 The Proteans (Utopia Builder Mode)

Early Game Disease Can Be Crippling Without Proteans

Frostpunk 2: Best Factions To Prioritize In The Early Hours

In the game of Frostpunk 2, forming Proteans by uniting their separate factions results in a logical, tech-oriented community of survivalists who excel in providing valuable assistance during the initial stages of the game. As previously noted, disease is an ever-present issue within this game, and it can quickly destroy early settlements. Since disease originates from the extreme cold, maintaining warmth should be your top priority to establish a stable and efficient city. Additionally, disease frequently stems from early game survival structures that boost resource output – at a price.

In Frostpunk 2, greenhouses offer residential areas an enhanced food production capability called Excessive Fertilization, but this comes at a price: it increases disease levels. Similarly, an uncured sawmill in industrial zones generates high material yields, but it also leads to an increase in diseases. The Proteans’ innate ability to lessen disease when they are content becomes crucial in this grim landscape where disease is frequently the trade-off for peak productivity. Sick individuals can immediately return to work using another Protean skill, solidifying their status as practical medical experts in the desolate wasteland.

2 The Evolvers (Story Mode)

Efficiency Focused Technocrats

Frostpunk 2: Best Factions To Prioritize In The Early Hours

When deciding which of the two original factions from the first game – Stalwarts or Faithkeepers – will be present in New London, players are simultaneously determining which faction will confront them at the end of the initial chapter. Opting for the Faithkeepers as the starting faction may not necessarily reflect a desire for a religiously-oriented New London, but rather ensures that the rational and adaptable Evolvers – who prioritize Adaptation, Merit, and Reason – will later emerge, as their fundamental principles align with these values.

The fascinating order vs faith paradigm pioneered in the first game gets another great spotlight in Frostpunk 2’s story mode, as the Evolvers and their opposition to the Faithkeepers are mechanically balanced with a passive ability that increases worker efficiency globally when they are happy. Heading into Chapter 2 means preparing for worse conditions, more challenges, and more population, so securing an alliance with a faction built around workforce optimization, especially in tandem with some more ruthless labor laws, leads to an incredibly productive New London.

1 The Technocrats (Utopia Builder Mode)

Abilities Focus On Key Areas Of Research And Materials

Frostpunk 2: Best Factions To Prioritize In The Early Hours

The Technocrats strive for equal opportunities among the populace while maintaining an unwavering logical approach. They are frequent champions of leadership that prioritizes the collective needs, showing empathy towards essentials like education and technological advancement to elevate life beyond mere subsistence into a state of intellectual flourishing. As players seek scarce resources such as cores, a solid grasp of fundamentals proves invaluable in the initial stages, and the Technocrats appreciate this, both from a gameplay perspective and a storytelling standpoint.

As a tech-savvy enthusiast, I appreciate the unique advantage we possess: the ability to accelerate research, a game-changer especially during the formative stages of technological growth. This speed can literally determine the survival or demise of our colony. Additionally, the enhancement of material production ensures that our people won’t be confined to poverty and squalor – alleviating the hardships that often accompany such conditions. Instead, we can direct our workforce towards resource extraction or food production, hoping to amass a substantial surplus before the next crisis arises.

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2024-09-24 02:43