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Frostpunk is all about adapting, but that can be hard if you don't have much experience. At the start of the game, you start with virtually nothing and must create a sustainable colony that can survive the harsh weather. The first few games that you play may go wrong; you might run out of resources or might not be able to provide warmth to all your inhabitants.
Your city layout is one of the most important steps to having a thriving economy. In this guide, we are going to show you some of the best options for city layout, as well as tips to help you perfect your own city layout. First, let's take a look at some essential buildings that should be included in your city from the beginning of the game.
Essential Buildings
Regardless of whether you choose to follow a layout or create your own, there are essential buildings that you should aim to build first. These buildings will ensure that your inhabitants remain happy and healthy. Below, you can find every essential building that should be prioritized.
- Tents (housing)
- Medical Post
- Hunters' Hut
- Cookhouse
- Coal Thumper
- Sawmill
- Workshop
- Gathering Post
Building Sizes
As you place buildings, you will notice that they come in a variety of sizes. For example, tents can fit compactly in a small area, while coal thumpers and temples take up a bit more room. This is important to keep in mind when you construct buildings.
You will not have an infinite amount of space for buildings, so you will need to be aware of how much empty space is present. To avoid holes throughout the layout, place similar buildings near each other. We will take a closer look at this when we go over potential layout options.
Keep Tents Around The Generator
Prior to unlocking the steam hub, it is essential to keep all tents placed directly around the generator. This is where your inhabitants will live; if it is too cold, they will become unhappy and may potentially get sick. To avoid this, be sure to keep all of your tents heated by placing them around the generator. In the image above, you can see a city, with the optimal area to place tents highlighted.
Once you unlock steam hubs, you can place additional tents near those. Steam hubs consume a lot of coal, so be sure to use them with caution if you are running low on resources.
Layout Options
There are 22 'rings' that go around the generator. Most buildings will take up several rings. For example, the housing tent will occupy two of these rings. The area you build in will not expand, so you are only allowed to build within these 22 rings.
Below, let's take a look at a few options for your city layout. Each layout is a great option; overall, the one you choose depends on your own playstyle.
Option One - Separating 'Wards'
Rather than having one massive sprawling city, you can have several separated 'wards.' In the image above, you can see clusters of buildings separate from each other. This method will help eliminate extra space between buildings, however, you will need to either upgrade your generator's heat range or build several steam hubs.
Option Two - Clustering Outward
This is similar to the first building option, but instead of spacing your buildings in 'wards,' you will build them in clusters going outward. With this, you can create closely compact areas without losing any space. This layout is also helpful for deciding where to place steam hubs. Since the sections are separated, you can clearly see which sections will need heaters or steam generators.
Option Three - Faith Layout
This layout, created by u/throwawaysmy on Reddit focuses on faith. Faith is one of two paths that you can lead your city down. If you choose faith, your city will prioritize spirituality and good intent, allowing you to raise hope through religion. The other option you can choose is order; for more information, check out our guide on which path to choose.
Option Four - Order Layout
This is the counterpart to the faith layout. Also created by u/throwawaysmy, this layout focuses on order. Rather than focusing on religion, the order path focuses on a more forceful way to control your city. If you choose to go down this path, you can build watchtowers, which will create a productive and obedient workforce.
Planning Ahead
The biggest takeaway from this should be to plan ahead. As you unlock new buildings, it's important to not impulsively build them. This will create an unorganized city layout that can lead to economic instability and death. At the start of the game, you should plan where your essential buildings will go, while also thinking about how you can heat as many buildings as possible.
One of the best ways to plan ahead is by preemptively placing roads. When you do this, you can essentially mark out how you want your city to look. The roads can serve as a guideline as you progress through the game and place new buildings.
Those are the basics to creating an optimal city layout! Remember, there is no 'right' layout. Overall, do whatever feels the best to you. If you plan ahead and have an even distribution of heat in your city, you'll be set!