Players are required to make a choice at the beginning ofFrostpunk 2’s second chapter. Specifically, fans must either side with the Stalwarts and “defeat the frost” or side with the Pilgrims and “embrace the frost.” Before making this story decision inFrostpunk 2, players may want more information about its ramifications, and that information is exactly what can be found in this guide.
While this guide will recommend a specific approach to this decision, it is important to mention that both options are viable from a strategic standpoint. As such, players should feel free to use this choice as strictly an opportunity for role-playing. Indeed, this is a great chance to align with the values put forth by either the Stalwarts or Pilgrims, and fans will be encouraged to deepen the alignment that they select as they progress through the story.
Frostpunk 2: Defeat the Frost vs. Embrace the Frost
This decision has a significant impact on the tasks that appear in Chapter 2, and the game mechanics upon which players will primarily focus are contingent upon their selection. More specifically,strategy gamefans who opt to"defeat the Frost"will have the primary task oftransitioning their generator’s fuel source to Oil exclusively. This puts a great deal of emphasis on expanding the Oil production at the Old Dreadnought, and it feels like an obvious continuation of the work that is done in Chapter 1.
By contrast, players who choose to"embrace the frost"will spend Chapter 2 learning the ins and outs of a new mechanic: theestablishment of Settlements in the Frostland. To summarize this mechanic, it centers around usingSkyways inFrostpunk 2to connect the Frostland’s resource-producing Outposts to New London. Players can then upgrade a connected Outpost to a Settlement, an action that increases the location’s resource output but requires that some population be sent to it.
Players who “embrace the frost” will make changes to their generators during Chapter 2. However, those changes can be seen as expansions to the generator’s starting capabilities, rather than a transition akin to what is required when trying to “defeat the frost.”
This divergence in focus is supported by the ideas within the Idea Tree to whichFrostpunk 2playerswill have access. Namely, fans who choose “defeat the Frost” will research Oil-focused generator upgrades that are unavailable to players who select “embrace the Frost.” And coming from the other direction, players who choose “embrace the Frost” can learn about Settlement Heating, a requirement for turning Outposts in the Frostland into Settlements, while those who attempt to “defeat the Frost” cannot pursue that idea.
Players who choose to “defeat the Frost” can also learn how to construct Deep Melting Drills, Buildings that are capable of extracting Food and Materials from “virtually unlimited” Deep Deposits. While fans ofpost-apocalyptic gamescan complete Chapter 2 without ever researching or building a Deep Melting Drill, its availability does provide some additional incentive for picking “defeat the Frost.”
With all of this said, the decision between “defeat the frost” and “embrace the frost” really comes down towhether the player wants to deal with the Settlements mechanic. Indeed, fans ofcity-builderswho are still learning how to manage the activities in New London and the Old Dreadnought may find the addition of Settlements slightly overwhelming, and it might be wise for them to pick “defeat the frost.” On the other hand, players who are excited to explore the Frostland and learn a new system may find the “embrace the frost” path more interesting.
In summary, it is perhaps safe to say that it is simpler to “defeat the frost” than it is to “embrace the frost.”
One final thing to mention is that this decision does immediatelyimpact relationswith the Stalwart and Pilgrimfactions inFrostpunk 2. Specifically, choosing to “defeat the frost” generates approval from the Stalwarts, generates disapproval from the Pilgrims, and increases the Pilgrims' Fervour. And picking “embrace the frost” generates approval from the Pilgrims, generates disapproval from the Stalwarts, and increases the Stalwarts' Fervour. While none of these negative effects should prove insurmountable, they should be kept in mind.
