Frostpunk 2: Economy Frostpunk 2 guide, tips

The economy in Frostpunk 2 is a bit more complex than in the previous part of the series. On this page of the guide we have described all the raw materials, currencies and the needs of the citizens, how to meet them and the consequences of their scarcity.

Last update: 18 September 2024

The economy in Frostpunk 2 is slightly more complex than in the first game, consisting of more resources, currencies, and needs. All of them are located at the very top of the screen, are required for the city to function effectively, and their deficiency has serious consequences. On this guide page we have described all the resources in the game, how to get a constant supply of them, and what happens if you run out of them.

• Where are the resources?
• Heat and fuel
• Population and workforce
• Heatstamps
• Prefabs
• Cores
• Shelter
• Food
• Materials
• Goods
• Guard Squads
• Frostland Teams

Where are the resources?

All resources, needs, and currencies can be found at the very top of the screen. If there is a small bar under the resource icon, it means there is demand for it - you must provide your residents with a constant amount of that resource to meet their demand. If you provide too little and have nothing left in your warehouses, part of the bar will become red and your city will get a significant penalty. If you supply too much, part of the bar will be gold and the excess will be stored for later (except, of course, living spaces). If your warehouses fill up with excess raw materials, you can expand them by building a dedicated center.

Heat and fuel

The most important resource in the entire game - fuel (coal, oil and steam) powers your generator, which in turn heats the city. The larger the city, the greater the demand for heat, and the more fuel the generator burns to meet that demand. The demand for heat can be reduced by building districts next to each other (try not to build residential districts next to mining and industrial districts, as this increases the squalor level in the city) and by building heating centers near districts. Unlike the first game, here you do not upgrade the generator's power (it will always fully heat the entire city if you have enough fuel), only its efficiency. You can obtain fuel thanks to Extraction District or by exploring the Frostlands.

If you run out of fuel, the generator will stop heating some buildings or go out completely - the cold will slowly start killing your citizens. Temperature changes also affect fuel consumption. If necessary, you can overload the generator to increase its output and reduce demand - but you must turn off the overload before its bar fills completely, or it will result in fatalities.

Population and workforce

They symbolize the total population of your city and the number of people able to work. You need manpower to work in districts, build, and break ice. The people working in the districts work there until you assign them elsewhere. People building and breaking ice return to the labor pool when their task is completed. You can increase your workforce by increasing your city's population, such as by voting to allow strangers in, or by finding people in the Frostlands. A larger population increases the workforce and the growth of Heatstamps, but also the demand for all other resources.

If you run out of workforce, you will need to either increase your population or temporarily redeploy workers to a district of your choice using the slider after clicking on it. This will reduce the productivity of that district but give you back some labor. Your workers may also become ill and unable to work - make sure they have a hospital where they can recover.

Heatstamps

The main currency of the game, required to build districts, buildings, and conduct research. The player receives a certain amount of them every week - the larger the population, the more Heatstamps. If you need a quick influx of Heatstamps, you can collect them from one of the communities at the bottom of the screen in exchange for a drop in relations - the larger the community, the more Heatstamps. You can also give Heatstamps to communities to increase your relationships with them, which can be very useful in times of need.

Prefabs

The main building block of the game, required to build and repair districts and buildings. Initially, you do not receive prefabs passively - you obtain them by building extraction districts on prefab deposits or producing them in industrial districts. You should quickly secure passive prefab growth through laws, mining, or production - if you run out, you can get more by destroying one of the districts you've created.

Cores

A rare and valuable resource that you should start worrying about later in the game. Required to craft advanced buildings and upgrades. They cannot be crafted - you will only obtain cores by exploring the Frostlands, so think hard whether what you are building is worth it or not. Later in the game, you'll start earning more cores through a specific colony that you have to build as part of the story.

Shelter

Number of apartments available to city residents. You will increase it by building housing districts and erecting apartment blocks. Always try to have some excess shelter in case of a sudden population increase - a shortage of shelter increases the cold level in the city.

Food

The amount of food that the residents eat. You will increase it by building food districts on food deposits. Food shortages cause hunger and make people more susceptible to disease.

Materials

The amount of materials used to keep the city in good condition and to produce prefabs and goods. You will increase it by building extraction districts on mineral deposits. The shortage of materials causes squalor and occasionally can cause the districts to malfunction - you must then spend prefabs to repair them and make them functional again.

Goods

Items that make everyday life easier. They can be produced in industrial districts by processing materials into them. The shortage of goods increases crime in the city and reduces the weekly increase of Heatstamps.

Guard Squads

An armed guard protecting cities, citizens and your government. The more guards you have, the more crime decreases - you can also use them to suppress protests and in crisis situations. You recruit guards mainly by building watchtowers.

Frostland Teams

Scouts exploring the areas around the city in search of resources, places for outposts and colonies. Exploring new territories requires a certain number of frostland teams. If you establish an outpost that supplies resources, several teams must stay at it while it is active. You can obtain more frostland teams by building logistics districts.