Should You Defeat the Frost or Embrace the Frost in Frostpunk 2

In the second chapter of Frostpunk 2, you will have to make one of the most fateful choices in the game: stay with the Stalwarts and march forth to fight the frost head-on, or take to the company of Pilgrims and milk everything that the frost has to offer. The choice will fundamentally change the path your city takes.

While this guide will make a suggestion, it should be noted that either route is viable for a player strategically. This choice serves as one of the cooler roleplaying opportunities to allow you to be in tune with either faction's values. As you move forward, take into consideration how this choice fits with your playstyle and how you view your city going forward.

Frostpunk 2: Defeat the Frost vs. Embrace the Frost

This choice between "defeat the frost" and "embrace the frost" in Frostpunk 2 affects gameplay mechanics, available tasks, and the overall direction of your city a lot.

"Defeat the Frost"

If you choose to "beat the frost", this primarily means that you transfer the treatment of your city's generator on oil as a source. This mirrors what you have done in Chapter 1 and involves a serious investment in oil production at the Old Dreadnought.

Key things to remember:

Oil Production: You want to develop the production of oil as quickly as you can since your generator will need this resource soon.

Generator Upgrades: Research and apply oil-focused generator upgrades in the Idea Tree.

Deep Melting Drills: On Deep Deposits, Deep Melting Drills can be built for additional resources.

"Embracing the Frost"

If a player decides to "embrace the frost," then another layer of gameplay is unlocked: building Settlements in the Frostland. That is, connecting resource-producing Outposts via Skyways to New London and upgrading said Outposts into Settlements by investing population points into them.

Key points to consider:

Establishing Settlements: Strategically plan the location and development of your Settlements to maximize resource production.

Skyway Construction: Establish efficient transportation networks between your city and Outposts by building Skyways.

Heating Settlements: Research and develop Settlement Heating to keep the environment of your home town friendly for your population.

Impact of Changes in Generators:

"Defeat the Frost": Oil-powered generators will be introduced, which means a great transition.

"Embrace the Frost": This path includes expanding and enhancing generator capabilities. 

Faction Relations:

"Defeat the Frost": Increases approval with the Stalwarts but decreases approval with the Pilgrims.

"Embrace the Frost": Increases approval with the Pilgrims but decreases approval with the Stalwarts.

Additional Considerations:

Gameplay Style: Also consider your preferred gameplay style. If complex city management is your thing, "embrace the frost" may be for you. If you prefer straightforward resource production, "defeat the frost" may be sufficient.

Long-term Goals: Visualize what you would want for your city over a long period. You could either have an isolated self-sufficient city able to brave it out with harsh conditions or an aggressive expansionist one.

The ultimate decision of "defeat the frost" or "embrace the frost" lies in the discretion of the player. This would introduce the future course of action in playing Frostpunk 2; hence, think about the possible aftermath and select accordingly to fit your goals and style of play.