Frostpunk 2 Council Guide: Top Laws to Adopt First

Frostpunk 2 immerses gamers in a chilling post-apocalyptic landscape where the sustainability of your city hinges on astute governance and strategic decision-making.

As the city’s leader, your power to enact laws is vital for managing critical resources like Heatstamps and Prefabs, balancing influence among various factions, and ensuring the survival of your citizens.

Understanding the Council System

The Council is a pivotal political mechanism in Frostpunk 2, representing the diverse factions and influential groups within your metropolis. Each faction possesses distinct interests and objectives, and adeptly addressing their requests is crucial for maintaining harmony.

To initiate the process of law-making, you must first unlock the Council. This occurs during Chapter 1 after constructing the Council Hall in the Central District of your city. This facility serves as the nucleus of political authority and legislative action in your settlement.

After unlocking the Council, you will gain access to the Law Proposal feature, enabling you to introduce new laws and shape your city’s future.

Steps to Pass Laws

Council negotiating law in Frostpunk 2 — Image Courtesy of dexerto/11Bit Studios

To propose a law, follow these steps:

Click the gavel icon located at the bottom left corner of the interface to access the law proposal menu.
Select a law category (Survival, City, Society, or Rule).
Choose a specific law within that category that you wish to propose.
Submit the proposal by clicking “Propose,” which forwards the law to the Council for voting.

For a law to be successfully enacted, you need a simple majority within the Council, specifically at least 51 votes in favor.

After each vote, the Council observes a 10-week recess, during which you cannot submit new proposals. This duration should be used for strategizing upcoming law proposals.

Laws in Frostpunk 2 are categorized into four primary groups, each addressing specific facets of city management. Understanding these categories is key to effectively leading your city and its populace.

Survival: These laws support your citizens in enduring the frigid climate and harsh conditions, focusing on critical resources, work regulations, food distribution, and healthcare.
City: These relate to urban development, resource management, and creating a stable infrastructure. These laws are essential for establishing a solid foundation for your city, emphasizing housing, resource distribution, and transport.
Society: These laws influence the social and cultural dynamics of your metropolis, affecting education, community structures, and social interaction. Balancing these laws is vital for ensuring social stability over time.
Rule: These dictate your governance style and prescribed powers as a leader. These laws are impactful as they regulate the political framework of your city, enforcement methods, and relations with various factions.

Negotiating Votes for Law Proposals

Negotiating a law in Frostpunk 2 — Image Courtesy of dexerto/11Bit Studios

If you lack sufficient votes, it’s time for negotiation.

Passing laws in Frostpunk 2 isn’t merely about proposing them; the Council is comprised of multiple factions, each harboring its own viewpoint on proposed legislation. Some factions may naturally align with your proposal, while others will oppose it.

If you’re short of the necessary 51 votes, you can negotiate with factions to secure their backing:

Select “Negotiate” instead of proceeding directly to the vote.
Choose a faction for negotiation. The game displays which factions are open to reconsidering their stance and which are firmly against.
Meet their requirements to earn their votes. This might involve researching specific ideas, enacting other laws they favor, or modifying certain structures.

Failing to meet promises made to a faction can significantly damage your relationship with them, leading to persistent governance issues.

Be mindful that many promises come with time constraints, meaning factions won’t wait indefinitely. Keep an eye on the timer at the top left of the screen, just beneath your objectives.

Priority Laws to Enact

Choosing a law in Frostpunk 2 — Image Courtesy of dexerto/11Bit Studios

Recognize that not all laws carry equal weight.

Some laws can provide significant advantages early in the game by addressing key survival needs, enhancing productivity, and laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity.

Here are several essential laws to focus on early:

Top City Laws

Paid Essentials: This law ensures citizens receive paid essential goods, which enhances production efficiency and generates weekly Heatstamp revenue. It addresses economic stability early on, crucial for city expansion and managing resource limitations.
Allow Productive Outsiders: This law boosts the active workforce percentage in your city, increasing labor and Heatstamp income. More workers result in heightened productivity, allowing your city to sustain growth without experiencing workforce shortages.

Top Survival Laws

Heat Recycling: This law decreases heat demand within housing areas, conserving fuel during extreme cold. Fuel efficiency is vital in Frostpunk 2’s unforgiving environment, and this law alleviates the pressure on your fuel resources, especially in colder seasons.
Chemical Additives: This law enhances food production efficiency, enabling you to maximize your food resources. Food shortages are a constant threat, so passing this law early can ensure your supplies last longer, even during tough times.

Essential Society Law

Family Apprenticeship: This law boosts workforce efficiency by promoting children to learn trades and take on jobs in resource collection and manufacturing. Labor shortages are common in Frostpunk 2 as the population expands, and this law helps alleviate that issue from the outset.

Key Rule Law

Bureau of Propaganda: This law helps shape public perception by focusing on improving citizens’ opinions of the leadership, which in turn enhances relations and mitigates the negative impacts of less favorable decisions on community trust.

With the right laws in place, you may want to explore the best ideas to research and how to efficiently gather materials.

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