Ultimate Guide to Unlocking and Using Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2

The Captain’s Authority Law in Frostpunk 2 is a critical game mechanic that can significantly shift the balance of power within your city. The ability to enact Laws without opposition is incredibly powerful, particularly as rival Factions become increasingly discordant. So, how do you unlock Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2?

Unlocking this feature involves a specific process, and we’re here to guide you through the steps necessary.

How to Unlock Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2

View of Rule Laws and Captain's Authority in Frostpunk 2 — Image Credit: 11 Bit Studios via Twinfinite

To unlock Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2, your city must be facing dire circumstances. Specifically, this option becomes available only when civil war is on the horizon and peaceful resolutions are no longer feasible. This situation arises during Chapter 5 of the storyline and in the latter stages of a Utopia Builder playthrough.

Before gaining access to this powerful Law, you must first pass all the other Rule Laws. These Laws are tougher to pass than regular ones, requiring a minimum of 70 percent approval from the Council when they are put to vote.

Once all Rule Laws are successfully enacted, you can call for a vote on Captain’s Authority. If it secures 70 percent or more of the Council’s approval, you will gain the ability to lead without restrictions.

Here are a couple of strategies to garner the support needed to expedite the passing of these Laws and clear all Rule Laws efficiently.

Utilize Guided Voting

The first Rule Law on the right side of the Rule Law tree is Guided Voting, which allows you to influence nearly all Hesitant voters to cast a vote For or Against a proposal. This is especially effective when the populace has confidence in your leadership, as most voters will be Hesitant towards Rule Laws. Activating this before the vote typically leads to successful outcomes.

Initiate Votes on Rule Laws Early in the Game

In the early game, the composition of Factions is relatively balanced, and overall Tension is lower. This creates an environment conducive to passing Votes and negotiating with voters to gain their support.

Additionally, this timeframe allows you to prevent Factions from presenting alternative Laws, which could hamper your progress. Such delays can be detrimental in the later stages of the game.

Maximize this window of opportunity by aiming to pass as many of the Rule Laws as possible before more Factions emerge.

How to Obtain Captain’s Authority Through a Coup

Guards Assisting in a Coup for Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2 — Image Credit: 11 Bit Studios via Twinfinite

If you prefer to bypass the Council Voting altogether, you can quickly gain Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2 by staging a Coup.

This option becomes available after prolonged periods of Protests and after establishing a substantial number of Guards. Your guards will approach you, offering their support if you decide to execute a coup against the factions governing the city.

To successfully carry out this Coup, you need at least 120 Guards on standby. These Guards must not be engaged in any crime prevention tasks, ensuring they are exclusively available for the Coup attempt.

Start by ensuring the Steward’s Militia Rule Law is enacted. This Law enables you to recruit citizens into your Guard force, offering prisoners detained during protests a chance to join in exchange for a commuted sentence.

Additionally, setting up Watchtowers and prisons in Housing Districts allows for rapid deployment of Guards. As long as the Steward’s Militia Law is active, you can quickly gather an adequate number of Guards before the Council can react.

You can also recruit more Guards from Settlements located throughout the Frostlands. Certain locations have individuals willing to serve as Guards when called upon, helping you reach your target number for a Coup swiftly.

Once you have assembled the necessary forces to take control of the Council, select the Coup option from the City Center menu and watch the situation unfold.

How to Utilize Captain’s Authority

View of Unity Achieved Through Captain's Authority in Frostpunk 2 — Image Credit: 11 Bit Studios via Twinfinite

Once you’ve acquired Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2, using it is straightforward.

Every council vote you initiate automatically passes, allowing you to implement any Laws you need without facing opposition regarding their popularity or acceptance. Trust from Factions remains stable, and your actions do not increase Tension between different groups.

This power also facilitates your ongoing research endeavors, enabling a flexible combination of Worldviews that best serve the interests of your city.

Is There a Captain’s Authority Ending? Explained

The primary limitation of Captain’s Authority is that it restricts you to a singular ending. With no Faction able to pursue their vision for the city, only your own vision remains valid. This involves isolating the more extreme Factions in Enclave Districts, leading to the city being considered united, and eventually watching the credits roll as the sole leader.

While the outcome might feel disappointing, you become a tyrannical dictator, albeit one that maintains a semblance of stability between Factions. You don’t guide your people into a utopia, but you ensure they avoid concerns related to inter-Faction civil warfare.

This route is also the simplest method to reach an ending, as other pathways require far more effort and can often lead to failure. Keep this in mind as you consider how dedicated you are to helping your city achieve long-term stability.

That’s all we have regarding how to achieve Captain’s Authority in Frostpunk 2.

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