Frostpunk 2 is a city-builder at its heart and as such, you can expect there to be plenty of buildings you can construct. One of the more critical buildings, and one you’re forced to build as part of the story, is the Research Institute, which in turn unlocks the Idea Tree, a major system you’ll need access to in your role as the Steward. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about this vital system.
The Research Institute will unlock the important Idea Tree system in Frostpunk 2.
The Research Institute¶
Before you can even get access to the Idea Tree, you’ll first need to build a Research Institute, and to do that, you’re going to need to build a Housing District. This is simple enough, Frostbreak an area for it to go in and then construct the Housing District which is going to set you back 200 Workforce, Prefabs, and 40 Heatstamps. If you’re struggling with Heatstamps early on, check out our Heatstamps guide here. Once a Housing District is constructed, you’ll then need to expand it by selecting the district and choosing the option, this will grant you a building slot for the district.
The Research Institute is a bit more expensive, costing 100 Heatstamps and 400 Workforce to construct, which will add that 400 requirement and 20 Heat Demand to the overall district, keep this in mind so you’re not creating more demand than output in New London. Once it’s finally built, you’ll have access to a new option in the bottom right of the UI, the Idea Tree.
(1 of 2) You will need to build a Research Institute on a Housing District to unlock the Idea Tree.
You will need to build a Research Institute on a Housing District to unlock the Idea Tree. (left), Finding settlements such as this one in the Frostland can increase the Research Speed. (right)
Improving the Speed of Research¶
When it comes to the Idea Tree, you’ll notice that every idea you research will take x number of weeks to complete. Considering there is so much to research (and you should always be researching something), you may be left wondering if there is any way to speed this process up. Well, great news, there are two main ways you can increase the speed of research in Frostpunk 2.
The first method is the simplest, even if it places more of a burden on your resources, is to simply build more Research Institutes. It’s a simple as that. Every Research Institute placed in New London will work to decrease the time it takes to successfully research an Idea. Just remember that each Institute will add to the overall Heat and Workforce Demand for New London.
The second method requires a bit more work on your behalf, but the rewards are much more tangible. As you explore the Frostland, you may come across some nodes that, when linked back to New London via a trail or Skyline, will massively decrease the time it takes to research something so long as it’s active. You can find one such Settlement that sits in the area between the Old Dreadnought and New London, and is a simple one to set up a trail back to the city. If you manage to double the Research Speed, you’ll unlock the New Oxbridge Achievement.
The Idea Tree¶
So now that you have access to the Idea Tree, what can you do with it? Well, researching new buildings are just the beginning, as you’ll be able to research new policies too, which can then be voted at the Council. You’ll need to be wary though that the Communities and Factions will have their own say on what they value more (usually between Progress or Adaptation) and will offer different solutions for the policies/buildings you can construct.
Fully embracing one of the ideals on the Idea Tree will unlock a powerful Cornerstone ability in Frostpunk 2.
If you take a look at the image in the center of the Idea Tree, this will fill up to the left or right based on what your research favors. Obviously, favoring one over the other will upset the other Community/Faction, but it can be well worth it as if you fully embrace one of the ideals, you’ll gain a powerful Cornerstone ability, such as Automation Primacy from the Progress route, this will massively decrease Squalor!
As a general rule, you should always be researching something and should be one of your primary expenditures of your Heatstamps. If you’re not researching something and don’t have any on you, consider requesting some from one of the Communities or Factions that you have a good standing with, research is that important!
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