In Frostpunk 2, cores are one of the most vital resources for advancing your city, especially when upgrading your generator or building advanced structures like the Deep Melting Drill. Unfortunately, cores are rare and cannot be produced in the game, making them highly valuable and challenging to obtain. Here’s a guide on how you can acquire them and where to find the best locations.
1. Exploring the Frostlands
The primary way to gather cores in Frostpunk 2 is by sending expeditions into the Frostlands. To do this, you first need to establish a Logistics District on the edge of your city. Once the district is up and running, you can send Frostland Teams to explore nearby regions. While exploring, you’ll encounter nodes with “Possible Findings,” which may include cores, indicated by a blue lantern icon. Keep in mind that not all expeditions will guarantee cores, so it’s important to plan strategically.
The deeper your teams venture into the Frostlands, the more likely they are to find cores, but this also means they face greater dangers. Some areas have high levels of risk and require multiple teams to explore, so it’s important to assess the danger before sending your teams. You may lose scouts in dangerous areas, making it crucial to balance the need for cores with the safety of your people.
2. Best Locations for Cores
Certain regions are more likely to contain cores than others. Some of the best locations to find cores include:
- Highlands
- Frozen Ocean
- Whispering Valley
- Howling Shore
- Ridgeline These regions are more dangerous, but they often yield the highest rewards. For beginners, starting with the Highlands is recommended as it’s easier to access. As you progress, the Frozen Ocean becomes a lucrative destination, offering a variety of resources along with cores.
It’s worth noting that core deposits are limited in each region, so you won’t find a large quantity in a single expedition. You’ll need to spread out your explorations to maximize your findings. The game’s finite resource system means that once cores from an area are collected, they won’t regenerate, so planning for long-term survival is essential.
3. Recovering Cores from Buildings
Another method to regain cores is by dismantling certain buildings. This can be useful if you’ve run out of places to explore or urgently need a core for an important upgrade. Buildings such as the Deep Melting Drill or the Pressurized Coal Liquefactor require cores to construct, and dismantling these structures will return the core you used.
However, this option comes with a trade-off. While it’s a quick way to recover cores, it means sacrificing a valuable building and the resources it provides. Be sure to weigh the benefits before deciding to dismantle structures for cores.
4. Story Mode: Winterhome
Later in the game’s story mode, you’ll unlock the opportunity to mine core deposits in Winterhome. These deposits are only available for a limited time, so you’ll need to act quickly before the area becomes too toxic to mine. While Winterhome offers a few extra cores, it’s not a reliable long-term source, so don’t rely solely on this option.
5. Maximizing Efficiency
Cores are scarce, and managing them effectively is key to survival in Frostpunk 2. Use your first cores to construct critical buildings like the Colony in Frozen Bay or to upgrade your city’s generator. Once you have access to more advanced technology, cores will play a central role in sustaining your city during harsh events like Whiteouts.
To maximize your resource management, always prioritize which buildings and upgrades are worth the core investment. Since they’re so limited, you can’t afford to waste them on structures that won’t significantly impact your city’s survival.
In summary, obtaining cores in Frostpunk 2 requires strategic exploration, careful planning, and sometimes tough decisions about dismantling structures. They’re crucial for expanding your city’s capabilities and ensuring your people can withstand the brutal conditions of the Frostlands. Use your expeditions wisely, prioritize high-reward locations, and make sure you’re using your cores efficiently to secure the future of your civilization.
