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Frostpunk 2marks the next chapter in the story of the Generator Cities. One major change is that as coal deposits run out, the survivors of the Frostlands are forced to find new sources of fuel. In this game, that means swapping out one fossil fuel for another - surviving in Frostpunk 2 is nearly impossible without at least some oil.
If you’re playing on a map that has limited access to petroleum, or you’ve switched to the oil-exclusive Path of Progress and need something to do with all the extra coal you have laying around, Coal Liquefaction is the answer.
How To Research And Build Coal Liquefactors
Coal Liquefactors areIndustrial District buildingsthat become available to research after you’veunlocked Generator Upgrade 1from theHeating Idea Tree. As with most buildings, there aretwo versions; one for Progress and one for Adaptation. You can research both, but it’sbest to pick onethat matches your city’s ethos, especially considering that the research projects cost a hefty 100 Heatstamps each.
In Story Mode, Generator Upgrade 1 is unlocked automatically when you decide whether toDefeat or Embrace the Frost.In Utopia Builder, you have to research it manually like everything else.
Note that Liquefactors cost precious Cores - factor that into your plans when you’re building, and be sure to have plenty of fully-staffed Logistics Districts so that yourFrostland Teamscan go out in search of more Cores!
As you can see, the Pressurized Coal Liquefactoruses less Workforcebut uses more Coal and Materials to produce the same amount of Oil. By contrast, the Carrion Coal Liquefactor is more economical in terms of resources butrequires more workers. You might also make your choice based onwhich Problem you’re better-equipped to handle, Disease or Squalor.
Like all buildings in Frostpunk 2, Liquefactors' upkeep and productionscale to the efficiency of their District.If you move the slider down on the Industrial District that houses a liquefactor, it willproduce less oilbut consume less Workforce and Coal. By the same token,expanding the Industrial Districtor increasing its Production Efficiency via Laws or Hubs willalso increase the efficiency of the Liquefactor.
An Expanded Industrial District with two Liquefactors is expensive, but can produce a lot of Oil, especially with Emergency Shifts active. Conversely, one Liquefactor and one Goods Factory is a balanced build that helps keep several needs met simultaneously.
Why Should You Use Coal Liquefaction In Frostpunk 2?
Liquefactors are an expensive investment, but well worth it on every difficulty level regardless of whether you’ve upgraded the Generator with Oil Pumps or Adaptive Pumps.Oil produces twice as much Heat as coal, so as long as you have the Workforce to keep your Liquefactors in operation, any coal produced by your city isbetter used in Liquefactorsthan going straight to the Generator.
If you outfitted the Generator with Oil Pumps, Liquefactors become a true necessity. With this build, the Generator converts an astoundingfive Heat per oil, but can’t use any other fuel type. At that point, coal is worthless unless you run it through a Liquefactor.
If your city has a surplus of both Workforce and Materials,research and build Charcoal facilitieson Extraction Districts exploiting wood. These are unlocked after researching Sawmills, andconvert Materials into Coal.With Charcoal burners and Liquefactors, you can turn Materials into Coal, then into Oil!
