Welcome to the frostbitten wilds of Frozenheim, a game that blends survival strategy with the spirit of the Viking sagas. Whether you’re taking your first steps in the single-player mode or testing the waters before diving into multiplayer, this guide will walk you through the early game and share critical tips to establish a thriving, defendable village. Be warned: this game doesn’t wait around. The enemy comes fast, and if you’re not prepared, your village will burn before the snow melts.

Settling the Land and First Steps

Upon starting a new game, you’re thrust into a randomly generated landscape. One of the first advantages to seek is proximity to water—ideal for fishing and future shipbuilding. Begin by placing a Fisherman’s Hut, as securing a stable food supply is paramount. Following that, prioritize building a Woodcutter’s Lodge and a Collector’s Guild near visible resources such as stone or iron deposits. The synergy between these buildings and a Warehouse will streamline your economy, allowing efficient resource gathering.

But buildings alone aren’t enough—they need workers. Assign villagers as soon as construction finishes. You’ll typically begin with five idle workers, so distribute them wisely between woodcutting, stone gathering, and fishing. Keep one free for tasks like food or water collection. Don’t forget to speed up time in the early game to accelerate construction.

Defense is Not Optional

It’s tempting to focus on economic expansion, but Frozenheim punishes neglect. Enemies can and will attack early. Your first priority should be a Training Field. This is not optional—it’s essential. One major lesson from experience: a big base with no warriors is just a big target. Your first few troops—preferably Axemen for frontline strength—can mean the difference between survival and destruction.

Place the Training Field slightly away from the heart of your village to avoid it becoming collateral damage. As you increase population by building Houses, begin training Spearmen as well. They’re cost-effective and fast to deploy. You’ll need a mix of units as the pressure ramps up.

Sustaining Your Clan

Keeping your people warm and happy is as crucial as protecting them. Once basic resource lines are established, build a Hunter’s Hut near forested areas. This will provide meat and hides. From there, create a Tanner to convert hides into clothing. Clothes not only boost happiness but are also a requirement for certain military units like archers.

Happiness also influences reproduction and worker efficiency. A Water Well ensures access to clean water and doubles as a safeguard against fires. If your villagers have homes, food, water, and clothing, your village will grow organically.

Resource Flow and Building Priorities

As your economy scales, interconnectivity becomes key. A Warehouse close to your Collector’s Guild, Woodcutter, and other resource nodes drastically improves efficiency. It also unlocks advanced structures like the Windmill and later, production facilities such as the Weaponsmith.

The Bloomery should be placed once you’ve begun collecting iron. This building smelts ore into steel—crucial for building stronger units. Assign workers manually to ensure production doesn’t stall. Once steel becomes available, ramp up production of Axemen or begin expanding your military range with Archers and longbow upgrades via the Weaponsmith.

Naval Ambitions and the Shipyard

Eventually, you’ll want to venture onto the seas. Construct a Shipyard near the coastline, but beware—it’s a prime target. Your first boat can serve not just as transport but also as a weapon. Boats require both wood and tanned leather (tannin), so make sure your Hunter’s Hut and Tanner are working efficiently.

Ships come in various sizes. Start small, but consider upgrading quickly. You’ll need a crew to man them, and attacks can come by sea too. Be prepared to lose your first ship—enemy fleets appear suddenly and aggressively.

Medical Aid and Recovery

Combat means casualties. A Druid Hut functions as your medical facility, healing wounded soldiers. Keep one Druid active at all times if you can spare the workforce. Post-battle recovery can be the difference between bouncing back or getting overwhelmed in the next wave.

Also, keep an eye on burned or damaged buildings. A well-placed Well and quick repairs can prevent cascading destruction.

Final Thoughts and Strategy Flow

In Frozenheim, balance is key. You must juggle expansion, defense, and sustainability while dealing with harsh winters and relentless enemies. Don’t overextend—build houses only when you’re ready to support more people. Watch your food levels as your population grows. Keep production lines connected and functional.

And most importantly: don’t be passive. Prepare for attacks, scout the map, and retaliate when you can. Even if you’re still learning the ropes, strike back to slow the enemy’s progress and secure your footing.

This brutal, beautiful world doesn’t forgive mistakes—but with the right steps, your saga won’t be one of tragedy. Instead, it’ll be one of conquest.

Skål, warrior. May your village thrive in the snow.