Mastering SteamWorld Build - Meeting the Needs of Citizens and Workers

In SteamWorld Build, it is essential to satisfy the needs of worker units and citizens in order to ensure their happiness. This involves being attentive to the various goods and services they require. As you do so, new tiers will be unlocked, expanding the functions and materials available to you. Our guide provides insights on how to meet the needs of citizens and workers in SteamWorld Build, allowing you to achieve specific milestones early in the game.

Table of Contents [hide]

- How to satisfy the needs of worker units and citizens in SteamWorld Build

- Service buildings

Production buildings

How to check the needs of citizens

What are the needs of Workers?

What are the needs of Engineers?

How to satisfy the needs of worker units and citizens SteamWorld Build

Knowing When to Upgrade Citizen Tiers

How to satisfy the needs of worker units and citizens SteamWorld Build

To determine when to upgrade citizen tiers in SteamWorld Build, it is important to consider the services and goods that impact each type of citizen tier. Once the specific requirements are fulfilled, it becomes possible to ascend to a higher tier.

Service buildings

In general, the buildings in the game can be classified into two categories: services and production. Service buildings are able to operate independently once they are built. It is important to ensure that they are connected by road and are in close proximity to the types of residential buildings they are meant to serve.

For example, Worker residences should have a nearby General Store to fulfill this specific requirement. You can select a Service building to check if it affects all relevant types of housing.

In this image, it is evident that the General Store has an impact on almost all Worker Residential buildings, with the exception of one.

Production buildings

Production buildings have specific requirements for proper functioning, including being connected by road to a Warehouse where finished goods are sent. Additionally, certain resources are necessary. The Moonshiner building, for instance, requires the following:

- Cactus Farm: Produces Cactus Water.

Sand Sifting Factory - Placed on a sandy area; collects Sand.

Glassblower - Turns Sand into Glass.

The buildings should be in close proximity to each other, with a Warehouse nearby. The Moonshiner building will process Cactus Water and Glass to create Moonshine, fulfilling the Engineers' needs.

Certain buildings will require materials from mines before they can produce a finished good. For further information, refer to our Workshops and Extractors guide.

To produce Moonshine for your Engineers, you will require multiple buildings and materials.

How to check the needs of citizens

You can view the requirements of the citizens in SteamWorld Build by selecting a particular type of residential complex. Here’s a brief overview:

Upon the initial construction of a residential type, you will observe a few needs and the maximum capacity of the building. For instance, a Worker Residential will have a maximum occupancy of five Workers and a few needs initially, such as a General Store and Service Shop.

As you continue to build more residential complexes and reach new goals, you will be able to unlock new service and production buildings. This will result in citizens having additional requirements (e.g. Workers desiring Cactus Water and Charcoal).

By meeting these additional needs, you can raise the maximum occupancy of the building, leading to an increase in the number of citizens of that type. This, in turn, will lead to an increase in the amount of money they generate.

Once you achieve 100% satisfaction for a specific citizen type, you have the option to elevate them to a higher tier.

What are the needs of Workers?

Citizens will develop more needs over time, but if you fulfill these needs, their residential buildings will also gain additional slots. These are the Worker Residential needs in SteamWorld Build:

Road connection to Train Station.

Service: General Store - Requires 200 Money.

Service: Service Shop - Requires 400 Money and 3 Boards.

Production: Cactus Farm - Requires 600 Money and 5 Boards.

Production: Charcoal - Must have a Forester and Charcoal Kiln.

What are the needs of Engineers?

These are the Engineer Residential needs in SteamWorld Build:

Road connection to Train Station.

Service: General Store - Requires 200 Money.

Service: Saloon - Requires 2,000 Money and 12 Boards.

Service: Surveyor Office - Requires 2,400 Money, 5 Tools, and 4 Boards.

Service: Wash Service Shop - Requires 7,000 Money, 8 Tools, 24 Boards, and 12 Sheet Metals.

Production: Charcoal - Must have a Forester and Charcoal Kiln.

Production: Moonshine - Must have Moonshiner, Cactus Farm, Sand Sifting Factory, and Glassblower.

Production: Spare Parts - Must have Spare Parts Maker, Scrap Extractor, and Ironium Extractor.

Production: Water - Must have Water Purifier and Dirty Water Extractor.

Production: Robo Burger - Must have Robo Meister, Cattle Farm, Ironium Extractor, Forester, and Charcoal Kiln.

By maxing out the satisfaction of a specific citizen tier, you can upgrade a residential building to a higher tier.

When to upgrade to higher citizen tiers

Achieving 100% satisfaction rating for a certain residential type is crucial in SteamWorld Build when considering the happiness and needs of citizens. This will enable you to upgrade the building to a higher tier. Think of this mechanic as similar to other management sim games, like Anno 1800. For example:

Workers to Engineers - Requires 300 Money, 3 Boards, and 3 Tools.

It is important to carefully consider when to make the transition to the next tier. Take into account the potential for factories or farms to stop functioning. Keep in mind that certain farms and factories still require a certain number of citizens of specific types to remain operational. For example, upgrading all Workers to Engineers may result in a shortage of labor for farming and forestry tasks. Similarly, upgrading all Engineers to Aristobots will leave factories without workers. Remember that residential complexes cannot be downgraded, so you may need to build additional ones to address any shortages.

That wraps up our guide on meeting citizen needs in SteamWorld Build. If you're looking to advance further in the game, be sure to take a look at our guides on accessing underground mineshafts/doors and finding Old Tech/Rocket Parts.

Editor's P/S

In the captivating world of SteamWorld Build, the well-being and satisfaction of worker units and citizens are of paramount importance. As a passionate fan of the game, I find immense joy in meeting the diverse needs of these virtual beings.

The article provides valuable insights into the intricate details of fulfilling worker and citizen requirements. The emphasis on service and production buildings, as well as the significance of understanding the unique needs of different groups, resonates deeply with my own experiences in the game.

The guide's exploration of when to upgrade citizen tiers is particularly enlightening, as it highlights the importance of considering the services and goods that impact each tier. By carefully monitoring these factors and ensuring that specific requirements are met, players can strategically ascend to higher tiers, unlocking new functions and materials.

Overall, the article serves as an excellent resource for players seeking to master the art of satisfying their virtual community in SteamWorld Build. By following these guidelines and embracing the dynamic needs of citizens and workers, players can create thriving and prosperous societies, making their mark on the ever-evolving world of SteamWorld Build.