Quick answer
Pin the Deed that unlocks your next meaningful milestone, then spend Compass points on the principle that supports it. A focused path keeps the island stable while opening the ship, building, or crew job you actually need.
Version and source notesUpdated 2026-09-05 · Current for this version
- Updated
- 2026-09-05
- Works with
- Current PC progression systems
- What this guide covers
- Goal-based Deed and Compass planning guide
- Version notes
- Verify live requirements after progression patches
- Update status
- Current for this version
Choose a path by goal
| Goal | First questions | Good next step |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock a ship | Which principle and Deed name the ship? | Pin that Deed and prepare its supply chain |
| Stabilize the island | Which upkeep or cohesion gap is slowing you? | Improve food, storage, and transport first |
| Expand to another camp | Can the current network support a local hub? | Prepare a warehouse loop before sailing out |
| Complete the story | Which event or ship level is blocking the objective? | Build only the prerequisites for that event |
A five-minute Deed audit
- Pin one Deed instead of spreading attention across every category.
- Read its exact condition and identify the resource, event, or building it names.
- Check the Compass principle that awards the required point.
- Confirm the island can produce and transport the needed inputs.
- Reopen the relevant panel after the point or reward is granted.
Do not spend points reactively
If a crisis is consuming cohesion or workers, a distant upgrade may make the next hour harder. Fix the current bottleneck, then return to the pinned Deed. The unlock chart helps separate “not unlocked” from “built but not supplied.”
Sources and version note
The official Buildings and Ships pages establish the relationship between Compass progression, Deeds, ship tiers, and buildings. Community reports highlight where the dependency chain is hard to see in-game, so verify every final condition in your current save.1
Use Find my fix when you cannot tell whether the blocker is progression, supply, or staffing.