Quick answer
When you are unsure what to do next, use one short loop: name the result you need, choose a visible Deed tied to that Principle Path, complete it for its associated path point, spend the point on the Compass, and then check what changed before starting another project.
The official Deeds and Compass pages support the core relationship: completed Deeds award points for their associated path, and those points unlock Compass upgrades across four Principle Path quadrants. That relationship is the reliable backbone of this roadmap. The exact contents and order of individual upgrades are version-sensitive, so let the current Compass screen—not a fixed build order—make the final call.
Original guide diagram — not in-game UI. Use it to identify one current blocker before choosing the next Deed.
The progression or diagnostic path
- Name one blocker. Write it as an outcome: a needed unlock, a missing capability, or a settlement problem that must stop getting worse.
- Open the Compass. Identify which path contains the next upgrade that actually addresses that outcome.
- Open Deeds. Look for an unfinished objective that awards a point for that same path.
- Choose the least disruptive objective. Prefer progress your current settlement and fleet are already positioned to make. This is an editorial decision rule, not an official mandatory order.
- Complete one Deed and spend deliberately. The point-to-upgrade connection is documented by both official pages; the value of a particular upgrade still depends on your save.
- Recheck the blocker. If the needed change appeared, build around it. If it did not, inspect the next prerequisite instead of repeating unrelated expansion.
Original guide diagram — not in-game UI. Complete one objective, spend its associated point, and inspect the result before committing more resources.
Decisions, unlocks, or fixes
Use the question that matches your current screen:
| What you can see | Best next check | Why this keeps progress readable |
|---|---|---|
| A useful Compass upgrade but no point | Find a visible Deed for that associated path | It follows the documented Deed-to-point loop |
| Several possible Deeds | Choose the one your current settlement can attempt with the least disruption | “Easy” depends on your save, not a universal list |
| A building or chain still absent | Check Compass progress and ship-tier progression before changing the layout | Unlock state is separate from construction readiness |
| Settlement pressure is rising | Pause the roadmap and diagnose Cohesion or upkeep first | A new project is not a substitute for identifying the active problem |
This roadmap does not require finishing one quadrant before touching another. The official Compass page currently describes four quadrants and a large set of upgrades, but that detail comes from one official page and should be rechecked after major progression patches. Use it as a map of choices, not proof of one perfect route.
Original guide diagram — not in-game UI. A successful loop ends with a visible result and a newly defined next blocker.
Common mistakes
- Completing convenient Deeds without checking whether their associated path point serves the next goal.
- Spending a point because an upgrade is available rather than because it answers the current blocker.
- Treating a popular build order as mandatory when the official sources do not prescribe one.
- Starting several buildings, ship projects, and production changes before checking the result of the first progression step.
- Assuming a missing building is always a Compass problem; ship tier, construction, staffing, and supply are separate checks.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
What should I do after the tutorial?
Pick one useful outcome, identify its Compass path, and complete one matching Deed. If you still need a foundation for settlement layout and first-hour priorities, start with the beginner guide before using this roadmap.
Do I need to finish one Compass path first?
The source set supports four Principle Path quadrants, but it does not establish one mandatory completion order. Choose upgrades by the next result your save needs and recheck the live Compass after each spend.
Why did a Deed not solve my building problem?
A Deed awards its associated path point; the point only helps after it is spent on the relevant Compass progression. Building availability can also depend on ship-tier progression, so follow the separate unlock diagnostic rather than assuming the Deed itself grants the building.
What to do next
- Use the Deeds guide to choose an objective by the path point and settlement work it requires.
- If the missing result is a building or production option, follow the building and resource unlock diagnostic.
- Return to the beginner guide when the immediate issue is basic layout, supply, or first-expedition preparation rather than progression currency.