Possible to beat Ark on Hard Mode?

[thelonggame]

Ark is looking really tough on hard mode, not even considering New Manchester. Mostly I have been grinding hard to keep up with just the Arks' heating requirements. It might be different if I played through only attempting to save a single ark. Specifically the 8000 coal requirement seems daunting.

Is it only required that one Ark be saved? Two?

It might seem relatively easy soon as I boot up the game and shoot for a one Ark game.

By the way A New Home is fairly easy to beat without recruiting anyone on Hard Mode -- I actually had a bit tougher time a bit before on my 'save everyone & no deaths or injuries' run. I found the secret to winning prevent sickness and take care of everone who gets sick as quickly as possible. Also, outposts are very good.

Fun game devs.

[John Doe]

definitely possible.
I first beat it without saving manchester and also thought that it was impossible to save manchester on hard (it took me way too long to win on hard alone).
But right after I tried it again and saved manchester "rather easily".
Figure out all your timings and know where to send your scouts. Also remember that the arks dont have to be kept "warm" all the time.

[thelonggame]

I completed it and saved Nw Manchester now too. Juggling the arks' freezing was critical! I saved all 4 arks and N.M.

The Refugees mission is tough-- still meeting new things as I am not completing it on Normal first.

[OdinTheGrand]

You basically need to prioritize getting as many automatons as quickly as possible, even delaying research to spend your resources on automatons. You just need the end-game income. Here is a thread with a few tips:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/323190/discussions/0/2828702372998468098/

[ParadiseBurn]

Yea that thread link is good. Refugees is hardest to beat on Hard to me. My biggest issues with Arks before I "got it" was understanding how early you need to have automatons running and how important scouting is.

Wall Drills or Sawmills or combo is preference. Coal Mines vs Thumpers or mixture is preference. Hothouses - should not need more than 3 if you time them right. Get MULTIPLE workshops going!!! I had 6 going on my first succesful playthrough but at minimum 4 or 5 to push tech out within a day consistently.

Get Steam Steel Mills PERIOD! You will struggle almost every game unless you have solid consistent steel coming in. Scouts dont turn in immediatly so dont be stuck waiting 12-16 hours for scouts to bring you enough to finish an automaton or two.

The arks can be left for a few hours (think a whole day) at sub chilly. Just hit your steam hubs activator if your trying to save coal to get through a tough stretch or if your trying to push through an upgrade or save some overload on the genny.

Mid late game youll need solid wood income AND steel for your resource storage. Youll need 14k coal, 600 Wood and Steel as well as 2k rations + associated automatons to finish both objectives. So ALWAYS keep in mind these numbers when your playing.

Sorry not much help - struggling with refugees at the moment - not going child labor for anyone replying lol.

[B5R]

Beat these scenario on hard - saved 4 arks and new-manchester but lose 10 my man (cold caught me unprepared due to low research speed) but that was my first attempt on hard scenario, so yeah possible

[Roger Feederer]

Having a Steam Hub for each Ark, I found myself bleeding Coal until I got to Steam Coal Mines. Then it's smooth sailing, so I recommend getting that tech soon. Emergency shift cycling in workshops is a must for quick research in Hard.

[B5R]

Originally posted by Roger Feederer:

Having a Steam Hub for each Ark, I found myself bleeding Coal until I got to Steam Coal Mines. Then it's smooth sailing, so I recommend getting that tech soon. Emergency shift cycling in workshops is a must for quick research in Hard.

But thats killing engeneers . You can research enough needed tech without it. About hubs - they should work 24 hours per day , Arks can handle some time without warming

[Roger Feederer]

Originally posted by Black Raven:

Originally posted by Roger Feederer:

Having a Steam Hub for each Ark, I found myself bleeding Coal until I got to Steam Coal Mines. Then it's smooth sailing, so I recommend getting that tech soon. Emergency shift cycling in workshops is a must for quick research in Hard.

But thats killing engeneers . You can research enough needed tech without it. About hubs - they should work 24 hours per day , Arks can handle some time without warming

Nope, you only need to tank 1 death (at least, I haven't had anyone die in several playthroughs apart from that initial one who dies of a heart attack, on the first or second Emergency Shift), then only discontent.