Against the Storm is a roguelike city-builder where you establish settlements in a perpetually stormy fantasy world on behalf of the Scorched Queen. Each run drops you into a new procedurally generated map with different biomes, species compositions, and available buildings. You must balance the Queen's Impatience (a loss timer) against Reputation (a win condition) while managing three to four different species with conflicting needs. Between runs, the meta-progression Citadel grows with permanent upgrades. It's the game that answered the question: what if city-builders had permadeath?
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option — what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humans | A | Set up cooking infrastructure early, build a Temple when available, reliable workers for any production chain. | Trading Post | Yes |
| Beavers | S | Assign Beavers to production buildings for efficiency bonuses, satisfy with crafted Biscuits and engineering. | Cookhouse | Moderate |
| Lizards | A | Keep Lizards near the Hearth for warmth bonus, feed them Skewers from hunted/gathered meat. | Brewery | Yes |
| Harpies | B | Send Harpies to explore distant Glades, produce Crystallized Dew, keep their housing area open. | Workshop | No |
| Foxes | A | Assign Foxes to trade buildings, produce Pickled Goods, leverage trade for Reputation. | Rain Collector | Yes |
New player? Start with Beavers — see our beginner's guide for why.
Humans
Humans are the most versatile species, working efficiently in most buildings. They desire Pie, Porridge, and access to a Temple. Human housing is standard-sized and easy to place. Their Resolve bonuses come from cooked food and religion services. Humans are the safe pick for any run.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Set up cooking infrastructure early, build a Temple when available, reliable workers for any production chain. |
| Best Equipment | Trading Post |
| Stat Priority | Complex food production, religion service, housing |
| Core Gear | Bakery (for Pie), Temple, Human Housing, Farmfield |
| Key Mechanic | roguelike city building |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Set up cooking infrastructure early, build a Temple when available, reliable workers for any production chain.
- Pairs well with Trading Post
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Royal Woodlands to learn Humans-specific mechanics
- Focus on roguelike city building — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Trading Post as your first major upgrade
- See our full Humans build guide for the optimal gear progression
Beavers
Beavers have the best production bonuses — they work faster in Workshops, Lumber Mills, and engineering buildings. Their desire for Biscuits and Engineering services makes them the strongest production species. Beaver housing is larger but provides comfort bonuses.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Assign Beavers to production buildings for efficiency bonuses, satisfy with crafted Biscuits and engineering. |
| Best Equipment | Cookhouse |
| Stat Priority | Industrial building access, Biscuit production, engineering |
| Core Gear | Workshop, Lumber Mill, Engineering Station, Beaver Housing |
| Key Mechanic | reputation system |
Strengths
- Most versatile — adapts to any situation
- Assign Beavers to production buildings for efficiency bonuses, satisfy with crafted Biscuits and engineering.
- Pairs well with Cookhouse
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Royal Woodlands to learn Beavers-specific mechanics
- Focus on reputation system — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Cookhouse as your first major upgrade
- See our full Beavers build guide for the optimal gear progression
Lizards
Lizards excel in harsh biomes due to their warmth preference. They desire Skewers (easy to make from meat/insects) and Warmth service from Hearths. Lizards work faster near the Hearth, making them ideal for central base operations. They're the easiest species to keep happy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Keep Lizards near the Hearth for warmth bonus, feed them Skewers from hunted/gathered meat. |
| Best Equipment | Brewery |
| Stat Priority | Meat/insect food supply, Hearth warmth range, housing near center |
| Core Gear | Grill (for Skewers), Hearth proximity, Lizard Housing |
| Key Mechanic | blueprint drafting |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Keep Lizards near the Hearth for warmth bonus, feed them Skewers from hunted/gathered meat.
- Pairs well with Brewery
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Royal Woodlands to learn Lizards-specific mechanics
- Focus on blueprint drafting — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Brewery as your first major upgrade
- See our full Lizards build guide for the optimal gear progression
Harpies
Harpies have unique needs — they want Crystallized Dew (harder to produce) and dislike enclosed spaces. Their housing is elevated and requires open surroundings. Harpies excel at scouting and gathering from distant Glades. Harder to satisfy but provide unique Reputation bonuses.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Send Harpies to explore distant Glades, produce Crystallized Dew, keep their housing area open. |
| Best Equipment | Workshop |
| Stat Priority | Crystallized Dew production, open space management, scouting |
| Core Gear | Crystalizer, Harpy Housing (elevated), open space near buildings |
| Key Mechanic | storm cycle |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Send Harpies to explore distant Glades, produce Crystallized Dew, keep their housing area open.
- Pairs well with Workshop
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Royal Woodlands to learn Harpies-specific mechanics
- Focus on storm cycle — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Workshop as your first major upgrade
- See our full Harpies build guide for the optimal gear progression
Foxes
The DLC species, Foxes are traders and diplomats. They desire Pickled Goods and benefit from Trading Post access. Foxes provide Reputation through trade-related Orders and work faster in trade buildings. Their flexibility makes them strong in trade-heavy runs.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Assign Foxes to trade buildings, produce Pickled Goods, leverage trade for Reputation. |
| Best Equipment | Rain Collector |
| Stat Priority | Trade infrastructure, Pickled Goods, trade route access |
| Core Gear | Trading Post, Pickling Station, Fox Housing |
| Key Mechanic | species management |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Assign Foxes to trade buildings, produce Pickled Goods, leverage trade for Reputation.
- Pairs well with Rain Collector
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Royal Woodlands to learn Foxes-specific mechanics
- Focus on species management — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Rain Collector as your first major upgrade
- See our full Foxes build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Beavers is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Humans is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Trading Post for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Foxes offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Harpies shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Against the Storm Guides
- Against the Storm Against the Storm Overview
- Against the Storm Best Builds
- Against the Storm Tier List
- Against the Storm Walkthrough
- Against the Storm Beginner's Guide
- Against the Storm Tips & Tricks
- Against the Storm Weapons Guide
- Against the Storm Combat Guide
- Against the Storm Boss Guide
- Against the Storm Maps & Locations
- Against the Storm Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Against the Storm, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Classes Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Classes Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Classes Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
