Colossal Order's 2023 sequel simulates every citizen as an agent with a household, a job, an education level and a daily route between them. Twenty milestones gate progress from Tiny Village to Megalopolis, handing out 432 expansion permits and 232 development points along the way. The Economy 2.0 patch reworked rent, production and taxation after launch, so a lot of the advice written in the first months no longer matches the game.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry town | A | Balanced | Coal Power Plant | Yes |
| Farming region | A | Balanced | Water Pumping Station | Yes |
| Ore mining city | A | Balanced | Wastewater Treatment Plant | Yes |
| Oil industry city | A | Balanced | Landfill | Yes |
| Office and services hub | A | Balanced | Elementary School | Yes |
New player? Start with Farming region. See our beginner's guide for why.
Forestry town
Forestry town is a strong option in Cities: Skylines II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Coal Power Plant |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Agent based citizen simulation |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Coal Power Plant
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Lakeland to learn Forestry town-specific mechanics
- Focus on Agent based citizen simulation. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Coal Power Plant as your first major upgrade
- See our full Forestry town build guide for the optimal gear progression
Farming region
Farming region is a strong option in Cities: Skylines II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Water Pumping Station |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Milestones and expansion permits |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Water Pumping Station
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Lakeland to learn Farming region-specific mechanics
- Focus on Milestones and expansion permits. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Water Pumping Station as your first major upgrade
- See our full Farming region build guide for the optimal gear progression
Ore mining city
Ore mining city is a strong option in Cities: Skylines II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Development tree upgrades |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Wastewater Treatment Plant
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Lakeland to learn Ore mining city-specific mechanics
- Focus on Development tree upgrades. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Wastewater Treatment Plant as your first major upgrade
- See our full Ore mining city build guide for the optimal gear progression
Oil industry city
Oil industry city is a strong option in Cities: Skylines II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Landfill |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Production chains and outside trade |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Landfill
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Lakeland to learn Oil industry city-specific mechanics
- Focus on Production chains and outside trade. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Landfill as your first major upgrade
- See our full Oil industry city build guide for the optimal gear progression
Office and services hub
Office and services hub is a strong option in Cities: Skylines II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Elementary School |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Land value and pollution |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Elementary School
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Lakeland to learn Office and services hub-specific mechanics
- Focus on Land value and pollution. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Elementary School as your first major upgrade
- See our full Office and services hub build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Farming region 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
Forestry town is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Coal Power Plant for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Office and services hub 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
Oil industry city shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Cities: Skylines II Guides
- Cities: Skylines II Cities: Skylines II Overview
- Cities: Skylines II Best Builds
- Cities: Skylines II Tier List
- Cities: Skylines II Walkthrough
- Cities: Skylines II Beginner's Guide
- Cities: Skylines II Tips & Tricks
- Cities: Skylines II Weapons Guide
- Cities: Skylines II Combat Guide
- Cities: Skylines II Boss Guide
- Cities: Skylines II Maps & Locations
- Cities: Skylines II Crafting Guide
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