Planet Coaster 2 is Frontier Developments' theme park builder, released on 6 November 2024, eight years after the original. The headline addition is water: pools, flumes, lifeguards and a filtration system now sit alongside the coaster track editor. It ships with three modes, Career, Sandbox and Franchise, plus five themes, the original Placo theme along with Viking, Mythology, Aquatic and Resort. Career runs from a prologue called First Drop through chapters with names such as Rolling With It and Twisting Tracks, and rides no longer just work when you place them: generators, distributors and power cables have to reach them first.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coaster track editor | S | Flagship rides that anchor a themed area | The piece-by-piece track builder returns with smoothing tools and the ability to scale and align scenery around the track. |
| Flume builder | A | Filling out a water park quickly at a fraction of a coaster's cost | Water slides use the same track logic as coasters, which means anybody who can build a coaster can build a flume. |
| Pool builder | A | Satisfying several guest needs in one footprint | Pools are drawn as freeform shapes with adjustable depth, then furnished with ladders, steps and loungers. |
| Path and plaza tools | B | Laying out the park skeleton before any ride goes in | Paths and plazas were rebuilt for the sequel with grid-aligned plazas that snap cleanly to buildings and queues. |
| Power and filtration network | B | Every park you will ever build in Career or Franchise mode | Generators produce power, distributors spread it, cables connect them, and everything else has to sit inside the coverage. |
S-Tier: Coaster track editor
The piece-by-piece track builder returns with smoothing tools and the ability to scale and align scenery around the track. Excitement, fear and nausea are all calculated from the shape you build, so rough transitions show up directly in the Prestige number.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Flagship rides that anchor a themed area |
| Key Mechanic | Pool and flume building |
| Recommended Build | Viking theme park |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Coaster track editor: Pairs naturally with Viking theme park thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Flume builder
Water slides use the same track logic as coasters, which means anybody who can build a coaster can build a flume. They can start on elevated platforms and terminate in a pool you drew separately.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Filling out a water park quickly at a fraction of a coaster's cost |
| Key Mechanic | Power and water utilities |
| Recommended Build | Mythology theme park |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Flume builder: Pairs naturally with Mythology theme park thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Pool builder
Pools are drawn as freeform shapes with adjustable depth, then furnished with ladders, steps and loungers. Cleanliness depends on a nearby pump and filter, and safety depends on lifeguard coverage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Satisfying several guest needs in one footprint |
| Key Mechanic | Ride prestige and guest needs |
| Recommended Build | Aquatic theme park |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Pool builder: Pairs naturally with Aquatic theme park thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Path and plaza tools
Paths and plazas were rebuilt for the sequel with grid-aligned plazas that snap cleanly to buildings and queues. Good path planning is what keeps guest flow from bottlenecking at the busiest ride entrance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Laying out the park skeleton before any ride goes in |
| Key Mechanic | Staff roles and morale |
| Recommended Build | Resort theme park |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Path and plaza tools: Pairs naturally with Resort theme park thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Power and filtration network
Generators produce power, distributors spread it, cables connect them, and everything else has to sit inside the coverage. Water pumps and filters do the same job for pools. Neither system is decorative and neither can be skipped.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Every park you will ever build in Career or Franchise mode |
| Key Mechanic | Career, Sandbox and Franchise modes |
| Recommended Build | Original Placo theme park |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Power and filtration network: Pairs naturally with Original Placo theme park thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Keys to the Coaster
- Flume builder → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Pool builder → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Coaster track editor → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Ride Attendants are a hard requirement in the sequel. Without one assigned to a ride or a transport station, guests physically cannot board, and the ride sits there earning nothing.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Planet Coaster 2 Guides
- Planet Coaster 2 Planet Coaster 2 Overview
- Planet Coaster 2 Best Builds
- Planet Coaster 2 Tier List
- Planet Coaster 2 Walkthrough
- Planet Coaster 2 Beginner's Guide
- Planet Coaster 2 Tips & Tricks
- Planet Coaster 2 Combat Guide
- Planet Coaster 2 Boss Guide
- Planet Coaster 2 Maps & Locations
- Planet Coaster 2 Crafting Guide
- Planet Coaster 2 Classes & Characters
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