RimWorld is a colony management simulator driven by an AI storyteller that generates events — raids, plagues, mental breaks, cargo drops — to create dramatic stories. Every colonist has a unique backstory, skills, traits, and relationships that affect their behavior. A pyromaniac colonist might set your food supply on fire during a mental break. A bloodlust colonist might go on a killing spree. The emergent narratives that arise from these systems make every colony unique. With three storyteller options (Cassandra Classic for steady escalation, Phoebe Chillax for relaxed play, Randy Random for chaos) and robust mod support through 10,000+ Steam Workshop mods, RimWorld offers essentially infinite replayability.
RimWorld features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Temperate Forest | Beginner | Year-round farming, abundant wood, balanced wildlife, natural choke points with hills | Melee Fighter |
| 2 | Desert | Intermediate | Year-round growing (if irrigated), solar power efficiency, minimal infestation events | Melee Fighter |
| 3 | Ice Sheet | Expert | Natural freezer (outdoor storage), fewer raids due to difficulty, extreme challenge satisfaction | Shooter |
| 4 | Jungle | Intermediate | Year-round growing, massive wood supply, abundant wildlife hunting | Shooter |
| 5 | Sea Ice | Extreme Expert | Bragging rights, extreme survival challenge, natural outdoor freezer | Shooter |
Temperate Forest — Starting Area
The recommended starting biome with year-round growing seasons (about 40/60 days), abundant wood, farmable soil, and moderate temperatures. Raids are manageable and resources are plentiful. The only challenge is winter food management if you don't prepare.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Key Rewards | Year-round farming, abundant wood, balanced wildlife, natural choke points with hills |
| Recommended Build | Melee Fighter |
| Key Equipment | Sniper Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of colonist management — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Desert.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Desert — Early Game
Hot biomes with limited growing soil and few trees. Requires solar/wind power since wood is scarce. Rich soil patches near rivers are prime farming locations. Heat management via air conditioning is critical. Fewer ambush predators but limited resources force early trading.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Key Rewards | Year-round growing (if irrigated), solar power efficiency, minimal infestation events |
| Recommended Build | Melee Fighter |
| Key Equipment | Sniper Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering storyteller AI — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Sniper Rifle if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Ice Sheet.
Ice Sheet — Mid Game
Extreme cold with no soil, no growing season, and temperatures reaching -60°C. One of the hardest starts — you rely entirely on hunting, trading, and hydroponics for food. Colonists need parkas and heated rooms to survive. Meat freezes naturally outside, solving food storage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Expert |
| Key Rewards | Natural freezer (outdoor storage), fewer raids due to difficulty, extreme challenge satisfaction |
| Recommended Build | Shooter |
| Key Equipment | Sniper Rifle |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Charge Rifle becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master mood system for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Jungle — Late Game
Hot, dense vegetation with year-round growing but constant disease risk. Malaria, plague, and sleeping sickness are common. Infestations from insects are more frequent. The abundance of wood and food is offset by health management challenges.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Key Rewards | Year-round growing, massive wood supply, abundant wildlife hunting |
| Recommended Build | Shooter |
| Key Equipment | Charge Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Charge Rifle should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- caravan system mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Sea Ice.
Sea Ice — Endgame
The hardest biome — flat ice with nothing. No soil, no wood, no stone. Everything must come from trading or raiding. Considered the ultimate challenge run. Requires immediate shelter from cold and hunting of sea animals for survival.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Extreme Expert |
| Key Rewards | Bragging rights, extreme survival challenge, natural outdoor freezer |
| Recommended Build | Shooter |
| Key Equipment | Charge Rifle |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Researcher for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Temperate Forest → Desert → Ice Sheet → Jungle → Sea Ice. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More RimWorld Guides
- RimWorld RimWorld Overview
- RimWorld Best Builds
- RimWorld Tier List
- RimWorld Walkthrough
- RimWorld Beginner's Guide
- RimWorld Tips & Tricks
- RimWorld Weapons Guide
- RimWorld Combat Guide
- RimWorld Boss Guide
- RimWorld Crafting Guide
- RimWorld Classes & Characters
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