The raw Thermal Map becomes colder as the alliance advances inward: outer/corner bands are the warm side and the Capitol center is the coldest point in current Season 2 map references.
The four Level 6 Cities are positioned north, east, south, and west of the Capitol.
Captured Cities provide heat as well as alliance buffs and Rare Soil production.
🧭 Officer planning method
Mark the City your alliance wants at the next unlock.
Trace the Dig Site or City adjacency required to reach it.
Count how many daily captures/declarations the route consumes and whether ownership caps force an abandonment decision.
Compare route temperature and expected Furnace dependence as the alliance moves deeper into colder territory.
Keep a second viable route in case another alliance takes or blocks the preferred objective.
🟩 BlackBar Gaming recommends
Use unlock timing and adjacency to plan several captures ahead.
Prefer captures that solve more than one problem: stronger income, useful buffs, better heat, Rare Soil production, or access to the next strategic objective.
Before a large hive move, check the destination works with the Alliance Furnace and does not force members into unnecessary personal Coal consumption.
🟥 Warning
Do not assign strategic value to an not yet clear City buff number. Read the current Alliance City screen before choosing between otherwise similar targets.
