This is a collection of answers to common questions and brief facts to help a player new to Sim Settlements 2 while we continue to complete the wiki.
Created with the assistance of Raybo, Chef, Kinggath, Damanding, Uituit, and Pakman
¶ Can I upgrade my existing save that uses the original Sim Settlements to use Sim Settlements 2?
No. The controller quest from the original Sim Settlements is enabled immediately when you start the game for the first time, which means it’s already baked into your save file, whether you have “begun” the mod or not.
Generally speaking, you should never delete a mod from an active save. There is no such thing as a clean save. This includes attempting to remove a mod from a save file using FallrimTools/ReSaver. That tool cleans obsolete entries and orphaned scripts from the game, but script data will remain in the save file, causing Papryus to constantly check it, creating errors. The only mods that are generally "safe" to uninstall are mods that don’t have an ESP (or ESL/ESM) such as pure texture/mesh replacers.
If you have had the original Sim Settlements installed on your current save you need to start a new game. You can only use an old save if that save has never had the original Sim Settlements installed on it.
¶ Do I need to start a new game to play with Sim Settlements 2?
Yes and No. You can use an old save if that save has never had the original Sim Settlements installed on it. However, we strongly recommed you start a new game to experience Sim Settlements 2's main quest.
¶ Can I use Rise of the Commonwealth, Industrial Revolution, Conqueror, existing Addons, City Plans, and/or Leader Packs for the original Sim Settlements with Sim Settlements 2?
No. The back-end architecture of Sim Settlements 2 is significantly different and upgraded from the original Sim Settlements. Nothing from the original Sim Settlements is compatible with Sim Settlements 2 unless it has been converted and requires Sim Settlements 2. Content created for the original Sim Settlements will need to be reimagined for Sim Settlements 2. Many addon pack authors have already begun converting their content. Proper guides for designing addon content for Sim Settlements 2 will be released in the coming weeks.
🕗 March 10, 2021
Good news! Rise of the Commonwealth for Sim Settlements 2 has released! Rise of the Commonwealth (ROTC) is a collection pack of City Plans.
¶ Are the original Sim Settlements and Conqueror obsolete?
Not at all. The original Sim Settlements and Conqueror offer different play experiences from Sim Settlements 2. However, please note that the original Sim Settlements will no longer recieve new content updates, and will only receive bug fixes in the future.
¶ Do I need the original Sim Settlements installed to run Sim Settlements 2?
No. Sim Settlements 2 is a sequel to, and replacement for, the original Sim Settlements. The back-end architecture of Sim Settlements 2 is significantly different and upgraded from the original Sim Settlements. Nothing from the original Sim Settlements is compatible with Sim Settlements 2. You cannot use the original Sim Settlements and Sim Settlements 2 on the same save file.
¶ Why is the filesize for Sim Settlements 2 and its updates so large?
Often the updates and hotfixes for Sim Settlements 2 require changes and updates to core code and assets contained in the ESM file, the BA2 files, or both. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to issue a smaller file that can make changes without replacing the original file. It's therefore necessary to re-issue the mod to push out necessary updates.
For Mod Compatibility, please see the Known Issues page for more information.
¶ How do I start the Sim Settlements 2 questline?
All you need to do is activate any workshop and then build, power, and activate a vanilla Recruitment Radio Beacon.
¶ How do I get more ASAM sensors?
You can obtain more ASAM sensors by completing parts of the Sim Settlements 2 questline.
¶ Does Sim Settlements 2 allow you to generate Pre-Built Settlements before you leave Vault 111?
No. Pre-built settlements are part of Conqueror, and will likely be included once it is ported to Sim Settlements 2.
¶ Does Sim Settlements 2 allow you to build using City Plans?
Yes. Sim Settlements 2 allows you to build City Plans, and ships with a set of basic one-level City Plans you can use. There are lots of City Plan Addons for Sim Settlements 2 available. Please see Add-ons for a list of City Plans, including the ones from our City Plan Contests.
Note: Nothing from the original Sim Settlements is compatible with Sim Settlements 2.
¶ Does Sim Settlements 2 include Rise of the Commonwealth and Industrial Revolution, or will those be coming at a later date?
Much of the functionality from Rise of the Commonwealth and Industrial Revolution are already included in Sim Settlements 2 at launch. Additional functionality will be added as time passes.
🕗 March 10, 2021
Good news! Rise of the Commonwealth for Sim Settlements 2 has released!
¶ Does Sim Settlements 2 include Conqueror, or will that be coming at a later date?
No. Conqueror and its mechanics will be updated and released at a future date.
¶ Does Sim Settlements 2 include the mechanics from Salvage Beacons, and is the original Salvage Beacons mod still needed?
Yes. Sim Settlements 2 includes a version of the mechanics from Salvage Beacons that can be unlocked through the Sim Settlements 2 main quests. However, if you prefer the original Salvage Beacons' mechanics, you can use that mod in conjunction with Sim Settlements 2 as the two are compatible. However, you will not be able to donate scrap to settlements built using Sim Settlements 2. All other mechanics are still usable.
¶ Can I skip the main questline for Sim Settlements 2 and just freely build like in the original Sim Settlements?
Yes. If you don't want to play through our main quest, there is a Tools > Cheats section in the City Manager 2078 Holotape to force unlock the content.
If you want to maintain the progression system built into the settlement gameplay and just trigger the unlocks from the Main Quest, you should use the Unlock All Plot Types, and Unlock All Tools cheats in the City Manager 2078 Holotape, and leave the other two alone - otherwise all progression and rewards are skipped.
¶ Can I move Plots once I've built them?
Yes. However, it's suggested that you not move any of the plots you build during the tutorial missions until the specific quest stages or tasks are complete.
¶ Sometimes Plots can be difficult to place, especially Interior Plots. Can I use Place Everywhere to assist with placing Plots?
Absolutely. We encourage the use of Place Everywhere for settlement building and Plot placement with Sim Settlements 2. However, once you have placed a Plot using Place Everywhere, you may need to pick up the Plot, and then immediately cancel the placement, to trigger the game engine to fully register the Plot's new location.
¶ Why is my settlement not producing any more vanilla resources?
Food items, including crops, are capped by the formula: 10 + (Population*2)
This is a base game formula that is broken in the vanilla game, but fixed by Workshop Framework.
Water items are capped by the formula: 5 + (Population * 1.25)
This is base game formula that is broken in the vanilla game but fixed by Workshop Framework.
¶ Is there a Roadmap for future Sim Settlements 2 content?
No. Additional functionality will be added as time passes.
¶ Will Conqueror and its mechanics be added to Sim Settlements 2?
Yes. Conqueror and its mechanics will be coming at a future date.
¶ Will Project Blueprint/City Planner's Toolkit be updated for Sim Settlements 2?
Yes. Updates for Project Blueprint and the City Planner's Toolkit are in the works.