Coal Output
More actions
Coal Output refers to the passive hourly production rate of Coal generated by your city's Coal Mine or equivalent production buildings. Because Coal fuels the Furnace and is required for building upgrades, maximizing Coal Output is one of the highest priorities in city management.
Overview
Coal has a dual role in Whiteout Survival: it is both the fuel that keeps the Furnace running (protecting your city from deadly snowstorms) and a construction material needed for building upgrades. This means Coal Output directly impacts both city survival and development speed.
Factors Affecting Coal Output
Production Buildings
The Coal Mine (or equivalent building) provides passive Coal generation. Upgrading your Coal Mine increases both the hourly production rate and building storage capacity.
Research Bonuses
The Economy Research tree includes technologies that directly boost Coal Output:
- Coal Production — Percentage increase to base Coal generation rate
- Mining Output — General mineral output multiplier
Hero Bonuses
Some heroes provide Coal production bonuses when assigned to the Coal Mine building slot. Check individual hero skill descriptions for relevant bonuses.
Chief Gear
Development Chief Gear sets may include Coal Output increases as secondary stats.
Building Levels and Output
| Building Level | Approx. Hourly Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~300/hr | Starting production |
| 5 | ~1,500/hr | Early game |
| 10 | ~5,000/hr | Mid game |
| 15 | ~15,000/hr | Late game |
| 20 | ~40,000/hr | Advanced |
| 25 | ~80,000+/hr | Endgame |
Note: Exact values vary significantly with research and hero bonuses.
Coal Consumption
Coal is consumed by:
- **Furnace fuel** — The Furnace burns Coal continuously to generate heat
- **Building upgrades** — High-level construction requires Coal
- **Some Research** — Advanced technologies in Growth and Economy trees cost Coal
- **Gear crafting** — Some gear recipes require Coal
The Furnace is by far the largest constant drain on Coal, making it essential to maintain strong Coal Output.
Critical Warning: Furnace Coal Supply
If your Coal supply runs out, the Furnace begins to lose heat. In a snowstorm, this can result in troop casualties and city damage. Always maintain at minimum a 24-hour buffer of Coal in reserve.
Maximizing Coal Output
- Upgrade Coal Mine buildings to the highest possible level
- Complete Coal Production research in the Economy tree
- Assign heroes with Coal production bonuses
- Check building storage caps and collect regularly
Tips
- Coal Output is never "enough" at high levels: Demand always seems to outpace production — supplement with regular Coal Mining gathering.
- Multiple buildings help: Two or three Coal Mines at high levels generate far more than one maxed building.
- Always have Coal reserves: The Furnace running dry is a city-wide emergency — treat Coal like a fuel tank with a minimum level.
- Research first: Coal Production research multiplies all Coal Mine output, so invest in it early.