What Are Cornerstones? (A Simple Guide)

In the beautiful but brutal world of Against the Storm, your survival as a Viceroy depends on your ability to adapt, improvise, and make smart choices under pressure. At the start of each year, the Queen offers you a choice of **Cornerstones**. Think of these as powerful, game-changing "booster packs" for your settlement. Each one provides a unique and powerful bonus that can completely define your strategy for the rest of the game. One might supercharge your wood production, another might make your villagers happier and more resilient to the storm, and a third might give you a massive advantage in trading with the outside world. The choices you're offered are always random, and that's the heart of the game's challenge.

Picking the right Cornerstone isn't just about choosing the one that sounds the most powerful; it's about choosing the one that best fits your current situation, your available resources, your villagers' needs, and your long-term plan for victory. This calculator is designed to be your personal advisor in these critical moments. It's a quick-reference guide that helps you instantly search and filter through all the available Cornerstones in the game. By seeing their effects, rarity, and their general power level (or "Tier"), you can make the best possible choice when it matters most. It's about turning a moment of uncertainty into a confident, strategic decision that will lead your settlement to prosperity against the storm.

How to Use the Calculator

Finding the perfect Cornerstone for your settlement is fast and easy with this real-time tool:

1. Search for a Keyword: If you have a specific need in your settlement, just start typing a keyword into the **Search box**. Looking for something to help with your food supply? Type "food". Need a boost to your villagers' resolve? Type "resolve". The list will instantly filter to show you relevant options.
2. Filter by Type: Are you focusing on a trade-heavy build or a settlement that's all about production? Use the "Filter by Type" dropdown to see only the Cornerstones that match your current strategy.
3. Filter by Rarity: Want to see only the most powerful, game-changing Legendary Cornerstones? Use the "Filter by Rarity" dropdown to narrow down the list.
4. Filter by Tier: To see the best of the best, use the "Filter by Tier" dropdown. This lets you see the Cornerstones that the community generally agrees are the most powerful (S-Tier) and impactful.

The list will update instantly as you change any of the filters, making it super easy to compare your options and make a smart, informed decision in the middle of a game.

Tips for Choosing Cornerstones Like a Pro

• Solve Your Biggest Problem First:** This is the golden rule of Against the Storm. The "best" Cornerstone is always the one that solves your most pressing problem *right now*. If your people are on the brink of leaving due to low resolve, a powerful resolve-boosting Cornerstone is infinitely better than a late-game trade bonus. Always adapt to your current situation.
• Look for Amazing Synergy:** The real power comes when you find Cornerstones that work together to create an unstoppable engine. For example, getting a Cornerstone that gives you extra resources when you sacrifice goods at the Ancient Hearth becomes incredibly powerful if you later get a Cornerstone that reduces the cost of sacrificing. Always be thinking about how your current choice will combine with future possibilities.
• Don't Be Afraid of Timed Orders:** The "Timed Order" Cornerstones can seem scary because they have a deadline. However, the rewards they offer are often massive and can give you a huge, early lead if you can complete them. Before you pick one, take a quick look at your resources and your production lines. If you're confident you can complete the task, the risk is almost always worth the reward.
• Rarity Isn't Everything:** While Legendary Cornerstones are exciting, don't underestimate the power of a well-timed Rare. A simple Rare Cornerstone like "Woodcutters' Prayer" can be the key to surviving the early game if you're struggling with wood production, making it far more valuable in that moment than a Legendary that you can't take advantage of yet.