Despite its recent release, Manor Lords has already exceeded expectations. This highly anticipated strategy and city-building game has entered early access to the delight of fans. Upon diving in, players will discover its distinctive approach compared to conventional city builders. Through my own experiences of trial and error in constructing new settlements, I’ve come to appreciate the subtle complexities of Manor Lords. For newcomers eager to embark on their city-building journey in Manor Lords, I offer valuable insights and strategies in this starting guide. Let’s embark on this journey together!
1. Opt for the Right Difficulty Setting
When diving into Manor Lords, understanding the game’s difficulty settings is paramount. Currently, the game offers three scenarios, each with distinct conditions:
- Rise to Prosperity emphasizes the building aspect of the game.
- Restoring the Peace focuses on dominating other regions of the map.
- On the Edge resembles “Rise to Prosperity” but with heightened combat elements.
For newcomers seeking to immerse themselves in city-building and grasp the game mechanics, I recommend starting with “Rise to Prosperity.” Once you feel comfortable, you can explore the other scenarios. Alternatively, if you prefer a preset difficulty level, Manor Lords offers three templates: “Relaxing” for casual enjoyment, “Default” for standard gameplay, and “Challenging” for those keen on politics and battles. Choose the option that best fits your preferences and begin your journey!
2. Prioritize Building a Granary and Storehouse
Upon starting your journey in Manor Lords, your initial focus should be on constructing a granary and storehouse. A granary provides storage for food and grains, safeguarding them from adverse weather conditions. Given that items in Manor Lords degrade based on weather conditions, it’s crucial to invest in a granary early on. Similarly, a storehouse ensures that construction materials are sheltered from the elements.
Constructing a granary requires 2 timber and 10 stones, while a storehouse necessitates 2 timber. By swiftly erecting these structures, you can protect your resources from deterioration until you establish production facilities of your own. This proactive approach will safeguard your progress and set the foundation for a thriving settlement.
3. Hold off on Upgrading Homeless Tents
Many Manor Lords players are eager to upgrade homeless tents to worker’s camps, but I advise against rushing into this decision. Currently, there’s a prevalent issue where homeless individuals won’t relocate to burgages when available. To avoid complications, refrain from upgrading tents for now and focus on laying the groundwork by constructing initial structures.
4. Understand the Terrain
In Manor Lords, the land’s fertility is paramount, so it’s crucial not to overlook it. Neglecting proper planning can significantly impact your progression in the mid to late game. Utilize the build menu’s overlay feature to assess underground water reserves and soil fertility for various crops. When situating structures, prioritize preserving green patches of land, as they indicate higher fertility.
Additionally, each map features “Hot Zones” containing specific resources essential for prosperity. Capitalize on these advantages to optimize resource production and overall growth.
5. Optimize Production Placement
Contrary to conventional city-building wisdom, it’s beneficial to position production structures closer to residential areas in Manor Lords. Unlike in previous eras, modern transportation methods such as humans and oxcarts facilitate efficient resource movement. Therefore, constructing storage buildings and essential structures near houses and hitching points minimizes transportation time and enhances overall efficiency. While some structures may necessitate placement further away, strategic planning can mitigate any logistical challenges.
6. Prioritize Essential Structures Early On
Instead of focusing solely on housing for homeless individuals, prioritize the construction of essential production facilities to ensure the survival of your budding town, particularly through harsh winter months. Begin by establishing a logging camp and woodcutter to secure a steady supply of wood. Next, exploit any available stone deposits by setting up a hunter’s camp in wildlife-rich areas and a forager’s hut near abundant berry patches. Once these foundational structures are in place, you can shift your focus to building houses, maintaining a balanced and structured approach in Manor Lords.
7. Strategize Your House Builds
When planning house placements, known as burgages, ensure ample space for expansion by constructing longer plots. This configuration not only provides a backyard area but also enables house upgrades for food production, enhancing family happiness and favorability. Opt for larger, elongated burgages to maximize utility and flexibility.
8. Manage Employment Strategically
Unlike traditional city builders, Manor Lords operates on a family-based employment system. When assigning a family to work at a structure, their entire household is dedicated to that task, leaving no available workers for construction. To prevent resource shortages, strategically assign families to essential structures while keeping some citizens unemployed for future building projects. Rotate families throughout the seasons to maintain a balanced workforce and construction schedule.
9. Adapt to Seasonal Changes
In Manor Lords, production and resource availability fluctuate with the changing seasons. Stay vigilant and adjust your strategies accordingly, as certain structures may become inactive or less productive during specific seasons. Monitor production levels and reassign families as needed to optimize resource utilization and maintain efficiency throughout the year.
10. Establish a Trading Post for Economic Growth
To bolster your settlement’s finances, establish a trading post to facilitate import and export activities with neighboring regions. Capitalize on surplus resources by exporting them for profit or supplementing shortages through imports. Leverage strategic trading opportunities, such as exporting excess berries during seasons of abundance, to generate substantial revenue and foster economic stability in Manor Lords.
By incorporating these comprehensive strategies and tips into your gameplay, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of Manor Lords and lead your settlement to prosperity. Share your thoughts and wishlist for future content in the comments below, and stay tuned for upcoming updates and patches from the developers.
