Starting a New Game

Embarking on your journey in Calradia can be daunting, but with a solid foundation, you'll be well on your way to becoming a legendary warlord. This detailed guide will walk you through the crucial initial steps, from character creation to your first skirmishes.

Character Creation: Laying the Foundation

Your character's background choices significantly impact your starting attributes, skills, and equipment. While there's no single "best" build, understanding these choices is key to tailoring your experience.

Origin Story: The initial questions about your character's past (e.g., "You were born a...") determine your starting stats. Consider what playstyle you prefer:
- Martial Focus: Choices that emphasize combat (e.g., "a poor noble's child," "a seasoned warrior") will grant higher Strength and Agility, along with proficiency in various weapon types. This is ideal for players who want to lead from the front.
- Strategic Focus: Options that highlight intellect or charisma (e.g., "a traveling merchant's apprentice," "a scholar's ward") will boost Intelligence and Charisma, providing an early advantage in party management, trade, and diplomacy.
Attributes, Skills, & Proficiencies: Pay close attention to the points allocated. While you can improve these later, a strong start can make the early game much smoother.

Attributes: Strength (melee damage, carrying capacity), Agility (ranged damage, speed), Intelligence (party skills, crafting), Charisma (leadership, trade).
Skills: These are tied to attributes. For instance, high Intelligence boosts skills like Wound Treatment and Engineering. High Charisma improves Leadership and Persuasion.
Proficiencies: Your skill with different weapon types (One-Handed, Two-Handed, Archery, Crossbows, Throwing). Focus on one or two weapon types initially to maximize your effectiveness.

Difficulty Settings: Do not be afraid to adjust these! Mount & Blade: Warband can be challenging, even on easier settings.

Damage to Player/Allies: Consider lowering these for your first playthrough. You can always increase them later.
Battle Size: Larger battles can be overwhelming early on. Start with a smaller battle size to get accustomed to the combat mechanics.
Realistic Mode: As noted by veteran players, "Realistic mode is annoying as hell due to the game mechanics" for newcomers. Avoid this until you have a firm grasp of the game.

The Training Ground: Your First Steps

Once your character is created, you'll be prompted to complete the training. Do not skip this! The training ground is an invaluable tutorial that teaches you the fundamental combat mechanics.

Melee Combat: Practice directional blocking and attacking. Mastering this is crucial for survival.
Ranged Combat: Learn to aim and lead your shots with bows and crossbows.
Mounted Combat: Understand how to maneuver your horse and attack from horseback. This is a core element of Warband's combat.
Rewards: Successfully completing the training will net you some starting equipment and experience, giving you a slight edge for your initial adventures.

Initial Strategy: Survival and Growth

After training, you'll find yourself in the world with a meager party and limited resources. Your immediate goals should be survival and building a stable foundation.

Recruit Villagers: Your starting party is small. Visit nearby villages and recruit Recruits. These are cheap and can be upgraded later. Aim for a party size of at least 10-15 before venturing too far.
Bandit Hunting: Your primary source of early income and experience will be hunting down small groups of Bandits or Sea Raiders. Start with groups of 3-5 bandits. Avoid larger groups or more dangerous enemies like Forest Bandits or Deserters until your party is stronger.
Loot and Sell: After each successful skirmish, collect loot from fallen enemies. Head to the nearest town to sell unwanted items at the market. Prioritize selling expensive weapons and armor.
Quests from Guild Masters and Lords: In towns, speak to the Guild Master (found in the town center) for simple quests like delivering goods or hunting bandits. In castles or towns, speak to Lords for similar tasks. These quests offer denars, experience, and reputation.
Upgrade Your Troops: As your recruits gain experience from battles, they can be upgraded into more powerful units. Prioritize upgrading them to higher tiers, such as Swadian Footmen or Vaegir Marksmen, depending on the faction's territory you are in.

Remember, Mount & Blade: Warband is a sandbox game. There's no single "right" way to play. Experiment, learn from your mistakes, and most importantly, have fun building your legend in Calradia!