Training Troops

Developing a strong, high-tier army is crucial for success in Calradia. While recruiting raw recruits is easy, transforming them into formidable warriors requires strategic effort. This section will guide you through the most effective methods for training your troops, ensuring they can stand their ground against any foe.

Early Game Training: The Bandit Grind

In the early stages of your campaign, when your party size is small and your resources are limited, hunting bandits is your primary method for gaining experience for your troops. These encounters are generally low-risk and provide consistent experience points.

Forest Bandits: Often found in forested areas, these bandits are typically lightly armored and armed. They are excellent for new recruits to gain initial combat experience.
Mountain Bandits: Residing in mountainous regions, these bandits can be slightly tougher but still manageable for a small, budding force.
Sea Raiders: While more dangerous, Sea Raiders found near coastal towns and rivers offer significantly more experience and better loot. Engage them once your troops have a few upgrades.
Desert Bandits: Found in the deserts of the Sarranid Sultanate, these are similar in difficulty to Forest Bandits.
Steppe Bandits: Roaming the steppes of the Khergit Khanate, these mounted bandits can be challenging for an infantry-heavy early army. Focus on ranged units or cavalry to counter them effectively.

Strategy: Actively seek out bandit groups on the world map. Engage them manually to maximize your troops' experience gain. Avoid auto-resolving battles, especially with lower-tier troops, as it often leads to unnecessary casualties and less experience.

Mid-Game Training: Questing and Mercenary Work

As your party grows, solely hunting bandits becomes less efficient. Larger bandit groups are scarcer and tend to flee, making them harder to track down. This is when you should transition to more structured training methods.

Lord Quests

Undertaking quests for lords is an excellent way to gain experience and renown. Many quests involve fighting enemies, which provides combat experience for your troops. Look for quests such as:

"Hunt Down Bandits": A more focused version of the early-game grind, often targeting larger, more rewarding bandit groups.
"Deliver a Message" / "Escort a Caravan": While not always combat-focused, these can sometimes lead to ambushes, providing unexpected training opportunities.
"Raid a Bandit Lair": These missions involve clearing out a bandit hideout, offering a concentrated burst of combat experience.

Mercenary Service

Becoming a mercenary for a kingdom (by speaking to a lord and offering your services) is a pivotal step. This allows you to participate in larger-scale conflicts against enemy kingdoms, providing ample opportunities for your troops to gain experience in real battles.

Join Campaigns: Follow friendly lords into battle. Even if you don't directly engage the enemy, your troops will gain experience from participating in sieges and field battles.
Patrol Borders: Actively seek out small enemy parties or raiding parties. These skirmishes are perfect for upgrading your mid-tier troops without risking your entire army against a full-fledged enemy lord.

Important Note: Ensure your troops are adequately upgraded before engaging in full-scale warfare. A party of raw recruits will be quickly decimated by experienced enemy soldiers, leading to significant losses and morale drops.

Advanced Training: The Training Skill and Trainer Companions

For consistent and passive troop progression, the "Training" skill is indispensable. This skill allows your troops to gain experience every day, even when not in combat.

The Training Skill

Your Character: Investing skill points into your character's "Training" skill is highly recommended. Each point in Training provides a daily experience bonus to all lower-level troops in your party.
Companions: Recruit companions who have a high "Training" skill or can develop it. Companions like Borcha, Rolf, and Jeremus are good candidates. Assigning them to your party will allow their Training skill to apply to your troops.
Multiple Trainers: The effects of multiple companions with the Training skill stack. The more trainers you have, the faster your troops will level up passively. Aim to have at least 2-3 companions with high Training.

Maximizing Training Skill:

Recruit Low-Level Troops: The Training skill is most effective on troops with lower levels than the trainer. Recruit fresh recruits from villages to benefit most from this passive experience gain.
Rest in Towns/Castles: While the Training skill works anywhere, resting in a town or castle allows time to pass quickly, accelerating the daily experience gain without the risk of encountering enemies.
Prioritize Intelligence: When leveling up companions intended as trainers, prioritize their Intelligence attribute to unlock more skill points for Training.

Specialized Training: Tournaments and Arenas

While not directly training your entire army, participating in tournaments and arena fights is an excellent way for your character to gain experience and improve combat proficiencies. This indirectly benefits your army by making you a more effective leader and combatant.

Tournaments: Found in major towns, tournaments offer a chance to win renown, money, and valuable equipment. Winning tournaments boosts your character's combat skills, making you a more formidable presence on the battlefield and inspiring your troops.
Arena Fights: Available in every town, arena fights are a quick way to practice combat and earn a small amount of money and experience. While not as lucrative as tournaments, they are always available and provide consistent combat practice.

Summary of Training Methods:

To build a truly elite army, combine these methods:

Early Game: Focus on hunting bandits, especially Forest Bandits and Mountain Bandits, to get your recruits to Tier 2-3.
Mid Game: Engage in lord quests and mercenary service, targeting smaller enemy parties and participating in larger battles when confident.
Passive Training: Invest in the "Training" skill for your character and recruit companions with high "Training" to ensure continuous troop progression.
Personal Improvement: Participate in tournaments and arena fights to hone your own combat skills, leading by example on the battlefield.

By consistently applying these strategies, you will transform your ragtag band of recruits into a disciplined and powerful fighting force, ready to conquer Calradia.