Manor Lords Beginner Tips and Tricks

Discover Manor Lords key tips and tricks focusing on city planning, resource management, and population growth.

Manor Lords, the captivating medieval city-builder with light RTS combat elements, has recently entered Early Access, allowing players to dive into the world of feudal management.

As a new player, it’s crucial to understand the game’s core mechanics and make decisions to establish a thriving settlement.

This guide will provide essential tips to help you navigate the early stages of Manor Lords.

Manor Lords Beginner Tips and Tricks

Assess Your Starting Location

Before placing any buildings, take a moment to analyze your starting plot using the game’s various overlays. These tools will reveal valuable information about the land, such as:

• Fertile soil: Ideal for planting crops and should be reserved for future farms.
• Resource nodes: Valuable deposits that can be exploited later for materials.

Avoid constructing buildings directly on these areas to maximize their potential. Instead, plan your town layout around these resources, ensuring easy access when the time comes to utilize them.

Prioritize Ox Acquisition

Oxen play a vital role in the early game, as they are required to transport logs and other materials. Acquiring additional oxen should be a top priority, as they significantly speed up construction and resource gathering. Consider building extra Hitching Posts to accommodate more oxen as your settlement grows.

Manage Population Growth

In Manor Lords, population growth is tied to Approval Rating. As you meet their needs and desires, more families will be inclined to move into your town. However, space is limited, so you’ll need to decide whether to prioritize aesthetics or efficiency in your city planning.

• Aesthetics: Create visually appealing layouts with ample space between buildings, at the cost of lower population density.
• Efficiency: Optimize land usage by placing buildings closer together and utilizing yard space for artisan crafting, allowing for higher population caps.

While the choice is yours, make this decision early on, as it will guide your future building placement and overall town design.

Establish a Central Marketplace

The market plays a crucial role in keeping your villagers happy and attracting new residents. Create a sizable square area and designate it as a market using the game’s plotting function. This will populate the area with stalls based on the plot’s size.

• Place housing near the market to ensure easy access for your villagers.
• As you meet the needs of your residents, they’ll upgrade their homes, unlocking higher-tier housing options.

Higher-tier housing generates more income, which can be reinvested into your town’s growth and development.

Utilize the Development Board

Manor Lords features a skill point system called the Development Board, allowing you to unlock advancements and specialize your town. The board is divided into four main sections:

1. Mining and Forging: Unlocks weapon and armor workshops, enhancing combat capabilities.
2. Hunting: Improves gathering from wild animals.
3. Gathering and Farming: Focuses on plant-based resources and agriculture.
4. Trade: Streamlines trade routes and increases the value of exported goods.

Consider your starting location and desired playstyle when allocating points. Investing in the Mining and Forging section early on can provide a defensive edge, while the Trade section is ideal for those looking to establish a commercial hub.

By following these essential tips, you’ll be well-equipped to establish a thriving settlement in the early stages of the game. Remember to assess your starting location, prioritize ox acquisition, manage population growth, establish a central market, and utilize the Development Board.