How to best start your first year as a Lord | Manor Lords Guide

Summary

This quick start guide for *Manor Lords* helps new players navigate the early stages of building and managing a settlement. The video covers essential topics like setting up key production buildings (hunting, foraging, and woodcutting), managing resources, and ensuring food and firewood availability. It emphasizes the importance of village expansion, strategic specialization based on resources, and maintaining a balanced approval rating. The guide also touches on basic infrastructure such as wells and churches, setting up defenses, and preparing for Year 2. With tips on efficient resource management, this guide sets players up for success in their first year.

Takeaways

• 😀 Set up your **Hitching Post** near the Logging Camp for efficient transportation.
• 😀 **Logging Camp** should be your first construction to gather essential logs for further building.
• 😀 Build both a **Hunting Camp** and a **Forager Hut** to ensure food production throughout the year.
• 😀 Check your region’s **resources**—stone, clay, iron, and fertility—and adapt your strategy accordingly.
• 😀 Always keep at least **one unassigned worker** for construction tasks to maintain building efficiency.
• 😀 Set up a **Marketplace** early to handle goods trading, even though it costs no resources.
• 😀 Designate **Burgage Plots** centrally and upgrade them to level 2 for better income and space for more families.
• 😀 Build a **Well** for water, and a **Saw Pit** to create planks for further construction, such as the Church.
• 😀 Expand your village by keeping a balance between **level 1** and **level 2 Burgage Plots** to maintain approval rates.
• 😀 Prepare for **winter** by ensuring you have enough **clothing** (via a Tannery) and **defenses** (via a Retinue and Manor).

Q & A

What scenario is recommended for beginners in Manor Lords?

It is recommended to start with the 'Restoring the Peace' scenario on default difficulty. This scenario introduces manageable enemies and raiders, helping players avoid bad habits while learning the game.

Why is it important to place the Hitching Post near the Logging Camp?

Placing the Hitching Post near the Logging Camp is important because the ox will be frequently transporting logs, making it more efficient to have the Hitching Post close to where the logs are being harvested.

What is the first building you should construct in Manor Lords?

The first building you should construct is the Logging Camp, as it provides essential wood for future constructions and is crucial for starting your economy.

How can players ensure a steady food supply in the early game?

Players should set up both a Hunting Camp and a Forager Hut. This combination ensures food is gathered year-round, even when certain resources might not be available.

Why is it important to have an unassigned worker in the village?

Having at least one unassigned worker is essential because they will be responsible for building new structures, which is crucial as your village grows and requires more buildings.

What role does the Marketplace play in the game?

The Marketplace is where goods are traded and distributed among your villagers. Building it early ensures that resources like food, firewood, and clothing are delivered efficiently across the village.

How can you maximize the use of Burgage Plots for housing?

You can maximize the use of Burgage Plots by reducing their size slightly to allow for two families to live on one plot, increasing space efficiency and boosting production.

What should players focus on when selecting upgrades at the Small Village milestone?

Players should choose upgrades that align with their village’s specialization. For example, if focusing on farming, the Heavy Plow upgrade is useful, while Sheep Breeding offers strong returns for those focusing on livestock.

How can players ensure their resources are safe from spoilage?

Building a Granary and a Storehouse is key to protecting food and other resources from spoilage due to weather, ensuring they remain available for use throughout the year.

When should players upgrade their Hitching Post to a Small Stable?

Players should upgrade their Hitching Post to a Small Stable once they begin expanding their farming operations. This upgrade allows for an additional ox to help with transporting materials more efficiently across the village.