Wartales How Not To Side With Either Lord

2 min read 06-01-2025

Wartales How Not To Side With Either Lord

Wartales presents players with difficult choices, forcing alliances and betrayals that impact the game's narrative and your band's fate. One such critical juncture involves choosing between the warring factions of the Lords. However, there’s a path to navigate this conflict without fully committing to either side. This guide explains how to remain neutral and reap the rewards (and avoid the pitfalls) of this delicate balancing act.

The Perils of Choosing Sides

Both Lord Elmsworth and Lord Edric offer significant advantages – access to better contracts, unique quests, and powerful gear. However, siding with one inevitably brands you as an enemy of the other, leading to conflicts and lost opportunities. Open warfare with a Lord and their forces can severely impact your survival, especially in the early game. Your choices have consequences, and choosing sides prematurely can limit your options and lead to a less dynamic experience.

The Path of Neutrality: A Delicate Dance

Maintaining neutrality isn't about inaction; it's about strategic maneuvering. It requires careful consideration of your contracts, managing your reputation, and understanding the nuances of the game's faction system. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prioritize Independent Contracts:

Focus on contracts that don't directly involve either Lord. Many quests and missions are available from neutral parties, allowing you to earn gold, experience, and vital supplies without becoming entangled in the Lord's conflict. Explore the wider world, and you'll find plenty of opportunities that allow you to build your company without picking a side.

2. Careful Reputation Management:

Your reputation with both Lords is crucial. Avoid actions that excessively anger either faction. While some conflict is inevitable, try to minimize direct confrontations and hostile interactions. This is a balancing act, but possible to manage effectively.

3. Strategic Contract Selection:

Even when accepting contracts from a Lord, choose carefully. Consider the potential ramifications of completing a particular mission. Will it significantly improve your standing with one Lord while simultaneously worsening your relationship with the other? Always weigh the risks and rewards before committing to a mission.

4. Utilize Your Diplomacy Skills:

Utilize your negotiation skills during contracts. Negotiate the best terms and rewards, regardless of the contracting party. Don't let your desire for a large reward push you towards either Lord if it comes at the cost of future opportunities.

The Rewards of Neutrality

While siding with a Lord provides immediate benefits, remaining neutral in the long run offers several advantages:

Increased Flexibility: You remain open to opportunities from both sides and can adapt to changing circumstances more easily.
Enhanced Replayability: A neutral playthrough offers a vastly different gameplay experience, enabling you to explore more of the game's content and storylines.
A More Immersive Experience: The complex political landscape becomes more engaging, and your choices feel more significant.

Maintaining neutrality in Wartales isn't the easiest path, but it is undeniably the most rewarding in terms of gameplay and narrative. With careful planning and strategic decision-making, players can successfully navigate the conflict between the Lords, forging their own destiny without sacrificing agency or potential.