Introduction

Begin your conquest in Songs of Conquest. This guide teaches foundational strategies for empire-building, tactical combat, and hero progression.

Welcome, aspiring Warlord, to the world of Aerth! Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game that blends classic empire-building with tactical combat and RPG-lite hero progression. This guide will equip you with the foundational knowledge and actionable strategies to conquer your foes, expand your dominion, and sing your sagas across the land.

Your First Steps: The Campaign Tutorial

While the game offers a robust tutorial within its campaign, this section will provide a more detailed breakdown of the critical early-game mechanics and optimal strategies to ensure a strong start. We'll focus on the initial missions, particularly the first few turns of "The Rise of Stoutheart," as they introduce core concepts.

Mission 1: The First Spark

This mission serves as your initial training ground. Pay close attention to the on-screen prompts, but also consider these advanced tips:

• Turn 1: Initial Movement and Resource Acquisition
  • Warlord Movement: Your starting Warlord, typically a Stoutheart hero like Baron Alric, will begin near your first settlement. Immediately move them to capture the nearest Essence Well (Stone). This provides a crucial early income of Stone, vital for building.
  • Recruiting Units: After capturing the Essence Well, return your Warlord to your settlement. Recruit any available basic units. For Stoutheart, these are often Pikemen or Militia. Prioritize Pikemen for their defensive capabilities.
  • Building Construction: In your settlement, immediately construct a Quarry. This will further boost your Stone income. If you have enough Wood, consider a Lumber Mill as well, but Stone is often the bottleneck early on.
• Turn 2-3: Exploration and Minor Encounters
  • Scouting: Send your Warlord and their newly recruited units to explore the immediate vicinity. Look for neutral resource nodes like Wood Piles, Stone Deposits, or small groups of neutral creatures guarding minor treasures.
  • First Combat: You will likely encounter a small group of Bandits or Goblins.
    • Tactical Positioning: In combat, always try to position your melee units (Pikemen) to block enemy advances, protecting any ranged units you might acquire later.
    • Ability Usage: Alric often starts with basic abilities. Use them strategically. For example, a defensive buff on your Pikemen can significantly reduce damage taken.
  • Item Acquisition: After winning your first combat, you might find a basic artifact like a Rusty Sword or a Worn Shield. Equip these immediately to your Warlord or a suitable unit to boost their stats. Check the item's description for specific bonuses.
• Expanding Your Reach:
  • Capture Additional Wells: Continue to capture any unguarded Essence Wells (Stone, Wood, Gold, etc.) within your Warlord's movement range. These provide passive income and are essential for sustained growth.
  • Recruit a Second Warlord: As soon as you have sufficient Gold and Essence, recruit a second Warlord from your main settlement. This allows for simultaneous exploration, resource gathering, and defense. Assign them to a different direction of exploration.

Key Early Game Concepts

• Essence Management: Essence is the lifeblood of your empire. There are five types: Stone, Wood, Gold, Iron, and Arcane. Each is crucial for different buildings, unit recruitment, and spellcasting. Prioritize capturing and upgrading Essence Wells.
• Warlord Progression: Your Warlords gain experience from combat and completing objectives. Leveling up grants skill points that can be invested in various trees (e.g., Warfare, Economy, Magic). For your first Warlord, a balanced approach is often best, focusing on combat prowess initially.
• Settlement Development: Your settlements are your economic and military hubs.
  • Building Order: Early on, prioritize buildings that boost resource income (Quarry, Lumber Mill) and unit recruitment (Barracks, Archery Range).
  • Defenses: Consider building basic defensive structures like Watchtowers if you anticipate early enemy incursions.
• Fog of War: The unexplored areas of the map are covered in Fog of War. Actively explore to reveal resources, enemy settlements, and quest objectives.

By following these initial steps and understanding these core concepts, you will lay a strong foundation for your empire in Songs of Conquest. Remember, adaptability and strategic planning are your greatest assets!

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