Tips for Completing Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Successfully

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Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition revitalizes the beloved build-and-conquer strategy game with updated graphics, fresh content, and improved gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re managing resources in a desert economy or attacking enemy strongholds, the game still requires careful planning, unit organization, and smart resource allocation.

If you’re a newcomer or just need a refresher, diving back in can feel daunting. But with a solid start, you’ll find your footing quickly.

Start Small

Begin by setting up a few woodcutters near forests; wood is essential early on. Try not to overspend on too much food like wheat or invest in several stone quarries before your defenses are established.

If you have 24 idle peasants, your population won’t grow further until you build more workplaces to put them to work. Without adequate resources, you won’t have enough materials to construct barracks or an armory. Focus first on securing resources and gradually expand once you’re ready for larger projects such as mills or towers.

From Apples To Bread

Start by planting apple orchards, which are quick and easy to establish. As you secure space, add wheat farms and bakeries to produce bread.

A good ratio is about four wheat farms for every one mill, and then around six to eight bakeries. Selling any excess food at the Marketplace can also boost your tax revenue.

Keep The People Happy With Ale

Maintaining happiness is crucial for a thriving economy. Setting up a Hops Farm, Brewery, and Inn will help you produce and distribute ale, increasing your town’s popularity. Hops Farms should be placed on fertile land, usually near your Granary or Stockpile.

The Brewery turns hops into ale, while the Inn serves it to your villagers. One Inn can comfortably accommodate 25–30 villagers. With enough ale flowing, you can relax food rations or reduce taxes without upsetting the population. A satisfied populace works more effectively, allowing you to redirect surplus food to the market or store it for lean times.

Consider Your Build Placement

The location of production facilities and storage can make a significant difference to your economy. Position Mills, Bakeries, and Workshops close to the Granary and Stockpile to speed up deliveries.

This principle applies to resource collection too: place Quarries and Iron Mines as near as possible to their resources, and build Ox Tethers nearby to cut down on hauling time for stone and iron. Buildings that affect morale, such as Inns and Churches, can be positioned further away from the center of your castle to maximize space for production.

Mix Archers And Horse Archers

A well-rounded military keeps you prepared for both sieges and raids. Archers are cost-effective units perfect for defending walls and towers. They are inexpensive to train and don’t require much armor. Position them on high ground for optimal range and accuracy.

Train Horse Archers, which you can unlock by building a Mercenary Post. While they are pricier, their agility allows them to disrupt enemy formations and target siege engines. Their hit-and-run tactics make them a formidable asset when well managed. Balancing Archers for defense with Horse Archers for offense provides significant control over your combat strategy.

Don’t Tax Or Ration

Implementing a no tax, no ration policy can be a powerful strategy during the early game, especially if you’re distributing ale. By establishing one Inn for every 30 peasants and keeping it well-stocked, you can maintain a positive popularity rating without depleting food or gold. The ale allows you to offset any negativity from food shortages or taxes. This approach is especially beneficial for those learning the game’s economy or gearing up to confront enemies.

Use Free Build To Master Combat

If you’re new to sieges or want to test out army strategies, start with the Free Build Mode.

From the main menu, select Sandbox, then choose Free Build. This mode lets you design castles, gather resources, and even spawn enemy units for testing.
Once in-game, press F1 to bring up the military tools panel, allowing you to place troops and simulate attacks.

Balance Good Things And Bad Things

The Fear Factor system can enhance worker productivity but may also lower your popularity if not handled cautiously. Buildings designed to inspire fear, like Dungeons or Gallows, can increase production efficiency by intimidating your peasants. However, placing them too close can lead to rebellion. It’s best to locate these structures far from your village.

Before battles, it might be wise to disable fear buildings temporarily to prevent unrest. Meanwhile, positive structures, such as Gardens and Churches, should be nearer to your central settlement, as this balance provides the benefits of fear without harming morale.