Battle Brothers is Overhype Studios' turn-based mercenary company sim, released on 24 March 2017 and now published by Hooded Horse. You hire named men with backgrounds, eight attributes, and permanent death, take contracts across a procedurally generated world map, and try to be strong enough when the late-game crisis arrives. Four expansions extend it: Beasts and Exploration, Warriors of the North, Blazing Deserts, and the free Of Flesh and Faith.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sellsword | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Hedge Knight | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Wildman | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Retired Soldier | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Squire | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Battle Brothers tier list.
A-Tier: Sellsword
Sellsword is a top-performing option in Battle Brothers.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Warbrand | A two-handed sword with strong single-target damage and a sweeping attack for grouped enemies. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Fatigue as the action budget | Every action costs fatigue, and heavy armor raises the cost of everything. |
How to Play Sellsword
Sellsword focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Warbrand does the damage and Fatigue as the action budget keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Hedge Knight
Hedge Knight is a strong option in Battle Brothers.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Billhook | A reach weapon that attacks from the second rank and can pull enemies out of their formation. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Permadeath and permanent injuries | Dead brothers stay dead and injuries can permanently reduce attributes. |
How to Play Hedge Knight
Hedge Knight focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Billhook with Permadeath and permanent injuries and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Wildman
Wildman is a strong option in Battle Brothers.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Warhammer | The armor-breaking answer for heavily plated enemies, where cutting weapons stall. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Eight attributes with level-up rolls | Each brother has eight attributes, and every level-up offers randomized increases plus one perk pick. |
How to Play Wildman
Wildman focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Eight attributes with level-up rolls covers the gap Warhammer leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Retired Soldier
Retired Soldier is a specialized option in Battle Brothers.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Greataxe | Enormous damage and enormous fatigue cost, capable of removing an enemy in a swing. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Contracts and faction relations | Settlements offer dynamically generated contracts of varying difficulty, and taking sides changes how factions treat you. |
How to Play Retired Soldier
Retired Soldier focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Contracts and faction relations rather than raw numbers, and Greataxe is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Squire
Squire is a specialized option in Battle Brothers.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Crossbow | Higher per-shot damage than a bow with a longer reload, so its value is picking off specific threats rather than sustained fire. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Late-game crises | One of three crises escalates the campaign: a noble war between the map's three houses, a greenskin invasion of goblins and orcs, or an undead scourge. |
How to Play Squire
Squire focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Crossbow and Late-game crises pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Hedge Knight: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Sellsword once you understand core mechanics and have access to Warbrand
- Keep a Wildman setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Squire for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Know which content comes from where. Beasts and Exploration adds beasts, taxidermist crafting, and hidden locations; Warriors of the North adds barbarians and origins; Blazing Deserts adds the south, firearms, grenades, and arenas; Of Flesh and Faith is free and adds the Oathtakers and Anatomists origins.
- Of Flesh and Faith costs nothing, so install it regardless. Its two origins carry unique mechanics, story events, and equipment, and it was described as the most detailed pair of origins added since the feature arrived.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Battle Brothers Guides
- Battle Brothers Battle Brothers Overview
- Battle Brothers Tier List
- Battle Brothers Walkthrough
- Battle Brothers Beginner's Guide
- Battle Brothers Tips & Tricks
- Battle Brothers Weapons Guide
- Battle Brothers Combat Guide
- Battle Brothers Boss Guide
- Battle Brothers Maps & Locations
- Battle Brothers Crafting Guide
- Battle Brothers Classes & Characters
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