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.
Combat in Battle Brothers rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. Fatigue as the action budget
Every action costs fatigue, and heavy armor raises the cost of everything. A brother in full plate who swings twice may have nothing left for a shield wall, which is why armor weight is a tactical decision and not just a defensive one.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Permadeath and permanent injuries
Dead brothers stay dead and injuries can permanently reduce attributes. A broken elbow follows a man for the rest of the campaign, while lighter wounds heal with bed rest at a settlement.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Eight attributes with level-up rolls
Each brother has eight attributes, and every level-up offers randomized increases plus one perk pick. Two men from the same background can end up on completely different ceilings, so check the stars on their attributes before investing.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. Contracts and faction relations
Settlements offer dynamically generated contracts of varying difficulty, and taking sides changes how factions treat you. Reputation determines which contracts appear, so early cheap work is what unlocks the profitable jobs later.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. 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. Players report the crisis being foretold around day 50 to 70 and starting around day 80 to 100, and you can pick which one comes first at campaign setup.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Fatigue as the action budget + Permadeath and permanent injuries
Every action costs fatigue, and heavy armor raises the cost of everything. When combined with Permadeath and permanent injuries, dead brothers stay dead and injuries can permanently reduce attributes. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Eight attributes with level-up rolls + Contracts and faction relations
Each brother has eight attributes, and every level-up offers randomized increases plus one perk pick. Paired with Contracts and faction relations, settlements offer dynamically generated contracts of varying difficulty, and taking sides changes how factions treat you. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
Late-game crises as a Multiplier
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. Players report the crisis being foretold around day 50 to 70 and starting around day 80 to 100, and you can pick which one comes first at campaign setup. This system amplifies everything else. The better your Late-game crises optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Sellsword (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Warbrand Primary mechanic: Fatigue as the action budget
Sellsword offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Hedge Knight (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Billhook Primary mechanic: Permadeath and permanent injuries
Hedge Knight offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Wildman (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Warhammer Primary mechanic: Eight attributes with level-up rolls
Wildman offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Retired Soldier (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Greataxe Primary mechanic: Contracts and faction relations
Retired Soldier offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Squire (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Crossbow Primary mechanic: Late-game crises
Squire offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit Fatigue as the action budget for maximum damage windows
- Chain Permadeath and permanent injuries and Eight attributes with level-up rolls for combo damage
- Use Contracts and faction relations to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- 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.
- Position using Fatigue as the action budget to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Permadeath and permanent injuries: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Noble house territory but will get you killed in The southern city states.
More Battle Brothers Guides
- Battle Brothers Battle Brothers Overview
- Battle Brothers Best Builds
- Battle Brothers Tier List
- Battle Brothers Walkthrough
- Battle Brothers Beginner's Guide
- Battle Brothers Tips & Tricks
- Battle Brothers Weapons Guide
- Battle Brothers Boss Guide
- Battle Brothers Maps & Locations
- Battle Brothers Crafting Guide
- Battle Brothers Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Battle Brothers, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Combat Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Combat Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Combat Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
