Bellwright is Donkey Crew's medieval survival and town-building RPG, in Steam Early Access since 23 April 2024 and still in Early Access as of August 2026, with a full release the studio has targeted for 2026. You start as an outlaw with a knife in the region of Karvenia, and you finish as the head of a settlement that other people work in. Seven village capitals sit on the map, Haerndean, Padstow, Bradford, Farnworth, Blackridgepool, Horndean and Crasmere, and each one only hands over recruits once you have earned its Trust. The 2026 Summer Update brought a performance overhaul and console versions, while the Maiden Voyage update added the Halmare Isles as a second landmass.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worker | A | Balanced | One handed sword | Yes |
| Companion | A | Balanced | Two handed axe | Yes |
| Guard | A | Balanced | Spear | Yes |
| Hauler | A | Balanced | Bow | Yes |
| Crafter | A | Balanced | Shield | Yes |
New player? Start with Companion. See our beginner's guide for why.
Worker
Worker is a strong option in Bellwright.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | One handed sword |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Village Trust and Renown recruiting |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with One handed sword
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Haerndean to learn Worker-specific mechanics
- Focus on Village Trust and Renown recruiting. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize One handed sword as your first major upgrade
- See our full Worker build guide for the optimal gear progression
Companion
Companion is a strong option in Bellwright.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Two handed axe |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Villager jobs and work priorities |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Two handed axe
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Haerndean to learn Companion-specific mechanics
- Focus on Villager jobs and work priorities. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Two handed axe as your first major upgrade
- See our full Companion build guide for the optimal gear progression
Guard
Guard is a strong option in Bellwright.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Spear |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Production chains and research |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Spear
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Haerndean to learn Guard-specific mechanics
- Focus on Production chains and research. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Spear as your first major upgrade
- See our full Guard build guide for the optimal gear progression
Hauler
Hauler is a strong option in Bellwright.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Bow |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Liberating bandit camps and villages |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Bow
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Haerndean to learn Hauler-specific mechanics
- Focus on Liberating bandit camps and villages. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Hauler build guide for the optimal gear progression
Crafter
Crafter is a strong option in Bellwright.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Shield |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Stamina based melee with companions |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Shield
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Haerndean to learn Crafter-specific mechanics
- Focus on Stamina based melee with companions. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Shield as your first major upgrade
- See our full Crafter build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Companion is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Worker is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with One handed sword for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Crafter offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Hauler shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Bellwright Guides
- Bellwright Bellwright Overview
- Bellwright Best Builds
- Bellwright Tier List
- Bellwright Walkthrough
- Bellwright Beginner's Guide
- Bellwright Tips & Tricks
- Bellwright Weapons Guide
- Bellwright Combat Guide
- Bellwright Boss Guide
- Bellwright Maps & Locations
- Bellwright Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Bellwright, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Classes Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Classes Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Classes Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
