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.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Haerndean
Key resources: First recruits, early quests, blacksmith access Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Two handed axe upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Padstow
Key resources: Carpenter access, early Renown quests, safe settlement sites nearby Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Two handed axe upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Bradford
Key resources: Higher-tier recruits, better trade options, mid-game quest chains Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Two handed axe upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Horndean
Key resources: Blacksmith access, iron-era gear, territory control Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for One handed sword max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Blackridgepool
Key resources: Best recruits, top-tier profession access, late-game gear Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for One handed sword max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Haerndean to Padstow)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Two handed axe once accessible
Mid Game (Bradford)
- Push Two handed axe to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for One handed sword
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Horndean to Blackridgepool)
- Max out One handed sword. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Bradford farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Trust and Renown are two separate gates. Trust decides which recruits a village will offer, Renown pays for them. Grinding one without the other stalls your population either way.
- Farm Bradford during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
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 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Bellwright, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Crafting Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Crafting Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Crafting Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
