S3 Studio and Thermite Games put you in charge of a fallen clan in an ancient China setting, starting from a crumbling estate on 14 May 2025 in Early Access. You marry family members off, push them through imperial exams, build income properties and outlast roughly 30 rival noble houses across generations. Characters are defined by eight attributes and die of old age, so the clan matters more than any single person in it.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | A | Balanced | Smithy | Yes |
| Might | A | Balanced | Exchange | Yes |
| Business | A | Balanced | General Store | Yes |
| Arts | A | Balanced | Military Camp | Yes |
| Cunning | A | Balanced | Farm | Yes |
New player? Start with Might. See our beginner's guide for why.
Writing
Writing is a strong option in House of Legacy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Smithy |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Eight character attributes |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Smithy
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Family Estate to learn Writing-specific mechanics
- Focus on Eight character attributes. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Smithy as your first major upgrade
- See our full Writing build guide for the optimal gear progression
Might
Might is a strong option in House of Legacy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Exchange |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Generational family succession |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Exchange
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Family Estate to learn Might-specific mechanics
- Focus on Generational family succession. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Exchange as your first major upgrade
- See our full Might build guide for the optimal gear progression
Business
Business is a strong option in House of Legacy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | General Store |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Imperial exams and officialdom |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with General Store
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Family Estate to learn Business-specific mechanics
- Focus on Imperial exams and officialdom. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize General Store as your first major upgrade
- See our full Business build guide for the optimal gear progression
Arts
Arts is a strong option in House of Legacy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Military Camp |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Coins and gold ingots |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Military Camp
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Family Estate to learn Arts-specific mechanics
- Focus on Coins and gold ingots. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Military Camp as your first major upgrade
- See our full Arts build guide for the optimal gear progression
Cunning
Cunning is a strong option in House of Legacy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Farm |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Fief taxes and discontent |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Farm
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Family Estate to learn Cunning-specific mechanics
- Focus on Fief taxes and discontent. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Farm as your first major upgrade
- See our full Cunning build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Might 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
Writing is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Smithy for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Cunning 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
Arts shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More House of Legacy Guides
- House of Legacy House of Legacy Overview
- House of Legacy Best Builds
- House of Legacy Tier List
- House of Legacy Walkthrough
- House of Legacy Beginner's Guide
- House of Legacy Tips & Tricks
- House of Legacy Weapons Guide
- House of Legacy Combat Guide
- House of Legacy Boss Guide
- House of Legacy Maps & Locations
- House of Legacy Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy House of Legacy, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
