Manor Lords is a medieval city-builder with real-time tactical battles, created largely by a solo developer. The game simulates a realistic medieval economy where burgage plots (residential lots) generate taxes, farmland requires crop rotation, and seasonal weather affects production. The burgage plot system is the standout feature — each plot can have backyard extensions (chicken coops, vegetting gardens, apple orchards) that produce resources passively. Battles use Total War-style unit formations with morale, flanking, and terrain effects. Still in Early Access, Manor Lords already delivers one of the most atmospheric medieval management experiences available.
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 synergies |
| 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
Starting Settlement
Key resources: Initial economy, first burgage plots, church and market foundation Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Spears upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Farmland
Key resources: Food production (wheat→bread, barley→ale), flax→linen cloth Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Spears upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Forest
Key resources: Timber, firewood (heating), charcoal, hunting (meat/hides) Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Spears upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Market Town
Key resources: Advanced buildings, increased trade, population growth, tax revenue Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Swords max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Border Region
Key resources: New resource access, territory expansion, potential military conflicts Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Swords max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Starting Settlement — Farmland)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Spears once accessible
Mid Game (Forest)
- Push Spears to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Swords
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Market Town — Border Region)
- Max out Swords — 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 Forest 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
- Three-field crop rotation is essential: Field 1 grows wheat, Field 2 grows barley, Field 3 lies fallow. Rotate each year. This maintains soil fertility indefinitely.
- Farm Forest 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 Manor Lords Guides
- Manor Lords Manor Lords Overview
- Manor Lords Best Builds
- Manor Lords Tier List
- Manor Lords Walkthrough
- Manor Lords Beginner's Guide
- Manor Lords Tips & Tricks
- Manor Lords Weapons Guide
- Manor Lords Combat Guide
- Manor Lords Boss Guide
- Manor Lords Maps & Locations
- Manor Lords Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Manor Lords, check out these related guides:
- Cities: Skylines Crafting Guide — city-builder game with similar mechanics
- Timberborn Crafting Guide — city-builder game with similar mechanics
- Frostpunk Crafting Guide — city-builder game with similar mechanics
