Stoneshard is a challenging turn-based open-world RPG with a brutal pain, injury, and permadeath system. You control a lone mercenary navigating a medieval world, taking contracts, clearing dungeons, and managing a complex health system where injuries affect gameplay — broken arms reduce accuracy, leg wounds slow movement, and untreated infections can kill. The caravan management system lets you build a trading empire between adventures. Stoneshard is still in early access but already offers 50+ hours of punishing RPG content for players who want consequences.
Stoneshard features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osbrook | Level 1-4 | Starter contracts, basic equipment, save point access, caravan start | Archer |
| 2 | Brynn | Level 4-8 | Advanced equipment shops, high-paying contracts, caravan upgrades | Archer |
| 3 | Mannshire | Level 3-6 | Mid-tier equipment, moderate contracts, wilderness dungeon access | Swordsman |
| 4 | Bandit Camps | Scales with area | Equipment drops, gold, bandit bounty contracts, ransom opportunities | Swordsman |
| 5 | Crypts | Scales with depth (deep levels = high difficulty) | Best equipment drops, rare crafting materials, boss loot, high contract payouts | Swordsman |
Osbrook — Starting Area
The starting village with a tavern (contract board), inn (save point), and basic shops. Osbrook's surrounding area has entry-level dungeons and camps suitable for fresh characters. The tavern contracts here pay modestly but provide manageable challenges for building your character.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1-4 |
| Key Rewards | Starter contracts, basic equipment, save point access, caravan start |
| Recommended Build | Archer |
| Key Equipment | Warbow |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of pain and injury system — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Brynn.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Brynn — Early Game
The major city with advanced shops, a larger contract board, and caravan trading hub. Brynn is where you sell valuable dungeon loot and buy advanced equipment. The city's contracts send you to harder dungeons with better rewards. Reaching Brynn is a mid-game milestone.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 4-8 |
| Key Rewards | Advanced equipment shops, high-paying contracts, caravan upgrades |
| Recommended Build | Archer |
| Key Equipment | Warbow |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering caravan management — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Warbow if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Mannshire.
Mannshire — Mid Game
A town between Osbrook and Brynn with mid-tier content. Mannshire's contracts bridge the difficulty gap between starter and advanced areas. The surrounding wilderness has mid-level dungeons with challenging but manageable enemies.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3-6 |
| Key Rewards | Mid-tier equipment, moderate contracts, wilderness dungeon access |
| Recommended Build | Swordsman |
| Key Equipment | Warbow |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Longsword becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master open world exploration for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Bandit Camps — Late Game
Procedurally generated outdoor camps with organized bandit groups. Camps have lookouts, fighters, and a leader. Clearing a camp provides equipment, gold, and occasionally prisoners to ransom. Camps are easier than dungeons but offer less valuable loot.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Scales with area |
| Key Rewards | Equipment drops, gold, bandit bounty contracts, ransom opportunities |
| Recommended Build | Swordsman |
| Key Equipment | Longsword |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Longsword should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- permadeath mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Crypts.
Crypts — Endgame
Underground multi-level dungeons with undead enemies, traps, and boss encounters. Each crypt level is procedurally generated and gets harder with depth. The deepest levels contain the game's best loot but are deadly for unprepared characters. Save at a campfire before entering.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Scales with depth (deep levels = high difficulty) |
| Key Rewards | Best equipment drops, rare crafting materials, boss loot, high contract payouts |
| Recommended Build | Swordsman |
| Key Equipment | Longsword |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Two-Handed for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Osbrook → Brynn → Mannshire → Bandit Camps → Crypts. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Stoneshard Guides
- Stoneshard Stoneshard Overview
- Stoneshard Best Builds
- Stoneshard Tier List
- Stoneshard Walkthrough
- Stoneshard Beginner's Guide
- Stoneshard Tips & Tricks
- Stoneshard Weapons Guide
- Stoneshard Combat Guide
- Stoneshard Boss Guide
- Stoneshard Crafting Guide
- Stoneshard Classes & Characters
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