Victoria 3 is Paradox Interactive's society simulation spanning the volatile 1836-1936 period of industrialization, colonization, and political upheaval. Unlike military-focused grand strategy, Victoria 3 centers on economic management and political reform. You balance the interests of competing Interest Groups (landowners, industrialists, trade unions, military) while building factories, passing laws, and managing international trade. Warfare exists but is abstracted — the real battles are fought in parliament between reformers and reactionaries. It's the game where you can industrialize Japan, abolish slavery in Brazil, or turn Prussia into a communist utopia.
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
Great Britain
Key resources: Largest starting economy, global trade network, naval dominance Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Ironclads upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
United States
Key resources: Enormous growth potential, westward expansion, post-war industrial boom Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Ironclads upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Prussia
Key resources: German unification, massive population and industry, European hegemon Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Ironclads upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Japan
Key resources: Dramatic modernization arc, Asian regional power, unique cultural transformation Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Line Infantry max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Brazil
Key resources: Abolition arc, industrial transformation, South American regional power Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Line Infantry max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Great Britain — United States)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Ironclads once accessible
Mid Game (Prussia)
- Push Ironclads to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Line Infantry
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Japan — Brazil)
- Max out Line Infantry — 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 Prussia 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
- Construction sectors are your most important buildings — they determine how fast you can build everything else. Prioritize construction capacity (aim for 50+ construction by 1850) before building specialized industry.
- Farm Prussia 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 Victoria 3 Guides
- Victoria 3 Victoria 3 Overview
- Victoria 3 Best Builds
- Victoria 3 Tier List
- Victoria 3 Walkthrough
- Victoria 3 Beginner's Guide
- Victoria 3 Tips & Tricks
- Victoria 3 Weapons Guide
- Victoria 3 Combat Guide
- Victoria 3 Boss Guide
- Victoria 3 Maps & Locations
- Victoria 3 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Victoria 3, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Crafting Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Crafting Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Crafting Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
