Proxy Studios and Slitherine shipped the first turn-based 4X game set in Warhammer 40,000 on 12 July 2018, and it strips the genre down to the part 40k actually supports. There is no diplomacy on Gladius Prime: you win by completing your faction's quest line or by killing everyone else. Four factions launched with the game, Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Orks and Necrons, and seven more arrived as DLC over the following five years: Tyranids in 2019, Chaos Space Marines in 2019, T'au in 2020, Craftworld Aeldari in 2020, Adeptus Mechanicus in 2021, Adepta Sororitas in 2022 and Drukhari in 2023. Each one runs a different economy, so switching faction changes far more than the unit art.
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
Wire weed
Key resources: Nothing. Treat it as impassable terrain and plan approaches around it Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Leman Russ Battle Tank upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Imperial Ruins
Key resources: Bonus Ore from buildings, 33 percent ranged damage reduction, blocked line of sight Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Leman Russ Battle Tank upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Rivers
Key resources: No direct reward, but a defensive line you did not have to build Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Leman Russ Battle Tank upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Artefact sites
Key resources: Stacking faction and unit bonuses Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Tactical Space Marines max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ore fields
Key resources: Increased output from surrounding buildings Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Tactical Space Marines max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Wire weed to Imperial Ruins)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Leman Russ Battle Tank once accessible
Mid Game (Rivers)
- Push Leman Russ Battle Tank to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Tactical Space Marines
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Artefact sites to Ore fields)
- Max out Tactical Space Marines. 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 Rivers 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
- Pick your faction by its economy. Space Marines run on Requisition and Energy, Necrons feed population with Ore, Astra Militarum and Orks need Food, and Orks additionally need to be attacking something every turn to stay solvent.
- Farm Rivers 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 Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Guides
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Overview
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Best Builds
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Tier List
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Walkthrough
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Beginner's Guide
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Tips & Tricks
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Weapons Guide
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Combat Guide
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Boss Guide
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Maps & Locations
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War, check out these related guides:
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- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Crafting Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Crafting Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
