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Manor Lords isn’t an easy game by any means, nor is it meant to be. Set in the grassy plains of Franconia, a German region close to Belgium and Holland, you can expect the harsh reality of feudal European life to hit you hard. Famine, bandits, and military invasions will be causing you grief, and if you can get past their advances, then you’re going to have the Baron to contend with.
The Baron is ruthless, overpowered, amoral and defies rule and order. For me, this seems the perfect enemy to thwart your dreams of paradise and sanctity, while also putting your combat skills to the test. While the Manor Lords community has begun demanding that the dev balances the character – “Down With The Baron”, one Steam commenter chanted, I can actually get behind this enemy fully.
I’d come across a Reddit thread in which a likeminded individual reflected on how the Baron makes you feel “insignificant.” This just so happens to be an aspect of video games that I adore, and one that is seldom approached. Too often are you playing games defined by near infinitely upgradeable abilities, legendary equipment, and all-powerful allies. This feeling of insignificance brings to mind one game – Rain World, in which you are just another component in the environment struggling to survive, as you are in Manor Lords. One of the key elements to Slavic Magic’s game is that it’s tough and visceral. So, the Baron makes perfect sense.
It’s not impossible, either. It takes a some preparation, a little bit of trial-and-error, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics, but it’s doable. If you focus on building up your town and managing your resources carefully, you’re going to be set. Make sure you always have mercenaries on retainer, who you’re going to be able to deploy whenever the Baron attacks, while others have suggested spamming Spear Militia.
Another proven tactic is to just focus on building up your own region, while letting the Baron gobble up the rest. Doing so let you amass a population of well over 300, while amassing a 200 strong army. Top this up with mercs, and you’ve got a pretty formidable force to put up a fight.
That said, the Baron makes you feel insignificant because it really is broken. It is likely a main priority for the next Manor Lords update, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
