Beginner's Guide
Welcome to Going Medieval! This is a medieval colony simulation game where you lead a group of settlers building a settlement in the wilderness. This tutorial will take you from zero and walk you through the first 10 days — the most critical opening phase. Following this guide, you'll have a fully functional starting colony. Data below is based on community experience and is for reference only.
Day 1: Site Selection & Camp
When the game starts, first survey the map. Look for a spot near a river, on elevated ground, with trees and rocks nearby. Press Z to view terrain height — a hillside is ideal, allowing both above-ground building and underground excavation.
Once a site is chosen, immediately order tree chopping (select trees and designate for removal). Simultaneously have settlers gather sticks and stones from the ground. The first batch of wood goes toward a temporary shelter — a 4x4 tile wood-walled enclosure with one wooden door and 3 beds inside.
Designate a stockpile zone next to the shelter (create a zone and set it to stockpile) and move initial supplies inside. By the end of Day 1, make sure every settler has a bed to sleep in and the stockpile is established.
Day 2-3: Farming & Water
Day 2 prioritizes farmland. Near your shelter and close to water, designate an 8x8 planting zone and choose cabbage (fast growing, 6 days to harvest). Also designate a second 6x6 barley field. Ensure the fields have water for irrigation — being near a river provides automatic irrigation.
Build a stove (requires stone) and begin processing food. Early on, you can eat cabbage raw, but research bread-making as soon as possible — bread from barley has a longer shelf life and better mood bonuses. Assign one settler as the dedicated cook.
Day 4-5: Research Table & Defense
On Day 4, build a research table (requires wood and stone). Assign your highest-Intelligence settler to begin researching — prioritize unlocking Agriculture tech (clay brick walls) and Construction tech (stone walls). Research is a long-term investment; the earlier you start, the better.
Simultaneously, begin building perimeter defenses. Enclose the core colony area (shelter + fields + stockpile) with wooden walls, at least 2 levels high. Place wooden spike traps 2 tiles in front of the gate. Craft 2-3 bows with sufficient arrows and have your highest-Combat-skill settler practice shooting.
Day 6-8: Expansion & Optimization
At this stage, the colony is starting to stabilize. Begin expanding underground — excavate a stockpile area (4x6 tiles) below your shelter and move food underground for storage. Build a carpentry table and start crafting furniture to improve living quality. Add a table and chair to each bedroom.
If any settlers are idle, send them hunting to gather leather and meat. Leather is used for armor; meat gets processed into smoked meat. If a merchant visits, trade surplus food for iron ore or medicine.
Day 9-10: Facing Your First Challenge
Within the first 10 days, you may face your first small-scale raid (2-3 enemies). By now you should have wooden walls, bows, and traps. When a raid hits: recall all settlers inside the walls, archers take wall positions, melee fighters hold the gate. Use traps to wear enemies down — avoid reckless sorties.
First 10 Days Goal Checklist:✓ Wood-walled shelter (3 beds) ✓ 8x8 farm field ✓ Research table ✓ Perimeter wall + traps ✓ Bows x3 ✓ Underground stockpile ✓ Stove ✓ Carpentry table ✓ 300+ food reserves
FAQ
How many settlers should I start with?
3-4 settlers is the recommended start. With 3, you can cover basic work (building, farming, cooking). With 4, you have one extra for dedicated research or combat. Too few settlers means low efficiency; too many means high food consumption and complex management. Expand through recruitment once the colony stabilizes.
What should I research first?
Prioritize Agriculture tech to unlock clay brick walls. Clay bricks are much stronger than wood, and the material (mud) is easy to obtain. Next, Construction tech to unlock stone walls for further defense upgrades.
My settlers are always unhappy. What should I do?
A common beginner issue. Three quick improvements: 1) Ensure food is processed (bread/stew) — raw food lowers mood; 2) Give each settler an individual bedroom with a table and chair; 3) Plant barley and brew beer ASAP — beer is the best mood booster.