How to save the trader in The Trader quest – King Arthur Legion IX

Pre-battle preparation can be the key to success in turn-based tactical RPG King Arthur: Legion IX. If you’re working through The Trader quest and are having a tough time saving the trader in the final battle, check out my guide below.

King Arthur Legion IX - Trader Quest Final Battle Walkthrough

The three battles leading up to the final one are relatively straightforward so when you approach the temple where they’re holding the trader (3) you should still have the Rest Stop (circled on the map above, on the east side of the map) available to you. Make sure you complete all the following steps before using the Rest Stop. I’ve numbered them on the map.

1. Visit the Lasting Protection Shrine (in the graveyard). While in the graveyard, note one of the graves has a glowing sword poking out of it. If you click it, you'll meet the ghost of Sir Edgar and he will set you a riddle. The answer to the riddle is Harold and the reward is the sword Dawnbringer. While a fun aside, the sword doesn't appear in your rewards at the end of the quest and its purpose is thus far unclear.
2. Visit the Lasting Bless Shrine (in the swamps). You can't get to this until after you've crossed the bridge at the top of the map.
3. Speak to Wigbert the Ghost (behind the temple, see below).

When you speak to the Ghost, Wigbert, it will ask you for some life force. Allow it to take this from your unit with the highest percentage of health left, as it will take 75 percent Vitality. This is worthwhile as the ghost will then take out three units outside the building, so there is less for you to worry about. You can now visit the Rest Stop and get that Vitality straight back. You should be in full health (or close to it) and ready to go. Having high armor isn’t a factor to worry about in this battle.

Note that the battle with the Knight guarding the chest you get to before the temple is optional. If this is causing you to be underpowered for the trader battle, remember you can always come back to the knight afterward, or skip it altogether. It is only one chest and you’ll still gain full XP for completing the mission. 

Saving the Trader quest team setup 

None of these skill choices are essential to your success so don’t worry if you’ve set up your team very differently. However, this setup will work perfectly with the battle tactics below:

• Gaius: Strike (with Sinister Blow and Vulnerability) and Jumping Attack (with Long Rush) skills, with Barbed Blade, Strength, and All Resistance. This setup adds extra damage and allows you to cover more distance with Jump Attack. It's a basic setup but the other characters have the complexity to allow a simple and mobile melee DPS to thrive.
• Octavius: Base level Strike, Shield Bash, and Wall of Blades skills, plus Robust and Block Aura. This makes him an excellent tank while Wall of Blades ups his damage nicely.  
• Plutonius: Grave Conduit (with Murderous Intent), Unholy Chain (with Lengthy Tethers), and Death Hex skills, plus Necrosis (with Decay and Impending Doom). This turns him into an awesome DPS machine with DOTs as a bonus. 
• Albina: Strike, Balance, Fire Birds, and Fire Strikes skills (all at base level), plus Aura of Protection and Ignition. This gives her maximum DOT power alongside just enough survivability.   
• Florianus: As Florianus joins you during this mission, you do not have an opportunity to alter his skills. 

Saving the Trader quest battle strategy

You’re now ready for the battle. Walk past where you met Wigbert the ghost and continue around the side of the temple until you get to the ruined temple wall (see above and marks by the arrow on the map above). Use this entrance to begin the battle. When you choose your starting positions, place Gaius on the left and Octavius on the right in the front row; place Florianus behind them so he has a clear line of sight. 

Send Octavius towards the temple doors to engage the Marauder Knight there and use all your DPS firepower (plus Unholy Chain from Plutonius if you have it) on the two units toward the back of the temple (where the trader is). Send Gaius that way to finish off any units still standing. See the image above for how this should look.

You must save the merchant to win the battle. At this point, a Manhunter will have entered the temple on the far side. This is one of only two ranged units left, so it should be your priority as no other unit should be able to get close to the trader from here. The Manhunter has a Poison DOT, so can’t be allowed to hit the trader. Plutonius (Death Hex) and Florianus (Javelin Throw) can take the Manhunter out between them.

This allows Gaius to move down the central aisle of the temple, blocking any chance of melee units getting to the trader. With Octavius occupying the units that came through the main door, it's just a case of mopping up what’s left. The image above depicts the end of turn two, at which time Albina has cast Fire Birds. Just note there is one Manhunter left outside, but Albina’s Fire Strikes can easily deal with it.

For more help and information on King Arthur: Legion IX here at Pro Game Guides, check out The Colony walkthrough - King Arthur Legion IX (Map)!