Medieval fantasy turn and squad-based RPG Wartales lets you create a war band in any way you choose. But each member will have a class with a mass of options available, making it hard to know the best builds.
I tend to enjoy experimenting with class builds as I go, altering specs as my party grows in number and the needs of the group change. But below you’ll find the best builds I’ve come to rely on for each class in Wartales.
This guide is current to The Skelmar Invasion DLC!
Best builds for each class in Wartales
While these are the best builds for each class in my experience, your mileage will of course vary. There are many things to take into consideration when choosing a class build, such as party makeup and size. Some players will completely ignore a class, while taking several characters in another, meaning you may want to have them different. For example, you might want a Brute that’s a tank and another that’s a pure DPS. Our guide to choosing specializations for your builds will set you off in the right direction.
Remember to save often because it is relatively easy to retread your ground if you decide to change things up. Also, if a character isn’t pulling their weight and you hate their spec, don’t be shy to use them as cannon fodder and replace them in the next town. It’s a harsh world and you need to do what it takes to give yourself the best chance of success.
Best Archer builds in Wartales
I’m not big on Archers, but having at least one is advisable in any party as they can help out from long distances anywhere needed, making them a great utility troop. Some will choose the Beastmaster option, as it gives you control over your animals, but I’m happy to let them roam free (embrace the chaos!).
| Level | Specialization | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Valorous Support | This is the easiest way to get Vaour for any Archer, as their being next to an ally makes sense. |
| 3 | Infantryman | Costs two Valour but is excellent for hitting multiple targets and slowing enemy advances. |
| 5 | Reinforced Arrows | As you’ll want a high Crit Rate for your Archers anyway, adding bleeding on crits is an excellent way to double down on this. |
| 8 | Easy Prey | Increases damage against individual (non-adjacent) targets, which tends to pair well with Infantryman. |
| 10 | Anticipation | A nice get-out-of-jail-free card for when your Archer can’t avoid close contact. |
| 12 | Suppressive Fire | Excellent AOE as well as crowd control. What’s not to like? |
When choosing a profession, my recommendation would be Alchemist or Angler because it provides additional DEX stat boosts alongside Crit chance increase. As for starting traits, you should pick Quick and Bloodthirsty for more DEX and crit hit bonus.
Best Brute builds in Wartales
Your Brutes are likely to outstrip your Warriors in terms of all-out damage and are tailor-made to use two-handers. As quite a lot of legendary items are two-handed, you’ll want some Brutes around to take advantage. However, they’re equally adept with one-handers and a shield if you want them tanking for you.
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Vanguard | Gives you Relentless Charge, one of the best single Valour abilities in the Wartales. You get to disengage, gain extra movement, deal AOE damage, and apply Slowdown, all in one go. |
| 3 | Valorous Chain | Needs a weapon that hits multiple targets to be effective (you gain one Valour each time you hit multiple enemies). If you don’t intend to go that way, Valerous Duel (gain Valour when entering combat) is also great. |
| 5 | Opportunism | A nice passive that gives you Protection if a few enemies are nearby, which is likely. |
| 8 | Guard Breaker | You’ll ignore 50 percent of your enemy’s guard, which is great for standing up against well-armored opponents. |
| 10 | Intervention | A great way to fix battle situations where someone is engaged that shouldn’t be. Situational, but can be a lifesaver. If you didn’t go Vanguard above, Defensive Ripost is a good option here as you can as it gives you a 50-50 chance of hitting a target on a Disengage, rather than taking a hit. |
| 12 | Class Specialisation | Take your pick of an earlier skill you missed out on. Temperance and Cruelty are both good options. |
Brutes are much more strength-focused, so when picking a profession, your best bet would be to choose either Blacksmith or Cook, depending on which one you require more. Apart from that, you should pick Strong and Brawny as their starting trait for an additional stat boost to Strength and Constitution.
Best Pugilist builds in Wartales
The Pugilist class was added to the game’s first DLC package and was a real game-changer for me. They add a new level of decision-making, as many of their skills trigger different bonuses depending on the pugilist’s stance. This can be changed each turn, making you more offensive or defensive. They also do the greatest damage of any class, with their level 12 Bravery ability able to take down everything but the toughest bosses in one hit.
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Valorous Audacity | You get 1 Valour Point if you end the turn next to but are not engaged with an enemy. It should be relatively easy to gain this VP each turn. |
| 3 | Bruiser | You'll be able to wear Medium Armor, making you much less squishy. You also get the excellent Skullbreaker attack (1 Valour), which attacks twice ignoring Guard while also doing bonus damage (Attack Stance) or inflicting Fragility (Defensive). Great for taking down enemy tanks. |
| 5 | Personal Challenge | As long as you attack at least once in a round, you'll also do a free Attack of Opportunity. |
| 8 | Fatal Touch | This also uses 1 Valour but is often a game-changer. Once upgraded it will deal big damage to any unit on less than 50 percent health. If the blow kills them, you'll get 2 Valour back (if in Offensive Stance) or it resets your Movement Points (in Defensive). Before being upgraded, the enemy needs to start the battle with more Wounds than you. |
| 10 | Unstoppable | An incredibly valuable passive that lets you pass through enemies, opening up the battlefield beautifully. |
| 12 | Thrashing | In my opinion, the strong level 12 Bravery skill in the game. You attack the target 10 times, with the damage increasing 20 percent with each hit. In Offensive Stance you do 5 more attacks, while in Defensive you'll heal 3 percent of your wounds per attack. |
When you're choosing a profession for Pugilists, you get much more flexibility because of their balanced stats. Because of that, you can choose Tinkerer for most value, or something like Blacksmith for additional strength. The best-starting traits for them are Strong and Bloodthirsty for increased strength and critical hit.
Best Ranger builds in Wartales
Rangers have been essential to my success in the game and I like to run with close to a one-per-melee engager ratio where possible. Ranger back attacks do massive damage, they make great torch carriers in tombs, while their wide array of hampering utility abilities can help in most situations.
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Valorous Audacity | This rewards you for being exactly where you want to be, next to an enemy but not engaged. The simplest decision you’ll make in any build. |
| 3 | Any/All | There are no bad choices here. I run with one of each, as each has a different utility, but if I had to pick one I’d go with Poisoner. An AOE DOT is invaluable, especially in tougher battles. |
| 5 | Poisoned Weapon | I like to double down on the Poison effects as they stack. However, Deadly Contract is also awesome as it applies Fragility to a nearby unit, making it very easy to smash the next turn. |
| 8 | Cold Blooded | A 20 percent bonus to damage from behind, which is what you’ll be aiming to do at all times. |
| 10 | Unstoppable | A bit situational, but when you need it this can turn a battle. Allows you to move through enemies, so you can get behind them. |
| 12 | Decisive Manoeuvre | Amazing if you’re the quickest unit in your team, as it gives you a second attack at the end of the round. If you have multiple Rangers, give the slower ones Class Specialisation and take your choice of other Level 8 skills with it. |
Thief and Tinkerer are the best professions to select when you're building Rangers in Wartales because they provide a boost to their dexterity as well as critical hit damage. Apart from that, you should pick Quick and Nimble as their starting trait for additional Dexterity and Movement Speed.
Best Spearman builds in Wartales
I survived without any Spearmen for a long time, but once battlefields start getting busier with more enemies they come into their own. They’re a little harder to protect than Archers as they need to be nearer the frontline, and they take some practice to position well consistently. Once mastered though, they’re great at plugging holes and slowing enemy advances.
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Valorous Support | You’ll gain Valour when you end your turn next to an ally, which is where you always want your Spearmen to be. |
| 3 | Spear Wall | Works in the same way as the Infantryman (Archer) above, targeting an area and hitting anyone who enters it while also stopping them dead. If you don’t want to double up on this kind of counter-attacking skill, Harpooner gives you a powerful AOE attack with Bleeding. |
| 5 | Team Spirit | Doubles down on being next to an ally with Valerous Support above, giving you Brutality if you are which adds 30 percent to your damage. |
| 8 | Preparedness | Now you add even more benefit to doing your job well, as you’ll get Fury (50 percent damage increase) on your next attack as long as you end the round without being engaged. |
| 10 | Alacrity | Too good not to take, as it gives your Spearman a massive 40 percent chance to avoid any incoming ranged and AOE attacks. As they should never engage, these are the only ways they’re likely to take damage, so this is huge. |
| 12 | Condemn | While a little situational, the ability to do nice damage to a target and give whoever then takes them down five Valour can be a big deal. I’d take it unless you’re really jonesing for a skill you missed out on earlier. |
Miner and Cook are great profession choices for the Spearman because of the additional strength boost and usability. Moreover, when paired with Strong and Bloodthirsty starting traits, you can get a lot more value out of them.
Best Swordsman builds in Wartales
While not the most glamorous of jobs in Wartales, everyone needs at least one tank to get smacked while your DPS party members get to work. You can live without any swordsmen in your party if you want to get the job done quickly, but they do make better tanks than both Brutes and Warriors.
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fighter | Go Protector instead if you want to be tankier but I prefer the faster fight approach of the Fighter, as you get the Destabilising Strike skill that reduces your target’s guard to zero. |
| 3 | Valorous Duel | Free Valour every time you enter combat. And you will. A lot. |
| 5 | Counter-attack | Gives a free attack versus your engaged opponent the first time they hit you. Bulwark is a solid if slower option, giving you Deflection in the next round which massively reduces incoming damage. |
| 8 | Hardcore Training | Makes you immune to bleeding, Poison, and Burning. Anything you don’t have to worry about in terms of status effects is excellent the further you get into the game. |
| 10 | Intervention | Works the same way as Unstoppable (Brute, above) and is therefore equally valuable situationally for your frontline warriors. |
| 12 | Exhort | Using this gives all nearby units Zeal for two rounds, upping both crit chance and damage by 30 percent. |
Swordsmen in Wartales completely revolve around Strength and Constitution stats, and professions like Blacksmith and Woodcutter are best for them to maximize that stat. Additionally, you can pick Brawny and Thick-Skinned as starting traits to bolster the stat boosts.
Best Warrior builds in Wartales
I love these guys almost as much as the Rangers. Warriors can dish out massive damage while standing toe-to-toe with most enemies, although they can’t take a beating like a Swordsman. But if you want to create mayhem early and often on the battlefield, pack it full of Warriors and go to town.
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Berserker | Gives you the Rampage skill that will see you do triple damage on your next hit and then gain Fury, doing double damage on the attack after that. Carnage. |
| 3 | Valorous Duel | As long as you want your Warriors mowing down enemies, this will give them a Valour point every time they engage an enemy. Defensive Stance (defensive tanks gain Valour just for being engaged, plus Deflection) and Valerous Chain (Valour for hitting multiple enemies at once) are both good alternatives if not. |
| 5 | Recklessness | Your first hit in each fight does 150 percent extra damage. Combine with Berkserker for extremely satisfying one-hit kills. |
| 8 | Battle Cry | Gives you and nearby allies Brutality (plus 30 percent damage) for two rounds. If you have more than one Warrior, mix things up with Challenging Shout (draws enemies to you and applies Fragility to them, increasing their damage taken by 30 percent). |
| 10 | Alacrity | There’s no reason your frontline troops don’t also want a 40 percent chance to avoid incoming AOE and ranged attacks, especially if they’re closing in on archers to get into melee from a distance. |
| 12 | Daredevil | You gain Frenzy for three rounds, giving guaranteed critical hits and bonus damage if you’ve lost any health. An excellent Hail Mary, but frankly great at any time. |
Warriors are inherently similar to Spearmen but lack the range that they make up with higher DPS. So, the best profession picks for this class are Miner and Cook with Strong and Bloodthirsty as traits to maximize their Strength boost and critical hits.
Best Crossbowman Build in Wartales
Crossbowman is a popular class added to Wartales with the Skelmar Invasion DLC. They are a strong alternative to regular Archers with Crossbows and can provide much greater value, especially if you can position them right. Here's the best Crossbowman build you can use:
| Level | Specialization | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Valorous Audacity | Lets you keep the Crossbowman away from the fight, and gain valor by being around an ally. |
| 3 | Gunner | The Gunner is arguably the best choice for Crossbowmen. It lets them guarantee critical hits with consecutive shots and the Multi-Shot skill provides a ton of DPS when played after a few reloads. |
| 5 | Optimized Movement | Gain an extra shot for free every three reloads without having to waste one more turn. |
| 8 | Solid Grip | If you've got a Crit build, then you'll be able to get a free Reload every round, which translates into a ton of more damage from the Crossbowman. |
| 10 | Anticipation | Provides you Crossbowman with a much-needed defense against Rangers that can get up close and personal. Moreover, you can counterattack without being engaged. |
| 12 | Piercing Shot | A strong AoE attack with significant damage. Can knockback units, as well as ignore Guards with a guaranteed Critical Hit. Ideal for the Crossbowman. |
Dexterity is essential for Crossbowmen, so if you want to choose a profession for your characters with the Crossbowman class then your ideal choices would be Alchemist or Angler, similar to that of archers, Moreover, you can try to get extra DEX from having traits like Quick and Bloodthirsty and even get some Crit Hit bonuses.
For more on Wartales here at Pro Game Guides, take a look at Wartales Max Party Size & Optimal Size, Wartales Ghost Carcass Guide, and more!
Published: Dec 11, 2024 05:11 pm