A Clash of Kings Starting Guide: Conquer Westeros

1. Laying the Foundation: Early Game Strategy in A Clash of Kings

The early game in A Clash of Kings focuses on building your character and amassing resources to pave the way for larger ambitions. This involves carefully selecting your character’s skills and engaging in activities that generate income and experience.

1.1. Character Creation and Skill Allocation

Your initial character build significantly impacts your early game experience. Focus on skills that directly contribute to your ability to earn money and lead troops.

Leadership: This skill reduces troop wages and increases the number of soldiers you can command. A high leadership skill is essential for sustaining a large army without crippling your finances.
- The United States Army Leadership Field Manual (FM 6-22) emphasizes the importance of leadership in military operations.
Trade: This skill allows you to buy goods for less and sell them for more. A high trade skill dramatically increases your profit margins when trading goods between cities.
Riding: Essential for maneuvering quickly across the map, escaping unfavorable encounters, and participating effectively in tournaments.
Pathfinding: Increases your party’s speed on the world map, allowing you to travel faster and outpace enemies.
Inventory Management: Increases your inventory space, allowing you to carry more goods for trading and equipment for your troops.

1.2. Early Game Activities: Earning Denars and Experience

The early game involves a mix of trading, participating in tournaments, and undertaking quests to build your wealth and experience.

Trading: Buy low and sell high is the fundamental principle of trading. Identify goods that are cheap in one city and expensive in another, and transport them between the two.
- Salt: Saltpans is often a good place to buy salt cheaply, but the price can fluctuate. Buy salt for no more than 170 denars and sell it for at least 210 denars in other cities. Only sell a few bags per city to avoid flooding the market and driving down prices.
- Furs: White Harbour in the North is a reliable source of furs, which can be sold for a high profit in Essos.
- CONDUCT.EDU.VN recommends that you prioritize routes that are less prone to banditry, ensuring safer and more profitable trading ventures.
Tournaments: Participating in tournaments is a great way to earn money and gain experience. Bet on yourself to maximize your winnings.
Quests: Accept quests from lords and guild masters. These quests can provide valuable rewards, including money, experience, and improved relations with important characters.
Looting: Engage smaller parties of bandits to loot items that can be sold for profit. Ensure you are adequately equipped for the job.

2. Mercenary Life: Building Your Reputation and Wealth

Becoming a mercenary is a crucial step in the mid-game, allowing you to earn a steady income, gain experience in combat, and build relationships with lords.

2.1. Joining a Faction as a Mercenary

Serving as a mercenary involves aligning with a faction and participating in their wars. This offers a reliable income and the opportunity to increase your skills.

Choosing a Faction: Essos is often a better choice for mercenary work because factions there declare war and make peace more frequently than those in Westeros. This provides more opportunities to earn money and gain experience.
Benefits of Mercenary Life:
- Steady Income: You receive regular payments for your services.
- Combat Experience: You gain valuable combat experience by participating in battles and sieges.
- Relationship Building: You can build relationships with lords and other important characters, which can be beneficial later when you start your own faction.
Obligations:
- As a mercenary, you are expected to follow the orders of your faction’s marshal and participate in military campaigns.
- Failing to fulfill your obligations can damage your reputation and lead to termination of your contract.
CONDUCT.EDU.VN advises that you focus on maintaining high honor and completing quests diligently to bolster your reputation and standing within your chosen faction.

2.2. Managing Relationships with Lords

Building strong relationships with lords is crucial for future recruitment when you decide to start your own faction.

Completing Tasks: Fulfilling tasks set by lords increases your relations with them and provides experience.
Avoiding Conflicts: Try to avoid conflicts with lords, as negative relations can make it difficult to recruit them later.
Supporting Their Campaigns: Actively participate in their campaigns and support their goals.
- Harvard Business Review highlights the importance of building and maintaining strong professional relationships for career advancement.
Attending Feasts and Events: Attend feasts and other social events to network with lords and build rapport.

2.3. Leveraging Right to Rule

Gaining Right to Rule is essential for legitimizing your claim to the Iron Throne when you start your own kingdom.

Completing Quests: Certain quests can grant you Right to Rule.
Marrying a Noble Lady: Marrying a noble lady from a reputable family can increase your Right to Rule.
Sending Companions on Missions: Send companions on missions to spread word of your virtues and increase your Right to Rule.
- The Federalist Papers underscore the significance of legitimacy in establishing and maintaining political authority.

3. Economic Powerhouse: Trading and Enterprises

Establishing a robust economy is vital for sustaining your army and funding your ambitions. This involves strategic trading and setting up enterprises in prosperous towns.

3.1. Maximizing Trade Profits

Mastering the art of trade is essential for generating substantial income. Identifying profitable trade routes and managing your inventory effectively are key to success.

Assessing Local Prices: Use the “Assess the local prices” option in the marketplace to identify profitable trade opportunities.
Identifying Profitable Goods:
- Salt: Buy salt at Saltpans when the price is low and sell it in cities where it is expensive.
- Furs: Buy furs in White Harbour and sell them in Essos for a significant profit.
- Spices: Trade in spices can be lucrative, but it requires careful monitoring of market prices.
- CONDUCT.EDU.VN recommends that you diversify your trade portfolio to mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations.
Managing Inventory: Utilize companions with high inventory management skills to increase your carrying capacity.
Avoiding Bandits: Choose trade routes that are less prone to bandit attacks to minimize losses.

3.2. Setting Up Profitable Enterprises

Enterprises provide a passive income stream, but it is crucial to choose the right enterprises in the right locations.

Choosing the Right Town: Set up enterprises in towns that are not frequently besieged, as their prosperity will remain high, ensuring consistent profits.
Selecting the Best Enterprise: Check all available enterprise options in each town to determine which ones will generate the most income.
- Dye Works: Often a reliable source of income.
- Weavery: Can be profitable in towns with access to wool.
- Brewery: A good choice in towns with access to grain.
Avoiding Unfavorable Locations: If you plan on staying in Essos, it is best to set up enterprises in Westeros. However, be aware that Westeros factions may eventually declare war on you, which will impact your income.
Investing Wisely: Reinvest profits from your enterprises to expand your operations and increase your overall income.
- Investopedia emphasizes the importance of reinvesting profits for long-term business growth.

3.3. Braavos and the Iron Bank

The Iron Bank of Braavos offers opportunities for investment and financial stability.

Setting Up an Account: Travel to Braavos and set up an account at the Iron Bank.
Earning Interest: You will receive 2.5% interest on the money in your account.
Maximizing Profits: Deposit 10,000 denars as soon as possible to maximize your interest earnings.
Strategic Withdrawals: Leave the money in the bank until you need it, allowing it to accumulate interest over time.
- The World Bank highlights the role of financial institutions in promoting economic development.

4. Military Might: Building and Sustaining Your Army

A strong army is essential for defending your territory and conquering new lands. This involves recruiting, training, and equipping your troops effectively.

4.1. Recruiting and Training Troops

Recruiting and training troops is a continuous process that requires careful management of resources and training facilities.

Recruiting Locations: Recruit troops from villages and towns. The quality of troops available varies depending on the location.
Training Troops: Train your troops regularly to improve their skills and combat effectiveness.
Choosing the Right Troops: Select troops that are appropriate for your needs and budget.
- Infantry: Essential for holding the line and engaging in melee combat.
- Archers: Provide ranged support and can inflict significant casualties on the enemy.
- Cavalry: Used for flanking maneuvers and charging into enemy formations.
Utilizing Training Fields: Use training fields to quickly level up troops.
CONDUCT.EDU.VN highlights the importance of balancing troop quality with quantity, depending on your strategic objectives and financial constraints.

4.2. Equipping Your Army

Properly equipping your army is crucial for their survival and effectiveness in battle.

Armor: Provide your troops with adequate armor to protect them from enemy attacks.
Weapons: Equip your troops with appropriate weapons for their roles.
Horses: Provide cavalry troops with horses to increase their mobility and combat effectiveness.
- Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” emphasizes the importance of equipping soldiers with the best possible tools for victory.
Maintaining Equipment: Regularly repair and replace damaged equipment to ensure your troops are always prepared for battle.

4.3. Leadership and Morale

Maintaining high morale and effective leadership are crucial for ensuring your army’s success.

Leadership Skills: Improve your leadership skills to inspire your troops and increase their morale.
Paying Wages: Pay your troops regularly to keep them happy and prevent desertion.
Providing Food: Ensure your troops have access to sufficient food to maintain their strength and morale.
Leading by Example: Lead your troops into battle and demonstrate courage and determination.
- The Center for Creative Leadership emphasizes the importance of leading by example to inspire and motivate teams.

5. Prisoner Management: A Controversial Revenue Stream

Capturing and selling prisoners can be a lucrative source of income, but it also has ethical implications.

5.1. Capturing Prisoners

Capturing prisoners requires using blunt weapons and targeting weaker enemies.

Using Blunt Weapons: Equip your troops with blunt weapons to knock out enemies instead of killing them.
Targeting Weaker Enemies: Focus on capturing weaker enemies who are more likely to be knocked out.
Managing Inventory: Ensure you have enough inventory space to hold the prisoners you capture.
- Amnesty International advocates for the humane treatment of prisoners and opposes slavery in all its forms.

5.2. Selling Prisoners

Selling prisoners involves finding ransom brokers and negotiating a fair price.

Finding Ransom Brokers: Ransom brokers can be found in taverns around Westeros and Essos.
Negotiating Prices: Negotiate with ransom brokers to get the best possible price for your prisoners.
Avoiding Negative Consequences: Be aware that selling prisoners can have negative consequences, such as reducing your honor.
- The Geneva Conventions outline the international standards for the humane treatment of prisoners of war.

5.3. Ethical Considerations

The practice of selling prisoners raises ethical concerns about slavery and human rights.

Slavery: The sale of prisoners often leads to them being sold into slavery, where they may be subjected to forced labor and abuse.
Human Rights: The treatment of prisoners should be consistent with basic human rights, including the right to freedom from torture and inhumane treatment.
Moral Implications: Consider the moral implications of profiting from the suffering of others.
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights prohibits slavery and promotes the inherent dignity of all individuals.

6. Establishing Your Kingdom: Claiming the Iron Throne

Once you have amassed sufficient wealth, built a strong army, and gained enough Right to Rule, you can start your own kingdom and claim the Iron Throne.

6.1. Declaring Independence

Declaring independence involves choosing a strategic location and preparing for war.

Choosing a Location: Select a location that is defensible and has access to resources.
Building Defenses: Fortify your castles and towns to withstand enemy attacks.
Gathering Allies: Recruit lords and other factions to support your cause.
- Niccolò Machiavelli’s “The Prince” advises rulers to be cunning and strategic in their pursuit of power.

6.2. Managing Your Kingdom

Managing your kingdom involves maintaining relations with vassals, defending your territory, and expanding your power.

Assigning Fiefs: Assign fiefs to your vassals to reward their loyalty and secure their support.
Defending Your Territory: Protect your territory from enemy attacks by patrolling your borders and building strong garrisons.
Expanding Your Power: Expand your power by conquering new lands and recruiting new vassals.
Maintaining Relations: Maintain good relations with your vassals by listening to their concerns and addressing their needs.
- The United Nations Charter emphasizes the importance of maintaining international peace and security through diplomacy and cooperation.

6.3. Navigating Politics and Diplomacy

Political maneuvering and diplomatic relations are crucial for maintaining stability and achieving your goals.

Forming Alliances: Form alliances with other factions to strengthen your position and protect yourself from enemies.
Negotiating Treaties: Negotiate treaties to establish peace and trade agreements.
Dealing with Treachery: Be prepared to deal with treachery and betrayal from your vassals and allies.
Using Spies: Use spies to gather information and sabotage your enemies.
- Henry Kissinger’s “Diplomacy” explores the art of negotiation and statecraft in international relations.

7. Advanced Strategies: Mastering A Clash of Kings

Once you have established your kingdom, you can focus on advanced strategies to further expand your power and dominate the game.

7.1. Utilizing Companions

Companions are valuable assets who can contribute to your kingdom in various ways.

Skills and Abilities: Utilize companions with specific skills and abilities to improve your party’s effectiveness.
Assigning Roles: Assign companions to roles such as quartermaster, engineer, and physician to maximize their contributions.
Sending on Missions: Send companions on missions to gather information, recruit troops, and spread word of your virtues.
Managing Relations: Manage relations between companions to prevent conflicts and maintain morale.
- Patrick Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” highlights the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving organizational goals.

7.2. Strategic Warfare

Strategic warfare involves planning and executing military campaigns effectively.

Planning Campaigns: Plan your campaigns carefully, taking into account the terrain, enemy strength, and your own resources.
Using Tactics: Use tactics to gain an advantage in battle, such as flanking maneuvers, ambushes, and sieges.
Managing Logistics: Manage your logistics effectively to ensure your troops have access to food, supplies, and reinforcements.
Exploiting Weaknesses: Exploit enemy weaknesses to gain an advantage in battle.
- Carl von Clausewitz’s “On War” explores the strategic and tactical principles of warfare.

7.3. Economic Management

Effective economic management is crucial for sustaining your kingdom and funding your military campaigns.

Taxation: Implement a fair and efficient taxation system to generate revenue.
Trade Policies: Implement trade policies to promote economic growth and attract merchants to your kingdom.
Infrastructure Development: Invest in infrastructure development to improve trade, transportation, and resource production.
Managing Expenses: Manage your expenses carefully to avoid going into debt.
- Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” explores the principles of free markets and economic growth.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced players can make mistakes that can hinder their progress in A Clash of Kings. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

8.1. Neglecting Leadership Skills

Failing to invest in leadership skills can lead to high troop wages and a limited army size.

Solution: Prioritize leadership skills early in the game to reduce troop wages and increase your command capacity.

8.2. Ignoring Trade Opportunities

Missing out on profitable trade opportunities can significantly slow down your economic growth.

Solution: Regularly assess local prices and identify profitable trade routes to maximize your income.

8.3. Poor Enterprise Management

Setting up enterprises in unfavorable locations or choosing the wrong types of enterprises can result in low profits.

Solution: Carefully research each town before setting up enterprises and choose enterprises that are appropriate for the local economy.

8.4. Neglecting Troop Training

Failing to train your troops regularly can leave them vulnerable in battle.

Solution: Utilize training fields and engage in frequent battles to improve your troops’ skills and combat effectiveness.

8.5. Overspending on Luxury Items

Spending too much money on luxury items can deplete your resources and leave you vulnerable to economic hardship.

Solution: Prioritize essential expenses, such as troop wages and equipment, and avoid unnecessary spending on luxury items.

9. The Importance of Ethics and Conduct in Westeros

While A Clash of Kings allows for morally ambiguous choices, understanding the ethical implications of your actions is crucial for role-playing and immersion.

9.1. Ethical Dilemmas

Players often face ethical dilemmas, such as whether to execute prisoners, engage in deceitful tactics, or break alliances for personal gain.

Considerations: Consider the consequences of your actions on your reputation, relations with other characters, and the overall stability of the game world.
- Immanuel Kant’s “Categorical Imperative” emphasizes the importance of acting according to universal moral principles.

9.2. Maintaining Honor

Maintaining high honor can improve relations with virtuous characters and unlock certain quests and opportunities.

Actions: Engage in honorable actions, such as releasing prisoners, helping the needy, and upholding your oaths.
Consequences: Be aware that dishonorable actions can damage your reputation and lead to negative consequences.

9.3. Role-Playing and Immersion

Understanding the ethical implications of your actions can enhance your role-playing experience and make the game more immersive.

Character Alignment: Consider your character’s alignment and make decisions that are consistent with their personality and values.
Moral Choices: Embrace the moral complexities of the game world and make choices that reflect your own ethical beliefs.
- Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics” explores the concept of virtue and the importance of living a morally good life.

CONDUCT.EDU.VN advocates for playing the game in a way that aligns with your personal values, creating a more meaningful and engaging experience. For further guidance on navigating the complex ethical landscape of A Clash of Kings, visit our website at conduct.edu.vn, or contact us at 100 Ethics Plaza, Guideline City, CA 90210, United States, or Whatsapp: +1 (707) 555-1234.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about A Clash of Kings Starting Guide

Here are some frequently asked questions about starting A Clash of Kings:

What are the best starting skills? Leadership, Trade, Riding, Pathfinding, and Inventory Management are essential for early game success.
How do I make money early on? Trading, participating in tournaments, and completing quests are effective ways to earn denars.
Where should I set up enterprises? Choose towns that are not frequently besieged and have high prosperity.
How do I build relationships with lords? Complete tasks for them, avoid conflicts, and support their campaigns.
What is Right to Rule and how do I gain it? Right to Rule legitimizes your claim to the Iron Throne; gain it through quests, marriage, and sending companions on missions.
How do I recruit troops? Recruit troops from villages and towns, and train them regularly to improve their skills.
What is the Iron Bank of Braavos? It’s a bank where you can deposit money and earn interest.
How do I capture prisoners? Use blunt weapons and target weaker enemies.
What are the ethical implications of selling prisoners? It raises concerns about slavery and human rights.
How do I start my own kingdom? Amass wealth, build a strong army, gain Right to Rule, and declare independence from a strategic location.

These questions and answers provide a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of starting A Clash of Kings, ensuring players are well-prepared for their journey to conquer Westeros.