In We Who Are About to Die, victory doesn’t begin in the arena—it begins with smart management between battles. Learning how to manage your gear, money, training, and weekly opportunities can make the difference between a doomed gladiator and a triumphant champion. This guide walks through the key management strategies you should follow from the very beginning of your run to give yourself the best possible shot at survival and success.

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1. Sell Starting Gear with Negative Fame Bonuses Immediately

Right at the beginning of a new run, your first action should be to sell any starting gear that comes with negative Fame bonuses. This gear is not only ineffective but it also hurts your reputation. Every point of Fame counts early on, and selling off junk makes you a bit lighter as well, giving you a small edge in combat.

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2. Always Check the Fight Board First

Before doing anything else at the start of every week, check which fights are available. This sets your priorities for how to spend your resources. For example:

• If there’s a Luck of the Draw or Spoils to the Victor, you can afford to delay buying a new weapon.
• If there’s a 1vMany or another tough format, it’s time to consider upgrading your gear or avoiding training to keep stamina high.
• Great bets available? Maybe you hold off on a purchase to ensure you can place a profitable wager.

Fight planning should drive your week—don’t let your purchases dictate which battles you choose.

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3. Prioritize Getting a Good Weapon First

One of the best early investments is a quality weapon. Almost every winning run starts by rerolling the shop to find one. A strong weapon lets you:

• Finish fights quicker
• Complete high-paying bets
• Take on harder matchups with confidence

Don’t be afraid to spend everything on a weapon in the first week. If you don’t find one, Luck of the Draw or Spoils to the Victor fights may give you a chance to pick up something usable in the meantime.

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4. Choose the Highest-Paying Fights—Especially Survival or 1vMany

To build up money fast, look for fights with the Survival or 1vMany modifiers. These are among the most lucrative options and, especially with the Rabble modifier, are often much easier than they look.

• A 1v4 against Rabble can be incredibly profitable while posing minimal risk.
• These fights give you a financial edge that opens doors to better gear, faster training, and overall run stability.

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5. Begin Training Early, but Be Strategic

Training is key for long-term success, but timing matters. Start training early if possible, focusing on Stamina—arguably the most impactful stat. However:

• Training reduces your max stamina that week.
• Skip training if you have a tough fight lined up.
• Use easier weeks to train harder.
• Don’t worry about hitting it every week—just get it in when you can.

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6. Learn the Random Events

Random events can significantly impact your run. Learn their outcomes over time so you can make better choices. Some of the most valuable events include:

• Free heals
• Extra rerolls
• Stamina boosts

These events can be game-changing, especially in a pinch. Be familiar with them to maximize your options.

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7. Shields Are Worth the Investment

Once you have a decent weapon, your next priority should be a good shield. Shields offer immense defensive value—often more than a full set of armor—and can completely shift how fights play out. Pick one up as soon as your weapon needs are met.

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8. Fame-Boosting Gear Can Give You the Edge

Look out for gear that gives you positive Fame bonuses, like the Malum Mask or Aspirant Straps. Extra Fame lets you reroll the store, reveal upcoming fights, or even trade for money later. Fame isn’t just reputation—it’s currency for flexibility.

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9. Use Boss Fights Strategically

Week four introduces the opportunity to tackle boss fights. These are challenging but offer excellent rewards:

• If you don’t have a solid weapon, this is a good way to earn one.
• If you do have a weapon, consider easier, more profitable fights instead.

Balance risk and reward depending on your loadout.

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10. Learn Enemy Types and Their Gear

Knowing your enemies helps in two ways:

• It lets you predict fight difficulty and gear matchups.
• It helps you plan Spoils to the Victor fights. For example, Pit Bosses often wield high-damage weapons. Targeting them for loot can be an early game-changer.

Over time, learning enemy names and behaviors will pay dividends.

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11. Scolo Upgrades Are Mostly Optional—Except One

Most Scolo upgrades are luxuries and not required for a good run. One major exception is:

• We Who Are About to Disinfect – This upgrade significantly reduces healing costs, which can otherwise cripple your finances.

Get this once you can afford it or need a major post-fight heal. It’s one of the best long-term investments you can make.

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12. Don’t Rush the Victory Condition

Your Victory condition isn’t something to worry about early. Focus on gearing up, surviving, and building a strong economic foundation. You won’t complete the Victory condition until late-game anyway, so set yourself up with the tools to tackle it later.

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13. Mid-Game Strategy: Maintain Gear and Start Thinking Long-Term

Once you’ve got:

• A good weapon
• A solid shield
• Some training progress

…you’re free to focus on:

• Upgrading armor
• Looking for discounts in the shop
• Slowly working toward your Victory

Maintain training where possible, keep an eye on enemy difficulty, and don’t hesitate to swap weapons or gear if a better deal appears.

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Conclusion: Smart Management = Easy Wins

We Who Are About to Die isn’t just about combat—it’s about the choices you make every week. Look at the fights first. Get the best weapon you can afford. Prioritize survival and high-income matches early. Shields matter. Fame matters. Training matters. If you follow these principles, you’ll go from barely surviving to dominating the arena in no time.