In Wartales, making smart decisions with your early professions can make or break your long-term momentum. With only four members in your starting mercenary group, you need a plan that balances efficiency with flexibility. This guide will walk you through a practical method for assigning professions in the early game, focusing on prioritizing key roles while still tapping into all the mechanics the game has to offer.

---

Start with What Matters Most

When you’re working with a limited number of companions, it’s essential to assign the most impactful professions first. Certain roles provide valuable bonuses not only through what they allow you to craft or gather but also through stat improvements. The general rule: prioritize permanent assignments for the most useful professions, and designate one character as a “floater” who changes professions based on situational needs.

This floating character enables you to access woodcutting, mining, cooking, and more—without sacrificing the experience gain and bonus stacking that comes from specialization for your core roles.

---

1. Tinkerer – Your Resource Generator

The Tinkerer is arguably one of the most important professions to lock in from the start. This profession generates two raw materials each time you rest, saving you a hefty amount of crowns over the course of the game. It’s a long-term investment that pays off every night your team sleeps.

Additionally, Tinkering improves Critical Hit, a stat that’s valuable for characters who rely on fast or high-burst damage output. Assign this profession to a stable, backline unit—ideally someone you plan to keep out of direct combat—to ensure consistent resource flow.

---

2. Blacksmith – Strength Gains and Gear Advantage

Blacksmithing offers a reliable Strength stat boost, making it a natural fit for your frontline Brute or melee DPS. Assigning this profession early not only buffs their combat effectiveness but gives you immediate access to basic gear crafting and upgrades.

Even if you’re not focusing on crafting gear right away, the passive Strength bonus alone makes this a must-assign. Once you start producing your own weapons and armor, your company gains both survivability and economic leverage.

---

3. Thief – Efficiency in Stealth and Dexterity

The Thief role is a high-value support profession, particularly when paired with a Ranger or another dexterity-based unit. It enhances Dexterity and Critical Hit, both vital for ranged and sneaky attacks.

When it comes to stealing, the golden rule is to only swipe items you’ll use immediately. Consuming stolen food or supplies right after acquiring them ensures you won’t get flagged for having stolen goods in your inventory. This makes it a low-risk, high-reward tactic that can offer significant savings in the early game.

---

4. Floating Profession Slot – Versatility Matters

With only four members in your starting lineup, the last profession slot should go to a utility character—someone who will rotate through whatever jobs are needed in the moment. Whether it’s Apothecary, Woodcutter, Cook, or Miner, this character fills in the gaps until you recruit more companions.

Profession stations like the Apothecary table unlock their respective jobs. Keep an eye out for resources like hemp or snow iris to make the most of these temporary switches. Over time, this floating role ensures you’re still progressing across all profession trees without compromising your core setup.

---

Scaling Into a Larger Party

After completing your first mission or so, you’ll have the opportunity to recruit a fifth companion. At this stage, it’s wise to assign a permanent Cook. Food management becomes more efficient, cooked meals are worth more, and you’ll extend your traveling capacity between rests. Plus, early recipes like sausages or cooked pork give you simple ways to stretch limited supplies.

Don’t forget to gather ingredients like salt and meat from the environment. Having a dedicated Cook ensures you always get the most out of these raw resources.

---

Balancing Specialization and Adaptability

This early game profession strategy ensures your team starts strong by:

• Locking in core professions (Tinkerer, Blacksmith, Thief) that offer both stat bonuses and resource efficiency.
• Maintaining one adaptable utility character to take on any role as needed.
• Planning for smooth scaling as new party members join your company.

Stick with your assigned roles and allow your utility character to fill in the rest. Over time, you’ll build a party that’s not just strong in combat but also self-sufficient in crafting, healing, and resource gathering.

---

That’s the full breakdown on how to manage professions with a small team in Wartales. It’s all about balancing fixed bonuses with rotating adaptability—and doing more with less until you’re ready to grow. Good luck out there, mercenaries!