How Much Resolve is Good in Battle Brothers?

The short answer is: it depends, but aiming for at least 50-60 Resolve on front-line brothers before accounting for buffs is a good starting point. Backline/ranged characters can often get by with 45+ Resolve, especially if heavily protected and supported. However, higher Resolve is almost always better, as it directly impacts your units’ ability to withstand morale checks and maintain combat effectiveness. Resolve is a crucial stat in Battle Brothers, and investing in it properly can drastically improve your company’s survival rate.

Understanding Resolve in Battle Brothers

Resolve is a measure of a brother’s mental fortitude and resistance to fear. It’s what keeps them from fleeing in terror when things get tough on the battlefield. A low Resolve brother is prone to breaking and running, leaving your formation vulnerable and potentially triggering a chain reaction of fleeing units. High Resolve, on the other hand, allows your brothers to weather debuffs, resist fear, and hold the line even when facing overwhelming odds. It’s especially important when fighting enemies that specialize in morale damage, like Ancient Priests, Necromancers, and Geist.

Resolve directly affects the following:

• Morale Checks: When a brother is injured, sees allies die, or is subjected to fear-inducing effects, they must pass a morale check. Higher Resolve makes it more likely they’ll succeed.
• Panic: Failing a morale check can cause a brother to become “Shaken”, suffering penalties to their stats. Further failures can lead to them becoming “Breaking”, at which point they’ll attempt to flee the battlefield.
• Bravery: A high enough Resolve can grant the “Confident” or even “Resilient” status effect, providing positive combat modifiers.
• Resisting Debuffs: High Resolve makes it harder for enemies to apply negative status effects like “Fleeing,” “Confused,” “Staggered,” or “Charmed.”

Factors Influencing Resolve Needs

The ideal Resolve level isn’t a fixed number. It depends on several factors:

• Brother’s Role: Front-line tanks and damage dealers need higher Resolve than backline archers or polearm users. Front-liners are more likely to take damage and witness allies falling, triggering more morale checks.
• Enemy Composition: Facing morale-heavy enemies necessitates higher Resolve. If you’re constantly fighting Orcs, Undead, or Beasts known for their fear tactics, you’ll need to invest more in Resolve.
• Game Difficulty: Higher difficulty levels often mean tougher enemies and more frequent morale checks, requiring higher Resolve across your company.
• Perks and Equipment: Certain perks like “Iron Will” and equipment like “Necklaces” or “Trophies” can significantly boost Resolve, allowing you to compensate for lower base stats.
• Company Composition: A well-balanced company with a strong banner carrier can provide a consistent Resolve buff to the entire formation.

Strategies for Building Resolve

• Recruit Selection: Look for recruits with positive Resolve traits like “Determined,” “Resilient,” or “Fearless.” These traits provide permanent Resolve bonuses.
• Leveling Up: Prioritize Resolve on level-ups, especially for front-line brothers. Even a few extra points per level can make a significant difference in the long run.
• Perks: The “Iron Will” perk is invaluable for boosting Resolve. Consider it a must-have for brothers who will be in the thick of combat.
• Equipment: Equip brothers with Necklaces and Trophies that provide Resolve bonuses. The Direwolf Trophy is particularly effective against Beasts.
• Banner Carrier: A dedicated banner carrier with high Resolve and the “Rally the Troops” skill is essential for maintaining company morale. Position them carefully to maximize the buff’s effectiveness.
• Events: Some events can provide temporary or permanent Resolve bonuses to your brothers. Make wise choices to capitalize on these opportunities.
• Training Hall: Utilize the training hall to increase resolve in a safe environment. This can be done after hard battles where you want to get bros ready for the next encounter.

FAQs about Resolve in Battle Brothers

1. What is the minimum hit chance in Battle Brothers?

The minimum hit chance for regular attacks in Battle Brothers is 5%. This means even with severe penalties, you always have a small chance to hit.

2. What is the maximum hit chance in Battle Brothers?

The maximum hit chance for regular attacks in Battle Brothers is 95%. This ensures that even with significant bonuses, there’s always a small chance to miss.

3. What is the highest level in Battle Brothers?

The actual maximum level in Battle Brothers is 33. Before the “Warriors of the North” DLC, it was 42.

4. How does terrain affect hit chance in Battle Brothers?

Being on higher ground than your target grants a +10% bonus to hit chance. Conversely, being on lower ground imposes a -10% penalty to hit chance per level of height difference.

5. How important is a banner carrier?

A banner carrier is incredibly important. They provide a constant Resolve buff to nearby allies, helping them resist morale checks and stay in the fight.

6. What perks are good for improving Resolve?

The “Iron Will” perk is the most effective way to directly boost Resolve. Other perks that indirectly help with morale include those that increase hitpoints and armor, thereby reducing the frequency of morale checks triggered by injuries.

7. Do enemies have morale?

Yes, enemies in Battle Brothers have morale. Breaking enemy morale is a viable tactic, especially against large groups. Routing enemies can significantly reduce the danger they pose.

8. How do I deal with enemies that cause fear?

Enemies that cause fear, like Geists and Necromancers, require a different approach, including increasing your brothers’ Resolve, focusing fire to eliminate the source of fear, and using abilities that grant temporary immunity to fear.

9. What is the best way to recover Resolve during combat?

The “Rally the Troops” skill, available to banner carriers, is the primary way to recover Resolve during combat. Positioning the banner carrier strategically is crucial to maximizing the skill’s effectiveness.

10. Can permanent injuries affect Resolve?

Yes, some permanent injuries can negatively impact Resolve. For example, an injury that affects the head might lead to a permanent Resolve penalty.

11. How does Fatigue affect Resolve?

High Fatigue can negatively impact Resolve. Brothers who are heavily burdened with armor and weapons are more likely to suffer morale penalties.

12. What are some good starting backgrounds for high Resolve brothers?

Backgrounds like Soldiers, Gladiators, and Adventurous Nobles often have higher base Resolve and better potential for improvement.

13. Is there a way to remove a drunkard trait?

Yes, you can potentially remove the Drunkard trait by choosing the “whip him into shape” option in the event.

14. How do trophies affect Resolve?

Trophies provide Resolve bonuses against specific enemy types. For example, the Direwolf Trophy grants bonus Resolve against Beasts.

15. How does contract difficulty affect Resolve requirements?

More difficult contracts generally require higher Resolve, as you’ll be facing tougher enemies and more frequent morale checks.

Conclusion

Resolve is a cornerstone of success in Battle Brothers. While the precise amount needed varies depending on your play style, company composition, and chosen difficulty, prioritizing Resolve, especially for your front-line units, is crucial for surviving the harsh realities of the game. By understanding the factors that influence Resolve and implementing effective strategies for boosting it, you can build a company that can withstand even the most terrifying threats. Remember to continue to develop your company and you can enhance your skills and knowledge by joining the Games Learning Society through GamesLearningSociety.org.