Master of Command can feel overwhelming when you first start, especially with its layered systems, resource management, and campaign pacing. This Master of Command Beginner Guide is built to help new players understand the core fundamentals, make smart early decisions, and enjoy their first campaign without constant restarts.
By the end, you’ll know how to raise a functional army, manage resources, choose the right battles, and build momentum that lasts into harder difficulties.
Master of Command Beginner Guide
Every campaign follows a rhythm. You gather resources, expand your army, train your troops, and take on missions that move your campaign forward. The game rewards patience, planning, and steady growth over reckless aggression. Winning battles is important, but how you win and what you gain from them is what shapes your campaign.
Early on, aim to build a sustainable cycle: fight manageable missions, earn Thaler and supplies, train your forces, then push into larger objectives once your army is experienced and well-equipped.
Start on Casual and Learn the System First
Even if you have a background in tactical or strategy games, it’s recommended to begin on Casual for your first run. Master of Command has its own priorities and pacing that differ from other titles. Casual gives you room to learn how stances, provisioning, unit leveling, and mission types interact without punishing mistakes too heavily.
Once you understand those systems, the jump to higher difficulties becomes far more enjoyable rather than frustrating.
Building Your First Army
New players often make the mistake of chasing upgraded or “premium” troops right away. Early game strength comes from fielding enough units, not from having a few elite divisions.
Early Army Goals:
- Reach 5 brigades as soon as possible
- Favor quantity over quality in the beginning
- Basic units are cost-efficient and gain experience quickly
Experience and training do more for early power than unit upgrades. Build wide first, then improve the roster once it’s complete.
Mastering Stances Early Pays Off Later
Stances define how your army behaves on the campaign map, and they are far more powerful than most new players realize. The Drill stance is invaluable because it accelerates experience gain. Since veterancy dramatically boosts combat effectiveness, consistent drilling can turn a mediocre army into a force that wins even against superior numbers.
Just ensure you have healthy ammo and food before committing to long training sessions.
A Reliable Early-Game Progress Strategy
To grow your army efficiently without taking unnecessary risks, use a simple loop that steadily builds your resources and troop experience:
- Visit a large settlement and buy provisions and ammunition.
- Move just outside the settlement.
- Switch to Raiding stance and let time progress.
- Accumulate Thaler, food, and experience.
- When enemy forces investigate, hold your ground and defeat them.
- Choose Thaler or Ammunition rewards.
This loop helps you develop a strong foundation without draining your economy or putting your army into unwinnable battles.
Why Artillery Defines the Mid-Game
At a certain point, artillery becomes the single most influential unit type in determining the outcome of battles. When positioned correctly, it can cripple enemy formations before the engagement even starts.
Key Artillery Priorities:
- Range before accuracy
- Get the Engineer support upgrade early
- +20 percent range items have the highest impact
- Bronze cannons outperform iron for this playstyle
Aim for four to six artillery units once your core army is stable. They give you battlefield control and make larger battles far more manageable.
Choosing the Right Mission Types Early
Not all missions provide equal value for your time and resources. Some are ideal for early growth, while others can stall or drain your campaign.
Early-Friendly Missions:
- Slums
- Outposts
These offer manageable difficulty and solid rewards.
Be Cautious With:
- Fort missions
Forts are more demanding and often cost more than they reward unless you specifically want a unique artillery unit locked behind them. Attempt these only when your army is well-seasoned.
Equipping and Training Your Troops
After establishing your five-brigade army, begin enhancing it through gear earned in raids, convoys, and special events. Artillery benefits the most from priority upgrades, but don’t neglect your supporting units. Spread equipment upgrades gradually rather than dumping everything into one or two divisions.
Keep returning to training as your campaign progresses. A highly trained unit with veteran ranks can perform far above its base stats, and regular training keeps your advantages sharp.
Your first goal isn’t to conquer everything quickly — it’s to learn how each decision impacts your campaign. Build deliberately, expand steadily, and let your army mature rather than rushing into every mission that appears.
The first campaign is your chance to experiment, get comfortable with stances and troop progression, and discover how you like to build your army. Once you finish your first run, you’ll be ready to challenge higher difficulties with a strategy that’s uniquely your own.