---
title: "For The King: Complete Guide"
game: "For The King"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/for-the-king"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Builds", "Beginners", "Lore", "Classes"]
summary: "A practical guide to For The King (the 2018 original): how the dice-slot system works, how to build a party, what to spend Lore on, how to manage Chaos and Focus, and how to actually finish a run. Researched September…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/for-the-king-complete-guide-8fe86ca7"
published: "2026-09-27T17:30:09.689Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T17:30:09.689Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# For The King: Complete Guide

A practical guide to For The King (the 2018 original): how the dice-slot system works, how to build a party, what to spend Lore on, how to manage Chaos and Focus, and how to actually finish a run.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of the final For The King build, which includes all released free expansions (Dungeon Crawl, Frozen Expanse, Gold Rush, Into The Deep); the Lost Civilization Adventure Pack (February 10, 2021) is paid DLC. Development has moved to For The King II. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **Everything is a percentage roll.** Attacks, skill checks, and events show slots; each slot has a chance of success based on the relevant stat. More successful slots = better outcome.
2. **Focus guarantees slots.** Spend Focus to lock in a success. It's precious; save it for key attacks, boss fights, and dangerous checks.
3. **Chaos is the timer.** As turns pass, Chaos builds and makes the game harder. Complete the main quest steps and lore objectives to push it back.
4. **Stay together or split with purpose.** A split party covers more ground but can't help in fights unless they're within range.
5. **Rest in towns and use the pipe.** Herbs heal and cure status effects; towns sell healing and let you rest.
6. **Party lives matter.** A shared life pool lets fallen heroes be revived; when it's empty, deaths become permanent. Protect it.
7. **Lore persists between runs.** Spend Lore in the Lore Store on classes, items, and events that make future runs easier.
8. **Start with Hildebrant's Cellar** if you're new — it's the tutorial-style adventure.
9. **Don't fight everything.** Check enemy strength and avoid battles that don't serve your quest.

## The Dice-Slot System

- **Attack slots:** each weapon has a number of slots and a stat (Strength, Intelligence, Awareness, Talent, Speed, etc.). The percentage per slot comes from your relevant stat (stats range from 1 to 95, per Wikipedia).
- **Partial success:** some attacks deal partial damage if not all slots succeed.
- **Perfect roll:** all slots successful often triggers bonus effects (stuns, extra damage).
- **Focus:** spend Focus to lock in slots before rolling.
- **Skill checks** (events, traps, chests) use the same system.

**Rule of thumb:** prioritize weapons whose stat is your highest; a 3-slot weapon at 70 percent beats a 4-slot weapon at 45 percent most of the time.

## Stats

| Stat | Used for |
|---|---|
| Strength | Heavy melee weapons |
| Vitality | Health and resistances |
| Intelligence | Magic, scrolls, and some skill checks |
| Awareness | Bows and perception checks |
| Talent | Instruments and some skill checks |
| Speed | Turn order and movement |
| Luck | Chance-based outcomes and loot |

## Classes

Classes are medieval professions rather than combat roles (per Wikipedia: the Blacksmith is the tank, the Scholar the mage). The core starters are **Blacksmith**, **Hunter**, **Scholar**, and **Minstrel**; more are bought with Lore in the Lore Store, and the paid **Lost Civilization Adventure Pack** adds the **Gladiator** and the **Astronomer** (per its Steam page). Check the Lore Store in your build for the full unlock list and costs.

| Class | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blacksmith | Tank / melee | High Strength and Vitality; hammers and armor |
| Hunter | Ranged damage | Awareness; bows |
| Scholar | Magic damage / support | Intelligence; scrolls and spells |
| Minstrel | Support | Talent; instruments that buff and heal |
| Herbalist (Lore Store) | Healer | Herb and healing focus |
| Woodcutter (Lore Store) | Melee damage | Axes; strong damage |
| Monk (Lore Store) | Support / focus | IronOak describes its kit as support skills "designed to keep the party Focused and healthy" |
| Gladiator (Lost Civilization) | Melee | DLC class; the pack also adds dual-wielding |
| Astronomer (Lost Civilization) | Magic | DLC class; the pack also adds magical wands |

### Beginner party

- **Blacksmith + Hunter + Scholar** is the classic, balanced start: tank, ranged physical, and magic.
- **Blacksmith + Hunter + Minstrel** leans on support and sustain.

## The Overworld

- **Movement:** each turn you roll movement slots based on Speed; Focus can guarantee more movement.
- **Day/night:** night is more dangerous. Plan to be in towns or camps when it falls.
- **Towns:** sell gear, healing, and services; some towns also offer quests.
- **Encounters:** hovering over an enemy shows its strength; choose fights.
- **Camps and inns:** rest to heal and recover Focus.
- **Sanctums:** special locations offering powerful lasting buffs; read the tooltip for any condition or trade-off before accepting.

## Chaos

- **Chaos** builds over time and adds penalties to the party.
- Each new level of Chaos applies an effect that makes enemies stronger or the world harsher; read the Chaos tooltip to see what's active.
- **Push back Chaos** by completing main quest steps and certain lore objectives, and by clearing Chaos-related encounters.
- **Don't wander aimlessly.** Every turn counts.

## Combat Tips

- **Speed decides turn order.** Fast characters act first; slow ones may take hits before acting.
- **Buffs and debuffs** matter: stuns, poison, bleeds, and protection buffs swing fights.
- **Status effects** can be cured with pipes/herbs or items.
- **Retreat** is possible but not always safe.
- **Focus on one target** at a time to reduce incoming damage.

## How a Main Campaign Run Flows

1. **Opening turns:** grab the starting quest, buy cheap upgrades in the first town, and fight only weak encounters to build gold and XP.
2. **First main quest steps:** follow the quest markers; each completed step typically eases Chaos pressure and advances the story.
3. **Mid-game:** clear a dungeon or two for gear, visit a Sanctum if one is nearby, and upgrade weapons that match your party's best stats.
4. **Prepare for bosses:** arrive with full Focus, healing items, and cures for the statuses the boss inflicts.
5. **Late game:** tougher regions and dungeons; resistances and armor matter more than raw damage.
6. **Finale:** the last dungeon and boss; stock up on healing and revival options before entering.

### Gold and shopping priorities

1. A main weapon that matches each hero's highest stat.
2. Healing items and status cures.
3. Armor with resistances for the region you're entering.
4. Trinkets and utility items (Focus, movement).

## Adventures and Modes

| Adventure | What it is |
|---|---|
| For The King | The main campaign |
| Hildebrant's Cellar | Tutorial-style adventure |
| Frost Adventure (Frozen Expanse) | Winter-themed adventure with cold survival |
| Dungeon Crawl | A dungeon-focused adventure |
| Gold Rush | An un-cooperative mode where players compete for gold |
| Into The Deep | Seafaring expansion with ships and new areas |
| Lost Civilization | Paid DLC (Feb 10, 2021): the Jungle Falls realm, arena-style challenges, dual-wielding and wands, two new classes, 50+ new enemies, and 90+ new items |

## Lore and the Lore Store

- **Lore** is earned by completing objectives and runs, even failed ones.
- **Spend it** on new classes, starting items, events, and NPCs.
- **Priorities:** unlock more classes and useful starting items first; they have the biggest impact on success.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Burning Focus on minor fights.** Save it for bosses and critical checks.
- **Wandering at night** without a plan.
- **Ignoring Chaos.** It grows and ruins runs.
- **Using weapons that don't match your stats.**
- **Splitting the party too far apart.** You can't help in fights if you're out of range.
- **Skipping the pipe.** Healing and curing statuses keep runs alive.

## Advanced Tips

- **Speed investment** gives more movement and earlier turns in combat.
- **Use "find" abilities** where a class has one; free herbs and food save gold.
- **Plan routes** around towns, sanctums, and quest locations.
- **Use dungeons** for loot but be ready for multi-fight sequences.
- **Upgrade gear at towns** and prioritize armor and resistances for the late game.
- **Coordinate in co-op**: agree on who uses Focus and who takes risky checks.

## FAQ

**Is For The King co-op?**
Yes, single player, local co-op, and online co-op (1 to 3 characters).

**How long is a run?**
The main campaign is roughly 9 hours for a full run according to IronOak's For The King II Book of Lore post.

**What's the easiest adventure?**
Hildebrant's Cellar is the tutorial-style one; start there.

**Should I buy For The King or For The King II?**
For The King is cheaper and a complete package; For The King II (November 2023) has a new campaign structure and ongoing updates (the Monk returned there in September 2025).

**Is the Lost Civilization DLC worth it?**
If you've finished the free adventures and want more, yes: it's the only paid expansion, adding a whole jungle realm (Jungle Falls), arena challenges, the Gladiator and Astronomer, dual-wielding and wands, and dozens of new enemies and items. Everything else (Dungeon Crawl, Frozen Expanse, Gold Rush, Into The Deep) is already in the base game.

**What's the best class?**
It depends on the party; Blacksmith, Hunter, and Scholar are the classic balanced trio.

**Do I lose everything when a run fails?**
You keep Lore and unlocks, which make later runs easier.

## Sources

- [For The King on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/527230/For_The_King/)
- [For The King — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_King)
- [Lost Civilization Adventure Pack on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1433560/)
- [Steam news: The Monk Returns in New FTKII DLC (September 19, 2025)](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/527230)
- [For The King II on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1676840/For_The_King_II/)
- [Steam news for For The King](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/527230)