Anvil Empires is a massively multiplayer war and conquest game played in scheduled pre-alpha tests. This guide walks a new player from their first spawn through choosing a faction, claiming a homestead, gathering starter resources, and finding their place in the larger war effort. The world is shared, persistent for the duration of a test, and almost everything in the game is built and destroyed by other players.
Pre-Alpha Access
Pre-alpha access is free and granted by the studio rather than purchased. Wishlist the game on its store page, join the studio's community channels for the test schedule, and request access ahead of the next test window. There is no NDA; screenshots, video clips, and feedback may be shared publicly. Tests typically run for five to seven days; see Pre-Alpha Tests for the full cadence.
Choosing a Faction
After installing through the storefront and connecting to a test world, the first decision is which of the three factions to join: the Ancients (Mirrish), the Remnants (Novan), or the Pagans (Aranic). At the time of the most recent pre-alpha test, factions differ mainly in heraldry, spawn location, and a small number of faction-specific superior shields and clothing pieces; most weapons and structures are currently shared. The studio plans to deepen faction-unique gameplay before early access.
Once an alliance is selected, the avatar spawns at one of that faction's preplaced Town Centers, which is the safest starting point. Spawning at a Town Center gives access to basic crafting facilities, a stockpile of starter supplies, and a population of other faction players to coordinate with.
First Hour Loop
The opening loop covers the same systems every test:
Gather basic resources. Pick up branches from the ground, knap flint into improvised tool heads, and forage berries and water. Crude stone tools come from crafting and resources knowledge built into the starter UI.
Craft crude gear. Crude Helmet, Crude Chest Armour, Crude Leg Armour, and a Crude Short Sword or Flint Spear are enough to survive in the wilderness while a faction settlement takes shape. Crude clothing covers the body and leg slots underneath.
Hunt and forage. Bring down small game and chickens for pelts and meat. Cook food at a Firepit or Hearth to push back hunger.
Claim or join a homestead. A Homestead Keystone marks a player-owned plot where higher tier crafting buildings can sit. New players who do not want to manage their own plot can join an existing homestead led by a faction member; established homesteads usually have spare beds, tools, and chores to share.
Find a job. Faction Discord channels list daily roles: smithing crews, miners, hunters, builders, caravan drivers, frontline soldiers. Filling one of these roles is the fastest way to learn the systems and matter to the war.
Essential Controls
These are the keybinds a new player will use within their first session. The full list is on the Controls page.
Action | Key |
|---|---|
Move | WASD |
Sprint | Shift |
Climb | Ctrl |
Push | Space |
Interact, use, pick up | E |
Drop item, open gate | V |
Mount, dismount | Q |
Arm primary weapon | R |
Arm secondary weapon | F |
Hotbar slots | 1 through 9 |
Inventory | Tab |
Build menu | B |
World map | M |
Upgrade structure | U |
Chat | Enter |
Push to talk | T |
Toggle voice | N |
Currency and Bounties
Silver is the in-world currency. Early Silver comes from completing bounties posted at Town Centers and from selling surplus goods at the Marketplace. Silver pays for upkeep on owned structures, fills Place Order requests on the Marketplace, and buys Avatar recruitments at the Town Keep. Carry enough Silver to pay homestead and structure upkeep before logging off.
Survival Notes
Hunger and thirst tick down constantly. Keep cooked food in inventory; raw meat eaten in the field still works in a pinch but is much less filling.
Heavy and Reinforced armour lock out bows and spears. A new player who plans to skirmish should stay in Crude or Light. See Armours for the full rule.
Death is meaningful but not punishing. Players respawn at a friendly Town Center or homestead bed; carried inventory drops at the death site and can be recovered if the corpse survives.
Carts are slow, caravans are fast. For longer hauls, request a caravan with experienced drivers rather than dragging a hand cart across the map.
Where to Go Next
Combat for damage types and melee mechanics.
Sieges for ladders, battering rams, catapults, and burning oil.
Victory Conditions for how a war is actually won.
Avatar System once a player wants to recruit named Avatars rather than play as an Auxiliary.
Calligo for the continent and named regions of the world.