Where should I go after the first location?

[Shalfey]

I can't seem to figure out which direction to head to, in terms of levels. I don't have the "everything levels up\down with me" thing on.

[Alex]

The system allows you to pick adaptive mode, where the encounters are reduced or maybe increased to your level or progressive mode where you follow a set path, anyway, I don't really remember the names of the zones but first one was the one with the refugees, then went to the zone where the refugees come from I guess to the west of that area.

[Lightning]

If you didn't pick the first option to scale someone mentioned West would be most ideal after the first area first

[JustaGamer]

I assume going to the west side since I got a mission from the board. I went to east side they are level 8 stuff at the start.

[Dekent]

I'm playing region locked too and went west to the civil war then north to the vineyards, seemed to work out well.

[Ommamar]

I never thought about things being more difficult based on where you went to on the map using the open world option. I have noticed though that there is a wide variance on how challenging the battles are. I have had average fights I went through with no to minimal issues while some easy battles resulted in huge losses or in one case a full party wipe.

[Darth Acerbus]

Seems like the "intended" direction is north to the wine region, then back down through Tiltren over to the west civil war region. I did the reverse and the west was a real struggle all the way though and I'm currently just stomping the north.

[Keith 'Blood' Hanson]

I think when its region locked, both North and West are around the same levels, maybe. I think the west might be easier...? Especially for rogue companies wanting to not have to deal with guards.

I know the game intends for West to be the next step because just finished the first area, and I got the ability to start a new campaign in Arthas.

[Lightning]

Originally posted by Darth Acerbus:

Seems like the "intended" direction is north to the wine region, then back down through Tiltren over to the west civil war region. I did the reverse and the west was a real struggle all the way though and I'm currently just stomping the north.

Mine was opposite for my first playthrough they north was really bad for some reason, west is more level scaled around 4-5 it seems.