*Spoilers* Lerajie's OCD End Game Save

[Lerajie]

I got obsessed with The Banner Saga. almost too obsessed and have spent around 90 hours playing, in which time I've created what I would call, the "almost" perfect end game save, in preperation for The Banner Saga 2. So much time was spent creating this, I felt I wanted to share the end result.

The purpose of this save was to get as many clansman safely to Boersgard as possible. At the moment we don't know what choices if any would carry over, so everything is speculation. However be sure to complete the game on your own before using this save file.

Features of this save file are:

• Outside of Boersgard in 129 days with 6 days of food supply, arriving in 1 more day.
  
• 180 Renown to spend, 692 clansman, 87 fighters and 48 varl.
  
• Difficulty never changed from Hard. Egil is alive, Alette never fought humans or Varl.
  
• Final random event was meeting the outlaws that steal from you. +10 fighters before they can escape ;)
  
• Only Rook, Iver & Gunnulf leveled to rank 5. Everyone else with enough kills for rank 5, level whom you like.
  
• 20 kills on every character apart from Hogun and Mogun (only managed to get them to 15 kills each) Why 20 you might ask? Well the next logical step to rank 6 would be at the 20 kill mark.
  
• Every war battle was fought gaining an item at the end. No items brought using Renown.
  
• Hakon's group raised the same way, however with many more overflow kills on Hakon and +190 renown.
  
• Full item list: Alette's Bracelet, Leather Flask, Padded Undercoat, Tryggvi's Necklace, Bjarken Rune, Singing Stone, Tistelberry, Charm of the Wandering Mind, Comb of the Loom Mother, Dragon Stone, Gullinfyri, Vadrun Silver Brooch, Eyeless Rift, Farthingjörd, Puzzle box of the Twin Rivers, Scarlet Feather, Bjorulf's Blessing, Björg av Leander, Calabilla, Dundr's Hand, Five Ring Necklace, Godscale, Namejs' Ring.
  
• Remember, some of those items will arrive with Hakon's group. Also don't forget to grab the Stravhs' Whetstone from the the Godstone.
  
• No clansman ever starved, and morale never dropped to low.

Important decisions made:

• Stayed outside Frostveller.
  We fought dredge outside instead of fighting humans inside. Flavour text does state you lose alot of clansman, yet your number stays the same and you gain clansman by helping people. Regardless, this way you gain more Renown, kills and a rank 5 item without joining with Onef and Ekkill.
  
• Prince Ludin stayed with Hakon's group and didn't die.
  This may actually turn out to be a negative thing! However he was a playable character, so kept him around.
  
• Fought on Einartoft bridge until Iver forced it to be destroyed.
  Missed a battle here by not blowing up the bridge after the 2nd bridge fight, but flavour text states alot of Varl join you (even though numbers never increase) Fasolt also dies this way (highly doubt he's meant to survive)
  
• As many playable characters kept alive as possible.

FAQ:

"Why did you gather so many clansman? You could have saved more renown and leveled up more playable characters."

Very true! I could have actually gained over 700 clansman if I didn't let Oddleif train archers. It was a challenge that I've enjoyed doing.

"What achievements will this save get?"

You should try to get achievements on your own, but I understand that not everyone has the time. You'll still have to beat the final battles but You can get, Hard Difficulty, Challenge, Quartermaster, High Spirits, Innocent, Diplomat and Beat the Odds. Master Tactician can be gained if you level characters and fight in the training tent before Boersgard. I'm unsure if you can get Treasure Hunter and Warmonger, someone will have to let me know.

"How on earth did you do this?"

Alot of time, patience, loading old saves, abusing the RNG and being very careful on battles. The single most annoying thing was the war battles, aiming to get decent battles for renown and kills yet still getting an item at the end. I nearly gave up at several points. I could have spent longer on those battles, aiming to a better numbers of fighters and varl that had fallen, but that would have driven me insane.

"Are you looking forward to the Banner Saga 2?"

In many ways yes, we all want to know how the story continues. But in some ways no, I don't know if I could do this all over again, especially since I have a baby on the way. Say goodbye to free time!

"Where do I put the save file?"

C:\Users\*USERNAME*\AppData\Roaming\TheBannerSaga\Local Store\save\saga1

Theres many people on the forums that can help you if your on a different system or are having trouble. Be sure to backup your own saves! You'll never know when you'll want them.

Enjoy!

Lerajie's OCD Banner Saga Save[www.dropbox.com]

[Lerajie]

I'm really curious what carries over, choices, items, characters etc. Regarding TBS2, maybe having certain characters die would have been better in the long run? Very eager to find out!

Thats really interesting if Alette being "innocent" could change her character or views somewhat?

Regarding my save the powergaming side of me wants Rook to stay alive purely because he already has renown invested in him, heh. That plus Rook/Oddleif romance is a must!

[Aleonymous]

As TBS1 was designed, I think the optimal choice at Boersgard is to help Iver at the gates each and every day of the siege. I haven't done the math, but assuming you're reasonably well provisioned to feed your caravan for 4-5 days before entering the city, you can earn lots of Renown by fighting (and winning!). The only important loss is a magic item[bannersaga.gamepedia.com] to be found if you go and look for supplies. And at some point Hakon's caravan joins in, bring even more Renown/Supplies.

[dq_177]

Yeah but don't you lose a lot of clansmen if you don't sort out somewhere safe for them to hole up? That might be a big loss for the sequel where they will actually become useful.

[Aleonymous]

Първоначално публикувано от Lerajie:

Α. I'm really curious what carries over, choices, items, characters etc.
Β. Regarding TBS2, maybe having certain characters die would have been better in the long run?
C. Thats really interesting if Alette being "innocent" could change her character or views somewhat?

A. I am sure that *everything* will carry over. Imagine that TBS was one game separated in three parts.

B. My current feeling is that the more heroes you save, the better. Even some obnoxious ones (e.g. Ludin) can prove useful, with their connections and all. Of course, we should expect some backstabbers (in the vein of Onef), but I think it's gonna be an exception.

C. I too hope that this "choice" affects the story somehow. I am also curious to see how/if Ekkill plays an important role in TBS2. He was one of the "spiciest" characters in TBS1.

Първоначално публикувано от dq_177:

Yeah but don't you lose a lot of clansmen if you don't sort out somewhere safe for them to hole up? That might be a big loss for the sequel where they will actually become useful.

I don't think that TBS2 will "punish" players who let their caravan starve in TBS1, i.e. as a negative penalty. However, those who bothered saving their populations will get a relative bonus, and that was confirmed.

[Lerajie]

Dang. I wish I didn't let Oddleif train those archers now for that 700 clansmen mark.

[dq_177]

If you don't let Oddleif train the women to be archers then you don't get Nid though.

Much rather have another unique character along with a couple of soldiers instead of having them stay clansmen personally.

[Lerajie]

Forgot about Nid!

I'm wondering, will TBS2 have a feature where you can change past story elements to continue along? Would be great for people wanting to see different outcomes, or those that never played the first.

[Aleonymous]

Първоначално публикувано от Lerajie:

I'm wondering, will TBS2 have a feature where you can change past story elements to continue along? Would be great for people wanting to see different outcomes, or those that never played the first.

Doubtfull... They'd have to make a separate "mini-game" at TBS2's introduction just for that! :)

[Giopeppe]

Impressive indeed! If I only could I'll gladly take care of your baby just to let you power play :)

[Lerajie]

Thanks!

Where does the time go!? He's going to be 9 months old next week. I'm pretty much stuck to single player games due to having to semi-afk alot, so I may be able to make a save like this for BS2... it would just take a while is all ;)

[Aleonymous]

Using your "power save" will probably make TBS2 much easier than it's supposed to be, potentially reducing the enjoyment =/ You see, the game will most likely be balanced around the average player experience (in TBS1) but, leaving that aside, it's supposed to be played with mishaps and bad events along the way!

[Lerajie]

Wow. TBS2 coming so soon! Now I finally decide what to do for the end game >_<

[Fission Mailed]

Just a -thank you- bump. I just tried your save file and it is awesome. Congratz on it. Cheers

[Lerajie]

Първоначално публикувано от Fission Mailed:

Just a -thank you- bump. I just tried your save file and it is awesome. Congratz on it. Cheers

Thanks!

What I love is I managed to get to the end only having to use renown on a few characters. Anyone using this can level their favs easily :D

[Lerajie]

Finally got around to finishing my save.

Keeping Rook alive, done every battle so lost clansman instead. Seems strange keeping so many alive all game then letting them fend for themselves but the loss of varl/fighters seems too great, Going to view it as optimal renown. Luckly I gained morale before losing it when losing 88 clansman.

Clansmen: 604
Fighters: 87
Varl: 328
Renown: 433