Optimal character guide (Wulfram)

Between Royalist and Wulframite run, it is obvious that Royalist is the preferable choice: many notable characters we’ve interacted with in previous parts will side with the Griffin Throne (Caz, Kat, Welles, Reyes, etc.), they have a much clearer plan to improve the kingdom, the army is loyal to the monarch, and many more reasons.

However, siding with Wulfram requires much less effort from our part to get to the optimal outcome. In addition, we don’t have to worry about our finances since daddy Wulfram will cover us, so it’s much less stressful. Of course, there are many way and to play (and/or roleplay) this game, but I want to point out one, among many, ways to play to get to the (IMO) optimal outcome.

Check out my previous guides to and import the Wulfram character accordingly. Feedback is welcome!

Sabres Guide
Guns Guide
Royalist Guide

Notes:

1/ I won’t include inconsequential decisions in this guide (personalities will affect sometimes, but it’s only for flavor most of the time). If you don’t see my choice in the list of choices, it means that list has inconsequential choices.

2/ I will shorten the terms for convenience:
Cazarosta->caz, Elson->els,Cunaris->cun,Lefebvre->lef
Soldiering->sol,Intellect->int,Charisma->cha,Reputation->rep
Idealism->Ideal,Ruthlessnes->ruth,Sergeant->sgt
Discipline->dis,morale->mor,loyalty->loy
Royalist->roy,Wulframite->wul

3/ I’ll use a blank line to separate between choices.

4/ For estate random events, generally go for choices that favor your fief.
a. For the merchant vs tenant event, you should generally side with your tenant early in the game and the merchant later in the game.
b. For the elf tourist event, don’t apologize, just reload the chapter or accept the %-5 rep hit.

Choices - part 1

The Duke of Wulfram is right. The war taxes must end, whatever the cost.
-> Wulfram is right. I must speak in his support.

"I'd be happy to accept your invitation, Your Grace."

I go and look to see what's going on.

"I think these new inventions may be the heralds of a new age of progress."
- You can’t answer Castermaine’s question, but it’s fine, don’t worry.

"I would agree wholeheartedly, sir."

"My word, that does sound rather exciting."
- Warburton arrives.

"He is yet young, he ought to be able to enjoy himself."

I shall try to inspire them, convince them that we are bound for greater things.
- You can opt for the last option instead for more cynicism, but it costs 40$

…the talks came to nothing. There was no engagement.

"Times are hard for all; I cannot afford to lower rents anytime soon."

I mean to attend to the matter of my family's debts.
-> I must try to renegotiate the interest on my loans.
The village could use some improvements.
-> Let's see to refurbishing the village shrine.
- A school is another good choice, but I’m pretty sure shrine is the best one among them.

There must be some way to keep myself occupied.
-> I must endeavour to keep myself healthy through physickal exercise.
- This will allow you to have 55+ stats across the board by the end of the game, which I believe will be a good threshold for the sequels.

"You would be most welcome to stay here a while."

If I must go to the capital to help Hunter of Wolfswood become a Saint, then go I shall.
Or
There's opportunity to be had in the capital, and I mean to seize it.

I appoint Loch as my estate manager.

Perhaps I may talk these men down?
-> "You could choose to work for me."
-> These men must hang, and I will ensure that they do.
- Life is full of difficult choices. Some of the baneless may die, but it is a sacrifice the bane-blooded is willing to take.

Examine the options available in Saint Octavia's Park.
- Castle Quarter also works, but I don’t recommend it.

I will choose something modest—by the area's standards, anyhow.

I should send some money home, to help improve my fief.
-> Send 4500$
- This is enough until Chap 6. Don’t send more until then.

Membership in the Admiralty Club appeals to me, perhaps…
-> I mean to apply for membership to the Admiralty Club.
-> My military record is all the argument I need.
- You can go visit in person if you like. If you got high opinion from Lefebvre, you will get more inf_club at the start, but it won’t be necessary.

"I fear I must decline."
-> "I do mean to join the Commission, but on my own merits."
- Don’t join the Commission, you’ll be stuck between your faction wanting to kill it and Welles wanting to keep it going.

The King's Government must help the King's subjects, whatever the cost. I vote in favour.
OR
A reputation as Wulfram's ally will serve me well. I vote in favour.

I have little interest in army reform, or the Commission meant to consider it.

I must see what benefit I might secure for my home region.

"He really didn't, did he?"
-> "Shall I call upon you sometime?"
- We’re in Chap 4 now.

"Very well, I shall make a donation."
-> Donate 1$
- The less you donate the stronger Wulfram’s position will be since the people will suffer, hence more resentment towards the king. But you should donate something at least. Don’t donate 10$ or more.

I should do what I can to support the cause of raising Hunter of Wolfswood to Sainthood.
-> The Dowager's campaign will continue to have my support.

I would like to make some calls upon my friends and acquaintances.
-> I will pay a call on Countess Welles.
-> I care not how, so long as it gives me an excuse to court her more closely.
-> "The truth is that I have…admired you greatly for a long time."
- Welles second best waifu.

I mean to see about enhancing my reputation and influence.
-> I should work towards increasing my stature within the Admiralty Club.

I mean to see about enhancing my reputation and influence.
-> I'll try to convince my fellow club members to back the Duke of Wulfram.

I vote for the Duke of Wulfram's budget.

The Club sounds like a good way to spend a winter.
-> "You may, sir."
-> The chance of discovery cannot be too great if I keep my bets minimal.

I must stay in Aetoria. I have obligations here I must fulfil.
OR
Leaving Aetoria means leaving my power and influence behind. I'll not do it.

"You have been a good friend, and I should hope to see you again one day."
- Chap 5 begins. Holt came and went out of our life just like that :(

"I think it is ill-advised and will do us no good."
-> I mean to talk the treaty's supporters into turning against it.

I must speak against the Kian treaty.

I vote for Wulfram's budget and to kill the Kian treaty.

"That the King would turn his troops on his own people…it is unforgivable."
- Now is Chap 6

"I will, Your Grace. You have my support."
- As long as you join his faction, you no longer have to worry about interest. You can now borrow money as much as you like. Start borrowing 5000$ each turn from the bank.

I mean to attend to the matter of my family's debts.
-> I shall require a great deal of money; 5000 crown, at least.
- Continue borrowing money each turn like this.
I should send some money home, to help improve my fief.
-> Send 3500$
- This is enough until the end of the game.

Yes, I think I will make a donation.
-> Donate either 50/150/400/1000/2000$. The more you donate the more rep gain you’ll get. But our rep should be around 75 at this point, so no need to go more than 50.

Now would be an excellent time for me to advance the campaign to see Hunter of Wolfswood sainted.
-> I ought to see if any within the Admiralty are interested.

"I am well, sir—and very pleased to be under your command once more."

Before all else, soldiers must have discipline!

"You seem very sure of this, Your Grace."
-> "I mean to keep the peace, Your Grace, regardless of the circumstances."
- During dinner with Wulfram, choices 2 and 5 will have 3 options, choose the middle one for both.

Choices - part 2

We will form ranks and approach, prepare to disperse the crowd if needed.
-> We should move in to disperse the crowd, but slowly and with our sabres sheathed.

"I cannot apologise for my actions. I did what I thought right."

"I mean to take this seriously. Seal off the streets, find me some witnesses."
-> Arrest someone who resembles the description, someone who won't be missed. He'll do.
- Life is full of difficult choices. Some of the baneless may die, but it is a sacrifice the bane-blooded is willing to take.

First Squadron is the softest of the lot, I'll pitch in there.

Each incident must be judged individually, independent of politickal circumstance or allegiance.

"Twenty or so men will serve my purposes well enough. First Squadron may take the rest."
-> My command will shoulder the burden of the worst, so First Squadron won't have to.

I should send some money home, to help improve my fief.
-> Send 2000$
Borrow 5000$ as well, of course. By this point, you should have the maximum number of tenants (250) if you’re not unlucky.




Very well, Wulfram will have my support in this.
- This dinner is inevitable since we’re already in his faction. We’re just here to reconfirm our allegiance. Next is the time for action.

I'll go watch some fights in the Old City. I may not have another chance.
-> I must convince him to lend us his support.
-> "I can offer you better than that: two hundred fifty crown if you work for me."
- Help him find work will cost you %-10 rep instead. Choose whichever you think is better. I chose money since we’re rich (for now).

The pamphleteering scheme I established to support Wolfswood's Sainthood might be used to rally support.
-> I have the four hundred crown necessary for a considerable run of new pamphlets.

I take a personal hand in the regiment's drill, to prepare them for what is to come.
-> Drill first and second squadron. Don’t bother with third since they (aka Caz) will betray you later.
- Alternatively, you can increase your personal stats instead, but Cata mentioned that your stats will matter much less in sequels so I think this option won’t be necessary.

If I am to rely upon the men, I must ensure that they are loyal to me.
-> I can use my pull at Grenadier Square to do the men a few favours.
- You can bribe them instead, but it will cost you 1200/2400/3600$, which I think is too much.

First Squadron will go to Captain Blaylock.
- We mentored him back in Guns just for this reason. He’ll make first squadron a lot more powerful.

Embody the Houseguard. Should the Wulframite party have need of it, then I shall be ready.

I must secure the Army Reform Commission's records for Castermaine.
- There were 2 reasons why I chose Octavia’s Park as our townhouse. First was to prevent you from getting involved with Wulfram too early, which would have cost you rep. Second was for this reason. You should have more than 40 inf_grenadier at this point thanks to the townhouse, otherwise, you take %-10 rep.

- Final Battle begins
I should inspect the men one last time, just in case.
AND
I should address the regiment, make sure that there are no…misgivings.
-> Order the advance. It's time we got moving.

We must gather Wulfram's supporters on the streets, so we might lead them to his aid.
-> We've not the time for further diversions. We must press on!
- Garret is secretly the queen’s agent, but I suspect he (she’s a woman in disguise) will go rogue later on. For now, you should suspect her advice is usually harmful.

Lord Meran may do as he pleases, I don't have the time to talk him around.

Going through the docks will take longer, but it will also preserve my forces.
- Important crossroad here. Going through the square or the dock are both fine. I have tested both options: Playing optimally with the square option will give you ~107 Wulfram force vs 0 Royal force in the end, but your dragoons lose more men. The dock option will give you ~128 Wulfram force vs 10 Royal force. Ultimately, I chose to go through the dock. If you join some other club, I think you’re better off going through the square.
- For square option: Sow disorder with Palliser’s force first, then fight, shoot them with guns instead of charging. In chap 12 keep your troops in reserve, then fighting retreat. Then during battery defense get the Takaran guns, then wait, then get First Squadron to assist the Cuirassiers, then don’t assist the Wulfram mob, then negotiate.

I shall see if I cannot conclude negotiations quickly.
-> I simply need convince the Shipowners that an expeditious conclusion of negotiations is…good business.

We must move to the aid of the Marines!
-> We must hold off the Grenadiers and let the Marines handle this new threat.
-> If we must retreat, then let it be a fighting retreat, one that keeps the enemy at bay.
- If you did not mentor Blaylock or not assign him as commander of First Squadron, you WILL die.

"We'll send patrols to seek out the enemy and delay or weaken them."
-> "They'll need more materials for defences, send out detachments to find some."
-> "Send out detachments to look for any stragglers from the retreat."
Do it in this order. First choice will always fail because of caz, doesn’t matter. Second option will amplify your success compared to the third, so my options are more optimal if you choose it this way (given that you’re in the Admiralty club).
- Don’t forget to apologize to the cuirassier. It’s for the greater good.

"No. Not yet."
- Our mob should be much more powerful than theirs, they don’t need our help.

Let the men eat and drink, it will do their spirits good.
-> "What if we were to try negotiating with the enemy?"
- And we are done. Enjoy the epilogue. We should be significantly more powerful than the enemy. It is only due to plot armor that Wulfram’s force lost, honestly.
- Final dragoons stats:

Afterwords:

By the end, you should have over 12k$, (and >20k$ debt, but daddy Wulfram got you, so don't worry) 80+ inf_wulfram, ~128 wulfram force against 10 royal force. This should put you at a great advantage in the sequels.

[aztarod_1997]

Between serving a cold hearted B****, that has no problem murdering women and children, has the carisma of a knife to the throat, and the emphaty of an ice block, yeah, am picking the guy that considers a death ratio of 15k people per winter may be "A bad thing", and still tries the legal way.

[🌕]

thanks for the guide friend

[MPN]

@elyjlukes Yes, it slightly increases your fief content & reputation IIRC, so it's worth it. You can hire them, which will likely be useful in the sequel, but you have to accept some upkeep for them.

[elyjlukes]

Hey, why did you write the letter for the brigands to die on the road? Does it save you money or something?

[MPN]

I don't think its worth it to go shipowners for Wulframite run, for multiple reasons: Shorting in chap 5 means undermining your faction, you'll no longer be in Aetoria in the end so you may lose all your investments, and it provides no significant advantages other than money, which we don't desperately need.

As for Admiralty club, the majority of them side with Wulfram, which will likely be advantageous later on. They provide +30 Wulfram strength with the prizefight, which is very significant. Also, they provide decent bonuses in chap 12 (check my guide). Personally, either admiralty or reformer club is the best for Wulframite run, but reformer is too hard to pull off, especially during the debates in chap 5.

[DeathNote]

Why did you choose to join the admirality club instead of lets say the shipowners club?

[MPN]

@comradsushi You were right. Under certain cases we would not have 6000 to send home right during chapter 4. The strategy then would be to send a lower amount, and send the rest later once we can borrow money interest-free. I'll update my guide shortly to take this into account.

[MPN]

@comradsushi If you follow my Saber and Guns guides you would have well over 6000$ to spare at that point. If you don't import characters, you're gonna have a relatively hard time.

[comradsushi]

How did you have 6000 to send ?

[MPN]

I didn't screenshot personal stats for this path but you will get the same result as mine if you follow these choices.