Strand | Chapter 1 The Banner Saga Guide

This chapter starts with conversation which you as Ubin have with Eirik (town steward). Dialog options which can be chosen during this conversation do not have a key influence on its course. After the meeting the game will display Strand view. As you progress in the chapter, more and more locations in the town will be available and you'll know that by the blue surrounding around them. In this case the only new location the Market shown on the attached screen.

Option to intimidate or to pay Hadd appears only if you join the conversation

The next conversation takes place when you reach the market. Ubin and Eirik will meet here a merchant Hadd and you can act in two ways. If you want to join the conversation, you have to choose 1st or 2nd dialog option and this will allow you to intimidate Hadd or bribe him. You can also leave the conversation at its beginning or after listening to some sentences by selecting the 3rd dialog option.

Before leaving the market Ubin will meet Gunnulf. You can playfully offend him (1st dialog option), maintain a neutral state (2nd option) or praise him for buying a new outfit (3rd option). The end of conversation with allies doesn't really matter.

First important decision

Regardless of how you acted on the market, you'll have to go now to the Mead House building, so choose this location on the town view. Prepare to make your first decision, which will significantly affect the future course of events:

• 1st dialog option (Let's get it over with) or 2nd dialog option (You're walking through the front door?) will make giants joining Eirik and Valgard and will take part in the new battle described below. I suggest doing so, because you'll be able to gain Renown points right away.
• 3rd dialog option (I'd rather sit this one out) will make giants not joining the fight. As result Eirik and Valgard will fight the battle without your participation and support and the action will immediately jump to the next conversation (scroll down). I do not recommend this variant, because although Eirik and Valgard won't die, you'll lose opportunity to gain valuable Renown points. In addition, the mentioned fight is the first "full-fledged" battle, so it is very desirable to further explore mechanisms of combat system.

Do not rush with reducing distance to thugs

If you've chosen 1st or 2nd dialog option, the action will move to Mead House, where Shieldbanger, Gunnulf, Eirik and Valgard will have to fight a group of bandits (Thug Swordsman, Thug Leader). Notice, that first of all you are able to place your characters on the area marked in blue before the fight. But this is obligatory and default placement of giants and allied warriors is also acceptable.

After the fight begins, do not rush with sending your people toward bandits, because otherwise they can be attacked as first ones. It is better to move on shorter distance and look for an opportunity to place your character near the enemy when you have an active turn. Such behavior will allow you in addition to keep Willpower points, which can be spent to increase damage dealt in subsequent attacks.

Tempest attack will allow you to kill or seriously weaken two enemies

During the described battle do not forget about special abilities of your characters. Valgard has Stonewall ability, which should be activated after getting close to bandits. Eirik can use Rally ability which replenishes Willpower points of given ally (it is best to keep this action for the later part of the fight). Gunnulf can use already known Tempest attack and it should be used when two bandits are close to the giant.

As you've probably noticed, two Thug Leaders are a bit tougher. So it would be good to attack them with character with high Strength attribute and also strengthen attacks with Willpower points. Behave identically when enemies place themselves close to each other, because then the effectiveness of their defense is improving.

Before returning to the great hall you should meet Hakon and prince Ludin

After the fight Ubin will talk to Eirik and this will happen irrespective of whether you took part in previously described battle (1st and 2nd variants) or you haven't helped Eirik and Valgard (3rd variant). At the end of the meeting Eirik will ask Ubin for a favor and it would be good to agree to help him.

Wait until the game returns to the town view and go to Docks. Ubin will meet there Vognir and Hakon. You'll return to the town view again. Before you head to the great hall, you should click on images of Hakon and prince Ludin to make optional meetings with those characters. The meeting with Hakon has no behavior options but in case of talking to prince Ludin you'll be able to react on his question - mention only about presenting yourself (1st dialog option), express interest of the prince (2nd option) or try to find out more about Ludin visit (3rd option).

You'll get the bonus only if you helped Eirik and Valgard earlier

At the end click on the Great Hall. The action will move forwards to the next day, resulting in end of your visit in Strand town. If you have helped Eirik and Valgard in the last battle and made optional conversation, you'll gain maximum amount of 20 Renown points. Otherwise you'll get no reward or you'll receive only 5 Renown points. Regardless of the course of events you'll have to confirm your willingness to join the caravan.