Iron Harvest is the challenging tactical RTS from developer King Art Games that reimagines the 1920s into a dark dieselpunk nightmare full of conflict and violence. Its ability to combine the best elements of RTS games while avoiding the pratfalls of the genre's failings, ensures it remains one of the best strategy games on PC. However, its steep learning curve and unique factions can make it a difficult game to approach, especially for newcomers to the genre.

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Fortunately, there are a handful of helpful tips that can help even the most casual of players become pros. From executing the perfect strategy to understanding fundamental features of the game, these tips and tricks will help you start your foray into the visually stunning and engrossingly refreshing mech-based 1920s.

8 Play The Story

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips an image of a menu detailing chapters in the Story Mode of Iron Harvest with artwork of a woman standing in front of a field with a giant mech in the background accompanying the chapter name

It may seem obvious to some, but playing Iron Harvest's story is a really great way to understand the basics as well as the game's fascinating world and lore. It is broken up into multiple campaigns that feature gorgeous cutscenes and well-written dialogue. These aren't run-of-the-mill campaigns, but rather excellent depictions of a beautifully fleshed-out world.

Additionally, these campaigns - especially the first campaign centered around the struggles of the Polania Republic - are a fantastic way to get to grips with not only the game's core gameplay, but also each faction's unique strategies and units. By playing through the complex and interesting missions, you'll grow to understand how each unit functions within the faction and get a greater appreciation for that faction, its characters, and rich history.

7 Practice, Practice, Practice

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips an image of a menu showcasing the various maps and options available in the Skirmish Mode of Iron Harvest with a small overhead image of the map next to the list of maps with a brief description of the map beside it

Like with any good RTS, practicing is a great way to get better. While Iron Harvest isn't the most beginner-friendly real-time strategy game available, it offers a slew of options for newcomers to practice and hone their skills. One of the best ways to do that, other than through playing the various campaigns, is by engaging with the comprehensive and thoroughly enjoyable Skirmish mode.

The Skirmish mode in Iron Harvest contains a multitude of excellent maps that allow for varying player counts. It's also fully customizable and can be modified to allow for easier difficulties, game modes, and higher starting resources should you wish to learn the basics without being bothered too much. The AI is also impressively competent on the higher difficulties, and as a result, the Skirmish mode is a great way to prepare yourself for online multiplayer matches should you wish to go that route.

6 Pick Your Reserve Units Carefully

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips an image of a menu where you select your Reserve Units with icons representing each unit the player has picked in the centre and on the far left with the enemy's selection appearing on the right

When given the opportunity to choose which units you bring as reserves, you should take a moment or two to think carefully about your decision. Reserve units can turn the tide of battle if brought in at the right time, and as a result, are invaluable within each match. You can pick from a wide range of units and heroes to bring into battle as a reserve, each with its own cost. While bringing in a stronger but expensive unit may seem like a good tactic, having lots of cheaper but weaker units could help overwhelm your opponent.

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Contemplating these strategies and weighing up the pros and cons of each decision is important. Taking into consideration which faction you're playing as the hero that you've picked and the map you're playing in is equally integral to your overall decision-making. While it all may seem overwhelming, the most important thing you need to remember is to take a moment to ensure you've chosen the right reserve units.

5 Push For Resources

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips an overhead shot of an iron mine shrouded in a grey fog next to a stone wall with a description of the mine hovering above it in a text box

In Iron Harvest, there are two main resources you need to concern yourself with: Oil and Iron. Resources are used to produce the various units you'll be deploying across the battlefield and to construct the necessary defenses to keep your enemies at bay. In order to gain these resources, you'll need to capture resource points scattered across the map. However, keep in mind that your enemy is intending on doing the same, and whoever has the most will accumulate the bigger army first.

Pushing for resources during the early game may seem like a risky move, especially when considering that defending so many points with so few units will be difficult. However, maximizing your resource intake early on will ensure you'll be able to produce more powerful units and mechs faster, and will give you a considerable advantage over your opponent. However, as always, make sure to keep in mind your faction and cost of units before galavanting into the frontline.

4 Make The Most Of Cover

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips a mid shot of a group of soldiers in a field of brown grass cowering behind a stone wall and sandbags being shot at by distant enemies with smoke coming off the sandbags from where the bullets hit

Whether it's a building, makeshift sandbags, or a cobbled-together wall, cover is an integral part of Iron Harvest. Being caught outside of cover by a surprise attack can be extremely deadly, so getting your soldiers into cover quickly can save them from an untimely death. Fortunately, there is often plenty of cover dotted around each of the game's maps and can be easily accessed by the press of a button. Engineers can also construct cover and even build upon pre-existing cover.

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Taking advantage of the various walls and buildings, or preparing your own defensive positions ahead of time can not only ensure your resource points remain well protected, but also allow an isolated group of soldiers to hold out a little longer. Additionally, make sure to position artillery and mechs in advantageous positions while your infantry remains in cover.

3 The Best Offense Is A Good Defense

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips a mid shot of a group of soldiers on the left of a grassy field crouched behind a wall while a field cannon sits on the right aiming off into the distance with dotted lines showing its field of view

While some factions are certainly better suited for offensive strategies, if you're ever in doubt, playing defensively can be quite advantageous. Setting up solid defenses manned by a sizeable army can easily repel the disparate attacks of an eager opponent. The importance of a defensive strategy is understanding when to finally push forward and set up your next line of defense.

Holding back and building up enough soldiers to maintain your current defenses while navigating through the fog of war with an advancing party can be tricky. But if you pull off a defensive strategy and maintain a rigid sense of patience, you should be able to triumph over any odds. The ability to be able to play either way is what makes Iron Harvest such a refreshing RTS, as well as the ability to adapt on the fly. Figure out which type of strategy works best for you and master it through practice.

2 Get Mechs Out As Quickly As Possible

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips a mid shot of a PZM-9 "Strażnik" Mech walking through a grassy field next to a small tree with a muddy path trailing off in the distance

Mechs are the backbone of every faction and serve as the mid-game boost for any losing player. Striking the enemy HQ with an enormous force of mass-produced mechs is a surefire way of stealing the victory. But manufacturing mechs isn't so simple. You'll have to undergo a series of initial steps to get there, which will require a lot of resources to pull off. However, getting there before your opponent is crucial if you want to make the first push.

Dominating the battlefield is a necessary step to winning, and the easiest way to do this is through a powerful and intimidating force of mechs. However, be careful not to prioritize mechs - they are incredibly invaluable, but they are weak alone. Combining both a strong mechanized force and standard infantry will ensure you will stand victorious by the end of the match.

1 Choose Your Faction Wisely

Iron Harvest Beginner Tips a collection of emblems from each of Iron Harvest's factions with the Polania Republic, Saxony Empire, Rusviet Tsardom and United Federation of Usonia from left to right

The most important piece of advice for any newcomer to Iron Harvest is to pick the faction that best suits your playstyle. By completing each of the faction's campaigns and by practicing in the Skirmish mode, you'll quickly become accommodated with each faction and its various quirks.

For example, the Polania Republic are better at producing weak and fast units compared to the Saxony Empire, which produces slow but powerful mechs. Knowing which faction works best for you, or even which is the most enjoyable to play as, is crucial to both winning matches and getting the most out of Iron Harvest.

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