Stronghold food production and popularity recovery
Fix a falling population by tracing rations, taxes and missing supplies.
Edition covered
The original 2001 Stronghold military and economic game. Pictures show Stronghold HD, with the original visual style and interface improvements. Stronghold Crusader and the newer Definitive Edition campaigns are separate games.
Read popularity before building houses
Hovels create housing capacity; they do not force peasants to arrive. When popularity falls too low the workforce leaves, taking production with it. Repair the cause before extending the settlement.
| Factor | Positive option | Cost or constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Food rations | Increase rations | Consumes granary stocks faster |
| Food variety | Provide several food types | Requires separate production chains |
| Taxation | Reduce taxes or give a bribe | Less income or a gold expense |
| Ale | Supply working inns | Requires hops and breweries |
| Religion | Provide religious coverage | Needs religious buildings and workers |
Match food to the landscape
Apple orchards and dairy farms are simple food sources where fertile land exists. Bread needs a longer wheat-to-flour chain but becomes a strong sustained source after all stages are staffed.
| Food | Production path | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | Apple orchard | Granary |
| Cheese | Dairy farm | Granary |
| Meat | Hunter uses nearby animals | Granary |
| Bread | Wheat farm to mill to bakery | Wheat and flour use stockpile; bread uses granary |
Adjust taxes with spare popularity
Higher taxes increase gold but reduce popularity. Extra rations and other positive factors can offset the penalty, but they consume goods. Watch the trend and remaining granary stocks together.
Do not starve the weapon economy
A granary crisis is also a military crisis because departing peasants stop working in workshops. Keep a reserve of food and correct idle or blocked producers before ordering more recruits.
A granary crisis is also a military crisis because departing peasants stop working in workshops. Keep a reserve of food and correct idle or blocked producers before ordering more recruits.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Publisher manual | shared.fastly.steamstatic.com |