Fighting plays a big part in the turn-based RPG game Wartales, but not every skirmish needs to result in the absolute death of every member of the enemy party. Unless it's absolutely necessary, players may want to stay their blades in hopes of capturing hostiles instead of putting them down in the dirt for good.
Capturing enemies comes with a number of benefits that can help sustain a player's mercenary band far into the future. Prisoners can be sold for extra coin or coerced into becoming friends and fellow fighters. Whatever the case may be, capturing should always be on a party leader's list of options in Wartales. Here's how to do it.
How to Capture Prisoners in Wartales
First off, players need to have some chains in their inventory. These can be purchased from guards stationed inside regional prisons, such as the Tiltren Prison in the starting area. One set of chains is good for one prisoner, so players should stock up on these if they plan on manhunting for a living.
Next, pick a fight with any Bandit, Outlaw, or Deserter groups wandering around the vast, open world. They can be identified by the icons Head, Axe, and Shackle icons above their parties. Deserters in Wartales tend to be the most dangerous out of the bunch since even their weakest fighters are equipped with medium armor and throwing weapons. For beginners, try to avoid these guys and go for Bandits instead.
To capture an enemy, bring them down to at least half health, then have a party member approach them from behind. Do this, then the Knockout skill will appear on the said party member's hotbar. Use the skill and hover the mouse cursor over a target to see its success rate—the lower the enemy's health, the higher the odds of success. Make sure that the enemy is engaged with another party member, or else this method will not work. Keep in mind that Knockout and a character's basic attack count as the same move, which means players won't be able to use both in the same turn.
Finish the fight and all knocked-out enemies will appear as prisoners at the end-of-combat rewards screen together with the rest of the party members. Make sure to tie them up on some Stocks when camping so they don't run away.
Wartales is available now on PC.