Tabletop Tavern might look simple at first glance, but after a few runs you’ll quickly realize that winning battles isn’t just about recruiting stronger units. Success comes from understanding formations, unit traits, army management, and making smart decisions between battles.
One thing that surprised me during my first few campaigns was how much better manual battles perform compared to auto-resolve. Once you learn how to position units properly and exploit enemy weaknesses, you’ll consistently achieve better results while taking fewer casualties.
If you’re just getting started, these are the most important things you should know.
Unit Traits
Before every battle, take a few seconds to inspect the enemy army.
Many new players skip this step and simply deploy their troops, but unit traits often determine how a battle will unfold.
Some common traits include:
- Outrider
- Shielded
- Armored
- Stalwart
- Large
- Anti-Large
- Unbreakable
Understanding these traits allows you to choose favorable engagements rather than fighting on the enemy’s terms.
For example:
- Anti-Large units perform better against large targets.
- Shielded units resist frontal ranged attacks.
- Unbreakable units won’t flee due to morale loss.
- Outrider units can deploy outside your normal deployment zone.
The more familiar you become with unit traits, the easier battles become.
Outrider Units
Outrider is one of the strongest traits in the game.
Units with this trait can deploy outside your standard deployment area, allowing them to pressure vulnerable targets immediately.
This is especially useful against artillery.
For example, a fast infiltrator or cavalry unit can be placed near the edge of the battlefield and sent directly toward enemy siege weapons as soon as combat begins.
Destroying enemy artillery early can completely change the outcome of a battle.
Countering Enemy Outriders
The AI can use Outrider units as well.
To protect your army:
- Place spear units near vulnerable flanks.
- Keep cavalry ready to intercept attackers.
- Protect ranged units positioned in the rear.
- Watch the edges of the battlefield.
Preparing for enemy Outriders before combat starts is much easier than reacting after they reach your backline.
Artillery
Artillery is one of the most dangerous unit types in Tabletop Tavern.
These units often have:
- Massive range
- High damage
- Strong disruption effects
If left unchecked, enemy artillery can destroy formations before your army even reaches melee combat.
Best Ways to Destroy Artillery
Use Outrider Units
This is generally the safest option.
Deploy an Outrider unit near the edge of the map and rush the enemy artillery immediately after the battle begins.
Use Fast Cavalry
If you don’t have Outrider units available, cavalry can perform a similar role.
The risk is that cavalry usually needs to travel through enemy formations before reaching the artillery.
Use Long-Range Fire
In some situations, ranged units can eliminate artillery from a distance.
This often requires careful positioning and enough space to avoid enemy pressure.
Flanking
One of the most powerful mechanics in Tabletop Tavern is flanking.
Many players focus only on raw damage numbers, but positioning often matters more.
When attacking an enemy already engaged in combat:
- Flank attacks deal significant morale damage.
- Routed enemies stop fighting entirely.
- Some units lose defensive effectiveness when attacked from the side.
Whenever possible:
- Pin enemies in place with frontline units.
- Send additional troops around the sides.
- Attack the flank or rear.
This strategy consistently wins battles that would otherwise be difficult.
Formations
Proper formations can dramatically improve your army’s effectiveness.
Instead of deploying units in compact blocks, consider stretching some formations wider.
Benefits include:
- Covering more battlefield space.
- Engaging multiple enemy units.
- Protecting vulnerable areas.
- Creating openings for flanking attacks.
Wide infantry formations are particularly useful when you’re outnumbered.
A single stretched formation can hold several enemy units in place while your stronger troops maneuver elsewhere.
Faction Selection
Every faction plays differently.
Before starting a campaign, pay close attention to faction bonuses and hero abilities.
Some heroes reward aggressive expansion.
Others encourage specialized army compositions.
For example, certain heroes provide bonuses for maintaining armies composed entirely of their faction’s units.
Others offer unique rewards after battles.
Choosing a hero whose playstyle matches your preferences will make your campaign significantly smoother.
Hero Bonuses
Hero abilities influence decisions throughout an entire run.
Some abilities activate after battles, while others affect recruitment, economy, or army management.
When selecting rewards after combat:
- Consider your hero bonus first.
- Plan several battles ahead.
- Avoid making choices that weaken your long-term strategy.
Many beginners focus only on immediate rewards and accidentally waste powerful hero synergies.
Army Healing
Keeping units alive is often more important than recruiting new ones.
Experienced players spend a lot of time managing unit health between battles.
Reserve Slots
Reserve units heal automatically while resting.
Early in the game, these slots are extremely valuable.
Try rotating damaged units into reserve whenever possible.
Villages
Villages provide one of the most reliable healing options.
Instead of looting them:
- Stay overnight.
- Heal your army.
- Preserve valuable veteran units.
The healing gained is often worth more than the immediate gold reward.
Tavern
Taverns allow you to:
- Heal your entire army.
- Gamble for additional gold.
The healing option is usually the safer investment.
Campfires
Campfires are among the best map events.
They can provide:
- Healing
- Scouting information
- Unit training
- Item acquisition
Whenever you find a campfire, consider your current situation carefully before choosing a reward.
Potions
Healing potions can save important units during difficult stretches of a campaign.
Different potions offer different effects, including:
- Partial healing
- Full healing
- Unit upgrades
- Additional recruitment opportunities
Don’t waste powerful potions on minor injuries.
Prestige System
One mechanic many players overlook is Prestige.
When you have three units of the same type and rank, you can combine them.
Benefits include:
- Higher unit rank
- Better stats
- More efficient army slots
This is often the best way to upgrade your army without constantly replacing troops.
Instead of dismissing weaker units, use them to strengthen your existing forces.
Castle Sieges
Sieges are some of the toughest battles in the game.
Defenders benefit from:
- Walls
- Arrow fire
- Strong defensive positions
- Additional garrison troops
Siege Preparation
Before attacking:
- Bring artillery whenever possible.
- Maintain healthy units.
- Evaluate whether the reward is worth the risk.
Winning a siege can provide valuable loot, but excessive casualties may weaken your army for future encounters.
Sometimes avoiding a siege is the smarter choice.
Gold Management
Gold serves two purposes:
- Supporting your current run.
- Funding permanent upgrades.
Many new players spend every coin immediately.
A better approach is maintaining a balance between short-term needs and long-term progression.
Whenever possible, deposit gold into town vaults for future upgrades.
Meta Progression
One successful run is only the beginning.
Permanent upgrades gradually make future campaigns easier.
Upgrade categories generally improve:
- Gold generation
- Shop efficiency
- Equipment management
- Inventory capacity
- Reserve unit slots
Best Early Upgrade Priorities
For newer players, focus on upgrades that:
- Increase economy.
- Improve inventory flexibility.
- Expand reserve capacity.
Additional reserve slots provide tremendous value throughout every campaign.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
These are the mistakes I see most often:
- Ignoring enemy unit traits.
- Charging directly into artillery fire.
- Never using flanking attacks.
- Keeping damaged units on the frontline.
- Looting every village instead of healing.
- Fighting every siege regardless of risk.
- Forgetting to use reserve slots.
- Choosing rewards without considering hero bonuses.
- Spending all gold during a run.
- Relying entirely on auto-resolve.
Tabletop Tavern rewards planning far more than brute force. The strongest armies aren’t necessarily the ones with the most expensive units but the ones managed efficiently throughout an entire campaign.
Learn unit traits, protect your flanks, use formations effectively, and prioritize keeping experienced troops alive. Once those fundamentals click, you’ll find that even difficult campaigns become far more manageable, and your runs will start lasting much longer than they did when you first stepped into the tavern.