Gothic 1 Remake Guide: Essential Early Game Tips
If you drop into the Colony expecting a heroic power fantasy, a giant rat is going to violently humble you in about four seconds.
I learned the hard way that this game simply does not care if you live or die. You start your sentence with no armor, terrible weapons, and absolutely zero respect from the local convicts. Enemies hit incredibly hard, and your wallet is completely empty. The game won't hold your hand or point you in the right direction. Before you waste hours dying to basic wildlife and getting scammed by shady vendors, you need a survival plan. Here is exactly what you need to prioritize to get a foothold in this brutal world.
The Canyon Run
You start with nothing, but the dirt path leading to the Old Camp is actually littered with basic gear if you keep your eyes peeled.
Let Diego Do The Work
After you get punched in the face and thrown into the lake, Diego is the very first person you meet. Talk to him and exhaust every single dialogue option. He explains the local factions and offers to walk with you to the Old Camp. Take him up on this. He walks like he is wading through molasses, but he will slaughter every single hostile creature along the path. Let him draw the aggro and do the heavy lifting so you don't have to fight empty handed.
Scavenge Everything
While trailing Diego, you need to grab everything that isn't nailed down. In the first mineshaft you pass, pick up the Pickaxe. It handles like garbage, but it beats using your bare fists. Keep an eye on the ground near the wagon debris to scoop up some loose Ore Nuggets.
Once you get further down the path, look for a large dead tree with a corpse hanging from it. You will find an Old Sword stuck in the ground right below it. Grab it immediately. It's not pretty, but it's one of the best early weapons you can get without stealing. There is also a free Shortbow available. In a woody grove guarded by a Juvenile Scavenger, look for some overturned dirt. Pick up the Hunter's Knife sitting there. As you leave the canyon, hand that knife to a hunter named Drax, and he'll reward you with the bow.
Infiltrating The Old Camp
The Old Camp acts as your primary hub for the early game. Getting inside and securing a safehouse is your absolute top priority.
Bribing The Guards And Finding A Bed
When you approach the gate, Thorus and his guards will demand 10 Ore Nuggets for protection money. Just pay it. If you refuse, they'll beat you senseless and rob you of your most valuable items. If you literally do not have the cash, you can sometimes tell the guard you are broke, and they might actually let you pass out of pity.
Once inside, take a left and walk past Snaf the Cook. Head up the hill behind the Arena area. You'll find a guy named Guy sitting around. Talk to him, and he points out a vacant hut with a red awning right next to you. This is your new home. It has a bed where you can sleep to restore your health and Mana, and a chest to safely store your items. Grab the free ham inside and read the note in the chest to trigger The Forgotten Recipe quest.
Buying A Map And Dodging Mud
You desperately need a map of the Colony. Find Dexter in the cloth covered marketplace and buy one from him (he sells it much cheaper than Graham does).
While you are exploring the camp, a character named Mud will try to strike up a conversation. Ignore him. Walk away. Treat him like a walking plague. He offers absolutely nothing of value and will follow you around endlessly if you let him latch onto you.
Rigging The Economy
Ore Nuggets dictate everything in this game. You need them to buy gear, pay trainers, and bribe people.
The Potion Hustle
Food reliably sells for decent money, but I found a massive shortcut for early cash. Leave the Old Camp through the South Gate. Look for a cave guarded by three Molerats on the right. Just past that cave, further to the right, is a tiny alcove. You'll find a bottle of Essence of Spirit sitting there in the dirt.
Drinking it permanently increases your Mana by 2, but it also sells for a staggering 135 Ore. No vendor actually has that much cash on hand, so you have to barter. Go to wealthy traders like Fisk or Torrez, offer them the potion, and load up your side of the trade window with weapons and supplies until the value balances out. If you're tired of being broke, read my full guide on how to farm Ore for more economic exploits.
Getting Free Armor
If you want to survive more than one hit, you need armor. You can buy some later, but the easiest early option is completely free. Head to the Free Mine located south of the New Camp. Find an NPC named Swiney and agree to join the Scrapers. He hands over a Digger's Dress at no cost.
Early Quests And Combat Training
You need experience points and better stats before you can handle the real threats out in the wilderness.
The Best Starter Quests
Don't go wandering into the forest right away. Complete these two tasks inside the Old Camp to get a massive chunk of easy experience without risking your neck.
If you start picking up odd jobs from the other convicts, you will inevitably run into a situation where you have to decide whether to kill or spare Grim. I highly suggest doing those smaller camp quests to boost your level before leaving the walls.
Leveling Up
Once you hit level two, you earn 10 Learning Points. Don't hoard these. Talk to Diego and convert those points into Strength or Dexterity until you hit at least 20 in your preferred stat. Next, track down Scatty near the Arena. Pay him 50 Ore and 10 LP to train your One-Handed combat skill. This unlocks combo attacks, critical hits, and the ability to properly parry incoming strikes.
Combat Rules To Live By
Never fight groups. If you see a pack of wolves, pull them one at a time or just turn around and sprint away. Hit enemies right as they charge you to interrupt their jump attacks. Finally, save your game constantly. The autosave system is incredibly stingy. Press F5 to quicksave before you engage any enemy, or you'll find yourself replaying massive chunks of the game just because a scavenger got a lucky critical hit on your unarmored shins.
