Manor Lords Guide: How to Assign and Manage Workers

Workers are responsible for producing materials, crafting equipment, and completing construction projects. Managing these workers efficiently is key to building a thriving settlement. This guide will explain how to assign and manage workers in Manor Lords, ensuring your village reaches its full potential.

Understanding Family Workers

Manor Lords uses a unique system where workers are organized into families, rather than individual units. Each family consists of three people who work together on the same task. When a worker is assigned to a building, such as a farmhouse, the entire family is allocated to that workplace.

To view the specific tasks each family is performing, click on the building and navigate to the "People" tab. This will display a breakdown of the family's assigned duties within that building. As your village grows and you construct new buildings, you will need to assign workers to keep these structures operational. To assign a family to a building, follow these steps:

1. Click on the desired building.
2. Locate the plus sign (+) and click on it to add families until no unassigned families remain.

If there are no available families, clicking the plus sign will display a radar icon, indicating that the next unassigned family will be automatically allocated to this building.

The Role of Unassigned Families

While unassigned families may seem idle, they serve an important purpose in Manor Lords. These families are responsible for constructing new buildings and burgage plots, allowing your village to expand without disrupting the work of already assigned families.

When planning significant expansion projects, it is recommended to maintain a pool of three to four unassigned families. This ensures that construction progresses quickly and efficiently. You can also prioritize the construction of specific buildings by clicking on the incomplete structure and adjusting its priority level.

Managing the Militia

In Manor Lords, men from your village will be called upon to join the militia during battles. This can temporarily reduce the number of available workers, as they leave their assigned tasks to fight. If the battle is successful, the men will return to their previous roles. However, if soldiers are lost in combat, your village will permanently lose those workers, potentially leading to chaos if not managed properly.

To mitigate this risk, avoid sending all troops from a territory into a difficult battle simultaneously. Losing all your men can have severe consequences for your village's stability and productivity.

Tips for Managing Workers:

1. Prioritize Food Production: Assign workers to food gathering and production buildings, such as the Forager Hut and Hunting Camp, early in the game to prevent food shortages.
2. Balance Burgage Plots: While additional workers can boost production, each family requires food and fuel. Avoid constructing too many burgage plots if your village is struggling to meet these basic needs.
3. Optimize Worker Distribution: Regularly assess your workers' distribution across buildings. Reallocate families from less essential tasks to critical production areas as needed.