Tears of Metal Village Priority Checklist

Why Village Upgrade Order Matters

Between campaigns in Tears of Metal, your settlement is where permanent power accumulates. Unlike Emblem picks that reset each run, village upgrades persist forever — making your upgrade order one of the most impactful long-term decisions in the game. Invest poorly and you will grind longer for diminishing returns; invest smartly and each subsequent campaign feels noticeably stronger.

This interactive checklist tracks the community-validated upgrade priority order based on Early Access launch data, demo feedback from over 250,000 players, and developer communications about which buildings provide the highest return on investment. Check off upgrades as you complete them and refer to our Settlement Upgrades guide for detailed descriptions of each building.

Recommended Priority Order

The consensus priority for your first five campaigns places Training Grounds first (passive XP multiplier up to 25% at max level), followed by the Scout Tent (reveals Elite enemy locations on the minimap from run start). These two buildings provide the highest return because they accelerate both commander and battalion leveling while improving route efficiency.

After core progression buildings, prioritize the Armory and Charm Shop to expand your equipment and modifier options. The Challenge Board unlocks daily challenges for cosmetic rewards. Advanced players should invest in the Companion Quarters and War Room before pushing into Act 3 difficulty. Our Village Upgrades guide explains each building in depth.

• Priority 1 — Training Grounds: Permanent XP multiplier for Commander and Battalion
• Priority 2 — Scout Tent: Elite locations visible on minimap from run start
• Priority 3 — Armory: Expanded weapon and equipment selection
• Priority 4 — Charm Shop: Purchase Charms between campaigns
• Priority 5 — Challenge Board: Daily challenges and cosmetic frames
• Priority 6 — Companion Quarters: Unlock and upgrade battle companions
• Priority 7 — War Room: Advanced tactical options and battalion formations
• Priority 8 — Memorial: Endgame challenge modifiers and prestige rewards

When to Deviate from the Standard Order

Co-op groups may prioritize the War Room earlier to unlock formation bonuses that benefit the entire team. Solo players struggling with Act 1 bosses should rush the Armory for better starting weapons before investing in the Challenge Board. If you are running Ruadh Stonecrusher, the Companion Quarters moves up in priority because his healing synergizes with companion abilities.

Remember that soldiers who die during a campaign are lost permanently. Investing in the Training Grounds and battalion upgrades from our Soldiers guide before pushing into higher Acts protects your long-term army strength. Use this checklist alongside the Emblem Planner to coordinate your meta and run-level progression.