First Steps: 6 Things Every New Tradesman Should Know

TRADESMAN: Deal to Dealer explains very little of itself. These six mechanics are the ones new players on the Steam forums trip over most often — each one is sourced from real player discussions and, where noted, confirmed by the developer (AZAMATIKA).

#1. Your cargo directly controls the difficulty

Random encounters scale with how much you are carrying. The more goods in your wagon, the higher the danger level of every road fight — and the stronger the enemies.

What this means in practice:

• Empty or near-empty wagons make early roads survivable.
• Before any boss fight, drop off or sell your goods first.
• Several players report clearing content they had failed repeatedly simply by reducing their cargo.

#2. Mercenaries level up from scrolls, not from fighting

Unlike most RPGs, your mercs gain levels by reading scrolls — combat experience does not level them. Buy and use scrolls at settlements if you want your team to grow.

#3. Watchman Tower III is your early merc hub

Community consensus for the early game: recruit from Watchman Tower III and make sure at least two of your mercs carry a shield. Shielded mercs in the front positions dramatically reduce damage taken while you are still undergeared.

#4. Check your wagon with I, track quests with Q

• Press I to open your wagon view — this shows whether you have free space for passengers or goods.
• Press Q, then click TRACK on a quest to keep its objective on screen.

#5. Passenger transport is a quest, not a chat

Picking up an NPC passenger requires a free wagon slot — but the pick-up is part of a quest, not just a conversation. After delivering a passenger, speak to the NPC with the yellow exclamation mark to finish the quest. The developer confirmed that if the wagon back is empty, another NPC can board.

#6. Reserve commoners guard your cart for free

Mercenaries in the reserve do not fight, but commoners left in reserve will guard your cart for free while you sleep — one of the few genuine uses of the reserve slots, per community reports.

#Sources

• Steam thread: Quick Guide for Dummies — tips 1–5, with developer replies
• Steam thread: What's the point of the reserves? — free cart guarding
• Steam thread: Room in wagon — wagon space confusion

Community-reported as of launch day (27 Aug 2026). If a patch changes any of this, tell us — the guide tracks the latest version.