How to Build Muscle in Half Sword Strength Training and Mercenary Squads
Building physical strength and recruiting capable companions are central to surviving the brutal combat of Half Sword. Developing character musculature enhances weapon handling under heavy loads, while enlisting hired mercenaries ensures fair odds across multi-man arena bouts.
Muscle Growth Mechanics and Stamina Expenditure
In Half Sword, physical development requires constant physical exertion in combat. To build muscle, a fighter must burn stamina while swinging heavy weapons, wearing dense armor, or engaging in bare-fist brawls. Increasing strength raises character mass, providing superior weapon control and stability during arena clashes. When configuring a fighter build, physique sliders govern weight and height: heavier mass grants better grip strength and harder hits, while taller stature increases weapon reach. Starting stature increases body weight without altering base starting strength, and arm and leg strength are driven by the exact same value in character save files.
Strength Thresholds and Mass Tracking
Strength values increase steadily until reaching 93Kg, after which further gains slow down substantially. Once strength surpasses 100Kg, fighters can wield heavier custom armaments that batter through defensive guards. Increasing strength directly raises the Mass value shown in tavern inventory. In patch 0.6.1.5, this value displays incorrectly when equipment is worn; unequipping gear reveals true stats. Alternatively, hovering over the Mass value and quickly flickering the mouse cursor off and back on before items reload forces the game to display true base weight.
Hired Muscles and Mercenary Recruitment
Solo fighters facing team brawls can enlist hired help at the inn. Speaking with the Fencer allows hiring mercenaries for non-solo bouts such as doubles, buhurts, retribution matches, and tourneys. You can also spar with recruited mercenaries in the courtyard to test combat techniques and weapon handling. Every hired fighter possesses distinct equipment and class ranks, demanding daily wages in Pfennings to remain on your roster — see our guide on making money to fund your squad.
Managing Squad Wages and Combat Losses
Mercenary wages escalate with class tier, but higher-ranked companions bring greater combat durability. You can pay wages in advance to retain fighters across multiple days, or release them when funds run low. Mercenaries who surrender or fall unconscious remain in your squad, while those killed in action are lost permanently.