Gloria Victis FAQ
The questions new and returning players actually ask — answered honestly.
Is Gloria Victis worth playing in 2026?
If you want a hardcore, skill-based medieval PvP sandbox and you'll join a guild, yes — it's free, the combat is deep, and the territory war is the real draw. If you want a big-population themepark or solo PvE, it'll disappoint. It's a niche game and always has been. See our honest worth-it verdict.
Is the game dead? What's the population?
It's small, not dead. The relaunch peaked around 1,200 concurrent and historically peaked near 4,200 in 2023, and often sits in the low hundreds. The honest read: enough for sieges and guild life on the populated nation, thin if you try to solo. Live numbers: population truth (SteamDB).
Is it pay-to-win now that it's free-to-play?
gamigo and the team state it's non-pay-to-win — the shop is cosmetic DLC, and returning players can recover old skins. There's no buying power or gear. Confirm the live shop against patch notes. More: is it pay-to-win.
Which nation should I pick?
No nation has stat advantages, so choose by look and community. Midlanders (feudal knights) are usually the most populated and the easy beginner pick; Ismirs (Vikings) and Sangmar (empire+nomads) are great for the aesthetic — just check who's active. Nations guide.
Is it full loot? What do I lose when I die?
It's partial loot, and only inside the central Loot Zone. A looter can take about one gear piece plus some materials — never your gold, mount, points or skins. Dying also costs gear durability. Full breakdown: loot & death.
Can I play solo or avoid PvP?
You can gather, craft and quest in safer zones solo, but Gloria Victis is built around faction PvP and territory — solo PvE content is thin and you can't fully avoid conflict. Joining a guild is the real onboarding. PvP or PvE.
How does combat work?
Non-target action combat: you manually aim, choose attack direction, charge heavy attacks for big damage, and block by holding the guard and matching the incoming swing. Stamina and timing decide fights. Combat guide.
How do I make gold as a new player?
Gather (mining, forestry, farming), claim and work resource nodes, and craft goods to sell on the player economy. Gold can't be looted, so it's the safest thing to bank. Gold guide.
Why did I feel useless in my first fights?
It's the #1 new-player complaint: early gear is weak and PvP is gear-gated, so a skilled new player can still lose to a geared veteran. It's normal — here's how to push through the gear wall: the gear gap.
What is State of War?
The large-scale guild-warfare endgame (guild castles/islands, sieges, technology points) confirmed returning as a post-launch content update. State of War.