When starting a new character in Gloria Victis, players will need to select which nation they would like to join. This signs them up to one of three key factions, which are engaged in a perpetual battle over the lands of Stoneholm.
Belonging to a nation allows players to fight alongside fellow members of that nation, both in group events around the world and in large PvP battles and sieges across the map. These allies will often help teach and assist newer players, and joining a guild can be a great way to find like-minded comrades to complete events or charge into battle with. Since this social aspect of the game is so important, deciding on a nation can be a daunting task. This breakdown of all three nations in Gloria Victis might help players make their choice.
Overview
The Northwest of the map is dominated by the Ismirs, a Scandinavian-based nation flying the color blue. They are resilient warriors, earning glory for their clan by raiding neighboring lands and demonstrating their strength and combat prowess on the battlefield. Viking fans will feel right at home with this nation.
Moving East, the Midlanders are an honorable people based on medieval continental Europe. They sport the color red and live in a highly martial society, with barons and knights leading the charge clad in heavy plate armor. Those wishing to dive into a feudal setting would be best served by picking this nation.
The Sangmar Empire occupies the southernmost portion of the map, being primarily based upon the Byzantines and recognizable from their distinct black and gold. A former great power, the Sangmars are an advanced people that have united with the nearby Azeb nomads under one banner. Anyone interested in rebuilding a Romanesque empire will find their place here.
Which Nation Is The Best?
While each nation has its own unique flavor and is different in its own way, there isn’t an overall best nation to join. None of them give any unique benefits for signing up, and their faction-specific armor and weapons are all on a similar level with each other.
As for their prominence over the map, each server will be different. The Europe server might see Midland control most of the territory while Ismir and Sangmar are on the defensive. At the same time, the Americas server might have the Midlanders on the backfoot, and see a different nation take center stage.
The balance of power is rarely so skewed that one nation dominates all others. For example, larger nations might have two different frontlines to contend with, whereas a smaller nation is able to consolidate its forces on one key event. This ensures that PvP battles shouldn’t get too one-sided and remain fair and balanced for every participating nation.
How To Change Nations
In time, the balance of power will eventually shift, and more powerful nations will be weakened. This is largely due to the player population in each nation fluctuating, as Gloria Victis occasionally allows for a change of allegiance. This is called the underdog system, which will mark weaker nations as ‘underdogs’. A mercenary recruiter will then appear in the capital city of the stronger nations, and offer a free transfer to the weaker one. Newer players receive bonuses for joining underdogs, and those fighting in an underdog nation will earn more coin, loot, and experience as rewards.
Up to two nations can be considered underdogs at any one time. It’s also important to note that changing nations affects the entire account, not just one character, and once players have transferred to an underdog, there’s no way to get a free transfer back. Despite this, for those looking to join up with a rival nation, earn more loot or experience, or simply try something new, the underdog system presents an ideal opportunity to make that leap.
However, there are a few other ways for players to switch nations if they so choose. Each account can change its nation one time before any character reaches level 70. After that, players will have to use a Nation Change Scroll, which can be purchased from the Supporter shop or the Glory Quartermaster.
Choosing a nation in Gloria Victis can be an important decision, but not one that is final. There are regular opportunities to switch between nations, and the balance of power between them often changes. This means that while these factions play a central role in the game, players should be able to enjoy a fun experience in all of them and should make their decision based upon the nation they like the most or feel the most at home with.
Gloria Victis is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.