Progression Mode is the main game mode in Half Sword, where players make a character and enter fights to win money and level up from a beggar to a knight. As with most things in the medieval combat game, however, not much is explained. This guide will go over how Progression Mode works in Half Sword, including acquiring coin and gear, leveling up, and what happens when you die.
How to Use the Crossbow in Half Sword
This guide will show players how to get a crossbow in Half Sword and explain how to use it and reload it.
How Does Progression Mode Work In Half Sword?
At the time of writing, Progression Mode is the only way to unlock better weapons and armor for Free Mode, meaning it is somewhat a must to play. There is also only one save file.
Character Creation
In character creation, players can start from a rank they have previously reached, but for new players, this will be the Beggar rank. Other than choosing a starting weapon and height, everything else is cosmetic.
Your character will begin with a low weight, but muscle is gained over time in Half Sword.
The Inn
The inn is essentially the main hub for Progression Mode. Here, players can:
- Enter contests via the jester.
- Choose their loadout.
- Visit the trader to buy weapons and armor or insurance for their gear.
- Train against a practice dummy.
- Hire mercenaries to fight alongside you.
- Spar with no stakes.
- Rest to advance time and unlock new contests.
- Heal after being wounded.
- Forge weapons or customize your armor (rotates each day).
- Complete errands to earn extra money.
Don't forget to heal before entering another fight if you took lots of damage. It's easy to forget. Unfortuntely there is no healing between rounds.
Competing In Fights
Fights are the bread and butter of Progression Mode. Each day, players will have a number of contests to choose from by clicking on the jester in the inn. Each has an entry fee and a possible prize pool.
There are a few different fight types and win conditions. For example, a brawl is with fists only, no weapons. Use the art on the cards to tell if weapons are used or not.
In terms of win conditions, these may be submission, first to be knocked down, first to be pushed out of the circle, or first blood. Of course, if either opponent is killed, they will lose. This should never be the aim, however, and players should always surrender before dying. It's also best to make opponents surrender in Half Sword, rather than killing them.
While most fights are 1 v 1, there are also doubles or carnage, which is every man for himself. The number of rounds will also be displayed, and players must win all rounds to walk away with the prize money.
Try to choose fights with low bets, a high prize pool, and fewer rounds.
Half Sword: Mechanics The Game Doesn't Teach You
There isn't much of a tutorial in Half Sword, so check out the following mechanics that the game doesn't teach you.
Ranking Up
As a Beggar rank, you will only have Beggar fights available. However, by winning more, your progress bar will go up. When it reaches the end, the Beggar Tournament will become available. Winning all 7 rounds will promote you to Peasant. The fights will be harder, but they are more rewarding. There are also new events and map s as players rank up.
Hire mercenaries at the inn to help you pass these tournaments.
All the ranks in Half Sword are as follows:
- Beggar
- Peasant
- Commoner
- Militia
- Soldier
- Veteran
- Man at Arms
- Knight
- Lord
Hitting new ranks also means gaining access to new weapon types to forge, and better armor and weapons should be available to purchase from the trader.
Weapons, Armor & Insurance
The forge in the bottom right of the inn switches daily between forging weapons and customizing armor. They can also be bought from the trader. Naturally, players will need to earn lots of money in Half Sword to buy these items.
Weapons and armor can also be picked up from foes after fights by pressing Q or E. You can sheathe or don them by holding the same buttons.
If you drop items you don't fully own and exit a fight, they will be lost. The same is true if you die. For this reason, make sure to go to the trader and pay pfennings to have them insured.
Insured weapons and armor will also become available in Free Mode.
Best Weapons in Half Sword
Check out the best weapons in Half Sword, including swords, maces, axes, and more.
What Happens When You Die In Progression Mode?
When you die in a fight, your soul can be instantly saved if you haven't killed any opponents. If you have, you'll be sent to the Abyss, where you will wake up in a coffin. For every opponent you have killed, there will be another zombie trying to kill you.
If you survive, you can carry on as usual. If you die in the Abyss, however, that's game over.
When you start another character, you can start off at the highest rank you reached, but you'll be back to the start of this rank. The character's weight and muscles will also be reset. Thankfully, however, you do get most of the gold, weapons, and armor.
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Half Sword Games
- Publisher(s)
- Game Seer Publishing
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Simulation, Fighting, Hack and Slash
