Pack Animals

Hello everyone!

In Rise of the Merchants , trading goods is, of course, an essential part of the game. Simple settlers acting as carriers may be enough at first, but sooner or later, you will need proper pack animals if you want to move large quantities of goods - whether carrying them alongside a single settler, pulling a single-horse cart, or working in tandem to pull a heavy wagon!

So today, we are taking a closer look at these hardworking animal helpers and the different variants available in our game!

Donkeys have long been classic pack animals, and our game is no exception. These modest animals with long ears and little sense of urgency are the cheapest pack animals available, and they can carry quite a bit more than a settler. The only catch? They will not cross water. So do not be surprised if your donkey simply stops in front of a ford... Oxen are considerably stronger than donkeys and make excellent draft animals. Their sheer size and strength allow them to haul heavier loads. They are also just as hardy and can travel even greater distances than donkeys!

Horses have long been an essential part of transportation. Thanks to their great stamina, they can cover longer distances than other draft animals. However, their capabilities vary considerably between breeds. While a large Jutland can haul a substantial load, an Andalusian has to make do with less carrying capacity - but makes up for it with an impressive range! Horses are generally the most expensive animals in the game.

To acquire these animals, you first need to build a Stable . Once it is up and running, you can access the draft animal market and manage your own fleet of transport animals! (The image shows a rare draft boar as well — yes, those exist too...)

You now have a wide selection of draft animals to choose from, with something to suit every budget! Animals can also have different traits. In this example, you can see a mule with the wild trait. An animal with this trait cannot be harnessed to a cart under any circumstances! On the plus side, it is also cheaper. Stay tuned to discover what other animals and traits await you! ;)

From time to time, you will encounter shady merchants in various situations. They may offer you the chance to acquire an animal at a bargain price. But of course, they will not tell you if the animal comes with any drawbacks...

I hope you enjoyed this little excursion into the world of our pack animals. There is still plenty more to discover!

Best regards, and do not let anyone pull the wool over your eyes!

Erik from Black Duke Games