General Questions
Q: What is Barbarian Grid?
A: Barbarian Grid is a hardcore survival RPG with strategic turn-based combat, procedural encounters, and roguelike mechanics. It's designed for players who enjoy challenging, rewarding gameplay.
Q: Is Barbarian Grid free to play?
A: Yes! The game is 100% free with absolutely no microtransactions. All gameplay content is immediately accessible.
Q: What browsers are supported?
A: Barbarian Grid works on all modern browsers:
- Chrome/Edge (recommended)
- Firefox
- Safari
- Opera
Q: Is there a mobile version?
A: Not currently planned. The game is best played on desktop/laptop browsers.
Q: Do I need an account to play?
A: No. Barbarian Grid does not require an account. Your current run is saved locally in the browser you use to play.
Gameplay Questions
Q: How do I save my progress?
A: Progress is automatically saved locally in your browser's LocalStorage. Because the game is 100% client-side, your save lives entirely on your machine. Do not clear your site data if you wish to keep your save!
Q: What happens when I die?
A: Death is permanent. You start a new run on Day 1. However, your local metadata tracking (like total games played or farthest day reached) will remain in your browser.
Q: Can I pause mid-combat?
A: Yes! Combat is turn-based and saves state. You can close the game mid-fight and resume exactly where you left off.
Q: What's the best strategy for beginners?
A: Start defensive and respect the Tax. Focus on:
- Clearing the grid efficiently (conserve AP where possible)
- Healing and equipping gear before tough encounters (item actions are blocked during combat)
- Ensuring you have at least
120 * 1.6^(week-1)gold before Sunday.
Combat & Mechanics
Q: How do Action Points (AP) work?
A: AP is only used for Grid Exploration. Moving on corridors costs 1 AP, while rooms and traps cost 2 AP. Rogue movement costs 1 less AP (minimum 1). Fleeing combat costs 5 AP. Combat itself (attacking or defending) does NOT use AP.
Q: How do status effects work?
A: Currently, the main hazard status effect is Infection %. You accumulate it by stepping on traps or toxic events, and once it reaches 100%, you die. You must craft and use an Antidote (or Panacea) to reduce it.
Q: Can I change my class mid-run?
A: No. You choose Berserker or Rogue at character creation.
Progression & Items
Q: How do I get better equipment?
A: The grid drops raw materials such as Scrap, Wood, Leather, Herb, and Meat. Open the Workshop from the Actions area to craft gear. Use the separate Field Kit to inspect inventory and equipment.
Q: How do I get more healing potions?
A: Craft Bandages (2 Scrap) or Health Potions (3 Scrap) in the Workshop.
Q: Why does Food decrease, and how do I restore it?
A: Ending a day consumes 15 Food, whether you rest at camp or in the wild. Craft a Field Ration from 1 Meat in the Workshop, then use it from the Field Kit to restore 30 Food.
Q: Can I end the day away from camp?
A: Yes. End Day in Wild restores 20 AP but may trigger an ambush, illness, or theft. Ending the day at camp is safer and fully restores AP.
Technical Issues
Q: My progress isn't saving!
A: Progress saves locally in your browser storage. If you clear your browser's local storage/cookies, play in Incognito/Private mode, or switch browsers or computers, your save file will be reset.
Q: I found a bug. How do I report it?
A: Email us at dpo@barbariangrid.com with screenshots and what you were doing.
Q: Can I play offline?
A: Your run is stored locally and the game has no account requirement. A network connection may still be needed to load the site because a dedicated offline cache is not currently provided.
Account & Premium
Q: How much does Premium cost?
A: Nothing! Barbarian Grid has removed all microtransactions. It is 100% free forever.
Q: Will there be multiplayer?
A: The current release is single-player. Future priorities will be based on playtesting and player feedback.
Strategy & Tips
Q: What's the meta build?
A: It depends on your class:
- Berserker: High defense, intentionally taking small hits to accumulate Rage (+5% damage per 10 Rage, max +50% at 100 Rage) to deal massive damage.
- Rogue: Evasion and critical strikes, utilizing Nimble (20% dodge) and Keen Eye (+10% Crit chance).
Q: What is the Sunday Tax?
A: Every Sunday, you must pay gold to survive. The tax starts at 120g and increases by 60% every week. This is the main failure state of the game.
Community & Updates
Q: How often are updates released?
A: We aim for monthly balance passes.
Q: Can I provide feedback or suggest features?
A: Absolutely! Email dpo@barbariangrid.com with subject: [FEEDBACK] Your Suggestion.
Need more help? Check out the Getting Started Guide or Combat Basics Guide