Beginner Guide / Getting Started
Confirmed (Press)New to Solace? Here is what is in the Early Access build, the basics of moving and fighting, early survival tips, and where to head first from Haven.
New to Solace? Fatekeeper is a first-person, sword-and-sorcery action RPG with deliberate, physics-driven combat — closer to Dark Messiah than to a fast hack-and-slash. This guide covers what you actually get in the Early Access build, the basics of staying alive, and where to go first.
What’s in the Early Access build
Set expectations before you start: this is Early Access, launched 2 June 2026. The current build covers roughly the game’s first two hours; the full version targets about fifteen hours and is planned to arrive after roughly eighteen months of Early Access. The complete story, the full skill tree, and some assist systems are not all in yet — what’s here is the core combat loop and the opening arc. See Release & Roadmap for the full picture.
Combat basics
The single most important habit: don’t rush. Fatekeeper rewards reading enemies, not mashing.
- Watch the wind-up, then choose: block/parry, dodge, or interrupt with a spell.
- Manage stamina — you can’t attack, dodge, and defend endlessly.
- Use the environment. Kick foes off ledges or into hazards, drop debris on them, and set up elemental combos (freeze-then-shatter, oil-then-ignite).
- Carry two weapon sets and swap to fit the enemy — a fast blade for one foe, a heavy hammer for another.
Read the full Combat page once you’ve got the basics down.
Early survival tips
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Brew and stock consumables | Alchemy potions, oils, and bombs turn hard fights into prepared ones |
| Inspect your items | Examining gear can reveal flavor, lore, and even hidden mechanics |
| Loot everything | Weapons, armor, and artifacts are found, not crafted — exploration pays |
| Pick a direction early | The game is classless; leaning into one build early gives you a clear toolkit |
| Respect tougher foes | Enemies have distinct patterns; a careful approach beats a brave one |
Where to go: Haven
Your anchor point is Haven, the game’s central hub (confirmed by name in a developer blog). Use it as your base for downtime and prep between excursions into the handcrafted world. From there, the focused-but-explorable design of Solace rewards curiosity with hidden lore and relics — wander, but come back to Haven to regroup.
Pick a starting build
You don’t have to commit forever, but having a plan helps. Beginner-friendly picks:
- Pyromancer — kills at range, lowest risk. (Builds)
- Shatter (Frost Melee) — satisfying freeze-and-crush combos at a deliberate pace.
- Alchemist — win through preparation rather than raw stats.
Save the high-skill Rogue and Battlemage builds for once you’re comfortable with timing and stamina.
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Brew and stock consumables | Alchemy potions, oils, and bombs turn hard fights into prepared ones |
| Inspect your items | Examining gear can reveal flavor, lore, and even hidden mechanics |
| Loot everything | Weapons, armor, and artifacts are found, not crafted |
| Pick a direction early | The game is classless; leaning into one build gives a clear toolkit |
| Respect tougher foes | Enemies have distinct patterns; a careful approach beats a brave one |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Early Access build?
About two hours of content; the full version targets roughly fifteen hours after about eighteen months of Early Access.
What build should a beginner pick?
Pyromancer (kills at range, lowest risk) or Shatter frost-melee. Save the high-skill Rogue and Battlemage for later.
Where do I go first?
Haven is the central hub — use it as your base for downtime and prep between excursions into Solace.
Sources
- Steam store — Fatekeeper (App 2186990) Confirmed (Official)
- GamingBolt — EA ~2h, full ~15h Confirmed (Press)