The Old Camp is the most beginner-friendly faction in Gothic 1 Remake and the natural home of a Strength / melee build. Joining means becoming a Shadow — one of the camp’s enforcers — and unlocking its trainers, heavy armor and (later) fire magic.
Overview: how admission works
The Old Camp doesn’t accept just anyone. You earn your place by doing favors for influential members until enough of them vouch for you. Each completed task is effectively a recommendation (“vote”) toward your admission. Collect enough, pass the final test, and the inner castle opens.
Be roughly level 5+ before you push hard on this — the errands assume you can fight.
Step-by-step
- Reach the Old Camp and talk to Diego. He’s your early mentor and smooths your introduction to the camp’s hierarchy.
- Speak to Thorus to formally start the admission line. He’ll make clear you need to prove yourself to the camp’s heavy hitters.
- Earn recommendations by completing tasks for key Shadows and bosses around the camp. Typical work includes collecting debts, clearing out pests near the fields, and running errands for the ore barons. Each success builds your standing.
- Do the rounds. Talk to everyone with a task — the more recommendations you gather, the smoother the final approval.
- Pass Diego’s test / final check. Once you’ve earned enough trust, Diego vouches for you and the way into the castle opens.
- Swear in as a Shadow. This officially joins the Old Camp — and fails the New Camp and Swamp Camp admission lines, so finish any cross-camp Chapter 1 tasks first.
Tips to make it painless
- Bank the XP before committing. Run the New and Swamp Camp early tasks before you officially swear in; you keep the rewards.
- Sell loot to Old Camp traders for ore, then reinvest in a real one-handed sword and Strength training.
- Don’t pick fights with Shadows or guards. Aggravating the camp can close doors you need open.
- Prioritize One-Handed mastery + Strength at trainers so the admission combat tasks go quickly.
What you unlock
- The Shadow → Mercenary progression and the camp’s melee trainers.
- Access to heavier armor sets sold/granted within the camp.
- The Fire Mage path later, reaching the 6th Circle of fire magic.
Next: lock in your build with the Best Builds guide, or compare your options one more time in The Three Camps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do you need to join the Old Camp?
Plan to be around level 5 or higher. The admission process is gated by completing tasks for influential Old Camp figures, and those tasks expect a character that can hold its own in a fight.
Who do you talk to first to join the Old Camp?
Speak to Thorus at the gate of the inner ring to begin the Old Camp admission questline. He directs you to earn recommendations from the people who matter.