Gothic 1 Remake: How to Join the New Camp (Full Walkthrough & Faction Guide)
Few decisions in Gothic 1 Remake feel as important as choosing your faction. The moment you step into the Valley of Mines, every camp promises a different future for the Nameless Hero. The Old Camp offers stability and power, the Swamp Camp tempts players with mysticism and faith, but for me, the New Camp remains the most exciting faction in the entire game.
As someone who has spent countless hours exploring classic RPGs and replaying the original Gothic more times than I can honestly count, I’ve always been drawn to the New Camp. It represents freedom, rebellion, and the dream of escaping the colony rather than simply surviving inside it. In the remake, that identity feels stronger than ever.
However, joining the New Camp is not as straightforward as many newcomers expect. Unlike some faction paths that practically guide you from one objective to another, the New Camp demands careful planning. Make the wrong choice at the wrong time, and you can lose valuable opportunities to impress its leaders.
This guide covers the most efficient route to joining the New Camp while maximizing experience, rewards, and reputation during the opening chapter.
Why the New Camp Stands Out
The New Camp isn’t just another settlement on the map. It’s a movement.
While Gomez and the Old Camp profit from trading magical ore with the King, the rebels of the New Camp have a far more ambitious goal: destroy the magical barrier entirely and escape the prison colony once and for all.
That philosophy is reflected in the camp’s atmosphere. The place feels rough, dangerous, and alive. Instead of polished authority figures, you’ll meet rogues, mercenaries, smugglers, and legendary characters who don’t care much about rules.
Some of the most memorable personalities in Gothic are connected to the New Camp, including:
- Lares
- Lee
- Gorn
- Cronos
For players who enjoy flexibility, the faction also provides excellent long-term progression. You can focus on melee combat and eventually become a powerful Mercenary, or pursue the magical path of the Water Mages later in the story.
Getting to the New Camp the Smart Way
One of the biggest mistakes new players make is trying to reach the New Camp alone too early.
The wilderness is full of creatures capable of killing an under-equipped character in seconds. Fortunately, the game provides a much safer option through a rogue named Mordrag.
After arriving at the Old Camp, spend some time speaking with Thorus, the guard responsible for security. Continue asking about work until he mentions a troublesome rogue hanging around the marketplace.
That rogue is Mordrag.
Here’s where things get interesting.
Instead of attacking him or forcing a confrontation, talk to him. Explain the situation and show interest in visiting the New Camp. Mordrag will then offer something incredibly valuable for early-game players: a guided trip through dangerous territory.
This journey serves multiple purposes:
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Safe Travel | Mordrag handles most threats |
| Free Experience | Creatures defeated along the route reward XP |
| Early Exploration | You discover important locations |
| Faction Progression | Essential for joining the New Camp |
Watching Mordrag clear out hostile wildlife while you collect experience is one of the oldest tricks in the Gothic playbook, and it still works beautifully in the remake.
Before arriving, he will also hand over a special ring that becomes your first ticket into New Camp politics.
Meeting Lares for the First Time
If Diego is the face of the Old Camp, then Lares is unquestionably the heart of the New Camp.
After entering the settlement, you’ll eventually reach the guarded area where he resides. Showing Mordrag’s ring grants access and immediately establishes a connection with one of the faction’s most influential leaders.
This is where many players discover that New Camp recruitment works differently from other factions.
Lares doesn’t care about promises.
He cares about results.
To earn his trust, you need to prove yourself through actions that demonstrate initiative, loyalty, and a willingness to outsmart rivals.
And honestly, that’s one of the reasons I love this faction. Instead of feeling like a simple checklist, the process feels like you’re actually earning your place among criminals and rebels.
The Three Tasks I Always Prioritize
Over multiple playthroughs, I’ve found three objectives that provide the smoothest path toward recruitment.
1. Deliver Mordrag’s Ring
This is the easiest reputation boost available.
Simply hand the ring over to Lares after reaching the camp. The reward is immediate, and it establishes credibility from the start.
It’s quick, efficient, and impossible to ignore.
2. Handle the Swampweed Business
This quest perfectly captures the New Camp’s personality.
Rather than slaying monsters or saving innocent villagers, you’re solving a smuggling problem involving a lazy dealer who has stopped doing his job.
The mission revolves around Baal Isidro and a stash of swampweed that needs to be distributed throughout the camp.
What makes this quest memorable isn’t the complexity—it’s the atmosphere. Walking around the camp, negotiating sales, and interacting with rogues makes the New Camp feel like a functioning underground economy.
When the profits start rolling in, resist the temptation to return the money elsewhere.
Delivering the earnings to Lares significantly strengthens your standing with the faction.
3. The Ian’s List Operation
This is arguably the most important quest related to New Camp recruitment.
At first glance, it looks like a routine task from Diego.
You’re sent to obtain a supply list from Ian at the Old Mine.
But instead of immediately returning the document, you can bring it to Lares first.
The result is classic Gothic storytelling.
Lares sees an opportunity to manipulate the situation, alter the information, and give the New Camp a strategic advantage against its rivals.
Without spoiling every detail, this quest perfectly demonstrates why the faction feels so different from the others. Success often comes through cleverness rather than direct confrontation.
Reaching Level 5 Before Recruitment
One requirement that occasionally surprises players is the level restriction.
Even if Lares respects your accomplishments, he won’t officially accept a weak recruit.
You should aim for Level 5 before attempting to finalize membership.
Fortunately, Chapter 1 offers plenty of opportunities to gain experience.
My favorite methods include:
- Hunting scavengers near camp roads
- Eliminating molerats around beginner zones
- Completing side quests for camp residents
- Exploring new areas for discovery XP
- Participating in arena fights
The arena battle against Kirgo remains one of the easiest and most rewarding early encounters.
Another advantage of delaying your final faction choice is that you can complete various introductory quests for multiple camps before committing. This allows you to squeeze every possible experience point from the opening hours.
Gothic 1 Remake Survival Guide: Top Quick Tips to Conquer The Colony
Why I Still Recommend the New Camp
Every player has their favorite faction.
Some prefer the structure of the Old Camp. Others enjoy the mystical atmosphere of the Swamp Camp.
For me, the New Camp has always represented the true spirit of Gothic.
The faction isn’t built around blind obedience or religious devotion. It’s built around individuals trying to survive, profit, and eventually break free from a system designed to keep them trapped forever.
The remake captures that feeling brilliantly.
From the moment you arrive alongside Mordrag to the day you finally earn your first Rogue armor, every step feels meaningful. You’re not simply joining a guild. You’re becoming part of a rebellion.
If you’re looking for a faction that combines strong combat progression, memorable characters, excellent quest design, and one of the most rewarding story arcs in the game, the New Camp remains my top recommendation.
And honestly, if I were starting a fresh playthrough today, I’d choose Lares and his rebels all over again.
Gothic 1 Remake Lockpicking Guide: How to Pick Locks and Find Lockpicks Fast
Final Verdict
Gothic 1 Remake’s New Camp is more than just a faction choice—it is one of the game’s defining experiences. Players willing to invest time into its recruitment process are rewarded with deeper questlines, greater character freedom, and access to some of the colony’s most iconic heroes.
It may require more effort than joining other camps, but that’s exactly what makes it memorable. In a world full of opportunists, criminals, and survivors, earning your place among the rebels feels like an achievement rather than a formality.
And in true Gothic fashion, nothing worth having ever comes easy.
