In RimWorld, the challenge of building a thriving colony is often met with the need for more hands on deck. Expanding your population by recruiting new colonists is a crucial aspect of the game’s strategy. In this guide, we will explore various methods to get more colonists in RimWorld, from rescuing downed pawns to recruiting prisoners of war. Regardless of which method you choose, you should have a thriving colony in no time at all.
Rescuing Downed Wanderers
One of the simplest and most direct methods to recruit new colonists is by rescuing downed wanderers. These are people who have survived various hardships but are in need of dire medical attention; otherwise, they might die.
Keep an eye out for crashed escape pods, refugees being chased, and other in-game events that might bring a new colonist to your settlement. You do have the option of saying no and letting the wanderer die, which might be beneficial if you inspect the pawn and see some traits you donโt like.
To rescue a downed wanderer, send a colonist to rescue them by selecting a colonist and clicking the โRescueโ option on the downed person. Youโll need a medical bed thatโs not in use if you plan on rescuing the wanderer, so make sure you have one of those. Once theyโre rescued, make sure you provide round-the-clock medical aid to ensure their survival.
Prisoner Recruitment
Another method to gain more colonists is by capturing and recruiting prisoners from raids or bandits. Youโll have to build a prison and assign a warden to interact with prisoners, so this might be a more mid-game strategy than one you use right off the bat. Once you have the prison built and have cells, beds, food, and recreation, you can begin trying to recruit them.
During the next raid, try to use blunt weapons rather than guns, as youโll increase your chances of knocking the enemy out rather than outright killing them. Once theyโre unconscious, take them prisoner and begin talking to them to build a rapport. Feed them, chat with them, and provide them with adequate living conditions. This will increase their mood, thereby increasing the likelihood that they join your colony when you ask them to.
Trade Caravans
Trade Caravans bring goods and the potential to recruit new colonists. While trading with other factions, you might be able to purchase some potential recruits who had the unfortunate luck of being taken into slavery. If youโre in desperate need of colonists and canโt wait for a caravan to arrive, you could start your own caravan and head out to other settlements in search of slaves to buy.
To start your own caravan, click the World icon in the bottom right and select your settlement, then select the settlement you want to travel to. Draft up a team of strong individuals who are well-equipped with weapons and food so that they can survive the journey. After a few days, your caravan should arrive, and you can check if there are any slavesโI mean potential colonistsโto recruit.
Getting New Colonists via Quests
Some quests can result in gaining a colonist, and these are usually easy to spot. Quests that have you saving a random person are easy ways to get new colonists; just be prepared to spend medical supplies or fight the raiders that are coming after them. However, that could get you even more colonists if you have a prison setup, as we described above, making it even better.
Fertility and Babies
Making babies has been the best way to expand your colony since time immemorial. This is definitely a slower method, but one that shouldnโt be avoided. Keep your colonists happy, and they will eventually settle down with each other and have babies. Babies turn into children, which will then turn into useful adult colonists.
You’ll need the BioTech DLC for this one, but you can just as easily get a mod from the Workshop if you don’t want to fork over the cash for it.
Wrap Up
Getting more colonists in RimWorld is a vital part of building a thriving and prosperous colony. Whether you choose to rescue wanderers, recruit prisoners, or welcome refugees, each method offers unique challenges and opportunities. By managing mood, providing for their needs, and being open to various recruitment avenues, you can expand your colony and enjoy the benefits of a larger workforce and a more diverse group of colonists to overcome the challenges of the RimWorld.