Hold Your King Beginner Guide: Tips for New Players

Getting Started in Hold Your King

Welcome to the chaotic world of Hold Your King! As a new player, your primary goal is to work with a partner to carry a temperamental king through a series of deadly, trap-filled medieval levels. This beginner guide covers everything you need to know to survive your first few sessions and keep the king's rage in check. For an overview of the game's core systems, check out our gameplay overview guide.

The game is a physics-based co-op platformer available on PC. You and your teammate must coordinate your movements to keep the king balanced on your shared platform. One wrong step can send him tumbling into a pit of spikes or a river of lava, triggering his immediate fury and ending your run. Mastering the basics of movement and communication is your first step to success.

Mastering the Core Mechanics

The heart of Hold Your King lies in its physics engine. The king has a mind of his own and will shift his weight based on your movements. If you move too quickly, he'll lean backward. If you stop abruptly, he'll lurch forward. Your job is to find a steady rhythm. Use the following mechanics to your advantage:

• Balancing: Keep your movements smooth and synchronized. Avoid sharp turns or sudden stops.
• Lifting: Both players must press the lift button simultaneously to raise the king over low obstacles.
• Throwing: In emergencies, you can toss the king a short distance, but this greatly increases his anger meter. Use sparingly.
• Dodging: Learn to sidestep quickly to avoid swinging axes and rolling boulders.

For a full breakdown of all controls and inputs, refer to our controls guide.

Navigating Common Traps and Obstacles

The medieval world is filled with hazards designed to test your teamwork. Here’s what to expect in the early levels:

• Spinning Blades: Time your passage carefully. Wait for the blade to swing away before moving forward.
• Collapsing Platforms: These will fall after a few seconds. Move across them as a team without hesitation.
• Bouncing Pads: These launch the king into the air. Coordinate your landing to catch him safely on the other side.
• Pendulum Axes: These have a predictable pattern. Observe it for a moment before making your move.

For more detailed strategies on each level, see our walkthrough guide.

Essential Tips for Cooperative Play

Hold Your King is strictly a multiplayer experience. Success depends entirely on how well you and your partner work together. Here are some key tips:

• Choose Roles: Decide who will lead and who will follow. The leader calls out movements, while the follower mirrors them.
• Use Voice Chat: Text chat is too slow. Use Discord or in-game voice to coordinate real-time actions.
• Be Patient: You will fail many times. The key is to learn from each mistake and adjust your strategy.
• Watch the King's Face: His expression changes based on his mood. If he looks angry, slow down and be more careful.

If you are playing with a new friend, check out our co-op guide for more advanced teamwork strategies.

Understanding the King's Anger

The king's anger is the central mechanic you must manage. It is represented by a meter on the top of the screen. The meter increases when:

• The king is dropped or falls.
• He is hit by a trap.
• You move too erratically.
• He is thrown.

The meter slowly decreases when you are moving smoothly and safely. If the meter fills completely, the king will stomp his feet, causing a powerful shockwave that can destroy nearby platforms. If this happens near a cliff, it's almost always a game over. Learning to keep the king calm is the true path to victory. For more on managing resources, see our resource management guide.

What to Do After Your First Win

Congratulations on reaching the throne room! Once you complete your first run, new content unlocks. You will gain access to new levels, more challenging traps, and cosmetic items for your king. The game also introduces a progression system that allows you to unlock new abilities and perks. This is where the real journey begins.

For a deeper dive into what comes next, read our progression guide and unlock order guide.

Final Beginner Advice

Hold Your King is a game about laughter, frustration, and triumph. Embrace the chaos. Every failure is a lesson, and every successful run is a shared victory. Start with the easiest levels, communicate constantly, and never forget that the king is always watching. Good luck, and may your king stay calm!