Read the unmet need literally
Foundation's needs page maps different needs to different providers: food and goods can be satisfied from markets, but water, services, entertainment, housing and monastic needs use different sources. A villager showing an unmet market-related need is not automatically asking for more food.
- Select an affected villager and record the exact unmet need and social type/rank.
- Use the official Needs reference to identify whether the need is Food, Goods, Luxury or another category.
- Open the market and inspect the actual stalls built into that market; a food stall does not substitute for a goods or luxury stall.
- Check the current progression unlocks and market type before expecting an unavailable stall category.
| Need or category | Provider to inspect first | Do not substitute |
|---|---|---|
| Food / food subcategory | Eligible staffed food stall and its available items | A warehouse total by itself |
| Goods | Goods stall and its eligible goods stock | Food stall capacity |
| Luxury | Luxury stall and eligible luxury stock | A market building with no luxury stall |
| Water, service, entertainment or housing | The matching well, church/chapel, tavern or residence | Any market stall |
References: Foundation Official Wiki: Needs · Foundation Official Wiki: Village Market
Check stock, stall capacity and labor
The official Village Market page lists specific goods sold by each stall and a base capacity for its food stall; tents increase capacity. Market Tender roles staff stalls. Capacities and unlocks differ across Village Market and City Market, so use the page matching the structure actually built.
- Confirm the required item is among the stall's eligible goods for the current market type.
- Check current stock in the stall and its linked storage, including whether a transporter can replenish it.
- Verify Market Tenders are assigned and able to work the relevant shift/role.
- If stock repeatedly empties or stall capacity is reached, use the official current building page to compare a capacity upgrade or a second market.
- Recheck the same villager's need after resources are available and the market operates; do not infer satisfaction from the building's existence.
References: Foundation Official Wiki: Village Market · Foundation Official Wiki: Resources
Treat access as its own problem
Polymorph's wiki recommends dispersing markets as the settlement grows so villagers have wider access. The cited pages do not provide one universal radius for every rank, pathing layout and building. Use the villager's actual route and need status instead of inventing a guaranteed distance threshold.
- Follow the villager's visible route to the market and look for a blocked or impractical access path.
- Compare with a nearby villager of the same type/rank who has satisfied the same need, if available.
- If the market is stocked and staffed but the need remains unmet, test a closer market or improve access one change at a time.
- Keep discussion-board suggestions labeled as player reports and verify the category, stall stock and access in your own save.
References: Foundation Official Wiki: Needs · Foundation Steam Discussions (player-generated)
Before you play
- Exact need and villager type/rank identified.
- Correct stall category exists and is unlocked.
- Wanted item is listed as sellable by that stall.
- Stall has stock and enough capacity; replenishment route is valid.
- Market Tender assigned.
- Villager's actual access path checked without assuming a fixed radius.
Frequently asked questions
Does any market satisfy any villager need?
No. The official wiki maps needs to specific providers and distinguishes food, goods and luxury stalls from needs such as water, service or entertainment.
Can I rely on a fixed market radius?
The cited pages recommend distributing markets for access but do not establish one universal radius. Check the villager's path and need state in the current save.
Does adding more stall capacity guarantee the need is met?
No. The stall must sell the matching resource, have stock, be staffed and be accessible to that villager.
Sources & revision notes
Editorial revision: November 6, 2026; not a gameplay test date. The reference notes identify source limits and version differences.
- Foundation Official Wiki: Needs (Official)
Official wiki maps villager needs to the resources or services that satisfy them; types and ranks have different requirements.
- Foundation Official Wiki: Village Market (Official)
Official wiki documents village-market stall stock capacity, eligible sale goods and the role of Market Tenders; use the installed build for current unlocks and interface labels.
- Foundation Official Wiki: Resources (Official)
Official wiki distinguishes resource categories and Granary, Warehouse, Monastic Grange and Armoury storage; resource tracking shows stock locations.
- Foundation Steam Discussions (player-generated) (Community)
Player-authored discussions are clues, not official mechanics or verified GamerWin reports. Check date/build and reproduce the issue in the game before relying on a suggested fix.
November 6, 2026: added a need-to-stall decision guide from the official Foundation wiki; no market placement, demand, access radius or villager result was tested.
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