Shields of Loyalty News

[p]Long ago, when Mantaria's forests still whispered with wild magic, the spirits of nature shaped a warrior-guardian to protect their realm. From twisted roots and ancient bones, they gave form to the Goatking — a beast with the lower body of a goat and the upper body of a hulking warrior.[/p][p]He wielded a crude sword forged from ironwood and raw ore, his wooden shield carved from sacred groves. His twisted horns bore moss, and his white fur shimmered in moonlight. For a time, he was a protector. But with each century, solitude and power turned him cruel.[/p][p]He no longer guarded the forests — he ruled them.

The Goatking’s wrath reached the walls of Castle Rifthain, where fire scorched the woods and storms howled without end. Creatures of the wild followed him, corrupted by his command. One by one, nearby villages vanished.[/p][p]But then came Aglovan, noble of the Crimson Order. With golden armour and a blade passed down through generations, he marched through the burning woods. By his side flew an eagle, watching from above.[/p][p]As he neared the gates of Rifthain, lightning cracked and the Goatking stepped forward — sword in hand, ready to crush Mantaria’s last hope.[/p][p][/p][p] The final clash was swift — steel against fury. Aglovan charged, his eagle screeching above. The Goatking roared and met him head-on, sword raised.[/p][p]Steel clashed. Sparks danced. The world seemed to hold its breath.[/p][p]Then, in a flash of blinding light, Aglovan’s blade found its mark. The Goatking staggered, eyes wide, and let out a final, thunderous cry. He fell to his knees before the castle he once cursed.

[/p][p]The skies cleared. The fires died.[/p][p]Mantaria had a new legend.

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⚔️ Something BIG is coming next Friday...[/p][p]We’ve been busy behind the scenes—sharpening swords, tweaking magical powers, polishing every corner of Mantaria, and crafting something we’ve been waiting a long time to share with you.[/p][p]🗓️ Mark your calendars: 11.07.2025[/p][p]It’s a day that will mark a turning point for Shields of Loyalty — and we can’t wait to see your reactions.
But until then, we’ve got a question for our most loyal commanders:
[/p][p]💬 What do you think it is?
🎯 A huge new feature?
💥 A surprise update?
📖 A major story reveal?
🎉 Or... something even bigger?
[/p][p]Drop your guesses below 👇 — we’ll be watching (and maybe dropping a few clues throughout the week 👀).
[/p][p]Until then… stay vigilant, stay loyal.

The island of Mantaria is about to change forever. 🌩️

Shields of Loyalty Team

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p]We’re excited to share a few bite-sized gameplay clips to show off the new units, updated faction skills, and several recent improvements. From magical countermeasures to battlefield synergy—there’s a lot happening!
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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p]🧙‍♂️ 1. Altar of Kings – Unit in Action[/p][p]Watch a powerful unit from the 3rd faction channel strong attcks to dominate the battlefield.[/p][hr][/hr][p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p]🛡️ 2. Deployment Phase with 3rd Faction Hero[/p][p]See the new hero from the 3rd faction take their place on the field—strategic planning begins before the first move.[/p][hr][/hr][p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p]🐐 3. Goatking Miniboss Encounter[/p][p]A fearsome new miniboss defends its land fiercely. The Goatking isn’t just a name—it’s a challenge.[/p][hr][/hr][p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p]⠀⠀⠀🤝 4. Mercenary Buyout UI – Sandmen Skirmishers[/p][p]Check out the updated Mercenary interface as we recruit Sandmen—nimble skirmishers for the right price.[/p][hr][/hr][p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][p]⚡ 5. Archmage Casting Mana Lightning[/p][p]The 3rd faction’s Archmage unleashes a deadly Mana Lightning spell on a lurking Bone Creeper. Magic meets menace![/p][hr][/hr][p]If you missed this week’s Tactical Tuesday post, we dove deep into the design inspirations and gameplay logic behind these changes. It’s definitely worth a read 👇

📖 Tactical Tuesday – Gameplay Inspirations and New Features[/p][hr][/hr][p]💬 Let us know what you think! Which faction skill or mechanic stands out the most to you?[/p][p]—The Shields of Loyalty Team
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[p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][h2][/h2][p]"The strongest blades are forged in fire."[/p][p]Every day brings us closer to release.
We know it’s been a long road — delays, silence, and battles behind the scenes — but the passion never faded.[/p][p]This is just a small reminder that Shields of Loyalty is alive, evolving, and worth the wait.
Your support means everything. 💛[/p][h3]🛠️ Did you know? Steam wishlists directly influence visibility, discoverability, and even launch success for indie games like ours.
If you want to help, wishlisting is one of the most powerful things you can do![/h3][p]If you’ve been with us from the beginning — thank you.
If you just joined — welcome to Mantaria.

"Did you know that games like Vampire Survivors owe part of their success to wishlists? Steam notices and rewards games with strong pre-release interest — every wishlist helps Shields of Loyalty reach new players!"[/p][p]More reveals coming soon. Stay tuned, commander.[/p][p]🎯 Wishlist & Follow on Steam
🛡️ Join our Discord
[/p][p]— The Shields of Loyalty Team

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[p]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[/p][h3]🛡️ A Legacy of Strategy in Fantasy[/h3][p]From the page to the screen, epic fantasy has always revolved around the battlefield—whether it’s a desperate stand at Helm’s Deep, the coordination of a small fellowship striking behind enemy lines, or carefully arranged tactical decisions in turn-based classics like Fantasy General or XCOM.[/p][p]At Shields of Loyalty, we honour those roots while forging something new.[/p]

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[hr][/hr][h3]🔄 Faction Abilities Reforged[/h3][p]We’ve reworked the faction skills system to enhance synergy, positioning, and reaction-based tactics. Here’s a sneak peek:[/p][p]🔴 Warlords – Strength in Unity[/p]

• [p]Brothers in Arms
  If a heavy infantry unit attacks, another heavy infantry unit directly adjacent to it will strike as well—two blades, one purpose.[/p]
• [p]Revenge
  When one of your units is severely wounded, all adjacent allies lash out in retaliation. The more surrounded you are, the stronger your comeback.[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]⚪ Noblemen – Discipline and Formation[/p]

• [p]Formation
  Light cavalry now automatically steps back one tile after taking damage. This ability can trigger up to three times per level, simulating controlled retreats and regrouping.[/p]
• [p]Shield Wall
  Unchanged but still powerful: Hold your line and resist frontal assaults by keeping units adjacent and shielded.[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]🔵 Highpriests – The Arcane Edge[/p]

• [p]Mystic Focus (tentative name)
  Boost magical damage dealt and reduce magic damage taken—a potent way to counter enemy spellcasters.[/p]
• [p]Guardian
  A known mechanic returns under a new banner: nearby flying units intercept attacks aimed at adjacent allies.[/p]

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[hr][/hr][h3]🎶 Tactical Music, Personalised by Faction[/h3][p]We’ve also added faction-specific music to the Army Management screen! Each faction now has its own distinct melody and tone to match its theme—noble, tribal, or mystical.[/p]

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[hr][/hr][h3]🌍 What’s Next on the Tactical Front?[/h3]

• [p]More Points of Interest (POIs) are live![/p]
• [p]Mercenaries are now recruitable.[/p]
• [p]Island 3 levels have been expanded with new tactical challenges.[/p]
• [p]Numerous level improvements and balance adjustments are in the works.[/p]

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[hr][/hr][h3]⚔️ Tactical Evolution Continues[/h3][p]At its heart, Shields of Loyalty is about meaningful, satisfying choices.
Whether you’re flanking with cavalry, casting support spells, or defending your last stronghold—you’ll find inspiration in fantasy’s finest moments… and write your own legend in Mantaria.[/p][p]Stay tuned for more updates, Commanders![/p][hr][/hr][h3]🔁 Got a favourite tactic from a classic game or fantasy book?[/h3][p]Tell us in the comments—we might feature it in the next Tactical Tuesday![/p][h3][/h3][p]— The Shields of Loyalty Team

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