Wartales News

Greetings Mercenaries,

Your eyes do not deceive you: crossbows are coming to Wartales, for free!
As a bit of context for newcomers, crossbows have probably been the most requested (or at least way up there) feature since early access. We know a lot of you have waited a long time to see them added to the game, and we thank you for your patience!
We are happy with the current design and wanted to share a little introduction to the class ahead of their addition in a free update on December 10th, the same day as The Skelmar Invasion release.

Unlike traditional crossbow mechanics, which often alternate between firing and reloading every other turn, this class uses a unique "Loaded" and "Empty" system. When the crossbow is "Loaded" it can fire. After firing, it becomes "Empty" and needs to reload before it can fire again.

The dexterity-based class starts with a basic “Shoot” attack that can be replaced with a new attack at level three. For example, the Multi-Shot attack deals damage to the target and attacks one additional time for each “Reload” this unit has performed in the same turn.



A “Reload” can be triggered multiple times in the same turn thanks to passive skills that are unlocked as your Crossbowman levels up or that are tied to the crossbow itself, this is unlike any other weapon in Wartales as they all have attack skills tied to them.

At level five, these passive skills build upon the "Reload" mechanic by introducing effects or bonuses triggered by reloading, how often the unit reloads, or whether the unit is in a "Loaded" state at the end of its turn. At level eight, the skills introduce new ways to trigger reloading such as applying status effects, landing critical hits, or using different abilities. The right skills can lead to deadly combos.



Don’t be fooled into thinking that the Crossbowman must maintain its distance with enemies like its ranged cousin the archer. The class can equip medium (and light) armour, and if paired with the right passives and weapon, can get up close and personal to devastating effect.

The Crossbowman is a versatile and dynamic addition to the mercenary roster that can shift the momentum of an engagement.

Once again mercenaries, we thank you for your feedback and can’t wait to see what interesting builds and combinations you’ll be able to create with the new class!

Don’t forget to join our Wartales community on Discord, Reddit, as well as follow us on BlueSky, Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news.

- Shiro Games

Greetings Mercenaries,

The 2024 Steam Awards are here, and we’d love your vote for Wartales in the ‘Labor of Love’ category!

Since launching in April 2023, Wartales has grown so much thanks to your incredible support. We've built on our early access success, expanded the world with DLC, and added new features through four major free updates. From helmets, to one (soon to be two) new classes, your feedback has truly shaped the game.

And we’re not stopping there! We’re committed to bringing even more adventures, features, and content to keep the world of Wartales alive and thriving.

Stay safe,

- Shiro Games

Greetings Mercenaries,

Three years ago, thousands of companions set out across the world of Wartales, chasing glory and fortune. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that our troop has grown to over one million mercenaries! A heartfelt thank you to every single one of you who has joined us on this incredible journey so far.

To celebrate this milestone, we’re taking part in the Steam Autumn sales! Veteran Mercenaries can snag our previous DLC at discounted rates, while new recruits can dive into the adventure with the Mercenary Edition bundle, which includes the base game and all its DLC to date at 40% off.

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/43565/Wartales_The_Mercenaries_Edition/

But the journey doesn’t end here. Our next chapter, The Skelmar Invasion, is on the horizon! Stay tuned as we continue the reveal campaign next week, bringing you exciting details about the expansion’s new features like epic siege battles, an evolving world map, powerful new skills, and so much more! You can read Tuesday's Skelmar faction overview blog here in case you missed it.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3335020/Wartales_The_Skelmar_Invasion/

Greetings Mercenaries,

In this blog we dive into a brand new faction, the fearsome Skelmars, a warrior society whose unrelenting invasion has turned the once-defended lands of Ormance into a battlefield. From their roots in the harsh Marches of the World to their brutal and methodical warfare, the Skelmar have reshaped the region’s landscape and rewritten the rules of survival in Edoran.

The Skelmar’s invasion of Edoran is driven by ambition and pragmatism. For years, Ormance withstood scattered raids from isolated Skelmar tribes, its fortifications standing as a testament to the resilience of its people. But the arrival of High Jarl Sven changed everything. Uniting the Skelmars under a single banner, Sven declared his people chosen by the gods to claim wealth and fertile lands. Leading his warriors to the shores of Edoran, he turned their fragmented raids into a relentless campaign, and is unlikely to settle for just Ormance.



This warrior society hails from the Marches of the World, a harsh and desolate far to the West. Known for their brutality and unrelenting ferocity, they have terrorized Edoran with countless raids over the years. Their homeland is a barren tundra, fostering a culture where strength, survival, and combat are revered. Rival tribes frequently vie for power, yet they have united under the command of High Jarl Sven to wage an unprecedented invasion against Edoran. The Skelmars despise weakness, making them a formidable and relentless foe.



The viking-like horde brings a diverse array of units to the battlefield, each designed to exert control and inflict devastation. Agile patrols scout occupied territories, maintaining their grip on the land, while heavily guarded convoys transport captives and spoils of war. Specialized units such as berserkers lead ferocious charges covered by crossbowmen who provide lethal support from afar. Their forces are as versatile as they are deadly thus ensuring their dominance in any encounter.



The Skelmar’s weaponry and armor are built for practicality and efficiency. Axes, spears, and crossbows are staples of their arsenal, forged with exceptional craftsmanship. Their armor, often composed of hardened leather and iron, balances protection with mobility, prioritizing function over decoration. This utilitarian approach reflects their culture, where survival and combat readiness take precedence over aesthetics, making their warriors as resilient as they are intimidating.

Don’t forget to join our Wartales community on Discord, Reddit, as well as follow us on BlueSky, Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news.

- Shiro Games