Drop Duchy News

[p]Hi again! [/p][p]We’ve been busy at Sleepy Mill Studio since the release of The Tribe DLC this summer. We continue to be floored by the game’s reception, and we’ve even had the honor of winning the Best Game Design prize at the Devgamm Awards![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Today, we’re back with another major update for Drop Duchy, once again bringing a DLC faction alongside a lot of free content (including some of the most requested additions from the community). Wanna know all about it? You’re in the right place![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Introducing The North[/h3][p]The North is a new Viking-themed faction available as DLC in the store for 3.99€/3.99$ and as part of the Complete Edition bundle. Like all the other factions, you can use The North to play any of the game modes.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p]I’ll soon publish another devlog to dive deep into The North exclusive mechanics and cards, here’s a little preview. In a nutshell, they’re combat-oriented folks who pillage production buildings for additional resources and earn bonuses every time they take damage. Their distinctive combat mechanic requires you to rethink your strategic approach. Some of the old combos may not be as efficient as with the other factions, but trust me, you’ll find new synergies to exploit once you master the North combat style.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Free content addition: New bosses[/h3][p]In the 1.2 patch available to all players, we’re adding three new bosses to add more variety to your runs! True to the original vision of the game, each boss (one per act) has special quirks that you need to pay attention to, and we’ve made sure they’re beatable with a variety of decks.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Here’s a bit of teasing about what you can expect from them:[/p]

• [p]The Gate separates the battlefield into two halves[/p]
• [p]The Fortification adds War Chariots to the deck to sabotage your siege[/p]
• [p]The Basilica has the powerful ability to steal your units for its own benefit[/p]

[p]Each run is procedurally generated, so now you’ll get either boss of each act randomly. If you’d like to get ahead and prepare your strategy accordingly, make sure to scroll the map.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Free game mode: Ascension[/h3][p]Another much-requested feature was the Ascension mode, a staple of modern roguelite design. In Drop Duchy, Ascension is available as soon as you’ve beaten Normal mode with a faction, and it provides a more progressive difficulty than the ones we had in the game.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Each Ascension Tier, you have to select a certain number of modifiers among a long list, up to your preference and the strategy you devised. Do you go for an increased number of enemies, lower starting health, or more expensive card upgrades? Whatever you pick, if you manage to win the run, you move on to the next tier and get an exclusive reward![/p][p]Indeed, each of the 10 tiers offers a unique visual customization option, such as a health bar, a card back, or a grid skin that you can use with that faction. They’re purely visual and don’t do anything special other than looking nice and proving to the world that you’ve mastered the faction.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Quality of life: the Undo button[/h3][p]Yes, we finally did it —we added the #1 most-requested feature! With this new patch comes a button to undo the last piece. Believe me, implementing such a feature after the fact is a technical hurdle, so don’t be surprised if you spot bugs here and there.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Whether you accidentally pressed a button or didn’t realize a move was going to trigger unwanted effects, you can now revert the grid to its previous state. There are no restrictions to the mechanic itself; you can use it in all modes, all difficulties, but keep in mind that you can only go one step backward. Don’t expect to roll back your game to several pieces ago![/p][p][/p][h3]More content additions![/h3][p]For the complete list of changes and additions, make sure to have a look at the detailed patch notes at the end of this post. Here are a few highlights:[/p]

• [p]New unlockable location: the Fortune Teller will allow you to customize your run by eliminating lots of cards from the loot pool (thus increasing your chances to get all the others)[/p]
• [p]New constellations: one for the mountains and one to shuffle the whole deck, if you’re feeling unlucky with the draw order[/p]
• [p]New common cards: we’re adding 12 cards for all factions, bringing new mechanics and strategic options. Would you like to try the technology that adds more long-shape pieces to the deck to get those sweet multi-exploration combos consistently? Or maybe you’re curious about the Wonder, the only card in Drop Duchy that can instantly win you a run if you accumulate enough resources![/p]
• [p]New challenges, quality of life improvements (such as a button to preview cards before choosing map locations), tutorials, and comfort options.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Moving on[/h3][p]This major update marks the end of a chapter in Drop Duchy’s development. This update represents the complete experience we set out to create, and we’re incredibly proud of how the game has turned out. Before moving on to a new adventure, our next focus for Drop Duchy will be to bring it to new platforms. If that’s something you’d be interested in, make sure to follow us on social media. Until then, have fun in the duchy![/p][p][/p][p]- JB, Game Director and CEO of Sleepy Mill Studio[/p][p]
[/p][p]Detailed patch notes[/p]

• [p]Added the DLC Faction The North with its faction cards, special combat mechanic & quests[/p]
• [p]Added 3 bosses (one per act), getting either boss at random[/p]
• [p]Added 4 new buildings & 8 new common tech cards (unlock from the progress tree)[/p]
• [p]Added a map location Fortune Teller to make choices at the start of a run (unlock from the progress tree)[/p]
• [p]Added 8 new common challenges[/p]
• [p]Added 2 new constellations[/p]
• [p]Added an Ascension mode, with 10 tiers for each faction and 21 modifiers to pick from[/p]
• [p]Added visual customization (unlocked with the ascension, changed from the Settings)[/p]
• [p]Added an Undo button to revert to the state of the grid before the last piece was locked[/p]
• [p]Added one extra category to select from in University[/p]
• [p]Changed The Keep & The Dungeon grid's heights to smooth out the difficulty[/p]
• [p]Bastion now works both on plains and fields[/p]
• [p]Buffed Recluse Monk effect[/p]
• [p]Added "Unique" tag to the Veterans Hall[/p]
• [p]Added a button to view the list of cards before making a choice in map locations (Guild, University, Fortune Teller, Village)[/p]
• [p]Added a "sort by selected" to the deck menu[/p]
• [p]Added the combat diagram to the encyclopedia[/p]
• [p]Added a tooltip to visualize "Aligned" effects[/p]
• [p]Round deck widget now gives the detail per terrain[/p]
• [p]Updated the towers icon for boss The Keep when two towers watch the same spot[/p]
• [p]Added option to disable screenshake[/p]
• [p]Added option to disable camera movement during activation[/p]
• [p]Added option to adjust brightness[/p]
• [p]Added option to show seals on cards during the runs[/p]
• [p]Fixed not being able to unequip mercenaries with a gamepad[/p]
• [p]Added "anti aliasing type" to options menu[/p]

[p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p]If you want to discuss strategies and share your favorite builds with fellow rulers, don’t hesitate to join our official Discord server! And, don't forget to follow us on Social Media to keep up with the latest news:[/p][p]X / Twitter:[/p]

• [p] X - Sleepy Mill Studio[/p]
• [p] X - The Arcade Crew[/p]

[p]And join us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Bluesky![/p]

[p] Hear ye, hear ye![/p][p][/p][p]We stand incredibly honored and grateful for your praise of Drop Duchy’s creative take on the iconic geometric puzzle gameplay, which is we invite you to nominate us in the “Most Innovative Gameplay” category at the Steam Awards!

[/p][p][/p][p]You have until December 1st to cast your vote; we’re counting on you![/p][p]

[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p]If you want to discuss strategies and share your favorite builds with fellow rulers, don’t hesitate to join our official Discord server! And, don't forget to follow us on Social Media to keep up with the latest news:[/p][p]X / Twitter:[/p]

• [p] X - Sleepy Mill Studio[/p]
• [p] X - The Arcade Crew[/p]

[p]And join us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Bluesky![/p]

[p]Hear ye, hear ye!

[/p][p]2025 has already been an incredible journey for Drop Duchy! Since our launch in May and the release of DLC #1: The Tribe in August, you’ve built, conquered, and shared amazing feedback that helped us refine the game every step of the way.

[/p][p]We’re beyond grateful, thank you all for your continued support! [/p][p][/p][p]Here is the updated roadmap !




We’re closing the year with something big! Coming This December: DLC #2 + Free Major Update 1.2 [/p][p]DLC #2[/p][p]A brand-new Faction[/p][p]New cards[/p][p]New mode[/p][p](Full reveal coming soon ... 👀)


[/p][p]Free Major Update 1.2[/p][p]New Game Mechanics[/p][p]Quality-of-Life Improvements[/p][p]Balancing Updates[/p][p]…and even more surprises![/p][p]
[/p][p]Whether you’re a long-time Duchy ruler or just starting your reign, December will bring fresh ways to expand your kingdom and new strategies to master!


[/p][p][/p][p]If you want to discuss strategies and share your favorite builds with fellow rulers, don’t hesitate to join our official Discord server! And, don't forget to follow us on Social Media to keep up with the latest news:[/p][p]X / Twitter:[/p]

• [p] X - Sleepy Mill Studio[/p]
• [p] X - The Arcade Crew[/p]

[p]And join us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Bluesky![/p]

[p]Hear ye, hear ye![/p][p][/p][p]We prepared a new update which corrects the following bugs and issues:
[/p][h3]Patch notes - 18th September, 2025[/h3][p][/p]

• [p]The Wall can now again be placed outside the grid and lose all units when doing so[/p]
• [p]Can click/press right stick to toggle on/off the building tooltip, allowing to see the range indicator[/p]
• [p]Fixed the 10k limit on fight groups[/p]
• [p]Fixed the challenge "Dungeon Mastery" not triggering (unless you had only level 3 buildings)[/p]
• [p]Fixed gamepad button to refill Defense not working in map locations menu[/p]
• [p]Fixed short window to perform actions after triggering constellation, leading to duplicate pieces[/p]
• [p]Fixed Centaurus constellation able to duplicate the Dungeon[/p]
• [p]Fixed faith counter not updated if Reliquary was upgraded during the preparation screen[/p]
• [p]Fixed Cartographers counting piece that overlapped over the grid[/p]
• [p]Fixed Provision Convoys not displaying the lost resources[/p]
• [p]Fixed Scavengers gaining when allies are removed with Sacred Ground[/p]
• [p]Fixed Scavengers not triggering with Devotion[/p]
• [p]Fixed Enclosure appearing in the wrong category in University[/p]
• [p]Fixed incorrect battle number preview when using Strength in Numbers and having a group of 0[/p]
• [p]Fixed impossible to click on the bottom left building on Boss 3 grid if you had many technologies[/p]
• [p]Fixed highlight not working on last hovered building[/p]
• [p]Fixed tags showing in Spanish translation[/p]
• [p]Fixed incorrect challenge translation in french (constellation in a run)[/p]
• [p]Fixed possibility to use right stick to inspect piece while in the card selection post-round[/p]
• [p]Fixed Blacksmith triggering Milita tech[/p]
• [p]Fixed Elite enemies Old Tower & River Castle not triggering properly[/p]
• [p]Fixed gamepad control in the Deck menu incorrect if opening menu with a different sorting[/p]
• [p]Fixed many issues in Spanish localization (line jumping, tags)[/p]
• [p]Fixed Isolation activating when it shouldn't (and spawning VFX or completing challenge)[/p]
• [p]Fixed Monument "Unit sent" stats[/p]

[p]


[/p][p][/p][p]If you want to discuss strategies and share your favorite builds with fellow rulers, don’t hesitate to join our official Discord server! And, don't forget to follow us on Social Media to keep up with the latest news:[/p][p]X / Twitter:[/p]

• [p] X - Sleepy Mill Studio[/p]
• [p] X - The Arcade Crew[/p]

[p]And join us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Bluesky![/p]

[p]Hear ye, hear ye![/p][p][/p][p]Here comes the first DLC update: a brand new faction for DLC owners, plus tons of free content and quality-of-life improvements for everyone![/p][p][/p][h3]Patch notes - August 18th, 2025[/h3][p]
DLC[/p]

• [p]New Added the DLC faction "The Tribe" with their cards & quests[/p]

[p]FREE[/p]

• [p]New Added 7 new commun buildings & 5 new common tech, that can be unlocked from the Progress Tree[/p]
• [p]New Added 16 new common challenges to improve progression's pacing and have enough to unlock the new cards[/p]
• [p]New Added an "endless" mode: you can continue after winning a run, to try going as far you can (only combat, more and more enemies including some "Elite" variants, unplaced enemies deal direct damage)[/p]
• [p]New Added 20 elite variants to buildings: only enemy can use those in the endless mode. The Elites are visible at the bottom of the Collection menu (after meeting them at least once)[/p]
• [p]New Added a new "Constellation" mechanic: 7 powers to select from a dedicated menu and trigger during the round. This mechanic is unlocked from the Progress tree (unless you already had a save with enough progress)[/p]
• [p]Added the ability to "banish" progress tree cards from the loot pool[/p]

[p]QOL[/p]

• [p]Added an option to preview the battle result without making the calculation[/p]
• [p]Added new deck sorting options in the Deck overview menu[/p]
• [p]Added an option to change the piece's default falling speed[/p]
• [p]Added hints in the end round recap to remind the players of mechanics they might have missed[/p]
• [p]Added a tooltip to the Krak des Chevaliers explaining the concept of "area"[/p]
• [p]Added a tooltip explaining "Natural terrain"[/p]
• [p]Added the button to refill defence in exotic map locations[/p]
• [p]Added a scroll bar to the progress tree[/p]
• [p]Clarified the wording of several cards & challenges[/p]
• [p]Added a banner showing if a card is selected when visiting the deck in the Preparaiton phase[/p]
• [p]Added a green check on completed trials[/p]
• [p]Added a button to reset the whole combat path (mouse only)[/p]
• [p]Added text to better understand the Belfry upgrades[/p]

[p]Balancing[/p]

• [p]Reworked the Mercenary mechanic: they can now go in locked spaces (still without exceeding the limit of 8 buildings)[/p]
• [p]Increased the gains of Rangers Base[/p]
• [p]Removed the "Unique" from the Castle[/p]
• [p]Updated The Keep's central towers to reduce the number of watched squares[/p]
• [p]Added a maximum on the technology card "Isolation"[/p]
• [p]Changed Charcoal Kilns to also work with the grid border[/p]
• [p]Added a keyword "Mighty Garrison" to explain better why some enemies have higher garrison (Prison, Raider Colony)[/p]
• [p]Changed the Duchy quest reward so that Fortified Farm starts level 2[/p]
• [p]Market & Warehouse cards can connect through city like the Belfry, for more consistency[/p]
• [p]Changed Taxes for a more consistent & easier to trigger effect[/p]
• [p]Removed the faith gain from Krak des Chevaliers[/p]
• [p]Changed Forced Conversion to a weaker but more consistent effect[/p]
• [p]Increase Stone requirements for many buildings[/p]
• [p]Buffed the Carpenter & Castle cards[/p]
• [p]Lowered Crusaders gains for leftover units at the end of the round (now 2:1)[/p]
• [p]Lowered The Order Resource expedtion cost[/p]
• [p]Lowered requirements The Order quests: For the Cause & General Mobilization[/p]
• [p]Buff crusaders for cards Military Chaplaincy & Crusader OutpostLowered gains Provision Convoy[/p]
• [p]Increased Hard difficulty parameters[/p]
• [p]Lowered Strenght in Numbers gain[/p]
• [p]Resources that were given to Boss 3 bribery are now awarded after the round (if the player continues to Act 4)[/p]
• [p]Erudition tech no longer gives +1 level to the fourth card in Act 3[/p]
• [p]Siege Camp can activate several times for a building if it didn't hit the limit yet (more consistent with other effects)
  
  [/p]

[p][/p][p]If you want to discuss strategies and share your favorite builds with fellow rulers, don’t hesitate to join our official Discord server! And, don't forget to follow us on Social Media to keep up with the latest news:[/p][p]X / Twitter:[/p]

• [p] X - Sleepy Mill Studio[/p]
• [p] X - The Arcade Crew[/p]

[p]And join us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Bluesky![/p]