Of Ash and Steel News

[p]Adventurers![/p][p][/p][p]Today, we want to lead you on an exploration of the combat system: how stances work, how weapons feel in your hands, and how mastery makes you deadlier with each fight.[/p][p]At the beginning of Of Ash and Steel, Tristan isn’t a seasoned warrior: he’s just a cartographer. Surviving the dangers of the island means he must grow into a fighter, learning new combat stances, mastering weapons, and eventually unlocking powers far beyond his humble beginnings.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Language of Stances[/h3][p]As Tristan begins his journey as an ordinary man, he doesn't immediately know how to fight. To unlock combat stances, you’ll need to seek out teachers who can pass down their martial knowledge.
[/p][p]There are 7 combat stances in total:[/p]

• [p]3 for one-handed weapons[/p]
• [p]3 for two-handed weapons[/p]
• [p]1 unique stance for the rapier[/p]

[p][/p][p]Each stance has its own tactical identity. Power stances deliver heavy blows and can stagger enemies, but they’re slow, leaving you open against quicker foes. Fast stances, on the other hand, sacrifice raw damage for speed, letting you unleash a flurry of attacks. Every hit in a combo strengthens the stance’s modifier: by the fifth strike in a heavy combo, your chance to stagger is already boosted by 25%.[/p][p][/p][p]And yes, you can switch stances right in the middle of combat. At higher skill levels, you can even change stance mid-combo, keeping your chain of bonuses going.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Every Weapon has its Purpose[/h3][p]Not every weapon can use every stance. Universal weapons like one-handed and two-handed swords allow full flexibility. But others are more specialized. For example, daggers are locked to fast stances, while two-handed axes stick to power and circular stances.[/p][p][/p][p]These limits are balanced by weapon-specific bonuses: for example, an axe might not allow finesse stances, but its raw destructive potential more than makes up for it. Stances don’t just affect damage, they influence movement, defense, stamina use, and how your character feels in battle.[/p][p][/p][p]Weapons fall into three global categories: one-handed, two-handed, and agility weapons, with sub-categories like swords, maces, axes, and more. Each has unique stats: speed, reach, type of damage, and special effects such as higher crit chance or stagger potential.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To illustrate:[/p]

• [p]A rapier deals piercing damage. It’s fast, precise, and pairs well with bleeding skills, letting you wear enemies down while staying mobile.[/p]
• [p]A two-handed axe delivers colossal slashing damage, devastating groups of enemies in wide sweeps.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Both are deadly, but in very different ways.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Path to Mastery[/h3][p]Fighting isn’t just about the weapon in your hand: it’s about how well you’ve mastered it. One-handed and two-handed weapons each have their own mastery trees, filled with both passive and active abilities. Rapiers, meanwhile, tie into survival and thievery skills, adding another layer of progression.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]As your mastery improves, you’ll unlock:[/p]

• [p]Increased damage[/p]
• [p]Longer combos[/p]
• [p]Unique finishing blows (at mastery level 3)[/p]
• [p]Active combat skills like shoulder strikes or sweeping 180° attacks[/p]

[p][/p][p]Each weapon stance also comes with its own set of combos and finishers. Our team recommends you try a heavy hammer finisher at least once: it’s as brutal as it sounds 😁[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Strike Where It Hurts[/h3][p]Combat isn’t just about what you bring into battle, it’s also about what your enemies throw at you. Different foes have strengths and weaknesses against specific stances or weapons.[/p][p][/p][p]Fast enemies are dangerous if you try to face them in a power stance. With them you’ll want a quicker approach. But some opponents are highly vulnerable to strong stagger attacks from heavy stances. Hobsters, for example, usually attack in groups, and the more AOE stance is perfect for cutting them down. Experimentation is key![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3](Ancient) Knowledge is Power[/h3][p]Around the mid-game, combat evolves once more when Tristan taps into Ancient Knowledge. These long-lost powers don’t require any special resource to use but are limited by a cooldown, making them incredibly valuable in both duels and large battles.[/p][p][/p][p]What kind of devastating abilities can you unleash? That remains a secret… for now.[/p][p][/p][h3]Forging a Warrior[/h3][p]At the heart of combat lies a balance between player skill and character preparation. Precision, timing, and quick thinking are crucial, but so are your stance choices, weapons, and buffs. A talented player can win against the odds, but the smartest fighters will come armed with the right gear and abilities.[/p][p][/p][p]Of Ash and Steel builds an invisible bond between you and Tristan. At the start, neither of you knows much: he has no experience in combat, and you’re just beginning to understand the system. As you learn how to manage stamina, master timings, and adapt your style, Tristan also grows stronger, unlocking new skills, stances, and ways to survive even those fights that seemed impossible a few hours ago.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The more you play, the more you both improve, with you helping a cartographer who knew nothing of battle to become a warrior ready to change the island’s destiny.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for your company during this devlog, we will be seeing you soon with a new one![/p]

• [p]Wishlist now[/p]
• [p]Twitter[/p]
• [p]Reddit[/p]
• [p]Discord[/p]
• [p]Bluesky[/p]

[p]Adventurers![/p][p][/p][p]Your passion, dedication, and feedback have been nothing short of incredible. Thanks to you, the Of Ash and Steel Playtest has reached these milestones:[/p]

• [p]120,000+ playtesters[/p]
• [p]300+ bugs fixed[/p]
• [p]50+ quality-of-life updates delivered[/p]

[p][/p][p]Every step of this journey was possible because of your contributions, helping us shape the game on its path to release, and for this we are truly grateful![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Of course, development doesn’t stop here. We’ll continue internal testing, with a focus on some of the most important points raised during the Playtest, such as pathfinding for AI, memory management, and several other improvements from your feedback.[/p][p][/p][p]The Playtest will close on August 26th. But before the gates shut, we’ve added one last surprise in a small update:[/p][p][/p][p]"An unusual crystal has appeared within the Skeleton Fortress. Seek it out to unlock new skills, ancient knowledge, and powerful equipment.[/p][p]But beware, for the crystal brings its own dangers..."[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Will you venture onto the Island one last time to unravel this final secret? Stay tuned for more news soon, and thanks again for the support![/p][p][/p]

• [p]Wishlist now[/p]
• [p]Twitter[/p]
• [p]Reddit[/p]
• [p]Discord[/p]
• [p]Bluesky[/p]

[p]Hello adventurers![/p][p][/p][p]Of Ash and Steel is currently at Gamescom, where members of the press are having the chance to play Of Ash and Steel for the very first time. For the occasion, we have prepared a new Gameplay trailer, so take a look![/p][p][/p][h2]Watch the new Gameplay Trailer[/h2][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]The new trailer offers a sweeping look at the choices, challenges, and adventures awaiting you in Of Ash and Steel.[/p][p][/p][h3]Combat & Mastery[/h3][p]Unlock multiple combat stances, master different weapon types, from swift rapiers to heavy two-handed axes, and learn special abilities that make you deadlier with each encounter.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Factions & Choices[/h3][p]Your allegiances shape your story. Follow the path of knighthood with the Order of the Seven, embrace the Freehunters’ greater good goal or work for one of the island’s rival guilds. Every choice affects the quests you face and the fate of those around you.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Survival & Home[/h3][p]Choose how you rest between adventures: set up a camp in the wilderness, rent a modest room, or purchase and furnish a home to your taste. Functional upgrades and personal touches turn your base into more than just a place to sleep.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Side Activities[/h3][p]Hunt, fish, follow clues to hidden treasure, craft and upgrade your gear, or even resort to stealing if that’s your path.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]What’s Next[/h2][p]In the coming months, we’ll be sharing a series of devlogs that explore the game’s core features in greater detail, from combat and factions to crafting and progression.[/p][p][/p][p]Until then, don’t forget to wishlist the game on Steam, join our Discord and follow us on Social to stay up to date and be ready for launch!
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• [p]Wishlist now[/p]
• [p]Twitter[/p]
• [p]Reddit[/p]
• [p]Discord[/p]
• [p]Bluesky[/p]

Of Ash and Steel is a third-person open world RPG that sets players off on a once-prosperous island to explore, fight, and "shape the fate of the world," or at least the fate of the island. It's still early in development (which presumably explains the lack of detail on what the game is actually about) but developer Fire and Frost has kicked off a playtest on Steam, so you can get an early look at what it's all about...
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[p]Greetings, adventurers![/p][p][/p][p]We are excited to share that the closed playtest for Of Ash and Steel has just begun![/p][p]Please check your emails if you’ve signed up for the playtest previously. We will let the players in waves.[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][h2]What’s in the Playtest?[/h2][p]This early version of the game includes the Prologue and the first steps into Chapter 1. You’ll begin in the grotto, where your journey kicks off with a few unexpected tasks and characters. From there, you’ll enter the Forgotten Reach, a quiet but unforgiving corner of the island. Here you’ll get a glimpse of the main quest, face your first fights, craft a few essential items, try some side activities like fishing and uncovering hidden treasures, and discover the island at your own pace.
[/p][p]Enemies won’t go easy on you, especially early on: you’ll need to learn how to fight, gear up, and choose your battles wisely![/p][p][/p][h2]A packed first visit to the Island[/h2][p]Even in this short playtest, the island of Grayshaft rewards the curious, adventurous and those who seek a challenging fight![/p][p]If you look closely, you may stumble across buried treasure, a locked cave behind a riddle, or eerie encounters in the night, so keep your eyes open![/p][p][/p][h2]Join our official Discord[/h2][p]Join our community Discord server and share your feedback with us directly, and chat with other adventurers! [/p][p][/p][p]See you on the island![/p]