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6 Factions in Total War - Warborne New Test Update Content Introduction ②

Welcome back, Driftmaster:

Hope you’ve recovered from the last info blast! With the April 24th test ushering in the first total war in Warborne, the breadth and depth of conflict on this chaotic planet are no longer a mere skirmish—you and your Drifters are in for a heap of new content. Remember what you said last time? That’s right, this time we’re rolling out more diverse, more thrilling gameplay experiences!

No more delays—let’s dish out the details. Keeping you waiting isn’t our style!


[h2]Daggers and Treasures: New Changes to Rift Gameplay[/h2]

The treasures of the Edge Sectors aren’t just locked away in Harvester Hubs—beneath the surface, abandoned imperial Rifts still cling to rare resources. In these underground realms where armies can’t tread, Driftmaster will hunt for surprises: precious loot or maybe even a rival Driftmaster...

As one of the standout PvPvE features in Warborne, the Rift gameplay is getting a total overhaul for the April test.

First up, say hello to the brand-new field Rifts. As the Rift owner, you and four teammates will take on bigger, more perilous group Rifts. Naturally, richer rewards await those brave enough to dive in.

Like the old solo Rifts, you can still expose the Rift’s location to snag more powerful weapon blueprints—but this time, your foes are deadlier. Watch out: multiple hostile Driftmasters will band together to infiltrate your Rift, striking when your team’s at its weakest to swipe everything you’ve got.

We thought the original solo Rifts were too “tame.” We wanted an all-out, no-holds-barred fight to the death—so the dangerous Rifts were born.

You won’t have a second to blink. The Rift’s location will be broadcast to all, so brace yourself for the near-certain bloodbath. Let your blade decide if you’re the loser who walks away empty-handed or the victor who claims it all.

[h2]Blood and Glory: A More Complete Veinhold Extraction[/h2]

If the Rifts feel too predictable for your taste, Veinhold Extraction will be right up your alley: snatch treasures in a high-stakes, enemy-filled pressure cooker, then make your escape. In this test, we’re injecting more honor into this mode that Driftmasters can’t get enough of.

Based on your final extraction results, we’ll publicly rank and reward individual participants. Nail an outstanding performance that lands you on the leaderboard, and at settlement, not only will you score personal rewards, but your entire Warband will bask in faction honors for your Veinhold glory. Your actions in the Veinhold will tip the scales of the war!

Plus, for all you Veinhold fanatics, we’re cranking up the frequency of openings: from team-based squad battles on Tuesdays to solo runs on Thursdays and Saturdays. If you live for search-and-extract thrills, you’re free to dive in to your heart’s content.




[h2]All for War: Logistics and Warband Trading System[/h2]

The Total War for the The Forgeheart is set to be a long haul, meaning every faction needs both the charge of warriors and the backbone of logistics. In Warborne’s April test, you’ll get to dive into our trading and logistics systems. We’re making sure they’re just as vital—and that every Driftmaster who pitches in gets equal returns:

● The shiny new Warband trading system is here. In the Warband culture born from nomadic roots, trading ranks up there with war and plunder. In this test, Warbands of all sizes will forge tighter bonds. Warband managers can issue trade requests from the base and set up transport orders with other Warbands. Heads-up: moving goods requires Driftmaster escorts. Guard your precious cargo well—don’t let any “disruptors” crash the party...
Through steady supply trading, earn currency to grow your Warband. Even the smallest Warband can carve out its piece of the The Forgeheart war!
● In the fight for strongholds, no one can deny the worth of war machines—and their makers shouldn’t be sidelined. In this test, all logistics-related war gear will earn contribution points when joining the assault. Even if it just soaks up enemy fire, the Driftmaster who crafted it will still score contribution equal to the damage it takes.
● As a logistics crew, nothing stings more than seeing your Driftmark wrecked on the front lines. That’s why we’ve added Driftmark lockdown mode in this test. Chat with R.A.L.F, wait out a prep period, and your Driftmark will pour all its energy into a shield, making it untouchable—but it’ll lose all combat functions too. The lockdown lifts when the latest war window closes, letting Driftmasters safely funnel resources to their faction without sweating over their prized base.
● And here’s more: we want non-war times to spark some passion too! Driftmark Defense Turrets will switch to peace mode outside war hours, meaning they won’t attack enemies, but your Driftmark can still heal allies! We’re also urging Driftmasters and Warbands to jump into the fray—deploy sentry bots to guard your turf and keep enemy incursions at bay!


Oh, and one more thing! The Warband Pre-Assembly event bonus pool is inching toward $5,000! And I’m betting more of you will push it even higher. Who hasn’t joined yet? Rally your Warband crew and split the cash!

Pre-create your Warband

[h2]Total War Is About to Begin![/h2]

The only thing left for you to do is—make sure you’ve clicked [Request Access] and added Warborne to your wishlist!

The wishlist shapes Warborne’s early success, and it means the world to us. We’re beyond grateful for the support of all you Driftmasters!

The pre-download for the Total Test of Warborne has begun!

Driftmaster! Welcome to Warborne!
We have opened the test permissions for distribution on April 24th. Please confirm your eligibility and download the game, so you can prepare for the Total W of the six factions!

[h2]🎉 I've already clicked on [Request Access]. How do I join the playtest?[/h2]

We've granted playtest access for April 24 to all players who have previously requested access!
Check your Steam-registered email for instructions — it might be in your spam or promotions folder. If you have already participated in the last Playetest, you can directly find [Warborne] in your [Library] and download it in advance.
💾 Note: Locate Warborne Above Ashes in your Steam [Library] and pre-download the game. (This is vital for battle readiness!)


[h2] I've missed clicking [Request Access]. Can I still join?[/h2]

🔑 No worries! Warborne's gates remain open! Click the [Request Access] button NOW, and we'll prioritize granting you immediate access!
Reminder: Pre-download the game ASAP — don't wait till April 24!

⚠️ Limited Slots Alert: We may close access once slots fill up. Click that [Request Access] button now! Act fast, Driftmasters!
⚠️This version is not the final version for this test. We are still working on some optimizations, and it is possible that updates may be required before the test begins. We appreciate your understanding!

[h2]⏰Server Launch Times[/h2]

The playtest will run for approximately 1 month. See specific server launch schedules below:(Times vary by region to ensure optimal global player experience. Do verify carefully!The exact end time of the test will be announced in our subsequent updates.)

Sec Astracinder (Recommended : UTC+5 to UTC+10)
Wrath's Nest – April 24, 2:00 (UTC+0)
Eclipsis – April 24, 2:00 (UTC+0)

Sec Sunder (Recommended : UTC-1 to UTC+5)
Starmarrow – April 24, 10:00 (UTC+0)
Silentium – April 24, 10:00 (UTC+0)

Sec Darktide (Recommended : UTC-10 to UTC-4)
Ashvara – April 24, 14:00 (UTC+0)
Chronos Scar – April 24, 14:00 (UTC+0)

Pre-download the game now! Upon reaching the login screen, you can check the latency of each server and choose the most suitable one with your teammates.

🌍We're working hard to prepare for this test, especially after seeing how packed the servers were last time! We'll be closely monitoring server performance and may even spin up additional servers if needed to ensure everyone gets a chance to play.
When servers are full and crowded, a queuing notification will be provided. Please select a server that suits your situation best.


[h2]🎁Playtest Rewards:[/h2]

Undoubtedly, participating in this Total War test will also earn you exclusive rewards upon the game's official launch! These include limited tent decorations, limited mounts, limited avatar frames, and more. You can find more details in our dedicated section.


[h2]🔥 Available Content:[/h2]

This Total War test will bring you a wealth of new features to explore, including more language options, the choice of six factions, a complete world map, a full seasonal experience, and adjustments to gameplay content. We will also provide a dedicated section later to share the development journey and specific updates for this test.

[h2]Q&A[/h2]

Can I purchase test access from other players?

Please do not believe any information about purchasing or trading test access! You can simply click on [Request Access] to obtain test access!

Can I livestream or record the game's content during this test?

Yes, you can. However, the game is still in development, and the content you experience is a test version that does not represent the final quality. We will continue to enhance and enrich the game and its content!

[h2]How can I provide feedback?[/h2]

Since we are still in a testing phase, we understand that there may be some localization issues, bugs, and other problems. Your feedback is crucial, and our development team looks forward to hearing your opinions and suggestions on our official Discord!

[h2]Recommended Specifications for this Test[/h2]

Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 10 (64 bit)/Windows 11 (64 bit)
Processor: Intel Core i5 8600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
DirectX Version: 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage Space: 10 GB of available space required
Sound Card: Onboard
VR Support: Not supported
Note: It is highly recommended to install on a solid-state drive (SSD)

Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 10 (64 bit)/Windows 11 (64 bit)
Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage Space: 10 GB of available space required
Sound Card: Onboard
VR Support: Not supported
Note: Must use a solid-state drive (SSD)

🔗 Discord: discord.gg/EUXk2zVFnV

Total War Test Exclusive Rewards!

As everyone knows, we briefly summarized the current stage of test rewards last week.
This time, we will provide a more detailed explanation of the rewards.
Please don't miss the Total War Test!

6 Factions in Total War - Introduction to New Test Updates for Warborne ①

Welcome back, Driftmaster:

We’re thrilled to continue sharing our latest changes with you—yes, these will be unveiled on April 24th, but we thought it was time to get your war engines revving a bit early.

In this article, we’ll dive into the new content and improvements coming to Warborne Above Ashes between our test phases. We hate wasting time when there’s so much exciting stuff to cover, so hold onto your reins—let’s get straight to it!

[h2]Total War: New Regions, New Factions[/h2]

As teased in our previous post, Warborne Above Ashes will now showcase our complete war-torn world to all Driftmasters: 6 factions and a fully open world map!
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3142050/view/499444389996658709?l=schinese



While you might already know the details, we’d like to formally introduce the six factions you’ll lead in the battle for the Drift Sectors:

[h3]Emberwild[/h3]

● The Fringe is alive, and Emberwild will burn those who seek to enslave it. Machines and industry have no place here—only flames, fury, and the will of the wild.
○ Mounted Warfare – Mounts have increased 5% movement speed.
○ Creature Extraction: Deals increased 10% damage to mobs.

[h3]Ashen[/h3]

● Born from the ashes of a broken world, Ashen bows to no king or warlord. They fight not for power, but for survival—taking what they need, no mercy. Scavengers, rebels, mercenaries—those who refuse to kneel endure in the fire.
○ Demolition Experts: Demolisher and siege weapon demolition power increased by 5%
○ Extreme Endurance: Maximum health increased by 2.5%

[h3]Sirius[/h3]

● Masters of knowledge and precision, Sirius believes the future belongs to those who can control it. Their technology dictates the battlefield, where every movement is a calculated step toward victory. Resistance is not defiance—it is error.
○ Loot Bonuses: Recovers 5% additional Loot Reward Tokens over time.
○ Master Hunters : Deals increased 5% damage to mobs.

[h3]Ironcreed[/h3]

● Discipline is survival. Order is strength. Ironcreed purges weakness, forging the world into something unbreakable—by fire, steel, and war.
○ Tech Scientists : 10%Faster research speed for Driftmark technologies.
○ Industrialists: Increased 7.5% yields from tech wreckages and trees.

[h3]Shroud[/h3]

● They whisper where others shout, moving unseen, striking without warning. Shroud does not wage war—they end all before it begins. In a world of chaos, true power is the blade unseen.
○ Skill Slinger: 1.5% Faster skill cooldown speed.
○ Night Vision: Additional 5m night vision range.

[h3]Magnates[/h3]

● Power is not given—it is bought, traded, or seized. The Magnates rule not through war, but through wealth—turning soldiers into assets and loyalty into currency.
○ Money Moguls: Increased 10% Starfall Token gains from Trading House sales.
○ Rising Hunters: Earns 5% more experience from mobs.

Each faction has its own identity and strengths. Find the one that suits your style and join the fierce battle for the The Forgeheart!
Have you decided which side you’re on? For safety, here are a few notes about factions for this test:

● The faction bonuses listed above are not final. During this test, our developers will monitor your performance and adjust the balance dynamically to ensure each faction offers a balanced and fun experience.
● As you can see, resources for early development are limited on the planet (unless you’re taking them from others...), so each server will have a cap on faction population. We strongly recommend choosing a faction with lower Warband congestion to avoid being locked out of the action due to overpopulation.

What? You still want to join the most popular faction?
Then you should check this out:
https://r.qoolandgames.com/war/index

Pre-create your WarbandYes, the Pre-Assembley event for Warborne Above Ashes is live! You and your friends can get a head start by selecting your preferred server and faction for this test. You’ll also earn Eclipsium, name reservation rights, and access to an attractive cash reward pool. The more participants, the richer the rewards—invite all your Warband comrades to join!
For those already participating, you can click [Edit Warband] to change your pre-selected server and faction. Remember: choosing the right faction for your Warband’s growth is crucial. Popular factions face fiercer competition early on, so avoid unnecessary internal strife and focus your energy and resources on the real battlefield—the endless war for the Scorchforged City.

[h2]The First Step to Conquering the Planet: Optimized Driftmark Relocation[/h2]

From the moment you drop onto the planet, your Driftmark is your most vital asset—your home, your mobile fortress, your first strategic spot!We admit, during the March Playtest, relocating the Driftmark was a struggle for some Driftmasters. You’d exhaust all your fuel to reach your ideal map, only to find it overcrowded and unable to deploy... nothing worse than that. We’ve fixed it!

In the upcoming test, we’ve implemented three measures to make Driftmark relocation smoother and more user-friendly:

● During the novice phase, relocating your Driftmark costs no energy, so you can move without anxiety!
● We’ve added a fuel calculation system, allowing you to see exactly how much energy is needed to relocate to each map—no more "energy anxiety."
● Finally, we’ve introduced a [Relocation View] in the world map interface, clearly marking deployable maps in green and showing the number of Driftmarks already stationed there. You can also check this in the relocation preview, ensuring you never make a wasted trip.



We hope these changes will help all Driftmasters, especially newcomers, develop their strength and that of their Warbands more smoothly, so you can get to the real action faster—Total War!

[h2]All You Need is KILL: New Harvester Hub Mechanics[/h2]

Yes, war! As your Warband and faction grow, the valuable Harvester Hubs in the region will be the focal point of your first conflicts with other forces.In the last test, the Harvester Hub rules were a major concern (yes, we heard your complaints loud and clear!). We’ve completely overhauled them: starting this test, when a Harvester Core is destroyed, we’ll calculate the contribution of each attacking Warband. The Warband with the highest total contribution will be deemed the conqueror and will exclusively claim the armory rewards.

Here’s a table detailing our contribution criteria (note: this is not set in stone!):
● Warband member lands the final blow on the boss: Massive contribution
● Warband member lands the final blow on a guardian: Small contribution
● Warband members cumulatively deal 1% damage to the Harvester Core: Medium contribution
● Warband members cumulatively deal 1% damage to the Harvester Stronghold gate: Small contribution



No one can steal your victory anymore—no one. All you need to do is slash and kill with all your might.

[h2]The Final Battle for The Forgeheart: Better Mechanics, More Epic Battlefields[/h2]

After the baptism of Hub wars, you’ll be a battle-hardened Driftmaster, with the thirst for slaughter coursing through your veins. No longer confined to war times, you’ll crave combat, killing, and looting at any moment.To that end, we’ve made significant optimizations to the global map’s queuing system, ensuring smoother entry into this 24/7 "meat grinder" for both sides:

● In map battles, we’ll naturally prioritize factions with strategic needs, but we’ve also reserved space for third-party "wild cards"—welcome to the chaos, and good luck surviving.
● Even outside war times, if a large-scale ZvZ event occurs, we’ll activate a separate set of engagement rules to prevent one-sided slaughters in wildly imbalanced encounters.
● Legion Rank is no longer a barrier to war! Based on your feedback from the last test, we’ve replaced Legion Rank with Power to determine battlefield entry priority. If you’re strong enough, you’ll get into the fiercest battles faster—and face stronger enemies. But we know you’ll love it.

[h2]It's that ALL?[/h2]

This 30-day Total War will test every Driftmaster’s deployment and understanding of the battlefield. Develop your resources, upgrade your gear, and through the baptism of fire and blood, delve deeper into the planet’s core to uncover its secrets.

On April 24th, we can’t wait to see every Driftmaster in action—make sure to click [Request Access] and add us to your wishlist (it’s crucial for us). Join this feast of war!

But wait, there’s more! We’ll be releasing further details in the coming days, so don’t forget to join our Discord for the latest updates. See you on the battlefield:
https://discord.com/invite/EUXk2zVFnV

Rewards and Benefits for Participating in the Total War Test!

As everyone knows, the Total War Test is kicking off on April 24th! We've compiled all currently available rewards for this phase. Please note that additional rewards may be introduced later – be sure not to miss out on this Total War Test!

● Warband Pre-Assembly Event:
Want to get a head start before the test begins? Join the Warband Pre-Assembly Event now! Establish your Warband before others and gain a strategic advantage in the Total War Test!
The more members you recruit, the greater the rewards! Earn up to $5000 in total! Rally your comrades - not only will you split cash prizes, but also receive exclusive beta cosmetics, Warband & character name reservation rights, and additional Eclipsium!
Rally your mates now to claim shared rewards and prepare for the Total War in advance! Don't miss out!
Click Here to Join Instantly!



● Reward Events
In this test, we have prepared many special events and appearance rewards.
By achieving certain milestones in the game, you will have the opportunity to win exclusive rewards!
In particular,we are also offering custom Warband Emblem rights and other mysterious customization rewards!



● Creator-Exclusive Drops Event:
For this test, we have prepared a creator-exclusive drops event