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Community Update Sneak Peek #2 - Multiplayer

[h2]2v2 is back[/h2][hr][/hr]
As many of you have long requested the return of the old ranked mode in the new lobby finder, we’ve now added the one missing that best fits the “ranked” spirit of the game.
You can now play 2v2 matches in both Quick and Ranked games!



[h2]Improvement on lobbies[/h2][hr][/hr]
As requested by many of you and to help address several issues that can arise in Ranked mode—a new pick system has been added to the experience!

[h3]New pick system for 3v3 and 2v2[/h3]
In Quick and Ranked team games, players will now select their clans one after another. This change allows each team to observe their opponents’ strategy and respond accordingly, while also eliminating the issue of last-second picks.

[h3]New blind system for FFA and Duel [/h3]
In line with this approach, clans selected in Ranked games will no longer be visible to the opposing team in the lobby, preventing the same last-second counter-picking issues.

[h3]What about bans?[/h3]
We’ve heard your requests for a pick-and-ban system, but that’s not a direction we want to pursue. With only 6 clans available for free, introducing bans could severely limit options for many players—especially those without DLC, potentially forcing them into paywalled choices.

Free clans remain competitive, and our goal is to keep Ranked fair and accessible. A ban system could lock players out of key roles (like clear roles only available through clans such as Wolf) simply by targeting specific picks. That would go against our core vision: ensuring success is based on strategy and skill, not ownership of content.



[hr][/hr]That’s it for this sneak peek! We hope this cleared up all the additions and changes made in response to feedback from our Ranked players.
If you have more thoughts or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below!

And don’t forget, these features come alongside various other bug fixes and improvements included in the upcoming update.


https://store.steampowered.com/app/466560/Northgard/

Community Update Sneak Peek #1 - New combat rework

Ohoi, Vikings!
The public beta is ending soon, and as we get closer to the Community Update, it's time to recap everything coming to the game!
Today, we'll present the new additions and the rework of the combat system—ranging from the military path to some more specific changes.


[h2]Remaking the power triangle[/h2][hr][/hr]
The main change in the update is a rework of the “power triangle” between the different military units. Depending on your playstyle and chosen game mode, you might notice it less—but there’s no denying that many of you rely solely on warriors, and we decided it was time to address that.

With numerous changes (detailed in the patch notes at release), we've made multi-unit armies viable again. Bonuses for one unit type are now shared across all fighters. This applies to camps and relics as well, making specialized military units even stronger in their respective roles.

Shield Bearers charge Axe Throwers | Axe Throwers weaken Warriors from afar | Warriors’ attacks pierce Shield Bearers’ defenses

[h2]Other mechanical changes[/h2][hr][/hr]
These changes affect all clans, and for that reason, many tweaks have been made to maintain balance across all factions. While some required only minor adjustments (like Ox warriors keeping their charge), here are the three most important ones:

[h3]A new Legion[/h3]
The Legion path has been completely reworked in response to your feedback. It’s now designed to support the creation and evolution of a versatile, multi-unit army more effectively. Here’s the new version:

Lvl 1 (50xp)
Foundations of war - next military camps free / max warband generate military exp (10 max)
Lvl 2 (500xp)
Shared Ration - Basic military units Food consumption is reduced by 5% for each type of basic military unit in the zone.
Lvl 3 (1500xp)
Veterans - Increase the bonus from military building upgrades to other units by 50%
Lvl 4 (3000xp)
Valhalla calling - When on a battleground, units have a boost of power and attack speed of 25%

[h3]New Clan of the Dragon[/h3]
Since the clan has its own unique units, it also needed a dedicated military path. For that reason, a unique progression has been created for Surtr and his followers.
This military path allows you to tailor your experience with specific choices that best align with your playstyle.

Be sure to experience it in the public beta!

[h3]Kingdom forge[/h3]
To balance the changes affecting the Northern clans, the Southern Kingdoms are also receiving new features, including a new military upgrade to unlock:

When landing a hit, this unit has a chance to reduce Defense and Projectile Resistance its target for 2 seconds[hr][/hr]
We hope you’ll enjoy all these changes, most of which were requested by (and tested with) the community!
Another blog post will be available later this week, and the update will be released... soon.👀

- Northgard Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/466560/Northgard/

Southern Kingdom Closed Beta Signup

Hey vikings!
As we enter the final phase of the public beta for the Community Update, it's time to find some warriors who are ready to test their might with the next kingdom that's heading to Northgard...

[h2]Participating in the beta[/h2][hr][/hr]Just like with the Clan of the Turtle, we would like to include you as early as possible in the development phase in order to gather your feedback! For this beta, we will prioritise players who are more versed in the Southern Kingdoms.


[h3]A few questions you might have:[/h3]

What is a beta tester?
A beta tester provides feedback and reports bugs from the current beta build, allowing our team of developers to make necessary adjustments and fix reported issues effectively.

When do you plan on starting the beta?
The beta will start in a few weeks, you will be contacted via mail with a special link to our beta test server as well as the beta branch.

How can I expect to be contacted?
We'll be sure to contact you via mail by the end of April if you are selected!

How can I sign up for the closed beta?
Click on the button below and fill the registration form. This will allow us to select participants and notify you if you are chosen

Fill the form

Thanks to everyone who has signed up, we look forward to telling you more about the new clan. In the meantime, let's get back to the upcoming Winds of Fate patch 👀

-Northgard team


https://store.steampowered.com/app/466560/Northgard/
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beta patch notes for 20/03/2025

v3.6.80.41373-public-beta

Greetings Vikings!

Some changes for the Dragon clan, Kingdom and legion this week, let us know what you think about them!
We see your proposition to create a specific military path for the Kingdom, it can be a solution but we're running out of time to test this for this patch. We hope the new changes on legion will fit better with the kingdom clan.


Global Change
[hr][/hr]
[h2]Military path[/h2]
[h3]Legion[/h3]
Some bonuses of the path weren't really easy to use for most of the clans. The second bonus was indeed the same as the first one and asked too many conditions to be really interesting and optimised. It also didn’t fit well with Kingdom clans. The third bonus was too weak in comparison with other bonuses.
  • 2nd level → 500 xp
    • Supply Malus is decreased by 10% for each unit kind in a zone (max 50%)
  • 3rd level → 1500 xp
    • Increase the shared bonuses to upgraded military building by 50%
      • Kingdom will share 50%, Viking 100%

[h2]Others[/h2]
  • Shared bonuses on viking upgraded military building give 50% to other unit instead of 100%
  • Kingdom break armor extension : 30% chance to trigger instead of 20%, 20% break armor instead of 15%
[hr][/hr]
Clan of the dragon
[hr][/hr]
[h2]Military path[/h2]
  • 2nd level → 500 xp choose between

    • Draconics unit with a forged weapon gain 10% move speed
    • Whirlwind forge gain 50% more range instead of 10% more chance to trigger
  • 4th level → 2000 xp choose between

    • Draconic Nightmares absorb 30% of damage done to Dragonkin (without triggering all forge of all Draconic Nightmares)
    • Whirlwind deal 80% of damage instead of 100%

[h2]Rework[/h2]
[h3]Unit[/h3]
  • Thrall cost formula : Cost increase for a fixed amount and price decrease by 15% each month

[h3]Knowledge[/h3]
  • Draconic Rage : Allow all Draconic units on the same tile as Surtr to capture units. Captured unit have a chance to be a converted into a Dragonkin if there is place in the Warband
[hr][/hr]
[h3]Bugfixes[/h3]
  • Dragon - Fixed military path notification not displayed
  • Dragon - Fixed save not keeping player choice in the military path
  • Dragon - Fixed capturing a berserker keeping their abilities and UI
  • Dragon - Fixed military path UI info for other players when reaching the last level

[h3]Known Issues[/h3]
  • Text issue on break armor forge of the kingdom

https://store.steampowered.com/app/466560/Northgard/