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The table is set, the shortbread is baked, the whisky is poured, and your fellow kinsmen in Season X: Highlanders are ready to celebrate the Scottish New Year—Hogmanay!

From December 21 to January 2, Scots celebrate the New Year with everything from giving out coal, singing the signature song of Hogmanay, and tucking into a special steak pie!

So you can better celebrate Hogmanay (Highlanders style), we’re offering up a New Year’s helping of 50% Boosted Unit and Hero XP!

• Starts: December 30 (after maintenance)
• Ends: January 3 (23:59 server time)
• Boost: +50% to Unit XP and Hero XP

[h2]Hogmanay Heritage[/h2]
Hogmanay has been a traditional Scottish celebration for hundreds if not thousands of years. Derived from Norse and Gaelic observances of the Winter Solstice, many historians believe that the invading Vikings brought the tradition to Scotland around the 8-9th centuries.

The word ‘Hogmanay’ itself is believed to come from the French word ‘hoginane’ (meaning ‘gala day’), and is thought to be a result of Mary Queen of Scots’ return to Scotland from France (1561).

Hogmanay was also celebrated in various parts of England, and went by many monikers, such as ‘Hagmena’, ‘Hogmina’, and ‘Hagman-heigh’.
[h2]Coal, Cake, and Other Customs[/h2]
Beginning on December 31, Hogmanay customs and celebrations vary across the country (and the world). The most common custom is ‘first-footing’—starting at midnight, the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbours house sets the luck for the rest of the year, and often includes bringing gifts (usually food and drink such as shortbread and whisky). Traditionally, the first-footer will also bring a lump of coal to signify keeping the house warm during the winter months. The first-foot should also be a tall, dark-haired man—fair-haired fellows would suggest a Viking invasion!

A typical greeting from a first-footer would be: “Good sir, I bring you salt to salt your meat, and I bring you coal to keep your fire lit. From me and mine, to you an yours Happy New year, and lang may your lum reak!”

As the clock strikes midnight bringing all party-goers into the new year, singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ (based on the poem by Robert Burns) in a circle of linked arms is customary, because who doesn’t like a good singsong?
[h2]Honour Hogmanay Today[/h2]
If you’d like to honour the clans of the Highlands in Conqueror’s Blade and celebrate Hogmanay yourself, here are a few ideas.

Unfortunately, the all-night celebrations that usually take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen have been cancelled for the past couple of years, so you won’t be able to party with the Scottish lads and lassies in the usual fashion with parades, music, and fireworks—but there’s plenty you can do at home!

Stick Auld Lang Syne on the stereo, cook the special New Year’s Day special dinner of steak pie, and be the first to visit your loved ones at stroke of midnight.

Haud Hogmanay to all!

Please be aware that from 7:00 CET on December 30 (22:00 PST 12/29), the Conqueror’s Blade servers will be inaccessible. The downtime is expected to last for 4 hours.

Please refer to the Patch Notes for documented changes. Meanwhile, stay tuned to our Discord channel in case of any immediate server updates.

Recruit warriors, forge alliances, and seek glory on the battlefield as you embark on this new Seasonal Campaign in Season X: Highlanders!

To participate in the Campaign, you must belong to an NPC or player-controlled House/Cohort or Alliance and fight alongside your fellow warlords via the ‘Battle’ interface or in the open world to gain control of settlements. Season X’s Territory Wars begin on January 4 and will occur every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the season. For more information about Territory Wars, check out our top tips here.

The Season X Campaign is divided into five stages. The Borderlands is the core region, with the main objective being Turul Város (Capital of Ungverija) in Stage 5. As stages progress, access is granted to neighbouring regions, which then become conquerable. Fiefs will grant Influence to their captors’ Alliance, and whoever controls Turul Város will be the victor. The winning House’s liege will receive the Hegemon title, and all members will receive additional rewards.
[h2]SEASON X: CAMPAIGN DATES[/h2]
Rewards from taking part in Territory Wars and completing campaign quests during the Season X Campaign include Chests of Bronze and Treatise in various quantities (check in-game for more details).


The final Territory War will take place on February 26. The Season X Campaign ends February 27, when the Alliance with ownership of Turul Város will be crowned the victors. Good luck, warlords!

Just as the Houndsmen will soon bound into battle with their faithful furry companions in Season X: Highlanders, so too have millions of soldiers throughout history.

It isn’t just dogs who have entered the fray, however, as brave animals from birds, to rats, to horses, and even sea creatures have all helped humans in their wars over the centuries. During the Cold War (1947-1991), dolphins were employed by the U.S Navy to find submarines, recover objects lost at sea, and clear mines. Homing pigeons were also used to carry important messages across battlefields, and cats were used as pest control onboard navy ships.

Their helping hands (or paws, or fins) have helped with transport, communication, bomb-detection, as weapons themselves, or simply provided morale and companionship.
[h2]Sworn to carry your burdens[/h2]
Before tanks and other vehicles became the norm in warfare, horses were still widely used to transport soldiers and goods, and even enter the battle themselves by pulling chariots, wagons, or acting as part of a cavalry force.

Horses were widely used in World War I, even operating as ambulances for the wounded. The 1982 book War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (since adapted for the stage and screen) tells the story of one such horse named Joey, who is sold to the British mounted infantry during WWI, and whose owner searches to reunite with his beloved equine pal. The book imparts the wisdom that while war is hell for humans, it is just as severe for the animals forced to be part of it too.

Horses weren’t the only animals used for transport and haulage, however, as elephants, camels, and other exotic animals were used on the frontlines during conflicts in World War II.

Going back even further to the Second Punic War (Spring 218 – 201 BC), Carthaginian General Hannibal famously led a troop of war elephants across the harsh conditions of the Alps to use in the Battle of Trebia (which he won, by the way).

A painting by Adriaen van Nieulan (1624) depicting Maurits, Prince of Orange, a famous war-horse breeder
[h2]Furry freedom fighters[/h2]
The first usage of dogs in war dates back to Ancient Greece and carries through to the present day. Used for attacking, carrying messages, bomb detection, as sentries, and more—our four-legged friends have undoubtedly changed the fate of many conflicts (and lives).

While the Houndsmen in Conqueror’s Blade were drafted into war alongside their hunting dogs, canines trained specifically for battle are not rare. The Romans trained dogs known as Molossians (a large Mastiff-like hound), giving them spiked collars and armour and sending them off into battle.

Pups aren’t just useful for their gnashing chompers and powerful paws; they also served (and still do) as a potent morale-booster for those facing the dangers and misery of wartime. Used as mascots for units to raise their spirits in the trenches, dogs in WWI performed this job to the letter.

But enough about canines—what about felines? Ancient Egyptians revered cats (thanks in no small part to the cat-god Bastet) and in fact, their love for the kitties extended to dishing out death as a punishment for harming one. During the Battle of Pelusium (525 BC), the attacking Persian forces knew of this adoration, and King Cambyses II ordered his troops to carry a few of the kitties, assuming the Egyptian defenders would not fight back for fear of hurting the pussycats. As it turns out, he was right, and they stormed the city using the psychological tactic, resulting in the first Persian conquest of Egypt.

Messenger dog with its handler, in France, during World War I (1918)

When you next sit down with your pampered pet, remember the lives lost in war extend to their kind as well, and perhaps give them an extra treat for being a good boy.

Known for their fearlessness, the Claymores are soldiers given a great honour— a prized greatsword. Charging into battle at the side of their clan chieftains and able to fend off many more foes than their numbers, their cumbersome weapons become lethal in the hands of these freedom-seeking warriors.

The Claymores will fight by your side with freedom in their hearts and bravery etched on their faces in Season X: Highlanders.

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[h2]Unlocking[/h2]
The Claymores can be unlocked by completing Seasonal Unit Challenges. They also enjoy a Seasonal Bonus in the form of Leadership requirements decreased by 10 points for the duration of Season X.
[h2]Gameplay[/h2]
The Claymores possess great power which, combined with their courage, makes for a formidable combination in the face of any foe. This unit is able to rouse itself to not only increase its attack strength, but also its own health, speed, and defence.

Each greatsword-wielding soldier will go all out with every attack, but will then enter a weakened state when that effect fades.


[h2]Just the facts: Claymores (4-Star)[/h2]
Formations

• Column: A narrow formation effective for charging.
• Dispersed: Claymores disperse to reduce damage taken.

Unit Traits

• Battle-Happy: Each time a Claymore soldier hits an enemy, all defences are increased by 40 points. Stackable up to five times.
• Fearless Heart: When the Claymores use a skill other than ‘For Freedom!’ it will receive the ‘Fearless Heart’ effect. For five seconds, 10% of damage taken will be ignored, and every successful attack will restore 150 Health and reduce melee damage taken by 20% for two seconds for itself and nearby allies. When used in conjunction with the ‘For Freedom’ order, the effect becomes even stronger, restoring 300 points of Health and reducing melee damage taken by 35%.
• Burns Out: For ten seconds after using ‘For Freedom!’, the Claymores become weaker and cannot use other skills. Movement, attack speed, and damage dealt is reduced, and damage taken is increased.
• Highlanders: Leadership cost reduced by 10 points during Season X.

Unit Orders

• Highland Charge: The Unit charges toward the target, inflicting damage to enemies along the way (with ‘For Freedom!’, the charge inflicts greater damage to Blocking). After the charge ends, the unit gains the ‘Fearless Heart’ effect.
• Claymore Strike: The warriors swing their greatswords, dealing damage to nearby enemies (with ‘For Freedom!’, enemies will be knocked back). The unit also obtains the ‘Fearless Heart’ effect.
• For Freedom!: The Claymore warriors roar and stir themselves up for battle, boosting their skills for 15 seconds. Fearless Heart is enhanced, movement speed is increased by 30%, damage is strengthened by 40%, and Maximum Health is increased by 2000. After the skill ends, the Claymores will be exhausted and their movement speed, attack rate, and damage dealt will fall dramatically.

Claymores are now available to unlock via Unit Challenges.

NOTE: The above information is correct as of the time of publication. Please check in-game for the most up-to-date Unit information.