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While hunting may be a peacetime pursuit in the Highlands, the Houndsmen must prepare to battle on behalf of their clans in Season X: Highlanders. Along with their faithful canines, they possess archery prowess, and there is no battle they won’t dive headfirst into with man’s best friend at their side.

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[h2]Exclusive Houndsmen Attire[/h2]
To commemorate the Houndsmen’s release, you can pick up the Roving Huntsmen Unit Attire until January 24 (23:59 server time/23:59 CET) in-game or via MY.GAMES Market. It’s exclusive, so it will help your Houndsmen to really stand out in the crowd!

Suitable for the harsh climate of the Highlands, Houndsmen don this apparel to survive the bad weather of their hunting trips. With determination and a bit of luck, the hunters and their hounds will return to the clans with a kill fit for their laird's table.


[h2]Unlocking[/h2]
The Houndsmen 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 Houndsmen are keen archers and use their dogs to help in their hunting expeditions. Their arrows can slow enemies or inflict heavy bleeding, and their hounds are there to ensure those injuries become fatal. The hounds are loyal to the end and will continue to clash with foes after their master has perished.


[h2]Just the facts: Houndsmen (5-Star)[/h2]
Formations

• Dispersed: A loose formation that reduces unit vulnerability to ranged weapons.
• Stand Ground: The unit spread out slightly with their hounds to the front. Suitable for ranged attacks.

Unit Traits

• Trained Hunters: Enemies hit with arrows from the hunters will suffer bleeding for two seconds.
• Loyal Hound: Hounds will attack any foe that attacks this unit, reducing enemy attacks and movement speed.
• Man’s Best Friend: Hounds have 4,800 Health, a sprint speed of 9,300, and 300 for all defence attributes. A hound and its master have a deep affinity for one another. When a hound attacks an enemy that a Houndsmen skill has already hit, the effect is strengthened. When all the Houndsmen are killed, the hounds will continue to surround and attack enemies for 5 seconds before dying.
• Highlanders: For the duration of Season X, this unit’s Leadership cost is reduced by 10 points.

Unit Orders

• Hunting Stance: For their next attack, the hunters will fire three arrows at the enemy in rapid succession, which can be used to trigger Trained Hunters. If hounds attack a bleeding enemy, the effect will be increased.
• Hobbling Shots: The unit fires arrows that inflict a Slow effect in the designated area. If hounds attack a slowed enemy, the Slow effect will be increased.
• Get ‘em!: Hounds charge in the designated direction and gnash enemies along the way. After using this, you can use the ‘Heel!’ skill to return them to their unit.

Houndsmen 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.

In December, we asked you to fire up your oven and cook your hearts out for our Yule Bread Contest, and we received more than a baker’s dozen in entries! Some tasty treats looked too good to eat, so we’re giving them prizes instead!
[h2]WINNER[/h2]
DawidK submitted this delicious Highlanders-themed cake with exquisite decoration. While we can’t cut a slice and tuck in, we can imagine digging into this delectable delicacy after a long day on the battlefield!


[h2]SECOND PLACE[/h2]
Our runner-up J0KER presented us with this Christmas Bûche de Noël; an amazing Yule log! The level of detail is truly astounding, and we would like to visit this chocolate church…


[h2]THIRD PLACE[/h2]
Third-place goes to Pixie Lixi, who baked several festive and fun treats to feast our eyes on.



Thank you to everyone who slaved over a hot stove and offered up their Yule Bread entries. Stay tuned for more contests!

In the Scots’ fight for freedom from the English, the groundwork laid by William Wallace set the stage for Robert the Bruce to take arms and continue the cause. Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland after his loss at the Battle of Falkirk, and Robert took on the mantle; reinvigorating the efforts to place a Scot on the throne once more.

Born in 1274 AD, Robert the Bruce grew up in an affluent household as the son of an Earl and a Countess, a life of glory laid out before him. It wouldn’t be long before he took up the cause for Scotland’s true independence from England. Despite John Balliol sitting as the King of Scots, King Edward I of England continued to subjugate Scotland and undermine their king.



Statue of Robert the Bruce in Aberdeen

When Edward raised his immense army and invaded Scotland in 1296, Balliol abdicated after a crushing defeat at both Berwick and Dunbar and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Edward then inducted his English lords to rule Scotland.

One peculiar thing to note about Robert the Bruce is that he actually swore an oath of fealty to King Edward I of England, but this would last for less than a year before Robert joined the revolt against him.

“We fight not for glory, nor for wealth, nor honour but only and alone for freedom which no good man surrenders but with his life”.

Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce, while remembered as a great hero, wasn’t without his flaws, and harbours a complicated and dark past. His intentions and actions may be seen as honourable, noble, and even legendary, but Robert had to do a great many things that would be considered villainous to ascend to the throne. One of these was murdering his rival, John “the Red” Comyn in 1306. The Comyns and the Bruces were rivals for the ages, and both had set their sights on the crown. John and Robert were already sharing the title of Guardian of Scotland, and neither wanted to continue this trend when it came to becoming royalty (a claim they both believed they had a right to).

Robert the Bruce arranged for a meeting with John the Red Comyn, where a “business” discussion quickly turned into violence, and Comyn was struck down. Robert himself did not deal the final blow (his men tended to that), but he was directly responsible for his death. Some historians view this as usurpation, while others claim that he was left with no choice in the matter if he wished to propel Scotland to glory.

A mere six weeks following Comyn’s death, Robert was crowned King of Scots, and the true fight against the English could begin. Defeating the English forces at every turn and reclaiming castles all over Scotland, King Robert I set his sights on a battle of epic proportions, one that would become synonymous with his fight for freedom—the Battle of Bannockburn.

On June 23, 1314, Robert the Bruce led his band of Scots towards an advancing English cavalry, where the king subjected an English Knight named Henry de Bohun to a brutal slaying by axe, whereupon his men rushed the English troops, forcing them to retreat.

On the second day of battle, defeated from their previous day of shameful combat, English morale was low as they crossed into Bannockburn. Outnumber four to one, the Scots surrounded and slew them in great numbers, causing Edward to flee, and the battle to be lost for the English. This David and Goliath battle resulted in the immediate retaking of Stirling Castle by Bruce, and this unlikely victory for Scotland eventually led to the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328 where Scotland’s independence was recognised, and Bruce’s right as ruler acknowledged.

A drawing depicting King Edward being refused entry to Stirling Castle following the Battle of Bannockburn. From the “British Battles on Land and Sea” (1873)

While Bannockburn wasn’t the be-all and end-all of Scotland’s fight for sovereignty, it marked the start of a historic change for the country, and cemented Robert the Bruce as the legendary hero he has since become.

The fight for freedom is still ongoing for the clans in Season X: Highlanders, and you can join the campaign with brand-new units including the fearless Claymores, who we think Robert himself would have been proud to take into battle.

Gallop into battle on a brand-new Epic Thundercloud Horse Mount by completing limited-time quests! From January 13 (after maintenance) until January 20 (23:59 server time), speak to the Sheriff to accept new quests, and upon their completion, your new horse will be ready to ride!

Complete the following quests from the Sheriff to earn the Epic Mount:

• Participate in 5 Matched Battles
• Earn a 2,000 Unit Kill Score in any Matched Battle
• Join 8 Siege or Field Battles OR attain a win-streak of 3

May your loyal steed lead you to victory!

Please be aware that from 7:00 CET on January 13 (22:00 PST 1/12), the Conqueror’s Blade servers will be inaccessible. The downtime is expected to last for 5 hours.

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