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It has always been our goal to make Conqueror's Blade a game that is constantly evolving and becoming better than before. Now that the game has been up and running for ten seasons, we have collected tons of feedback and have also learned that there is room for improvement. One of these improvements is to balance our units, and we are aware we may not have addressed issues quickly enough when they arose, which we apologise for and now endeavour to fix. 

One of the biggest balance issues has been with the Axe Raiders from Season IX: Tyranny. We have looked into why that is and have come up with the following reasons: 

1) The development team has pooled too many resources into creating new content for new seasons and overlooked the balance of current units.

2) Due to controversies about the Fire Lancers adjustments, we have been too conservative in changing popular units. We want to give each unit its own place in the game via systematic changes rather than altering certain problematic units. Naturally, this has led to us not being able to address certain issues in time.

The game's balance is of utmost importance and an issue we must face head-on. We will immediately start rolling out a series of balance changes based on the following: 

AdjustmentData

According to the data, the ten most-used units make up a total of 46.8% of all units used. This means that the other 80+ units don't see much usage. This situation is in stark contrast to the diversified battles we have in mind. We are planning to make relative data public regarding units and roll out a series of changes to make battles more varied and balanced. 

A goal we have always had is for more units to have their own unique roles in the complex battlefield of Conqueror's Blade. We have also made attempts to do so since Season VII: Wolves of Ragnarok. For example, changes for Ironcap Swordsmen and Iron Reapers have made them usable once more. Conqueror's Blade is made up of almost one hundred units, and in the future, we want to increase the speed and quality with which we change units that need changing. All in all, we want our players to enjoy more units in battles.
Adjustments to Units

1. Axe Raiders

The Axe Raiders are strong in several ways. They are tankier and deal more damage than average units of their leadership cost, leading to high usage and win rate. Based on their characteristics, we have decided to tune down their survivability to better fit into their category as squishy light infantry. These changes will make them weaker when affected by other units.

1. Modao Battalion

The Modao Battalion has always been a highly used unit. Data shows that they are exceedingly tanky and deal high damage. Their tight formation and easy-to-use skills have led to them being overly powerful in organised group battles. While we don't want to change their characteristics, we will be nerfing a reasonable degree of their damage to other infantry, especially infantry using shields. 

There are many aspects affecting balance, including Heroes’ weapons, runes, maps, and so on. We will continue to monitor balance and roll out grounded and systematic changes. In the near future, we will also be changing some underused units based on data and community feedback, such as firearm and heavy shield infantry. 

Please check out the announcement on balance changes we will be publishing in the near future for more information. 

We estimate that this round of changes will hit the servers on January 13, 2022.

We will also issue the following compensation to all players as a form of apology:

• We will issue the items required to remove all Doctrines equipped to units receiving nerfs. 
• All players will receive an extra 25 Lotus Water so you can change your doctrines after the update. 
• All players will also receive 3 Treatises. 

Have Your Say with Feedback

We also want to improve communication with our players and provide timely responses to your feedback. Let us know if you have any thoughts or ideas about these balance changes or other improvements to units via the balancing_feedback channel on Discord.

The Future of Conqueror's Blade

Diversity and balance are integral topics to Conqueror's Blade. We want to shorten the time required to roll out balance changes based on communicating with our players. 

During past seasons, we have continued to launch new heroes, units, maps, and other content, all to bring you a more diverse gameplay experience. In doing so, we have overlooked the importance of what's already there, for example, the aforementioned balance issues. This has made it difficult for players to wage war the way they want to. Going forward, our focus will be on creating a more balanced, transparent, and varied Conqueror's Blade. 

Once again, thank you for all your feedback and encouragement. Conqueror's Blade is only here because of you. And we hope to create an even better world in Conqueror's Blade with your help.

We wish you all a happy new year and we’ll see you on the battlefield!

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.