As gladiator battles rage on in Conqueror’s Blade: Colosseum, we wanted to offer a look into the work that goes into the Units that help you win the day! We chatted to Anton Mamhionov, Creative Director at Booming Tech, about the research and development behind your favourite Units.

How do you decide which real-life soldiers or factions to take inspiration from when creating Seasonal Units?

There are multiple factors taken into consideration. First of all, we figure out what the most iconic and symbolic warriors of the given era and faction were. Then, we consider the existing meta-game and its needs. Sometimes it is easy to understand what the most anticipated Units are of the given faction based on discussions within our community. 



How much historical research do you undertake before designing a Unit?

As much as possible, of course. We research equipment, weapons, background, and the training of Units we plan to bring to the game. At times though, we do not aim for 100% historical realism—-whether it is due to the Unit’s era that is disconnected from our setting or the desire to make a “collective” imagery of a certain faction, as was done with kilts during Highlanders. Historical research plays a crucial part.

If the inspiration behind a Unit is known for wielding multiple weapons, how do you decide which to include in their in-game arsenal?

There are currently five dual-wielding Units (Sons of Fenrir, Berserkers, Kheshigs, Axe Raiders, Dimachaeri) and five hybrid Units (Shieldmaidens, Iron Reapers, Tercio Arquebusiers, Varangian Guards, Retiarii). The majority of the time, we simply use the historical analogues of certain military equipment as was done with many Units, but sometimes due to the meta-game positioning needs, we make combinations to satisfy the current need for a certain Unit type—-as was done with the Retiarii who carry both tridents and Roman throwing spears to provide our players with the first ever 5-Star javelin infantry.



The process usually begins with research of the era and the factional military during that time. There is a lot of literature written by various publicists available online with provided archaeological references. The next step is to research the pop-culture representation among movies, games, books, and music to see if both historical and popular references could be combined into a commercial historical product that is fun to play and eye-catching. Then we begin with sketching and iterating various ideas while adapting them to the desired gameplay. In the end, we vote out certain designs due to various blockers and continue with those we find to be the most interesting.

Would anything make you remove a Unit from contention? 

Certainly—we had to cancel some early designs due to various reasons. In the majority of cases, there are two main reasons: the Unit is too similar to an existing Unit, or simply doesn’t have interesting enough gameplay.

Which Unit was the hardest to design, and why?

Various Units were quite challenging to design and produce. I guess the hardest was the Houndsmen from Highlanders—-the Unit combined two totally different types of entities with absolutely different playstyles; ranged archers and close-combat hounds. It took a lot of effort from designers and the tech team to reach the needed result after many iterations. It was also the longest production time among all Units. 

Become a defender of dynasties in the Mighty Guardian Event! Earn extraordinary rewards, special currency, and claim drops to exchange for powerful items.



Enter the fray in Conqueror’s Blade to boost your strength:

• Sign-in Event: Log in daily until October 9 to earn Silver Keys, Treatises and more. The real riches lie in the Prize Bags, which can be opened for treasures such as Random Epic Schematic Crate, 30% off Coupons for selected Hero Attires, and more! 
• Unlock Doctrines: Enjoy a new Doctrine Pool, including brand-new Epic Doctrines, available for use with Treatises until October 20.
• Flowers of Victory: Battle on an all-new scenic Colosseum map!
• Travelling Artist Quest: Meet Mo Li, a Travelling Artist with a quest just for you. Complete it to earn Greenwood Keys and Treatises before October 20.

Play Colosseum, Siege, or Field Battles (including Free Battles), pick up Greenwood Keys (a maximum of 35 per week) as matchmaking drops, then head to the Event Page to cash them in for random rewards, including pieces of new Hero and Mount Attire, a Banner, and an Avatar. 

Check out the rewards below:

• Pieces of the Unsurpassed General Hero Attire
• Pieces of the White Dragon Mount Set
• Shunping's Mask
• Shunping's Helmet
• Empty Fort Banner
• Mighty General Avatar

There are also additional milestone rewards to choose from when you use your Greenwood Keys. 
You can earn Greenwood Keys through the Acquisitor event until October 20. Rewards can be claimed and Greenwood Keys exchanged for items until October 27!
For a limited time, you can claim FREE Golden Keys when you spend Sovereigns in the in-game Store. 

The more Sovereigns you spend before October 20, the more Golden Keys you receive. There’s also a new Title to earn and Spearheads to collect, which can be exchanged for additional items!

Spend Sovereigns to receive the following:
Spend your Spearheads on the following:
Now available to unlock with Golden Keys (‘G’ menu), unleash the power of the new Mighty Guardian Attire Chest, a treasure trove stuffed with new and classic cosmetics!

The most coveted reward is the brand-new Shore’s Edge Pike, a weapon bursting with aquatic sanctity in the form of unique visual effects. Try your luck and claim it before October 27!

You can view the full contents of the Mighty Guardian Attire Chest in-game.

Shore up your defences and enjoy the Mighty Guardian Event!

Although the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, it enjoyed over a thousand years of power and remains one of the most influential civilisations in the history of the world. Throughout the Roman Empire and the reign of its dozens of emperors, the era gave rise to many innovative inventions and socio-economic models we still employ today.

Let’s look into the past and the inspiration behind Conqueror’s Blade: Colosseum, and find out just what the Romans did for us.


The Romans can be credited with a great number of innovations. From entertainment to infrastructure, many of their cultural contributions can still be seen in some form today.

Newspapers

While daily paper newspapers can’t be attributed to the brilliant minds of Ancient Rome, current affairs and important announcements were inscribed on stones or metal slabs at the time. The carved official notices would be displayed in public places such as the Forum of Rome. The news included battle reports, births and deaths, trials and executions, scandals, and general notices. This inventive publication was named Acta Diurna (‘daily events’) and is thought to have originated as early as 131 BC.


The Forum Romanum seen through the Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome, Italy

Sanitation

Civil engineering was one of the Romans’ strong suits, and while their amazing amphitheatres were a sight to behold, they also built less aesthetically impressive, yet still incredibly important, structural works that paved the way for the systems we still use today.

One of these engineering feats was their cutting-edge sewage and sanitation management systems. The Romans designed and implemented an extensive network of drains and sewers connected to public baths and latrines. They were flushed out with water from Roman aqueducts and local streams, with the waste being dumped in a nearby river. The sewer lines and gutters were covered and connected throughout many Roman cities.

Roads

Roman roads were famous for their hardy materials, staying power, and the connections they provided to the wider Empire and world. Although they didn’t invent highways and paths, the Romans certainly achieved the highest level of efficiency and sophistication seen at the time. Instead of roads made from gravel, Roman engineers fashioned roads from dirt mixed with bricks made out of granite or hardened volcanic lava, making the roads weather-proof and strong. 

It wasn’t just the materials that made Roman roads special, however—-perfectly straight roads not only made travel and trade faster and easier, but they were also banked to avoid flooding. By 200 AD, the Romans had produced more than 55,000 miles of road across the empire. Road signs and mile markers were also put in place, and highways were patrolled by guards to ensure travellers’ safety. Many old Roman roads are still in use today as a basis for modern highways in the UK and across Europe.


The surface of a Roman road in Herculaneum


Roman culture still has a bearing on society today, and their social and economic developments paved the way for civilisation as we know it. Almost everything from housing design to vocabulary was shaped by the Romans and exists in some form today.

Language

Many European languages have Latin roots, and 60% of the English language is descended from the ancient tongue. The majority of the vocabulary used in science, law, and medicine has its influences in Latin Everyday language is populated with Latin phrases too, such as:

• Ad hoc = to this
• Alibi = elsewhere
• Bona fide = with good faith
• Quid pro quo = something for something
• Versus = against

Buildings

The Roman architectural influence on modern buildings ranges from design features such as arches and pillars to the building materials of bricks and tile. Modern public buildings such as spas, supermarkets, and arenas are modelled on the Romans’ works—-the Trajan’s Market in Rome, 150 rooms linked by hallways, stairs, and arcades, is the quintessential model of shopping centres still used today.

As for housing, many Romans lived in tall apartment buildings, often reaching ten stories high, and inspiring the towering blocks of flats we see in cities today.


The Triumphal Arch (Hadrian's Arch) in Gerasa (now Jerash) in Jordan

Celebrity

Celebrity culture is by no means a new invention, with Romans having gone positively gaga for famous people thousands of years ago. Athletes, and in particular, gladiators, were the main source of attraction for mania, and their celebrity status reached almost obsessive heights for the people of Rome. Of course, Emperors were top dog in the fame game, but military heroes and philosophers had their place too.

So besides celebrity culture, sanitation, roads, newspapers, and linguistic development, what have the Romans ever done for us? Inspired Conqueror's Blade: Colosseum!

Check out more Conqueror’s Tales about the Ancient Romans and their culture with our look at the gladiatorial games, the life of a gladiator, and amphitheatres.

Conqueror’s Kitchen is back, and a brand-new recipe is available for those who want to experience the life (and diet) of a gladiator in Conqueror’s Blade: Colosseum.

Pliny the Elder wrote that Roman gladiators were nicknamed ‘hordearii’ or ‘barley-men’ for their high intake of grain compared to the general population, which kept them fighting fit.

To survive the chaotic 6v6 battles of the Colosseum, you need to make sure you’re well-fed and ready to fight! Our Community Manager, Bluntcast, has put together an instructional video on how to cook your own gladiator grub, just like the Ancient Roman fighters themselves may have chowed down on.

For this recipe, you’ll need one pot, about an hour, and to raid your pantry for the following ingredients:

• 75g dried fava beans
• 85g barley (hulled)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 750ml of water
• 1 chopped onion
• 2tbsp olive oil
• 2tbsp red wine vinegar
• 0.75tsp salt

Check out the video below, and tuck into an authentic ‘puls’ or porridge!



In the mood for more era-appropriate grub? Check out Conqueror’s Kitchen: Paragon Pasties, and create your very own 15th-century French-inspired dish!

The Ludi Romani (Roman Games) was an annual festival in Ancient Rome that took place in September and was originally held to honour returning soldiers.

The celebrations lasted for two weeks, and the public were entertained by all manner of festivities including chariot racing, horse races, boxing, and dancing. The Mercatus (markets) would open, and the Roman people would enjoy a few days of shopping and fairs.

In the spirit of Ludi Romani, from now until September 29 (08:00 server time), the in-game store is overflowing with discounted deals, brilliant bundles, and more! Stock up, then get ready to storm the Colosseum!
Fill your wardrobe with fabulous fashion and bountiful banners from the Mercatus with 10% off returningCosmetics until September 29 (08:00 server time) at the in-game Store.
The markets of Ludi Romani are bursting with bundles at 15% off! Pick up everything you need to celebrate the festival including Golden Keys, Bronze, and more.

• Eitri's Trove: Seek your fortune with 3x Golden Keys and 2x Rare Weapon Schematics. (Purchase Limit: 2)
• Brokkr's Armoury: Craft weapons and unlock cosmetics with 5x Rare Weapon Schematics and 5x Golden Keys. (Purchase Limit: 5)
• Wayland's Wealth: Resupply with 10x Golden Keys, 5x Huge Chests of Resources, and 5x Large Chests of Bronze (50,000 Bronze total). (Purchase Limit: 5)

Boost your brute force in the Colosseum with 20% off Unit Challenges for the Zykalian Militia, Symmachean Stalwarts, Symmachean Paladins, or Siphonarioi.

Until October 6 (08:00 server time), the Pike Weapon Class Bundles are up for grabs at 20% off! Master this proficient weapon along with Basic and Ultimate Skills, Skins, and more!

• Pike Jiangjun Class Pack: Unlock the Pike Class along with 3 Basic Skills and 2 Ultimate Skills.

• Pike Shifu Class Pack: Unlock the Pike Class along with 3 Basic Skills and 2 Ultimate Skills, as well as the Sunpiercer Hero Attire, Lotus Petal Weapon Skin, and Pike Avatar!

Enjoy all the bargains of the Ludi Romani Mercatus until September 29!

Please be aware that from 08:00 CEST on September 29 (23:00 PDT on September 28), 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.

Just as the crowds in Conqueror’s Blade: Colosseum delight in being entertained by fearsome gladiatorial combat, so too did their inspiration—the Ancient Romans.

The infamous Colosseum wasn’t the only amphitheatre where Romans would watch spectacles such as public executions and gladiatorial games. Around 230 amphitheatres have been located across the full expanse of the Roman Empire, including in countries such as modern-day Austria, England, Spain, and many more. The vast majority have, of course, been found in Italy.


Colosseum photographed from above during the summer, Rome

These large, open-air theatres, which could be oval or circular, were equipped with raised seating and were known as “amphitheatrum”, meaning "theatre all around". A Roman amphitheatre is made up of three parts—-the arena (fighting area), the cavea (rows of stands or seating), and the vomitorium (archways at arena level and within the cavea for exiting in large swathes).

Let’s take a look at a few lesser-known (but just as important) Roman amphitheatres.
The Amphitheatre of Pompeii was the first arena built by the Romans in 70 BC. It survives to this day, despite being buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. At its prime, it could hold 20,000 people, and its walls remain a key insight into the gladiator culture of Ancient Rome. Painted posters were found by archaeologists promoting their fighters, and even describing one gladiator as a "heartthrob of the girls." As we know, gladiators could become celebrities of their time, and these discoveries in Pompeii proved crucial in understanding their status.
The Roman amphitheatre of Italica is the fifth-largest Roman amphitheatre and still stands today in present-day Santiponce in Andalusia, Spain. Constructed in 117 AD under the reign of Emperor Hadrian, the brick and stone theatre could hold up to 25,000 spectators. Italica mainly played host to bloodsports including gladiator battles and animal hunting games.


Italica Amphitheatre in Andalusia, Spain
Verona Arena is the third-largest amphitheatre in Italy to survive and can hold up to 22,000 people within its 44 levels. Built in 30 AD, it is remarkably well-preserved and still used to this day for open-air opera performances and concerts. It has played host to many shows and games over the centuries, from gladiator fights to jousting tournaments. Even today, the arena continues to amaze crowds with its range of events. Famous faces and household names who have held concerts there include Pink Floyd, Muse, Whitney Houston, Radiohead, and dozens more. It will also host the Closing Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.


Verona Arena in Piazza Bra, Verona, Italy

Check out more Conqueror’s Tales about the Ancient Roman Empire and its gladiators with our look at the gladiatorial games, the life of a gladiator, and stay tuned for more!

Conqueror’s Blade: Colosseum has opened and new Season-themed Spotify playlists have arrived!

Listen to playlists fit for a gladiator, featuring an eclectic mix of genres from Rap to Metal, and songs by everyone from DMX and Eminem, to Sabaton and Bring Me The Horizon to prep you for the fight of your life in the Colosseum!

Morituri Te Salutant PLAYLIST

Veni, Vidi, Vici PLAYLIST

If you’re in the mood for more terrific tunes, check out our Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and previous Season-themed playlists over on the official Conqueror’s Blade Spotify page.

ADVISORY: Some songs may feature explicit content.

It is said that the sky was once bloodied by ten suns. When their scorching might proved too destructive, a heroic archer agreed to shoot them out of the sky, leaving but one to give light and life to the Earth.

Live up to this shining legend with Ten Sun Chests, now available to unlock via the Attire Chest menu (‘G’)! Get Golden Keys from the in-game Store’s Consumables tab to open up the Chests for the chance to claim rare pieces of Hero and Unit Attire and weapon skins.

Contents may include the following:

• Protectorate General Hero Attire
• Protectorate General Mount Set
• Qian Officer's Hero Attire
• Thousand Riders Unit Banner
• Thousand Riders Unit Attire
• Kanagawa's Eye Bow
• And much more!

If you’re lucky, you may even receive a second item from a Ten Suns Chest!

Ten Suns Chests are available in-game until September 29 at 08:00 Server Time. May you shine bright like the sun!

Please be aware that from 08:00 CEST on September 15 (23:00 PDT on September 14), 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.