Feb 25, 2021

Conqueror's Blade - Sapozhnik

Obtained from the War Scholar, Doctrines can be used to improve a unit’s attributes (including Health), grant them additional benefits and skills, and boost their defence against piercing, slashing, or blunt damage. Though Epic Doctrines were previously only available temporarily, we’re happy to announce that you’ll be able to obtain Permanent Epic Doctrines from March 4!

If you’re lucky enough to find them, Epic Doctrines provide even bigger boosts and bonuses to your units than Common, Uncommon and Rare Doctrines. To obtain them you’ll first need to access the War Scholar in-game by pressing ‘X’–you can then use Treatises to excavate sites for Doctrines. You’ll receive Doctrines of different rarities at random, so keep excavating sites to uncover Permanent Epic Doctrines!

If you want to read more about Doctrines and the War Scholar system, check out our dedicated article. We hope you’re looking forward to fortifying your forces when Permanent Epic Doctrines launch in Conqueror’s Blade on March 4!

IMPORTANT: After extensive testing, we have decided not to release Epic Leadership Doctrines I-III in the MY.GAMES version of Conqueror's Blade. Leadership Doctrines allow players to deploy additional units into battle, raising the possibility of unbalanced matches where certain teams’ units may boast an unfair tier advantage. Additionally, in the interest of maintaining fairness and balance in PvP play, we currently have no plans to release Permanent Legendary Doctrines in the MY.GAMES version of Conqueror’s Blade. We may review our stance in the future if changes to their functionality make them a competitively viable addition to the game.

Feb 25, 2021

Development of Elephants Cancelled, Compensation Granted to Affected Players

Conqueror's Blade - Sapozhnik

In 2019, we sold bundles containing Elephant Mounts that we planned to release in a future update. Unfortunately, we regret to announce that the development of Elephant Mounts in Conqueror’s Blade has ceased. We fell short of the mark in promising content that we ultimately could not deliver on, and we are sincerely sorry that we failed to meet your expectations. As a result of this, we have granted compensation to affected players that has a significantly higher value than that of the initial Packs sold in 2019.

Any players who purchased either the Conqueror’s Edition Founder’s Pack or the Beast Master Pack have received a new Pack containing the exclusive ‘Beast of Battle Helmet’ cosmetic item, 75,000 Sovereigns, and five years of Premium time. Players who purchased both Packs have received an additional 25,000 Sovereigns and a further 2 years of Premium time. These items have already been sent directly to affected players’ web inventories. If this compensation is not satisfactory, players can contact MY.GAMES or Steam customer support for a refund.

Redesigning every map and castle in Conqueror’s Blade to accommodate elephants proved to be a huge undertaking for our developers. Despite launching the game less than two years ago and still working on regular, substantial content updates, we would essentially have needed to partially remake the game to do so. The high costs, technical complexity, and work hours required to bring this feature to life would be to the detriment of other new content like seasons, maps, and game modes.

To provide more context, we would like to give you an insight into the development of this feature. Hundreds of hours of development time were invested in the implementation of elephants as rideable mounts in Conqueror’s Blade. We envisioned them not simply as a larger reskin of existing mounts, but as a brand-new feature that would force players to adapt and respond to a changed tactical landscape.

We initially took historical inspiration from the war elephants commanded by civilisations like the Chola dynasty of ancient India, the mighty Persian Empire, the Ptolemaic Kingdom, and the Carthaginian Empire under the master tactician Hannibal. These magnificent beasts were far larger and more destructive than many siege engines, and could shatter enemy ranks just as easily as their spirit. As such, they proved invaluable as living weapons.

Balance was ultimately a massive concern for us. We considered what we would need to change on a meta-level to redress the balance and make elephants fair opponents as opposed to unstoppable juggernauts. Anti-elephant artillery and units were considered, but the tactical possibilities, or lack thereof, became a much messier prospect when we anticipated battles descending into all-out, destructive chaos with teams consisting entirely of elephant riders.

Unless we drastically shrank elephants to the size of a horse–which would look quite ridiculous, not to mention the issues of historical and anatomical inaccuracy–it also became apparent that our maps simply could not accommodate the physical size of elephant models. Whereas you can now ride your horse through the enemy’s gates and storm castles on horseback, there would be no way for the elephant to enter. The anatomical restrictions of the elephant would make ascending and descending stairs another ridiculous prospect in itself. While we considered applying restrictions to certain maps or only allowing the use of elephants within select maps or game modes, we felt that this would greatly reduce the value of elephants for players.

Conqueror’s Blade is a live game that has already changed so much. It’s constantly evolving and improving in little (and big) ways that ultimately add up to a vastly different beast than the one we launched with. All of those changes are thanks to you – through your playtime, support, feedback, and requests, you help change and define Conqueror’s Blade. It’s our mission to create the ultimate medieval warfare experience, and none of it would be possible without you.

Going forward, we will take this moment to heart and ensure that future content lives up to your expectations of what Conqueror’s Blade is, and what it can be. While elephants are now off the agenda, we have plenty more ideas and content in the pipeline to keep you battling in the months and years to come.

Thanks for playing with us, we’ll see you on the battlefield!

Feb 24, 2021

Ghost Town rises up to join Field Battle roster

Conqueror's Blade - Sapozhnik

The next time you join a Field Battle, don’t be too spooked if you find yourself fighting to control the dusty streets of Ghost Town. Joining the roster from today, the map features a familiar alignment of control points arranged around the titular settlement, all of which need to be captured if you are to claim its deserted streets.

Ghost Town

History

No one knows what became of the inhabitants of Ghost Town, or what the town used to be called when it did teem with life. Whatever the truth in the stories that are told of the town’s fate, it’s certainly the case that there’s no one around to corroborate them. There is, however, a mystery to be solved: For a settlement that appears to be deserted, the buildings are in remarkably good condition, and the storefronts well-stocked for a population of zero to be able to maintain. Perhaps it’s the case that the townsfolk have a penchant for hibernating whenever an army marches through, hoping that the well-travelled stories of haunted homes will see them survive another turbulent day.

Scouting Report

Ghost Town is a simple and compact map across which both sides are invited to charge towards its centre to capture the town as quickly as possible. The three capture points are arranged in a triangle, surrounding the town, which itself is packed with defensive structures to counter and deter the threat of charging cavalry.

General Tips

The initial part of the battle will be a race to claim the closest capture point to each team’s starting position, while simultaneously charging to take point C, which is slightly offset to the west of the town. Prepare for C to be the more difficult objective and one that will change hands most often.
The town centre is the perfect environment for heavy melee units to operate, especially if supported by ranged units. Just be wary of opportunistic charges by enemy cavalry units that may be circling the settlement.
It’s very easy to become trapped in the centre of the map as it becomes dense with troops. Warlords may want to remain mobile around the periphery of the town, as the size of the map means that the tide of battle can change very quickly.

Feb 19, 2021

Player Event: CorTournament starts March 19 - sign up now!

Conqueror's Blade - Sapozhnik

Conqueror’s Blade content creator Corto is hosting a Siege Battle tournament starting March 19 and is inviting eight teams of up to 15 players to take part. Starting today, those wanting to join the fray are invited to sign up via the tournament Discord channel.

The CorTournament will be a double-elimination contest played out on the My.GAMES Tournament Server. Featuring both a winner and a loser’s bracket, teams will have to be defeated twice to be knocked out of the competition. Battles will take place across five maps, across which artillery is to forbidden and where competing warlords will have to show determination and strategy. The full set of competition rules can be viewed here.

Prizes:

1st place: 2,300 Sovereigns, 7-day Premium Account, 1st Place Flag
2nd place: 1,100 Sovereigns, 7-day Premium Account, 2nd Place Flag
3rd place: 525 Sovereigns, 7-day Premium Account, 3rd Place Flag

If instead of taking part you’d just like to just watch the action as it unfolds, Czaruna (EN), Dattecoto (FR) and Susnovv (DE) will be among those streaming the competition when it starts next month.

Feb 18, 2021

The Explorer’s Guide to Ostaria

Conqueror's Blade - Sapozhnik

After the sunnier and altogether more civilised climes of Anadolou, adventuring into the northernmost region of Ostaria, especially in the midst of a devastating war, is a perilous journey not to be taken without sober precaution. Nevertheless, in spite of the dangers and the withering cold, there is much warmth to be found in the region - if you know where to find it.

Geography

The fiefs of Ostaria occupy the north-westernmost corner of the settled world, a region that shares a border with Ungverija to the south and with the Borderlands to the east. Were it not for the unprecedented cold that has frozen the region in recent weeks, Ostaria would be deemed unremarkable in terms of its climate and geography, with rolling hills, gentle plains and a normally pleasant year-round climate that many hope will soon be returning.

Entirely landlocked, there are two inland lakes, Rittersee and Edelsee, whose combined network of streams and rivers meander southwards, west of Ungverija, eventually ending at the Amarian Sea. Until the winter blocked river ports with ice, these normally calm and free-flowing waterways were the source of much trade that helped build and establish the cities of Westburg, Osttal, and the capital Augolia. For those hoping these cities can thrive again, the start of the great thaw can’t come soon enough.

How to get there

At the time of writing, Ostaria is gripped by the unforgiving blight of a war from which much rebuilding is still to be done. This makes gaining access to the region far more difficult and dangerous than it was in more peaceful times. There is currently only one way into and out of Ostaria, via the border fort at Kiefenburg. However, because the roads are choked with trade and wounded warriors returning from the north, the surest passage is to talk to the Quartermaster at Turul Város, who can guarantee swift passage into Ostaria for anyone who has 1,000 Lions to their name. You can find him stationed outside the recently-opened Royal Tavern, from where a hearty meal will steady your stomach and warm your soul for the journey ahead.

History

Before the other regions of the world became flourishing nation-states in their own right, Ostaria was very much at the centre of all things, not only in terms of trade, but also culture, learning and conquest. The ambitions of almost every young warlord have passed through the city’s once austere military academies and even those that have long since established themselves as far as Maoyang and Liangyun still consider Ostaria to be their homeland.

As lengthy as the region’s history is, it has not inspired a great deal of study over recent years. With the region-wide siege of the Desecrators coming to an end, however, much evidence will need to be gathered to ensure the dark chapter that is currently being read out is never repeated.

Getting around

Armies and caravans cross the well-worn highways and byways of the region as they always have, despite the dispiriting conditions that currently blight Ostaria. Some reports suggest roving Marauder bands are weaker here due to malnourishment, while others claim that they are more ruthless out of desperation. It is certainly the case that the biting cold is shortening and slowing journeys, but whether it’s to any noticeable degree is hard to discern. Those planning to travel the region would be advised to be on their guard at least as much as across any other region, and to take extra supplies should the weather take a sudden turn for the worse.

Places to see

Freetown
A forlorn tavern greets you as you enter Ostaria, after which comes the settlement of Freetown. Once considered by the authorities to be a lawless haven for dubious traders and cutthroats, in the present climate it has a welcoming warmth far from the cold reach of the Desecrators.

Lake Edelsee
At the southern end of the Edlesee near the village of Fischerstadt in Stranddorf, freshwater fishing boats trawl the thin ice of the lake. There are no fish to catch, but for those freezing on the water there is little else to do but to try anyway.

Nordtal
The northernmost city in Ostaria is surrounded by resource deposits, making it the first target for raiders surging across the Rangifer Mountains via the Crystal Sea. Until recently such incursions have been short-lived, but the Desecrator attacks have been unlike anything seen in living memory. Even so, the townsfolk remain undaunted in the face of their adversity.

Steinklippe Ruins
Nestling in the shadow of the Hillside and guarding the caravan route between Dreiwaelder and the strategic city of Das Bollwerk, Steinklippe was left a smoking ruin. Yet like many settlements in the region, its citizens are returning and much is being done to return the city to its former glory.

Augolia
Ostaria’s capital is a majestic city whatever the weather and while its population may have been brought low by recent events, its imposing spires project the same stoic defiance that has seen it survive similarly trying times in centuries past.