We have a new video today, for those of you yet to experience the challenge of trying to prize an enemy from their castle.

Imagine yourself on the throne of a great house, with all manner of upstart lords and barons whispering among themselves and challenging your regional dominance. It’s time to teach one of them a lesson that they’ll hopefully all learn from, and so your most trusted advisor comes to you offering you some insight into the best way to keep your neighbours in check.

Roll VT...

https://youtu.be/WxOqHz29M5k

If in Conqueror’s Blade we can loosely equate the Bow to a rifle and the Musket to a shotgun, where might the Short Bow be stowed on our metaphorical medieval gun rack? Well, as absurd as the comparison might be, let’s go with a modern submachine gun.

Ok, sure, you’re not going to be loosing off any more than a few dozen arrows per minute, but the rapidity with which you can take aim, fire and move towards your next objective is fairly typical of your contemporary skirmisher or scout; one whose task is to probe the enemy lines, report weaknesses and take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself without fully engaging with enemy forces or taking any undue risk.



With a Short Bow you don’t have the range of the standard bow, nor the stopping power of a musket, but you can still make your presence felt while fulfilling a unique battlefield role that the users of other ranged options are less able to perform.

You can, for example, become something of a distracting presence, by attracting the attention of the enemy and leading them away from matters that might be more pressing. Using waspish speed and threatening constant attack, it’s possible to deliver a feint that ties up more of the enemy that they can tactically afford, allowing allies to press home advantages elsewhere on the battlefield.

The short bow is also a capable secondary or support class, less able to deliver a crushing alpha strike, but able instead to root enemy Generals to the spot for others to focus their more substantial attacks upon. Supplement that with damage over time abilities and the Short Bow General surely deserves its place in the Conqueror’s Blade roster.
 

• Wrath of Artemis: Twin sister of Apollo and daughter of Zeus, Artemis comes from impressive Greek stock, and, being a famed hunter, is often depicted with a bow. Naturally, she’s not to be messed with, lest her wrath of five rapidly-delivered arrows be incurred.
   
• Poison Arrow: It was seen as advantageous in ancient times to use arrows to deliver toxins to debilitate an enemy. However, in medieval Europe, a filthy bit of rag trapped under a barbed arrowhead was probably just as draining to an enemy’s health.
   
• Bola: Sometimes, when you lack the firepower to bring down an enemy, it’s better to let your more heavily armed allies do it for you. What better way to enable a job well done than to pin your target to the ground for everyone to focus their ire upon.
   
• Penetrating Shot: As effective as arrows are at penetrating human flesh, to get through heavy armour the archer has to draw on immense personal strength and concentration. Thankfully this skill grants you amounts of both you didn’t know you had.
   
• Swift Dodge: It’s not a great idea for you to engage an enemy in hand-to-hand combat, especially if they have sharp implements in one or both of those hands. Thankfully, being unencumbered by armour and without a scabbard to cause you to trip over, you can quickly tuck into the limbs of your bow and attempt to roll away from danger.

Regardless of whether you took part in the action or jealousy watched from afar, we want to thank everyone who contributed to the recent Siege Tests that took place over the last two weekends.

As we knew there would be (and as some of you experienced), there were some issues to contend with, but nothing that seemed to dim our collective enthusiasm for Conqueror’s Blade. What’s important is that what issues remain are already being worked on as we prepare for the next test - the first phase of the closed beta test, no less.

While we pore over the technical data and user feedback from the two Siege Test weekends, you might like check out some of the videos and streams documenting the biggest battles that took place. There’ll be more to come from the community over the days ahead, but our favourites right now include:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRW_noumlaY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpSiQ4Iu9SA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThWWXDUoNWc

If you like to classify things into neat categories, you probably wouldn’t want to become an expert in medieval weaponry, least of all one that specializes in polearms, of which the poleaxe and the glaive are just two of a dozen or so confusing variants.



We can probably agree that all polearms are fearsome weapons, by virtue of being dangerous enough without the need to be attached to a lengthy haft, but in being so mounted it conflates to highlight their similarities rather than reveal what makes them different.

Essentially - which is to say simplistically - a poleaxe is polearm weapon closely related to the halberd, in that the profile of both is close to that of an axe rather than a hook (bill), sword (glaive) or scythe (fauchard).



Where the halberd and poleaxe differ is that the cutting blade of the of the latter tended to be a little smaller and the point longer.

The smaller head and piercing spear-like tip meant that less force was required by the user to penetrate plate armour, while the typically heavier, broader - and sometimes longer - halberd was better used to cleave into a more lightly-armoured foe.

In terms of effectiveness, the two weapons couldn’t be more different, even if when it’s difficult to tell them apart physically.



In terms of in-game effectiveness, the Poleaxe is practically impossible to distinguish from a halberd. Essentially they are one and the same and consequently it’s a weapon that seems equally as effective against light and heavily-armoured troops.

Partly, this is down to the fact that the Poleaxe character is paired with plate armour, which can lend the weidler an air of invulnerability that causes them engage the enemy rather impulsively and recklessly.



While the Poleaxe-wielding General is among the foremost vanguard classes in the game and can hold their own against among any other, it’s easy to ignore their weaknesses and get carried away in the moment.

• Bec du Corbin: Having a smaller, lighter head meant that poleaxes could be used in a similar way to quarterstaffs, which means they were great at hooking the legs out from under people.
   
• Lochaber Strike: Brace your weapon in the ground and you’ll be ready to repel almost any attack.
   
• Halberdier’s Thrust: There won’t be many generals on the battlefield who’ll be able to parry this powerful thrust forward.

If you’re not able to join us on the battlefield for this weekend’s Extended Siege Test, we hope that you’ll be able to follow the adventures of those that can.

Gaiscioch is pleased to announce that Conqueror's Blade is scheduled to stream on Sunday, November 4th, 2018 at 1:00pm PST (22:00 CET), as part of the Extra Life Charity Event Livestream series. It will air on http://gsch.info/twitch, and be available for later viewing on YouTube. Viewers will be able to catch up on prior Conqueror's Blade episodes by visiting http://gsch.info/l/539. You can learn more about Extra Life Charity Event at http://gsch.info/el.



There will be a number of streams and videos going live as hundreds of battles get underway, many of which we’ll be linking to in Discord and our other social media channels as the weekend progresses, but we just wanted to highlight a few channels you might like to tune into first.

You can also join us on Facebook Live with CM KillShift Saturday and Sunday at 8am PDT (22:00 CET)!

If after watching others join the fray you feel stirred to join them, it’s not too late to pick up an early access pre-order pack. Don’t forget that all pre-order packs come with access to all Conqueror’s Blade test phases, as well as a bunch of other fine stuff that will serve you long after testing has concluded.

We’ll keep this one short as you probably want to get stuck in as soon as possible, but as hinted at in the headline, the Extended Siege Test is now up and running.
 

Those who are eligible to take part should see the option to download and play the Conqueror's Blade test client in the My.com Game Center launcher. For those who acquired their access through Steam, just fire up Steam and hit Play. If you haven’t done so already, Steam customers will need to sign-up at My.com to unlock Siege Test access.
 

As well as two news maps and units, all new characters created during the Extended Siege Test will receive 300,000 Silver (bound) and 1,500 Honor to invest in themselves and new units as they make the journey towards level 15. Seeing as characters will be deleted afterwards, don’t be afraid to spend unwisely.
 

Whether you’re taking part or watching from afar, don’t forget to check out the updated FAQ before charging into battle. Also, please be aware of the following issues (we will endeavour to update this list during the course of the weekend, if and when required):
 

• Reported crash issues related to some AMD processors. This will hopefully be addressed before the next testing phase.
  
  
• High ping / lag is being investigated, although appears partially linked to “AFK penalties”. (NOTE: While the Extended Siege Test server will remain EU-based, there will be a separate NA server for the CBT.)
  
  
• General performance issues - this is under review. We will update min. system requirements if and when necessary  
  
  
• FIXED: “AFK penalties” (these were related to server / map loading issues).
  
  
• FIXED: FR/DE unable to access client without switching Game Center to EN. (Launcher now defaults to EN for Conqueror’s Blade only.)

 

The following streamers will be joined by a special guest later on today, who will be on hand to answer questions about the game:

EU (Friday, November 2, 18:00 CET / 10:00 a.m. PDT):

• Rimmy
• The Spiffing Brit
• Andy_J_
• darrel86gaming

The session will be broadcast live on the Conqueror’s Blade Facebook page if you’d rather watch things there.


NA (Saturday, November 3 & Sunday, November 4, 8am PDT (17:00 CET)):
Join us on Facebook Live with CM KillShift!


As ever, it’s not too late to join us in battle. We’ll be handing out access to a lucky few over the course of the weekend via our Facebook encampment, but if you can’t wait, pre-ordering will guarantee you access, not only to the Siege Test but all subsequent test phases.

• Download
  
• Extended Siege Test FAQ
• Discord
  
• Pre-Order
  
• Redeem Code
  
• Feedback

No sooner has the dust settled on the first Siege Test, then a second is almost upon us. This time, rather than battling over the bloody ramparts of Augolia, there are two new maps to fight for: Wall Fort (which is another 15v15 siege mode map) and Stalemate Creek, a deceptively quaint 8v8 skirmish map across which we expect to see some impressive flanking maneuvers (and no small number of foolish head-on charges).



As well as the two new maps, for newly-created characters there’ll be some welcome reinforcements (Cossack Swordsmen, Levy Spearmen, Levy Archers, Levy Arquebusiers and Dagger-Axe Scouts) and, between the battles, you can take your warlord up to level 15 - although remember that all characters will be wiped after the weekend’s activities.

...Yes, that’s right, this very weekend! The Extended Siege Test starts Friday, November 2, and will run through until Monday, November 5 (NA: Sunday, November 4). We’ll be sticking with timed slots similar to the first test and we’ll be working to minimise delays and downtime:

• Moscow: 18:00 - 06:00
  
• EU: 16:00 - 04:00
  
• UTC*: 15:00 - 03:00
  
• NA East: 11:00 - 23:00
  
• NA West: 08:00 - 20:00

*Please keep in mind that the server is set to UTC and does not take into consideration daylight saving time changes for the US.



Please remember however that these Siege Tests are designed to stress connectivity, authentication and server load, which means that any issues we have are issues we can work towards eliminating for the next stage. Better they crop up now than later, right?

If you had access to the first the Siege Test - even if you didn’t get around to playing it, you will be welcome to return for the second. However, unless you’ve pre-ordered Conqueror’s Blade you’re not guaranteed a slot for the soon-to-follow closed beta test phase. That’s not to say Siege access won’t allow you to play some part in the CBT, but if you want to be leading the charge as we approach the full scope of the game, you might want to consider the options.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement and hopefully we’ll see you on the battlements!

Pedants will rightly point out that a longsword commonly refers to the two-handed variant, but in the context of the game, let’s focus on what it represents - the knightly sword, which, in tandem with a brightly-daubed kite or heater shield, has long since become part of the iconic twinset of the medieval era.



An evolution of the Viking spatha, the common sword wasn’t so much the dominant weapon of the high medieval age as it was a popular backup. Where most other weapons had to be carried, a sword could be a conveniently sheathed until needed - such as when a spear had become lost or broken. And because swords were almost always stowed away, it became acceptable for them to be carried in everyday life, in much the same way that some societies accept handguns to be worn today. Indeed, in the process of swords becoming known as arming swords (secondary to the increasingly-popular bastard or long-sword), the term “sidearm” had effectively been primed for future use.
 

What made the sword so successful was its partnership with shields, of which, like swords, there were a huge variety to consider. They were, regardless of their size or shape, important pieces of armour used to deflect and parry incoming attacks. The bigger and thicker they were, the more protection they offered at a cost to how easily they could be maneuvered to reduce with any subsequent damage. Some shields, like the buckler or targe, were so small as to be practically useless on the battlefield, though when angled quickly and correctly they could withstand withering dueling blows better than even a strong hilted blade.



The main shield of the Longsword & Shield class is the heater shield, so named by the Victorians because its shape resembles that of a flat iron. Offering a good balance between protection and freedom of movement, the heater shield was a popular pairing with the common sword as their relative weights were comparable and allowed for an even centre of gravity. In-game this means that while the Longsword & Shield class is among the most defensive and is able to use their shield to soak up incoming damage, knowing when to press home an attack will often be the best form of defence.
 

• Sally Forth: We don’t traditionally think of the shield of an offensive weapon, but it’s actually a pretty good way to push forward - essentially using it as a battering ram to make some room and advance your lines. In a finely poised encounter, this ability can make all the difference.    
   
• Mercy of Heaven: Hunker down behind your shield and take some time to gather your thoughts. Hopefully in the process you can pick up a few health points. Think of it as divine healing.
   
• Martial Prowess: It’s all very well to sit there and take it, but sometimes you’ve just got to hit out and confront your attackers. With this skill you can burst out from behind your shield and let your enemy know just what you think of their unfriendly attitude.

Update, Saturday, October 27, 12:29 CEST: Generals, thanks to your active participation we have found and fixed several critical issues. For this reason we've decided to extend this weekends Siege Test times! The new hours for today's testing phase are the following:

• Moscow: Saturday, 18:00 - Sunday, 08:00
• EU: Saturday, 17:00 - Sunday, 06:00
• NA East: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - Sunday, 01:00 a.m.
• NA West: Saturday, 08:00 a.m. - Saturday, 10:00 p.m.

All times are the respective local times.



If you’ve been eager to be among the first to play Conqueror's Blade with others from around the world, the wait is finally over. The Conqueror’s Blade Siege Test, a preliminary event that aims to showcase and stress the game’s focal PvP mode, will soon be underway. Depending on where you are in the western world, from today and until October 27 these are the times when the you need to be ready to join the fray:

1st Window (RU + EU)*

• Moscow: 18:00 - 22:59
• EU: 17:00 - 21:59
• NA East: 11:00 - 15:59
• NA West: 08:00 - 12:59

2nd Window (NA)*

• Moscow: 03:00 - 07:59
• EU: 02:00 - 06:59
• NA East: 20:00 - 00:59
• NA West: 17:00 - 21:59

* All times are the respective local times.

Those with pre-orders or who have activated invite codes can download the Conqueror’s Blade Siege Test (20 GB). Once the files are installed you can create a character, pick a class and join fights across the Siege of Augolia map.

Press ‘J’ once you appear in-game to search for a battle to join. You’ll start either as an attacker outside the city walls, or as a defender within them. Before you charge the enemy, however, look around for any siege weapons you can use to thin their numbers down. Ideally, too, you’ll want to use chat and voice comms to try and coordinate efforts with your allies. When you do make contact with the foe, make use of the full range of your abilities and remember that, as a General, you’ll be the focus of any enemy attack. Use your troops as protection and try not to get too far ahead of them lest you become isolated. You’re a General after all, not a fantasy superhero.

Be aware of course that the Siege Test is only a small portion of Conqueror’s Blade, which in itself is likely to change between now and when the game goes fully live at the end of the year. If during the Siege Test you do experience undue effects with regards to gameplay, accessibility or performance, please let us know and keep an eye on our various social channels - Discord especially - for any service updates over the weekend.  

Even though the Siege Test is in session, it’s not too late to secure a place. Pre-order packs are still available, as part of which you’ll gain immediate access to the weekend fun and to the subsequent Close Beta Test phase - as well as receiving a headstart when the game goes live (when you can show off your exclusive armour)! For this Siege Test however, time is short. Remember that Saturday is when your final assaults and last stands will have to be made!

• Pre-Order
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• Siege Test FAQ
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