The headline feature is the introduction of Seaborne Village Raids. This isn't just a minor tweak; it fundamentally changes how you project power across Calradia's coastlines. You can now land your fleet directly at coastal settlements to trade, recruit fresh meat for your shield wall, or put the village to the torch. For players who have felt the naval side of the game lacked teeth, this update provides a legitimate reason to invest in a fleet over a traditional cavalry host.
Naval combat itself has received a much-needed overhaul to make it more rewarding. Troop XP gain in naval fights has been buffed by 50%, making sea-faring campaigns a viable way to level up your elite units quickly. Furthermore, the AI is now significantly more active on the water, and the new ability to delegate ship command means you can focus on the tactical boarding actions while your captains handle the maneuvers.
On the landward side, the base game hasn't been ignored. Diplomacy and alliance mechanics have been refined to feel more logical, and the army influence thresholds have been doubled. This change means keeping a massive host together is now a true test of your political acumen and prestige, preventing the late-game steamroll where lords effortlessly maintain giant armies indefinitely.
New gear and vessels have also arrived to support the Nord and Battanian playstyles:
- Battanian Barlinnger: A nimble vessel designed for coastal maneuvering.
- Nord Battle Knarr: A sturdy, high-capacity warship built for heavy boarding actions.
- New Nord Armor: Multiple variants to ensure your housecarls look the part during a raid.
While PC players can dive in now, console players on PlayStation and Xbox can expect the update to land in early June.
Soren