DRAGONHOLD 1.0 IS HERE!
This release represents far more than a change in version number. We have optimized major systems, redesigned key parts of the user experience, expanded the world, introduced new combat mechanics, improved enemies, added new missions and equipment, rebuilt progression features, and made it easier to jump directly into the content you want to play.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played Dragonhold during Early Access, reported bugs, shared feedback, started discussions, and helped us shape the game.
Welcome to Dragonhold 1.0.
A Faster, Smoother Dragonhold
One of our biggest priorities for 1.0 was improving overall performance.
We completed a major optimization pass on the game’s AI systems, significantly reducing the performance cost of managing enemies, civilians, and other characters throughout the world.
This is especially important because the world of Dragonhold is now more populated than ever. You will encounter many more civilians and NPCs while exploring, without the same level of performance impact caused by earlier versions of the AI.
We have also moved the dragon camera farther back by default, giving players a wider view of their surroundings and making movement and combat easier to read.
Performance and Camera Improvements
Major AI optimizations
Improved performance in populated areas
Reduced overhead from enemy and NPC behavior
Dragon camera moved farther back by default
Better visibility during exploration and combat
Introducing the Centurion Dragon
The Centurion Dragon has arrived.
Inspired by the armor and presence of ancient imperial warriors, this new dragon brings a powerful new visual identity to Dragonhold.
The Centurion Dragon is one of the major new additions arriving with version 1.0, and we cannot wait to see it take flight in your adventures.
The Supporters Menu
In-app purchases are being reactivated through a clearly marked Supporters button.
The Supporters section gives players who would like to contribute additional support to Dragonhold a dedicated place to do so via the purchase of cosmetics. There are no game modifying purchases, only cosmetics.
We appreciate every player who purchases the game, leaves a review, reports an issue, joins a discussion, recommends Dragonhold to a friend, or chooses to support its continued development through the Supporters menu.
Your support helps us continue improving the game and expanding what Dragonhold can become.
New Lock-On System
Dragonhold now includes a dedicated lock-on ability. Default: Middle mouse button
The new lock-on system makes it easier to focus attacks on a specific enemy, track moving targets, and maintain awareness during larger encounters.
This is particularly useful when fighting new enemy types that block, reposition, or pressure the player in different ways.
Revival Altars
Death no longer needs to immediately end your mission.
Revival Altars can now bring you back after you die during a match. Each quest provides up to five revives, giving players additional opportunities to recover from difficult encounters and continue their run.
Revival Altars are designed to keep missions moving while still making survival and resource management important.
Five revives are provided for each quest
Revival occurs during the active mission
Players can recover from mistakes without restarting the entire quest
Difficult encounters remain dangerous, but runs are less likely to end abruptly
Enemies Fight Differently Now
Enemy combat has received a major overhaul.
We have added new enemy archetypes with distinct behavior, attacks, and combat roles. Enemies should no longer feel like variations of the same opponent. Different archetypes now create different battlefield situations and require different responses from the player.
Enemies can also use stamina and blocking, allowing them to defend themselves and create more deliberate exchanges during combat.
Some soldiers can now equip heavy weapons, introducing a new enemy attack type with different timing, damage, and defensive requirements.
Enemy Combat Improvements
New enemy archetypes
More varied enemy behavior
Enemy stamina system
Enemy blocking
Heavy weapons for soldiers
New heavy attack type
More distinct combat roles
Improved encounter variety
Charging directly into every group may no longer be the best strategy.
A More Populated World
Dragonhold’s world is now filled with significantly more civilians and NPCs.
These characters help locations feel more active, lived-in, and connected to the events taking place around them. Alongside the population increase, we have introduced a new NPC dialogue system that allows characters to deliver more information, personality, lore, and commentary.
And yes, some NPCs have also been equipped with an extremely dangerous new ability:
Bad dad jokes.
You have been warned.
NPC and World Improvements
New NPC dialogue system
Many more civilians throughout the world
Expanded NPC conversations
Additional lore and world information
More environmental storytelling
New discussion threads
More bad dad jokes than anyone requested
More Lore, Information, and Discussions
Dragonhold contains a large world, and version 1.0 gives players more ways to understand it.
We have added numerous new discussion threads containing lore, gameplay information, character details, and additional context for the world and its conflicts.
These discussions are intended to make information easier to discover while giving players who want to dig deeper more material to explore.
Expect to find:
New lore discussions
Gameplay information
World-building details
Character and faction context
Additional NPC conversations
More clues about the wider story of Dragonhold
New Character Selection UI
Character selection has been redesigned to make each playable class easier to understand and identify.
The main interface now clearly displays available classes, helping players compare characters and make faster selections before entering a mission.
We have also introduced a new UI framework for selecting characters, equipping gear, and managing abilities.
Character and Equipment UI Improvements
Classes are now displayed directly in the main interface
Faster and clearer character selection
Redesigned character selection screens
Improved equipment interface
Improved ability management
More information available before entering a mission
Direct Mission Selection Is Now Standard
Players can now select missions directly as the standard way to begin playing.
This reduces unnecessary navigation and makes it much easier to choose the content you want. Whether you are continuing your progression, revisiting an earlier area, or entering one of the new missions, you can now get into the action more quickly.
The previous flow has been streamlined around direct access, clearer mission information, and faster deployment.
Multiple Saves and Cloud Saves
Dragonhold now includes a completely updated save system.
Players can create and manage multiple save files, allowing you to maintain separate playthroughs, experiment with different progression choices, or share the game without overwriting someone else’s progress.
We have also added Steam Cloud Saves, helping protect your progress and making it easier to continue playing across supported computers.
Save System Improvements
Quick Reference and Quick Facts
Need a reminder while playing?
Press the Tab button to access the new Quick Reference system.
The Quick Reference sheet provides immediate access to useful gameplay information without requiring players to leave the action and search through multiple menus.
Quick Facts have also been added to the Tab interface, making important information easier to review whenever you need it.
Tab Menu Features
New Quick Reference sheet
Quick Facts
Faster access to gameplay information
Easier reference during missions
Reduced menu navigation
Inventory, Equipment, and Ability Management
Inventory management has been significantly expanded for 1.0.
Players can now manage both equipment and abilities directly through the inventory while in the hub. Items also include an Ability Viewer, allowing you to inspect the abilities connected to equipment before deciding what to use.
We have also added the ability to salvage items, giving unwanted equipment a new purpose and improving long-term inventory management.
Inventory Improvements
Salvage unwanted items
View item abilities from the Items menu
Manage equipment from the hub inventory
Manage abilities from the hub inventory
Improved equipment and ability interface
Easier comparison of available items
New Steam weapons and shield
The Temple and the Hand of Fate
The previous mausoleum building has been replaced by the new Temple.
The Temple enables Dragonhold’s card system, known as the Hand of Fate, and serves as the new home for this part of the game’s progression.
This change gives the card system a clearer place within the world and makes it easier to understand how it connects to your broader journey.
The Dungeon Start card also now has its own dedicated dungeon, expanding the feature beyond its previous implementation.
Temple and Card System Changes
Mausoleum replaced by the Temple
Temple enables the Hand of Fate card system
Improved integration of cards into progression
Dungeon Start card now has a dedicated dungeon
Clearer presentation of card-related features
New Steampunk & Easy Mission
A brand-new steampunk mission has been added to Dragonhold.
We've added a few easy missions to help players learn about the game systems without constant threat or pressure; Missions with an easy objective in order to help you get your bearings.
Alongside the mission, we have added more than 7 new steampunk skins, allowing players to bring some industrial style into their adventures.
Steampunk Content
Complete Dragonhold 1.0 Patch Notes
Performance
Completed major AI optimization work
Improved performance during encounters
Improved performance in areas with many NPCs
Reduced AI processing overhead
Improved overall gameplay stability
Camera and Controls
Added a new lock-on ability
Moved the dragon camera farther back by default
Improved battlefield visibility
Improved target tracking during combat
Missions and Survival
Added Revival Altars
Players receive five revives per quest
Direct Mission Selection is now the standard option
Added a new steampunk mission
Added a dedicated dungeon for the Dungeon Start card
Enemies and Combat
Added new enemy archetypes
Improved enemy combat behavior
Added enemy stamina
Added enemy blocking
Added heavy weapons for soldiers
Added a new heavy attack type
Increased encounter and enemy variety
NPCs and World
Added a new NPC dialogue system
Added many more civilians and NPCs
Added new dialogue lines
Added additional lore and information
Added numerous new discussion threads
Added bad dad jokes to NPC dialogue
Saves
Interface
Redesigned the main UI to show character classes
Added a new character selection UI
Added a new equipment UI
Added a new ability management UI
Added a Quick Reference sheet to the Tab button
Added Quick Facts to the Tab button
Improved mission selection
Improved inventory navigation
Inventory and Abilities
Added item salvaging
Added an Ability Viewer to the Items menu
Added equipment management to the hub inventory
Added ability management to the hub inventory
Improved item and ability presentation
Temple and Cards
Replaced the mausoleum with the Temple
The Temple now enables the Hand of Fate card system
Improved card system integration
Added a dedicated dungeon for the Dungeon Start card
New Content
Added the Centurion Dragon
Added a new steampunk mission
Added more than 7 steampunk skins
Added new enemy types
Added new NPCs
Added new dialogue
Added new lore and information
Supporters
Reactivated in-app purchases
Added a clearly marked Supporters button
Consolidated optional supporter purchases into the Supporters section
Thank You for Helping Us Reach 1.0
Dragonhold would not have reached this point without the people who joined us during Early Access.
Every review, bug report, gameplay video, forum thread, suggestion, criticism, and word of encouragement helped us understand what needed to improve.
Version 1.0 is a major milestone, but it is not the end of our relationship with the game or its community. We will be watching your feedback closely as more players experience the new systems and content.
Please continue reporting any issues you encounter through the Steam Discussions. Reviews are also enormously helpful, particularly if you played an earlier version and would like to share your thoughts on how the game has changed.
Thank you for playing, supporting, and believing in Dragonhold.
The gates are open. The dragons are waiting.
We will see you in Dragonhold.
