DRAGONHOLD 1.0 IS HERE!

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.

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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.

[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44534026/8ec6de1bf7f582001df340a07222dd9739790218.png"]

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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

[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44534026/8610442f1dbf54ea1921650c86335bbbb23670b5.png"]

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.

[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44534026/d89ffe7cf9a76cf809dc3dbae82bd1df143670b3.png"]

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

• New save system

• Multiple save slots

• Easier save management

• Steam Cloud Save support

• Improved reliability when storing progression

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

[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44534026/559439bbbb8412d1f6843e15f8fb20baae097bf1.png"]

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

• New steampunk mission

• More than 7 new steampunk skins

[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44534026/ccf4c245bad3adfe858dad0f9a94f5990a1ec54e.png"]

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

• Added a new save system

• Added multiple save slots

• Added Steam Cloud Saves

• Improved save management

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.