HOUND13 released DragonSword: Awakening update 1.1.0 on October 15, 2026, introducing a new playable companion, additional combat challenges, a damage-testing system and extensive balance adjustments. The update also expands the game’s quest content and introduces three paid cosmetic DLC packs.
According to the official Steam patch notes, the update focuses on improving character builds, expanding endgame activities and giving players more options for testing their combat performance. Most of the additions are available to existing players without additional purchases.
One of the main additions is Ryza, the game’s 20th playable hero and one of the Six Heroes who previously defeated the Origin Dragon Arugal. Known as the Spear of Annihilation, Ryza specializes in rapid spear attacks and lightning-based abilities that inflict the Shock status effect.
Her combat mechanics involve planting spears across the battlefield, moving between their locations and retrieving them to damage nearby enemies. Players can unlock Ryza by completing Adventure Quest 53, titled Reunion. Those who completed the quest before installing the update receive her automatically.
Ryza also receives an entry in the Hero Codex and an exclusive Karma called The Scar Lightning Left Behind, which can be obtained through the Exchange.
The update introduces a Training Ground where players can experiment with character combinations, abilities and equipment without entering regular combat encounters. The facility is accessible by speaking to Edric, the Training Ground Keeper, outside Roderic Palace.
Players can choose between a stationary Ogre training dummy and active Ogre or Goblin opponents. Once combat begins, the system measures total damage and damage per second (DPS), allowing players to compare the effectiveness of different builds and attack rotations.
Hunt challenges have also received substantial changes. A new Score and Rank system evaluates performance when defeating Hunt bosses, with faster completion times producing higher scores. Players can earn additional points by performing Perfect Dodges, applying status effects and breaking enemy Super Armor.
Each Hunt boss now offers first-time ranking rewards across its difficulty levels. HOUND13 has also introduced Hell as the sixth Hunt difficulty, providing another challenge for players progressing through the game’s combat content.
The developer has reduced monster statistics on Nightmare difficulty to account for the wider combat adjustments. Clear-time measurements for Hunts, Raids and regular dungeons now begin when combat starts rather than immediately upon entering a dungeon.
Combat rebalancing is another major component of version 1.1.0. HOUND13 has revised the critical-hit formula so that a character’s displayed Critical Rate directly determines the probability of landing critical hits. Monster critical resistance has been removed, meaning characters with a 100% Critical Rate will consistently deliver critical hits.
Equipment attributes and skill bonuses have been adjusted alongside this change. For example, Eileen’s Critical Damage bonus from Vanguard Banner with Exclusive Karma has been reduced from 50% to 20%, while Sion’s Critical Rate bonus from Justice Fall has decreased from 20% to 10%.
The Defense Ignore calculation has also changed. Although some displayed damage numbers may now appear lower, monster health has been reduced proportionally, with maximum HP reductions reaching 44% for certain giant bosses. HOUND13 says these adjustments are designed to keep actual defeat times largely comparable.
A new equipment attribute, Status Effect Additional Attack Power Increase, strengthens attacks against enemies affected by conditions such as Stun or Bleed.
Numerous heroes have received individual skill adjustments affecting damage, Rage consumption and combat effectiveness. Eileen’s Barraging Spear and Brave One abilities now consume less Rage, while Castella’s Rage efficiency has been improved to reinforce her role in breaking Super Armor. The damage bonus for having multiple characters mounted on a boss simultaneously has also increased by 20%.
Beyond combat, version 1.1.0 adds Othello’s Hero Quest, What the Wind Asks, which becomes available through the Hero Log after completing Chapter 5. The update also adds eight world-map pin categories, expands cooking Quick Slots from two to three and introduces an option to disable Tag Combo animations.
Other improvements include additional quest markers, adjustments to hero recruitment guidance, localization corrections, achievement notifications and fixes affecting controller interactions and Steam Deck gameplay.
Alongside the free update, HOUND13 released three costume DLC packs, each containing an outfit and matching weapon skin. Minstrel of the Black Stage provides Othello with a new costume and the Lute of the Hidden Eve weapon skin. Royal Ceremonial Knight Uniform adds a costume and Royal Ceremonial Sword for Reina, while Blue March Apprentice Uniform includes an outfit and Blue March Banner Lance for Eileen.
Each DLC costs $3.99 in the United States, with regional pricing varying by market. All three are available through the Oath & Ballad Set, which provides a 20% bundle discount. Players who already own individual packs can purchase the remaining items through Steam’s Complete the Set system.
HOUND13 also released update 1.1.1 on October 15 to address three problems discovered after the main patch. These included an issue preventing some players from leveling Ryza after unlocking her, a progression blocker involving Reina in Adventure Quest 45 and Hunt ranking rewards that could not be consumed correctly.
The corrective update resolved those issues, although fixing the Hunt rewards required the developer to reset Hunt ranks, scores and rewards. Players can earn the first-time ranking rewards again following the reset.
DragonSword: Awakening version 1.1.0 and its subsequent fixes are available on Steam.
