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Stormgate — Stormgate Launch Day Patch Notes

Stormgate Launch Day Patch Notes

Welcome to the launch of Stormgate: Campaign One - Ashes of Earth!

This is our Necrolyte update, the biggest single update yet for Stormgate!

This release marks a major milestone as we exit Early Access and officially launch Stormgate on Steam with the full 12-mission Ashes of Earth Vanguard campaign, complete with new unlockable pets and 36 all-new Steam achievements.

We’re also introducing the first part of our revamped Celestial Armada faction, giving them a massive mechanical overhaul focused on streamlining complexity and improving playability. Plus, our brand-new Sigma Labs experimental hub debuts with the Terrain Editor Alpha, opening the doors to full community map-making and Custom Games support.

Competitive players can dive into a fresh ladder reset, and our progression system now tracks your factional growth across modes with new Player Card Nameplates. There's also new art, two wild new Challengers in Skirmish mode, bug fixes and a balance update for all factions.

Whether you're here for the story, the strategy, or the sandbox, this patch has something for every Stormgate commander.

Patch Notes:
**Campaign: **

The full Vanguard campaign is now available, featuring 12 story-driven missions. Each mission includes three Steam achievements, rewarding players for exploration, challenge, and mastery. For those who brave the campaign on Brutal difficulty, new unlockable pets await: Fuzzy Moth (Mission 6), Terror Byte (Mission 9), and Bobble BOB (Mission 12)—each a unique reward for overcoming the toughest fights Stormgate has to offer.

  • Vanguard Chapter 2: “The Raging Storms”

  • Mission 7: “Darkened Skies”

  • Mission 8: “Destroyer of Worlds”

  • Mission 9: “Dying Light”

  • Vanguard Chapter 3: “The Twisting Fates”

  • Mission 10: “Into Madness”

  • Mission 11: “Dead Reckoning”

  • Mission 12: “Edge of Eternity”

  • Campaign Chapter Pets - Unlock each pet by completing the mission on Brutal difficulty:

  • Mission 6 - Fuzzy Moth

  • Mission 9 - Terror Byte

  • Mission 12 - Bobble BOB

**Sigma Labs: **

Welcome to Sigma Labs, our experimental testing ground for features and modes that are still in development. Here, you’ll get early access to tools and content that aren’t fully polished, but are ready for community feedback. Currently, this area includes Co-op Missions, the Terrain Editor Alpha, and Custom Games. In the future, you may see even more modes appear here such as the much-anticipated Team Mayhem.

**Terrain Editor Alpha: **

The Terrain Editor Alpha is now open to everyone! You can jump in and start creating your own maps, share them with friends, and explore a growing library of custom experiences built by other players. Whether you're designing competitive arenas or wild experimental layouts, this is your space to get creative and bring your ideas to life.

We're calling this initial release the Terrain Editor Alpha because its current focus is on enabling the community to make custom maps using the standard ruleset for PvP games. This release of the editor doesn't include the tools that will be used to edit game data or triggers, but those will be coming in later releases. Be sure to join the #terrain-editor community on the official Stormgate Discord for tips, tricks, and even recruit playtesters to help you improve your original creations.

On top of bringing the Terrain Editor to everyone, we have also added a few new features since our previous round of testing:

  • Pathing tool

  • Rotated tool brushes

  • Camera-aligned object box selection

  • The collision budget is displayed in the editor

  • Minimap shows icons and trees

  • Added camera action to focus camera on selection

  • Added camera action to show the entire map from above

  • New in Editor page under Sigma Labs

  • Stormgates can be placed in the editor (there still must be 5)

  • To add a Stormgate to a map, place a Deactivated Stormgate with a StormgateObjective_TugOfwar on top of it

  • Deactivated Stormgate units need the following placed names: StormgateObjective1, StormgateObjective2, StormgateObjective3, StormgateObjective4, StormgateObjective5

  • StormgateObjective_TugOfWar capture points need the following placed names: StormgateCP1, StormgateCP2, StormgateCP3, StormgateCP4, StormgateCP5

**Co-op: **

Co-op is still up and running, and players can continue to enjoy it in its current state. Development on Co-op has been kept on the back-burner while we focused resources on other modes and features, but rest assured, this is not the end. Co-op is an important part of our vision, and we plan to return to it with full focus in future updates.

**Custom Games: **

Custom Games has been moved into Sigma Labs to keep it conveniently close to the Terrain Editor. Since Custom Games will be the go-to place for setting up and testing your custom maps, having them side by side makes the creation and playtesting process smoother.

  • Custom game map names are used in most places

  • Stormgates have been reworked to better support FFA

  • New loading screen UI to support a larger number of players

  • Updated observer/replay UI to support a larger number of players

Celestials Revamp:

The Celestial Armada has begun its long-awaited revamp, aiming to reduce complexity while preserving the faction's hallmark versatility and mobility. In this patch, we’re focusing on foundational mechanics, with deeper iteration on unit interactions planned for future updates.

Patch Highlights:

  • Arcships now function more like traditional command structures found in other factions. They produce workers, relocate, and cast faction-support abilities.

  • Collection Arrays have been significantly streamlined. They no longer act as pseudo-command structures, and all of their abilities have been removed.

  • Prisms are now aligned with standard worker behavior across factions. Up to 12 can mine from each Luminite mine.

  • The Therium Purifier has been removed. Prisms now harvest Therium directly, without needing to return it anywhere.

  • Morph Cores are no longer produced by Arcships. Instead, most Celestial structures now have an ability called Matter Reallocation, allowing them to refund most of their cost and transform into a Morph Core. This enables flexible repositioning or conversion into other structures.

  • Power Banks and Link Nodes have been merged into a single structure that can freely morph between three key modes:

  • Gracelight Node (healing)

  • Energizer Node (energy restoration)

  • Judicator Node (defensive turret)

  • Aeon Gates are now tier-2 structures built directly from the command panel.

  • The Power system has been simplified and no longer includes hidden benefits or effects.

For a complete breakdown of changes, see the balance updates below. We have even more changes for the Celestial Armada planned for future patches. Let us know what you think—and enjoy exploring the new Celestials!

**Challenger Skirmish: **

In this update, AI Skirmish mode has been expanded with two new unique Challengers to face off against, each featuring their own distinct Stats, Units, and Perks that showcase radically different playstyles and philosophies of war.

These new bot personalities are intentionally built around strong gimmicks, creating bold strategic identities with noticeable strengths and exploitable weaknesses. Their lopsided capabilities present a fun challenge for players to puzzle out, adapt to, and ultimately overcome through creative counterplay.

These are just the first of our new Challengers, with more unique AI opponents planned for future updates, including a Celestial Challenger coming later.

Major Galt: _The Commander - _Faction: Vanguard

Commands a Havoc faction infamous for their loyalty and relentless aggression. A charismatic mercenary-king, the Major’s speeches rally his ragtag soldiers into a frothing devotion, driving them and their machinery of war to the absolute limit. He is a walking contradiction: reckless but effective, arrogant but admired, and outrageous…but deeply dangerous.

Vokurka: _The Hag - _Faction: Infernal

Serves the Infernal Host as a conduit to the spirit realm, tapping into their honored cycle of life and death and harnessing its momentum to fuel her dark magic. Phantoms swarm as Vokurka’s Curse assails her enemies. Her summoned spirits fear no end, embracing their demise as yet another chance at victory.

Campaign and Ladder Reset:

**Campaign Progress Reset: **We are resetting certain hero progression elements, but your overall campaign progress will remain intact. This means all completed campaign levels, along with the difficulties you've cleared them on during Early Access, will be preserved. However, hero-specific progress—such as hero levels, items, and talents—will be reset to ensure a fresh and balanced start.

**Ladder Reset: **The competitive ladder is also being reset. All players will start from the same point, offering a fair opportunity to climb the ranks and compete in the new season.

**Player Profiles and Account Progression: **

This update introduces the first version of _Stormgate’s _account progression system. Players can now level up their Vanguard, Infernal, and Celestial races by earning Storm Points through Campaign, Co-op, Versus, and Skirmish matches (Custom Games support coming later!). As you progress, you’ll unlock a new type of cosmetic, Player Card Nameplates, which are displayed on your in-game Player Card and reflect your race-specific progression.

  • **Steam Profile Pictures: **Your Steam avatar is now displayed as your profile picture in game.

  • **Progression Types: **We have added a couple types of progression to be aware of beyond Versus Ranks/Leagues and Co-op Commander levels that already exist.

  • **Account Levels: **Playing any mode contributes to your overall Account Level which is usually visible on your portrait. Reaching a higher Account Level will increase your Account Tier, upgrading the borders around your portrait and player card.

  • **Faction Levels: **Additionally, playing in any mode will level up whichever of the three main factions is associated with what you just played. For example, playing as Maloc in Co-op will increase your Infernals faction level, and playing the Vanguard Campaign will increase your Vanguard faction level. We have added a handful of nameplates that appear behind your name on your player card that can be unlocked by leveling up the different factions.

  • Steam Integration Improvements: We’ve made improvements to how Stormgate connects with Steam, making it easier than ever to find and connect with your Steam friends in-game. This is just the beginning—expect more enhancements in future updates.

**Steam Achievements: **

Steam Achievements are finally here! In this first iteration, we've focused on Campaign mode, adding 36 achievements—3 for each of the 12 missions. These range from straightforward objectives to hidden challenges, rewarding players for strategy, exploration, and mastery. Here is the full list of these new achievements:

  • **Mission 1: Ghosts of the Past: **

  • Ghost of the Past (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Ghost of the Past” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Lost and Found - Locate the secret stash in the mission “Ghost of the Past”.

  • Unnatural Selection - Kill the Incarnate in the mission “Ghost of the Past”.

  • Mission 2: City of Skulls

  • City of Skulls (Brutal) - Complete the mission “City of Skulls” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Xenobotanist - Locate all flora samples in the mission “City of Skulls”

  • King Nothing - Defeat the Marauder Warlord in the mission “City of Skulls”.

  • Mission 3: Ash and Bone

  • Ash and Bone (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Ash and Bone” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Fully Operational - Repair all the abandoned city defenses in the mission “Ash and Bone”.

  • Not a Scratch - Don’t let the convoy take more than 250 damage in the mission “Ash and Bone”

  • Mission 4: Grim Company

  • Grim Company (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Grim Company” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Battlefield Logistics - Fully upgrade the Artillery Tower and recover all supply caches in the mission “Grim Company”.

  • No One Left Behind - Complete the mission “Grim Company” without losing any resistance forces.

  • Mission 5: Veiled Fate

  • Veiled Fate (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Veiled Fate” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Tactical Collapse - Block all 3 pathways using debris in the mission “Veiled Fate”.

  • Guardian Angel - Protect Amara from all damage during the final holdout.

  • Mission 6: Traitor's Bay

  • Traitor’s Bay (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Traitor's Bay” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Live Free or Die - Rescue all prisoners in the mission “Traitor’s Bay”.

  • Their Guns, Our War - Gain control of all enemy Wall Turrets in the mission “Traitor’s Bay”.

  • Mission 7: Darkened Skies

  • Darkened Skies (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Darkened Skies” on Brutal difficulty.

  • System Override - Secure all weaponized platforms in the mission “Darkened Skies”.

  • Ghost in the Code - Complete the mission “Darkened Skies” in under 15 minutes.

  • Mission 8: Destroyer of Worlds

  • Destroyer of Worlds (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Destroyer of Worlds” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Celestial Conduit - Secure all power sites in the mission “Destroyer of Worlds”.

  • Avatar of Destruction - Kill 100 enemies using Arkulus powers in the mission “Destroyer of Worlds”.

  • Mission 9: Dying Light

  • Dying Light (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Dying Light” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Critical Reserves - Secure all supply caches in the mission “Dying Light”.

  • We Keep Them Safe - Complete the mission “Dying Light” without letting any civilians die.

  • Mission 10: Into Madness

  • Into Madness (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Into Madness” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Tear the Veil - Destroy all Eldritch Vortexes in the mission “Into Madness”.

  • Blink and You're Dead - Destroy a Desolator within 15 seconds of it spawning in the mission “Into Madness”

  • Mission 11: Dead Reckoning

  • Dead Reckoning (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Dead Reckoning” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Atlas, Rise - Reactivate all heavy mechs in the mission “Dead Reckoning”.

  • Cold Hard Cache - Claim 2500 or more total resources from neutral structures in the mission “Dead Reckoning”.

  • Mission 12: Edge of Eternity

  • Edge of Eternity (Brutal) - Complete the mission “Edge of Eternity” on Brutal difficulty.

  • Terminal Protocol - Complete all bonus objectives in the mission “Edge of Eternity”.

  • No Time for Eternity - Complete the mission “Edge of Eternity” in less than 15 minutes.

**Backer Rewards: Name a Unit **

A huge thank you to all the backers who purchased the Name a Unit perk through Kickstarter or Indiegogo! Your chosen names have now been added to the game and are randomly assigned to units as you build them. Keep an eye out—you might just spot your custom name on the battlefield. The Create an NPC backer perks are still in the works and will be coming later. We can’t wait to bring those characters to life.

Twitch Drops – Digital Distortion Fog of War:

From August 5 to September 1, tune into participating Twitch streams to earn the exclusive Digital Distortion Fog of War cosmetic through Twitch Drops! Just watch eligible streams while logged into your linked account, and the reward will be yours. Don’t miss your chance to add this unique visual effect to your collection! Click here for the full details of how to redeem drops or enable drops for your stream.

Pricing and Bundle Adjustments:

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