Wartales is adding mounted combat for free, and Steam players can try it now
Wartales is preparing to put its mercenaries on horseback. A free update will add mounted combat, a Horseman mastery and horse breeding, and PC players can try the changes now through an open beta on Steam.
Developer Shiro Games says the beta runs until November 18. It covers the free systems, not the separate Knights of Fardensa expansion’s new region and story. That expansion is scheduled for December 9, alongside the free update.
The new Horseman mastery sits alongside a companion’s existing class. Riders can fight with a lance and build Momentum through movement, while enemies capable of dismounting them add another positioning problem to the tactical RPG’s turn-based battles.
Image: Shiro Games
Horses are coming to every player
Shiro says players will not need to own Knights of Fardensa to use mounted combat or horse breeding. When a fighter is knocked off a horse, the companion goes back to using their original class.
Image: Shiro Games
Mounts will have their own specialisations, and Horseman skills can be unlocked through challenges. The planned stable and breeding systems let players work on their horses’ stats and customise coats.
The paid expansion is a separate proposition. Shiro describes Fardensa as a new region inspired by Renaissance Florence, with rival noble families, a political story and five legendary horses. Those expansion-specific locations and quests are not included in the current beta.
Image: Shiro Games
How to join the Steam beta safely
In the Steam library, right-click Wartales, choose Properties and open the Betas tab. Select the Open Beta branch from the drop-down menu, then launch the game. Shiro’s announcement says the test is intended to gather feedback on mounted combat, horse progression and breeding.
The developer recommends backing up your save before trying the test. Its listed save folder is Steam\steamapps\common\Wartales\save; it also advises against overwriting the save used for the live version, to protect your existing progress.
The beta is a preview rather than the final release, so mechanics and balance may change. Players who would rather keep their current version can wait for the free update to arrive alongside the expansion.
