Shiro Games, the French studio behind the medieval tactics RPG Wartales, has unveiled its latest DLC, The Skelmar Invasion, available now on PC via Steam and GOG. This expansion introduces a host of new features, including siege battles, an uncharted map, and community-requested gameplay elements.
A Call to Arms in Ormance
Set in the once-prosperous county of Ormance, The Skelmar Invasion tasks players with reclaiming lands overrun by the vicious Skelmar forces. Under the leadership of High Jarl Sven, the Skelmars have unified for the first time in history, unleashing a relentless assault across Edoran. The DLC invites players to step into the role of rebel commanders, rallying scattered survivors, liberating baronies, and rebuilding the ravaged countryside.
Players will face the challenge of freeing Ormance from enemy control one barony at a time. Each area of the map is mired in chaos, with fortified strongholds serving as the focal point of resistance. Successfully toppling these fortresses allows players to restore ruined settlements, unlocking progression options for their warband and strengthening the growing resistance.
Introducing Siege Battles
One of the standout features of The Skelmar Invasion is the addition of siege battles, a long-requested feature by the Wartales community. These intense, multi-phase conflicts require players to gather their forces, break through fortified defenses, and confront powerful enemies within strongholds.
Battles begin with skirmishes outside castle walls, where players must breach gates and neutralize watchtowers raining deadly arrows. Once inside, they face tactical challenges as they navigate the stronghold’s interior, eliminate adversaries, and defeat its leader to claim victory.
Game Director Quentin Lapeyre shared the team’s excitement about this feature:
“Siege battles introduce a whole new way to play the game from a strategic level. We’re beyond thrilled to finally get this into players’ hands and watch them wage war to liberate Ormance.”
Strengthening the War Effort
Victory in The Skelmar Invasion hinges on players’ ability to manage three critical resources: manpower, construction materials, and supplies. Manpower recruits local fighters, construction materials rebuild ruined infrastructure, and supplies ensure the army remains equipped and fed. Strategic decisions about how to allocate these resources will shape the player’s campaign to liberate Ormance.
Reclaimed areas offer more than just morale boosts. Farms, watchtowers, and other locations provide valuable resources or military advantages, further fueling the war effort. Every choice players make will bring them closer to freeing Ormance from the clutches of the Skelmar invaders.
Launch Details and Availability
The Skelmar Invasion DLC is priced at $19.99/€19.99/£16.99, with a two-week launch discount of 10%. For newcomers, a bundle including the base game and DLC is available at a special price of $33.50. Both options are accessible via Steam and GOG.
A Rich Legacy of Tactical Gameplay
Since its release in April 2023, Wartales has captivated players with its open-world exploration, turn-based combat, and gritty medieval atmosphere. It currently boasts a Very Positive rating on Steam with over 24,000 reviews.
Players lead mercenaries through a vast world of bounties, banditry, and survival, building their own stories of wealth and notoriety. With several major expansions under its belt, The Skelmar Invasion marks another release in the evolving the Wartales experience.
The previous three DLCs for the game have had a mixed reception (Mostly Negative, Mixed, and Mostly Positive) and it will remain to be seen how this latest one is received by fans.
About Shiro Games
Based in Bordeaux, France, Shiro Games is known for its innovative and engaging titles, including Northgard and Dune: Spice Wars.
For more information about Wartales and The Skelmar Invasion, visit the official website or follow Shiro Games on Twitter, Facebook, or Discord.
