This week, our team took a couple of days off to recover and finally catch up on some sleep. We’re back now! Are you ready? Let’s go!
We Promise and We Deliver
Not long ago we announced DLC “Nightmares of Millenis” (by the way, feel free to add it to your wishlist). Now we’ll tell you a bit about this decision and what the DLC means to us and our players. Our team has always strived to be open with our community. We’ve already mentioned that support for the game will continue and that we’ll keep improving it. The idea to release an expansion that would be a new step in the game’s development came to us quite some time ago. We have a lot of new content prepared, and we want to bring it to life and share it with you.
This is also our way of thanking the community. Your feedback, support, and the enthusiasm with which you embraced our game inspire us every day. You helped us to turn our idea into something more than just a game. Now we’d like to express our gratitude by releasing the DLC that we promised to give for free to everyone who purchased the game during Early Access.
What can you expect from this expansion? We won’t reveal all the details just yet, but we can say that we’re working on adding something unique and meaningful to the game — something that will give you new experiences and diversify the game-play. We’ll also try to take into account the feedback we’ve received since the release so that the DLC content becomes a true gift, both for long-time fans and for those who have only recently joined our community.
Stay tuned! And most importantly, thank you for staying with us.
Is There Life In The Mariana Trench Of Bugs?
Yes, there is. That life is us, trying to promptly fix the issues you report to us. For example, one of the stark changes that happened with the release was the availability of all the heroes before the storyline is fully completed. Initially, we liked this idea—after all, we wanted to motivate our players to move forward, not linger on a single character. Although the plot limits are the same for all the three heroes, they differ greatly in their actions and reactions. However, after receiving feedback, we realized that not everyone agreed with this decision.
Now players can play as any hero at any time. But we still have room for improvement—we need to change the UI to inform players more transparently on how to start playing as a new hero. All of that is possible thanks to your feedback.
Another example is the issue the players encountered during the meeting with Sigismund. A flood of reports helped us identify the problem and eventually fix it—maybe not on the first try, but we got there. There are examples of how your feedback has influenced the game itself. The first few days after the release, players reported that the Elven set was too imbalanced: if you collected just two items, you could win the game with your eyes closed. Well, we gave it some thought and made the set bonuses more, shall we say, down to earth. The “Evasion” buff, which was previously granted to the hero for not having block at the end of a turn, is now given if there’s an enemy with the intention to attack on the field. Bug reports from the early pirated versions are especially “dear” to our hearts. Bad news, “pirates”! To get rid of bugs, you need to update the game on Steam :)
We also reworked some cards—adjusted their costs here and there, added or changed their effects. We detail that in the patch notes. And all of this is thanks to you!
A minha língua, eles falam a minha língua?
We can’t ignore the critical issue of localization problems. We’ve realized their extent and we’re addressing them as they arise. Unfortunately, our team doesn’t speak all the languages into which the game has been translated, so it wasn’t possible to check everything thoroughly. However, with the help of our players, we’re managing to identify these errors and fix them. We want to warn you that this process isn’t the quickest and it will take us a considerable amount of time to finish the task.
Meanwhile, here’s a funny case from the Portuguese localization: the Frontier boss "Archdruid" was translated as “Arco Druida,” when the correct translation is “Archidruida.” “Arco Druida” is just some sort of architectural-druidic mix. Well, we had a good laugh, sighed in resignation, and got to fixing the error.
We’d like to address our players who report errors in Polish, German, French, and other translations. Please, when reporting these issues, mention the card names and use the exact words as they appear in the game. This will make it much easier for us to find and fix the discrepancies. Otherwise, searching for the problem takes too long or even becomes impossible, which makes both us and you sad.
KOTCL + VR
A member of our Discord server shared their experience of playing KOTCL, but not in the usual way, but in virtual reality. We haven't received that kind of feedback from players before, and to be honest, we’re quite impressed. The player's verdict: it’s fun and very comfortable. We think it looks really cool! It seems like it might be worth trying to meet with Millenis in VR :)
How About Some Chit-Chat?
Hi, this is Andrew aka Innrey, the founder of RedBoon. It’s been two weeks since the release, and it’s been pretty intense and challenging two weeks. I can confidently say that we gave it our all (and then some), so a few days off were needed for us this week. We’re still recovering from the release fever and gradually getting back into the working and creative processes, so our dev diaries might be a bit shorter than usual for a while. We hope you’ll understand and forgive us.
Of course, I’m still keeping an eye on our server and streams, as well as watching recordings of past streams to see players’ reactions and their audience’s feedback, identify bugs, and spot oversights. It’s really encouraging to see that the game has been warmly received. We didn’t expect this level of reaction and interest. Yes, there’s a fair amount of problems, but we’ve talked about that a lot already. What’s important is that we’re making progress and the number of bugs is gradually decreasing—we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I especially want to thank all the active members of our Discord community. The server is finally bustling with activity—you’re having discussions, sharing your impressions and tactics, and suggesting ideas. Join us if you haven’t yet! I’m really happy to see such engagement. Our team and I read everything you post. We’re accepting your suggestions, drawing ideas from it, and finding inspiration. A few words about what’s happening in the near future. We’re working hard on improving the game, a lot of exciting stuff is coming up, and of course, we’ll be engaged in full-scale work on the DLC. In all of this you help us move forward.
Once again, I thank you all for your support, activity, and patience! We’ll continue to do the best we can to meet your expectations and make Knock on the Coffin Lid an even cooler game.
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PATCH 1.0731 IS AVAILABLE!
Knock, knock, Seekers!
We've released a small update, 1.0731, where we've fixed several important issues.
We've implemented a backup system for save file recovery. If you encounter any problems with saves, be sure to let us know on our Discord server!
Changes:
Now, when equipping/unequipping items, the availability of responses in events undergoes an additional check (for example, you won't be able to sacrifice 70 HP if you have less than 70 HP after removing armor).
Fixed a softlock in the battle with the “Ghost” when playing as Vanadis.
Fixed damage numbers appearing out of nowhere when a mass attack kills both main enemies and cowardly ones (who would flee and die simultaneously after the main enemies died).
Fixed a softlock that occurred when a user opened the inventory at the same time as opening the inventory to remove an item.
Fixed the maximum number of cards in hand for Vanadis, which is now standard like everyone else - 10 cards.
Fixed a softlock in several events. Removed the event linked to the Enter key, which previously skipped text.
Fixed a softlock in the tutorial that occurred when exiting right after closing the deck/discard pile menu and attempting to continue the game.
Fixed the "Pass" card for Vanadis.
Fixed the functionality of the "Vassal Shoes."
Fixed the issue of a long delay at the end of the timer in the final battle with Millenis.
The "Inner Reserves" card - fixed an issue where it would drop when playing as Bjorn.
Fixed an issue where battle effects persisted if they were the cause of victory.
Fixed a bug where the "Luck" card did not provide an additional reward.
Fixed a bug where the "Bone Bow" would kill its owner.
Fixed the incorrect calculation of Strength that Bjorn receives from the reward in Ascension.
Fixed the functionality of the "Ice Age" Ascension.
Fixed a bug where Mortis' starting reward did not work when playing as Bjorn.
Removed delays in the animations of the end-turn widget to avoid getting stuck in certain states.
Fixed an error when playing as Vanadis, where ending a battle with a "Bone Shot" did not reduce health.
The anouncement of DLC 'Nightmares of Millenis'
Knock-knock, travelers!
We’re excited to announce the release of the DLC 'Nightmares of Millenis'. The story continues, and you’ll be amazed at how the deck is shuffled in unexpected ways.
Add it to your wishlist. And here’s some great news for those who purchased the game before release: you’ll get this DLC for free!
A new update has been released, not only fixing bugs but also adding new features.
New Features:
Added a batch of various item cards.
Added a test environment for karma checking.
Added default battle buttons in the Sigismund event.
It is now possible to dodge the Golem's self-destruction.
Fixes:
Fixed the effect of Demonic Armor.
The "Heavy Gaze" intention of the Mirrored Prince now works correctly.
Fixed a bug where quest dialogues in the crypt were not being replaced with default ones.
The "Premonition" card has been fixed - it was working as an auto-cast, but the description indicated it should target.
Changed the conditions for calculating karma in final battles when playing as Persival and Bjorn.
Fixed a bug where the "Core Stabilization" card did not work for Vanadis when a pet was summoned.
Fixed the achievement for defeating the "Thing" - avoid being devoured.
Opening the achievement through a buff on the character.
Fixed the achievement "Kill the Cult Leader before his rebirth."
Fixed the achievement for the "Wonder Weapon" - the Keeper of Greed.
Fixed the achievement "I Cast Fist."
Fixed the achievement "Iron Outside, Iron Inside."
Fixed the achievement "Boundless Power" for Vanadis.
Fixed the achievement "Today I Play for the Dwarves."
Fixed the achievement "I Tried to Help."
Fixed the achievement "I’ll Save You for Dessert."
Expanded the event branch for finding the password when playing as Vanadis.
Fixed the localization key error in the "Tumbleweed" event.
Fixed the behavior of the allied elf recruit.
Fixed a bug where the event log entry would not update when playing as Persival.
Fixed the operation of the "Transformation" card.
Fixed the "Worm's Spike" trophy.
Fixed immortal enemies.
Micro-nerfed the allied Golem.
Fixed the transition to the final part of the last battle for Vanadis (unit teleportation) when encountering Sigismund of Illusions and Sigismund of Greed.
Fixed a bug in the "Batch of Eggs" event battle where collecting an egg would be credited to an ally.
Changed the behavior of the Elf Protector, which led to endless combat.
Fixed the greeting phrase for Grutall and Mogot.
Fixed the interaction conflict between the "Knight's Set" bonus (4 items) and the "Forest Breeze" card.
Fixed a narrative error in the "Taking Care of Ancestors" event for Vanadis.
Fixed a bug where the Gatekeeper would not take damage from spikes.
Fixed a bug where "Poisonous Spikes" would trigger through spike damage ignoring.
Fixed the localization error of the "Apathy" modifier buff.
Fixed the behavior of Volg the Champion.
Changed the behavior of the Elf Protector, which led to endless combat.
Fixed an error where the "Clan Amulet" could not be presented in the "Arena" event.
Fixed an error where the road from the "Mite’s Bride" to the "Mad Alchemist" might not appear.
Fixed the casting animation for Sigismund, the Demon of Illusions.
Fixed a bug where healing from the "Cheating Death" intention did not work.
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KOTCL Developer Diaries: One Week After Release. We're Alive!
Knock-knock, travelers!
This is Andrey, aka Innrey, founder of RedBoon. The first week has passed, and I wanted to take a moment to talk to you and share some updates.
First and foremost, I want to express my immense gratitude to everyone who has noticed us. There are so many of you that we’re still in shock. At the same time, we couldn’t be happier that our game has garnered so much attention. Thank you all for your streams, your attention, your feedback, and your incredible support! We see, watch, and read everything you’re saying, and it’s incredibly inspiring for us. We’re working hard to improve the game and promise that, thanks to your feedback, we’ll be able to bring it to perfection in the coming months.
Let me share some numbers. The average time spent in KOTCL is 14 hours (which is already great), and the average daily number of players online is around 1600. Our record is approximately 2500 players at once! That’s a huge number for us (and our bugs).
Speaking of bugs, yes, given that we didn’t expect such a huge surge of "playtesters," things turned out the way they did. Unfortunately, we simply didn’t have the capacity to test everything as thoroughly as you have. But thanks to your reports, we’re managing to fix them quickly. As one of our players said on our Discord server, “If there are no bugs in your program, it just means you haven’t found them yet.” And that’s true :) So, we’re still tackling a mountain of bugs, but it’s rapidly shrinking. At the very least, we’ve already fixed most of the critical issues that were breaking the game.
This past week, we’ve really been on a roll. We haven’t slept much, but we’ve gotten a lot done. So, we’ll probably take a few days to rest and catch up on sleep. After that, with fresh energy, we’ll dive back in full force! We promise to reduce the number of patches and do more testing so you can enjoy the game without issues. If you have the time to help us with testing, we’d love to see you on the open beta branch. Also, a big balance patch is coming soon, so don’t miss it!
Once again, thank you for your support and attention! We’ll do everything we can to ensure that Knock on the Coffin Lid reaches perfection.
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We Need Your Help!
Hello everyone!
I'd like to reach out to the community for help with testing our new save file system and some recent fixes.
The issue we're facing is that some players have experienced complete loss of game progress, with their save files being wiped out for reasons we don't yet understand. This also affected the Steam cloud saves, leaving them empty as well. To address this, we've developed our own save file verification system. However, we need to test it thoroughly before rolling it out to the live version. Based on player bug reports, it seems that the loss of save data occurs during unexpected game shutdowns or after using Alt+F4. For example, this can happen when the game is closed during biome transitions or while watching cutscenes.
Today, we've added a new build to the open beta branch. We kindly ask everyone who can to switch to this branch and continue playing on it, ideally closing the game at unexpected moments.
IMPORTANT! Please make a backup of your save files to avoid losing all your progress. Here's where to find your save files:
If your game is saved in the first slot, the file will be in the Save0 folder; if it’s in slot 2 or 3, the files will be in save2 and save3 folders, respectively.
Guide on how to switch branches with pictures
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How to Play as Bjorn? He’s a Lycan After All
Bjorn, our Bjorn… We've received so many different reviews and comments about him since the release! Despite the variety of opinions, most people agree on one thing: "Bjorn is hopelessly broken." But that’s not true. With the right strategy, he can become a powerful and resilient machine for crushing enemies. Ever since his introduction during the early access phase, Bjorn has won the hearts of many players. Why? Because he’s a unique character with immense potential. His strength and abilities aren’t obvious at first glance, and you can’t apply tactics from StS or tried-and-true methods from Percival to him. So, we’ve decided to share some tips from our game designer that will help you unlock Bjorn’s full potential and tackle the challenges he presents.
Control the Form First and foremost, find a way to tame the beast—control Bjorn’s transformation. It’s crucial not only to track the number of slashes when he transforms into a werewolf, but also to return to the “weaker” form in time to avoid accumulating “Lycan Curses.” Use the werewolf form consciously and only when you’re sure you can exit it without harming your deck.
Healing Bjorn has a unique ability to regenerate, thanks to his nature. He’s a character who uses his own health points to play cards, and the ability to heal is key to his survival and effectiveness in battle. Early in the game, you’ll have cards that heal him when drawn. Don’t ignore these cards, as they’re your only source of healing until you find something more effective. Remember, the healing power increases depending on the amount of "Spirit" Bjorn has, so don’t be too quick to burn through these cards.
Card Selection in Combat Choosing the right cards is crucial, not just in the early stages of the game. Focus first on cards that grant "Spirit," "Scarring," or "Regeneration." These effects will help you survive in battle and increase your resilience. Keep in mind that Bjorn in his werewolf form deals significant damage even with basic cards, so early on, it’s better to focus on boosting his survivability.
Health Management If the enemy isn’t planning to attack you, take this opportunity to recover health. Skip a few turns and let your regeneration work—this can be a game-changer in the course of the battle (and even the entire run).
Difficulty Level Selection Avoid starting the game on higher difficulty levels. This could lead to frustration and create the impression that Bjorn is too difficult to handle. We’ve mentioned this before, but we strongly recommend taking a closer look at this aspect. Start on a moderate difficulty level to get accustomed to and understand the character’s mechanics.
Challenge Mode Use the challenge mode to level up your hero and enhance his starting bonuses. It’s a great way to prepare for tougher battles and learn more about Bjorn’s capabilities.
Aggressive Tactics Bjorn is a very emotional and impulsive character. That’s his nature. Try to use this trait and defeat enemies before they have a chance to deal significant damage to you. It may sound simple, but it really works. Fast and decisive attacks often turn out to be the most effective way to deal with opponents. We hope these tips help you enjoy the game more and explore the world of Midian in greater depth. They’ll help you understand Bjorn’s personality, the essence of the lycan, and how to make the most of his unique abilities. We’re confident that with the right approach, he can truly become a powerful hero in your hands.
Good luck on the roads of Midian!
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PATCH 1.064 IS AVAILABLE
Knock-knock, players!
Without further ado, here’s another patch note for you.
Changes:
Dialogue lines in the “Demonic Blacksmith” event when playing as Persival
Polishing of illusion dispelling in Bjorn’s battle against Millenis
Reduced health for Vanadis' Raven, but added additional “Insubstantiality”
Balance changes have been made to the Elven Set (2 pieces - “Evasion” is granted if there is an enemy with an attack intent) and the Spiked Set (4 pieces - the effect trigger has been changed to "End of Turn").
Increased cost of the “Quick Strikes” card
Added automatic reduction of the “Mark of Death” buff counter
Fixed:
Sudden map movement for Bjorn in the “Bomber” event
Sigismund’s transformation after his ally’s death
Duplicate "Exit" button in the Crypt
Reduced priority of the Knight Set (2) effect, which conflicted with “Insubstantiality”
The “Sharp Teeth” card now works according to its description
Removed negative damage check from the “Poisonous Spikes” debuff
The “Goblin Bomb” effect no longer appears on the hero
Fixed karma calculation in the “Gatekeeper” event
Fixed softlock during Anthony’s transformation
Fixed softlock during Millenis’ transformation
Fixed softlock during the Cult Keeper’s transformation
Added a target selection arrow for the “Parry” card
The effect description for the Crimson Set (2 pieces) has been corrected.
Enemies will no longer attack Mortis in the final battle when playing as Vanadis.
Fixed "Fire Explosion" buff for the “Idol of the Fire Brothers”
Fixed priorities for the “Inner Reserves” card
Fixed effects related to Bjorn’s transformations
Fixed unresponsive icons for Discard and Burnt cards in the final battle
Removed shield visual effect on Mortis
Added “Blight” for the pet if it is sacrificed
Reworked the “Arena” event when playing as Bjorn
The “Parasite” debuff from the Mite Queen now displays above the hero’s health bar
Fixed display of the class item for Vanadis, Honey Badger's Ally class
Fixed a bug where the “Composite Bow” for Vanadis wouldn’t repeat certain attacks
Fixed softlock when using the “Evasion” card before Millenis’ "Deadly touch"
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Can the Elf Maiden Be Saved? Where to Find the Traitor?
Many players have been asking questions about the events in our game. And it's no surprise, considering how many there are, each with different actions leading to different consequences.
Today, let's talk about two events that have particularly captured players' attention.
In the event "Father and Son," the hero comes across a tragic scene: two elves, a father and son, are mourning over the body of an elf maiden. Without a word, they draw their weapons, ready to avenge the death of what seems to be the mother of their family. But the question remains — can the elf maiden be saved and further bloodshed prevented?
The main mysteries behind certain events will be revealed in the upcoming DLC "Nightmares of Millenis." So, we'll all need to be patient and let the story unfold in its own time.
However, you can already start to uncover parts of this story. For example, the elves mistook Persival and Vanadis for bandits who ruthlessly killed the elf maiden. Why not try to find out who really did it? Then there's the event "The Burden," which many of you have also asked about. Here, you can find mysterious letters hinting at a spy whose work could drastically affect the outcome of the conflict between elves and dwarves and could forever destroy even the faintest hope for peace. But where exactly can this traitor be found?
This is another event that will have a continuation in the future, and right now, you can try to uncover the traitor's identity to make it easier to find and punish them later.
The power is in your hands. Good luck on the roads of Midian!
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ANOTHER UPDATE IS READY FOR YOU!
Greetings, travelers!
We've prepared a new update, adding some new content and fixing existing issues.
New
Added ambient sound for the "Ichor" event.
Added ambient sound for the "Patrol" event.
Added sound effects for inventory items (worm egg, bottle, and mega health elixir).
Fixed
Fixed the tutorial freeze when using the "Stab in the Back" card.
Fixed potion returns when restarting a battle.
Fixed the functionality of the "Ethereal Armor" card in the tutorial.
Fixed the "Bandit’s Knife" item to now correctly grant the proper amount of gold.
Fixed Bjorn's brass knuckles, which were giving 2 "Jab" cards when using instinctive cards.
Fixed the "Bow of the Crimson Steppes" for Vanadis and effects that were bypassing enemy evasion.
Fixed the "Drain Strength" card.
Adjusted the “Sadist's Boots” - they now interact correctly with enemies that have "Agility."
Fixed the incorrect classification of the "Ruse" card (it was mistakenly changed from a Skill to a Talent).
Added "Bandit" and "Demonic" sets to the glossary.
Fixed achievement tracking for assembling sets and during Vanadis' final battle.
Fixed a softlock in the crypt (when the "Continue" button was missing).
Fixed a number of softlocks in combat.
Added an intention for the allied Golem that applies "Burning" to everyone.
Fixed a softlock that occurred when the "Fire Explosion" effect triggered in the final battle.
Fixed the functionality of the "Lunar Druid's Armor" in the final battle.
Fixed a bug where the "Medal" trophy effect triggered in the final battle.
Added a condition for the "Bear Cape" trophy effect to trigger when the hero's health is low.
The "Bloody Boost" intention now deals less damage to the unit.
Strengthened the effects of pet blessings in events with Idols.
In the "Ritual" event, the "Show Cursed Sword" button will no longer cause the player to exit the event.
Fixed a bug where "Knight’s Sabatons" would grant cards in the battle with the Keeper of Greed.
Fixed a bug where the counter card in the battle with the "Thing" would increase maximum health until the end of the run.
Fixed a bug where Vanadis would receive "Connection" in the battle with the Keeper of Greed.
Fixed a bug where Sigismund would change his intention while being Stunned.
Fixed a bug where Batu's counter card would give him an extra intention.
Fixed a bug where it was impossible to obtain the "Potion of Dispel Illusions" in the "Elixir of Growth" event.
Fixed a bug with the "Pickpocket" card when a pet was summoned.
Changed the action of the "Parry" card.
Added tooltips in the final battle of Vanadis versus Millenis.
