- Roots tags added to some of the maps that were missing it
- Fixed inaccessible paths in maps Three Roads and Creeping Borders
- Fixed inaccessible pickups in maps Shattered Sky and Cold Roots
- Fixed issues in older maps where large settlement wouldn’t adjust their art according to their owner faction
- Fixed some missing strings when inspecting Wielder stats affected by Vanir map entities
- Updated Roots interaction menu background image
- Fixed so that DLC factions can be selected if choosing random faction while owning a DLC
- Fixed the adventure sprite of Fungi to properly reflect their current appearance
- Fix issue with missing font characters in dropdowns for Polish, Ukrainian and Korean.
- Burrow can no longer be used again by enabling it with movement buffs
- Artifacts can now be banned on maps
- Beak of the Beast and Golden Goose banned on some challenge maps
- Fixed issue where objects starting out as claimed even though they shouldn’t on some maps
- Fix issue with beam attacks causing exception when the beam does not cover any tiles
- Fix issue where spawned Oathbounds got Essence Shield buff from the enemy
- Change some challenge maps to be marked as story maps instead.
- Misc bug fixes.
Songs of Conquest
Hotfix 1.6.1
Roots Released
Greetings Wielders
[p]The wait is over. Our new faction DLC is here, and with it, a fresh update for Songs of Conquest as a whole. Creating Roots has been one of our most rewarding challenges yet. It was unlike anything we’ve done over the past seven years. We didn’t just want them to look different; we wanted them to feel different. And we believe we’ve grown something truly special. Twisted, beautiful, and entirely its own beast.. or fungi.[/p]
[/p]
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/1dbdf79fafbc0d5a565d85b6ceeb5beaf51da3ca.gif"]A cloak made of mushrooms really just screams fashion.
To help you put these new trinkets to good use, we’re also releasing a free new map. It’s a compact, high-pressure battlefield called Invasive, perfect for testing your mettle against the ever-encroaching Roots. Whether you win or wither, we think you’ll enjoy the ride.[/p][p]And just because you didn’t pick up the Roots DLC doesn’t mean you won’t encounter the new troops on the battlefield. We’ve added them as enemies on several of our previously released Conquest maps, and if you’re diving into a random map, don’t be surprised if you face the horns and blade of a Terror or the deadly fumes of spawns sooner rather than later. Or just start up that map I mentioned, you’ll be sure to face them in all their glory there.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/954c6c14f49e166dc42affef7623713db5a9447b.gif"][TAG-40]Lashers and Lobbers are waiting for you; they are friendly like that.
Our design work never really stops. The balance changes, the tweaks, the experiments that keep theorycrafters awake at night, those are still coming. Many of the updates in this patch come from community suggestions, while others are born from hours of play and internal debate. As an example, Nornors and crones now trigger spearwalls, barracks just cost wood and stone to upgrade, and we’ve changed the cost of shaman tents. This is just a few examples, and for the full list, make sure to check the changelog. We could talk about bug fixes, but let’s face it, you're here for the fungi.
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/"]The Tree Mothers want you to buy it
If you have followed our devlogs, you know that Roots was one of the earliest ideas we planted. Now fully grown, they offer a unique style of play. No other faction commands all forms of Essence the way Roots do. The options for spellcasting and tactical variation are nearly endless, though mastery will require more than just a green thumb.[/p][p]We’ve created seven new maps just for this DLC. Some are tightly designed tests of your skill, others are steeped in lore and story, my personal favorite is Growth, where you, as a new Vessel, discover both your history and the purpose that drives the Tree Mothers that guide you. Other maps offer more room to roam, explore, and perhaps you will, like our initial testers, discover strategies that surprised us. There’s a lot to uncover, and we can’t wait to see what you find.[/p][p]
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/790cae64ace469316f30d15473b29fbb7ceadd2e.png"]A whole bouquet of maps, yours to enjoy!
Gameplay-wise, Roots introduces moments unlike anything else in the game. Maybe it’s the sense of power as the bodies of your fallen foes rise as broken vessels, ready to march in your name. Maybe it’s snaring your enemies in the grasp of the Tree Mothers. Maybe it’s finding an Essence combination you never tried before. Roots asks more from you, but it also rewards those who think a step ahead.
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/4953a89d041de08b1cb874c43d7fc33c74cee7c4.gif"][TAG-60]
Friends who die from a laser blast together, stay together.
And then there’s the new biome. Our artists and level designers have created something that feels alive, dangerous, and almost sacred in its decay. The glowing mushrooms, the vine-choked ruins, the lumbering horrors. It’s a rich, revolting canvas that we cannot wait to build on. We expect it to become a favorite for custom map creators and campaign builders alike. Why not cut a giant bug open as you look for treasures or fight the guardians of Tangled Burrow?
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/469d26e63431ea6de7ad052dfcaa6257bcb0ac2c.jpg"]We're pretty sure they just ate something they shouldn't have. Never trust a strange mushroom.
At your command stand nine new Wielders—or Vessels, as the Roots would call them. They are agents of the Tree Mothers, shaped from reanimated corpses, at least one Faey nobility, and nightmare-spun visions. Each one is distinct. Each one offers a new style of play. And each one is waiting to be discovered by players willing to dig deep. [/p][p]Roots have taken hold. Now it’s your turn to grow with it.
[/p][p]Pretty soon, the Lavapotion team will head off for our government-mandated vacations, catching small, elusive days of sunshine as we rest and roll up our sleeves for the times ahead. There is more planned for Songs of Conquest and more planned for Lavapotion as a whole, and we hope that you will be there with us, along for the ride, every step of the way.
[/p][p]See you on the battlefield!
[/p][p]/Anders and the rest of the Lavapotion team
Read the changelog here!
https://www.songsofconquest.com/changelogs#changelog16[/p][p]
[/p]
Imminent price drop
- [p]The base game price is now lowered to $29.99 / €29.99, with regional pricing applied, which brings it back to where it started during Early Access.[/p]
- [p]All Faction DLCs (Vanir and soon Roots) are now set to $9.99 / €9.99, down from $11.99. Regional pricing also applies to the DLC’s.[/p]
- [p]We’re also making specific changes to the regional pricing in areas that where unreasonably affected by recent price increases.[/p]
- [p]A new Factions Bundle will go live tomorrow, including the base game + all faction DLCs, with a 10% “Complete the Set” discount.[/p]
- [p]We’ll also launch a new Complete Bundle, combining the base game and all DLCs with a 15% discount.[/p]
[/p]
SoC is coming to Nintendo Switch next week!
[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/5c818dd69ac0e852575c61a71aeb565e2baa9ba8.jpg"]
Now, with Nintendo Switch added to the lineup of platforms we support, it’s the perfect time to begin your journey, or return to Aerbor for another campaign. Whether you’re building your empire at home or leading troops on the move, we’re incredibly excited to bring the adventure to more players than ever (We’ve now sold over 600 000 copies of the game btw!).[/p][p]We hope to release Roots for all console platforms during early to mid autumn.[/p][p]Here´s to conquest anytime, anywhere!
/Anders and the Lavapotion Team[/p][p]
[/p]
Roots date reveal
Greetings Wielders!
[p][/p][p]Flesh will rot. Steel will rust. Roots will rise - very soon! The wait is nearly over. The vines have twisted and the spores have settled. We are thrilled to announce that Roots will be released on June 17th at 19:00 CET![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/"][TAG-10]Mark your calendars, ready your Wielders, and perhaps polish your armor—though it may not help much where the Roots are growing. This is one of our most ambitious additions yet, and we can’t wait for you to dig into it. But that’s not all we have coming! But we'll start by showing our date reveal trailer![/p]
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723472/d0135c73413d5e49e68c1d7e324efd41e2beafb7.jpg"]It’s like a weird and slimy garden, but deadlier. Lovely.
[/p][p]And oh, one last thing, or maybe two.[/p][p][/p][p]There’s a certain handheld console we haven’t spoken much about… but that’s about to change. Expect an update on the Nintendo Switch version very soon. We think it’ll be worth the wait.[/p][p]
But what about Roots DLC for the other Consoles? No, we didn’t forget about them, but they will have to wait until after our summer holiday.
[/p][p]See you very soon![/p][p]/Anders and the Lavapotion Team[/p][p]
[/p]
Roots Refined
Greetings Wielders!
We’re back with more details on what’s quickly becoming one of our favorite factions. The Roots might stand out in a crowd, but let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want to bump into them in a dark alley. They’re taking shape right before our eyes, as we build new maps and dig into playtesting. I won’t give an exact date yet, but suffice to say it's close.
This update is all about how Roots plays. We’ll explore some of their unique mechanics and give you a glimpse of new artwork and buildings taking root in their domain.
Before we get tangled in the details, don’t forget to wishlist Roots, the Tree Mother insists.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/
All factions so far have a specialization when it comes to Essence. Arleon, for example, focuses on Order, Chaos, and Creation. Their Faey units lean into Chaos, while the Shield of Order units bring a strong focus on Order as their name implies. There is a clear theme, and although some troops can act as formidable essence batteries, the faction as a whole is limited to three types of Essence.
This is not the case for Roots.
Roots are connected to Essence, and despite the colour off-put, its the normal onesRoots are connected to Essence in a more natural way than any other faction. They do not limit themselves to three types. Instead, they wield all Essence types, drawing from the full spectrum of magic. But it is not just the range that sets them apart. The way they generate Essence is unique, too.
Let’s talk about Symbiosis.
All Root units are part of a greater whole. A hive mind, using whatever is available to carry out the will of the Tree Mothers and protect their domain. That mindset is mirrored on the battlefield.
Most Root units generate just a single Essence on their own. While there are exceptions, this holds true for many of them. As experienced players know, a single point of Essence will not carry you very far. But when a Root unit stands next to another one of your units, a Symbiosis is formed. Their Essence is shared.
Sharing is caring after all.At the start of a unit’s turn, it generates its own Essence and one additional Essence from a friendly adjacent unit. This effectively means each unit can produce two Essence if placed correctly. Battlefield positioning becomes vital if you want to stay ahead in the Essence game.
And since Roots have access to all types of Essence, the combinations are nearly endless. Our testers have already uncovered some very interesting setups, and we are excited to see what you will come up with once you get your hands on them. But there are drawbacks; placement is more important than ever, and rushing your enemy with a single unit can be fatal. And besides having your units bundled up can have drawbacks of its own.
We are confident that Roots offers something unique to the Songs of Conquest lineup, both in artwork and playstyle, and come to think of it, buildings too, like the Roots version of the marketplace:
Look at that Converter work, making something into something else.Our talented artists have truly outdone themselves. Roots is a faction that manages to be beautiful, revolting, and alien all at once. I would love to show you everything, but since much of our focus right now is on map work, I think a new screenshot will speak for itself. It captures the dark, vine-covered realm of the Tree Mothers and gives a glimpse of the world we are building.
Roots will grow indeed! Of course, there is much more to share. New abilities, plenty of jaw-dropping artwork, and fresh maps are all beginning to blossom. The amount of new art is truly staggering. But there will be more Steam posts before the release draws near. We also want to leave some surprises for you to discover when you take on the role of the Tree Mothers and help the Roots grow strong for the future.
Remember, Flesh will rot. Steel will rust. Roots will rise.
/Anders and the Lavapotion Team
Roots Rising
Greetings Wielders!
I love writing these small devlogs, as always, we’re excited to share more of our work and our upcoming faction. They really have been growing in the background, and now it’s time for them to take root and spread their influence. We've been hard at work behind the scenes. There might be one or two nature-related puns too.
Development is moving along steadily. Maps are being shaped, and perhaps most exciting for this pixel-packed devlog, our artists are hard at work making everything look absolutely blooming fantastic.
But before we dig into today's topic, there is one very important thing you can do to help us grow: Wishlist Roots. Springtime demands it
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/
Today we are digging into the molded, fungi-covered glory of the Roots Wielders. Writing about them is a bit different from our other factions, and that is largely due to the unique nature of the Roots themselves.
As we have mentioned before, Roots is more of a hive than a melting pot. That makes their Wielders stand out. Rather than individuals rising to power, the Roots repurpose the fallen, attempting to grow something new from what was left behind. Most of the time, the result is a broken vessel—a husk with no will at all besides that of the Tree Mothers.
But every so often, the process works. What emerges is something more: a vessel able to carry the words of the Tree Mothers, channel essence, and spread the will of the Roots across the land.
These Wielders are transformed entirely. Who they were no longer matters—at least not to them.
So let’s get started. I will not reveal every Vessel today. Instead, you will get a small smörgåsbord (we are Swedish, after all). Some things are better saved for the upcoming trailer and release.
What hides behind those grey mysteries?For the Roots, everything is a tool for the greater cause, and their Wielders are no exception. It does not matter whether the repurposed Vessel was once Vanir, Rana, or something else entirely. The only thing that matters is the new purpose.
Perhaps you can even guess what hides behind some of the silhouettes. A few clues may already be sprouting.
It has been a wonderfully strange challenge cultivating these unique Wielders. Though they share certain traits, being formed from creatures in various stages of decomposition, It has been up to our artists to capture that blend of decay and identity.
We are still holding back a few of the more curious Vessels, like Prowl and Honey, who stand out from the patch in very specific ways.
Of course it is not just our 2D team bringing them to life. Songs of Conquest would not exist without our pixel artists. They are not just crafting our units they are also, creating the avatars that will, through your tactical brilliance, help the Roots spread across the land.
I told you Honey stood out!Now some of these Wielders, or Vessels deserve a little closer look, while I can't share their specializations just yet, they are still being changed and tweaked I can give you some more beautiful art and a little bit of a backstory, so lets look at a former noble and a fungus-covered Vanir!
Gro Aelgrim has turned into Grow.
This mighty and proud Vanir was first introduced in our last DLC, as part of a backstory tied to his very much alive brother and a Challenge map. If you want the full picture, we recommend playing Vanir.
What we can share here is that Grow is one of the newest Vessels of the Roots, created specifically to serve as a voice for the Tree Mothers in their dealings with their sometimes hostile neighbors, the Vanir.
Grow will also take center stage in an upcoming Challenge map that dives deeper into his transformation and the goals of the Roots. It’s a story-driven experience that will help you cultivate a better understanding of the faction and its mechanics.
He looks healthy to me, don't know why his brother is complaining. 
There is a special connection between the Faey and Roots, and Flora is a part of that bond. Once a proud Faey noble, she now serves an even greater purpose in her new role as a Vessel for the Tree Mothers. What might interest you is that the Faey have no true presence in the Bleak East that the Roots share with the Vanir. So, how did the Roots get hold of a Faey noble’s corpse?
Flora is also one of the new Wielders who has received some extra attention, and I’m excited to give you a closer, more rooted look at her. Now, keep in mind that this is still a work in progress, but it should give you a good sense of what’s to come.
Still noble!
And with that final glimpse, we wrap up the third devlog about Roots. There is more on the way soon, and I would love to hear what you want to see next. Would you like a closer look at the mechanics, a peek behind the curtain at how we create our pixel art, or perhaps a more thorough look at the lore behind them?
I am also eager to hear your guesses about the Wielders (or Vessels) that I showed, and the ones still hidden. Reading your theories, feedback, and ideas is one of our favorite pastimes. It keeps the creative soil rich and full of surprises. Okay, that was the last pun, I promise.
Thank you all for your continued support. It means the world to us.
/Anders and everyone at Lavapotion
Roots Revisited!
Greetings Wielders!
It is that time of year again. Up here in the cold north, the sun is making its return and nature is busy doing its thing. Sprouting, blooming, all that. I will not pretend to be an expert on that sort of thing, but I do know a lot about our upcoming faction, Roots!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/
Last time we took a broad look at the faction, so today I want to get a bit more specific. I will introduce the lineup and take a closer look at some of these glorious fungi-covered creatures.
In truth, this faction has been growing beneath the surface for a long time. We have had Roots in the back of our minds for over seven years, ever since Songs of Conquest was first taking shape. We even explored early concepts for them back then.
As you will see, some of them are sort of still here, others have been composted!Roots is a visually unique faction. We wanted them to inspire dread, disgust, and strangeness while still being beautiful and full of splendor. It was a challenge, and still is but we are very proud of the results.
We are still in the process of early play-testing, Trying out new traits, and playstyles and just enjoying the feel and atmosphere of them. But, let's look at that promised Lineup.
Eeringly similar to my old classphoto lineup!As is tradition in these devlogs, I will not go over every unit. Instead, I will highlight a few favorites and leave the rest as lovely pixelated surprises for when Roots is released. That is planned to happen before we disappear on our very Swedish summer vacations.
Let’s start with something small.
"...at first I thought it was my imagination. But they move and have purpose." ~Hami Bronze, Baryan Botanical Collector
Swarms, or clusters of fungi, form the backbone of any Root army. They are weak but cheap, and with the right research, you can field them in massive numbers, overwhelming stronger foes with sheer swamp-like mass.
These semi-sentient mushroom creatures have their own place in Root society. In battle, they provide their Vessel Wielders with creation essence. Their evolved form, the Spawn, spreads a poisonous cloud around them, slowly wearing down anything that threatens the Tree Mothers.
I doubt those horned ones think he's such a fungi
"...found them too late. A scrap of armour was all that remained now that the body had been claimed by the Roots." ~ Stenhild, Huskarl of the Vanir.
Broken and blighted vessels are remnants of failure. In their attempts to create Wielders, or Vessels as the Roots call them, they use humanoid remains found in their lands or after battle. They try to capture the last flicker of life and forge something new.
In extremely rare cases the process succeeds. These vessels become powerful extensions of the Roots called Vessels, leading armies and communicating with outsiders. But more often than not the result is failure.
Yet the Roots waste nothing. These broken experiments of flesh, bone, and living vines are repurposed as laborers and shock troops, defending Roots expansion and survival. Their numbers swell after every battle as long as there are bodies to claim.
Flesh will rot, but Roots will grow
"Burned to a crisp, he was. Mark me, them floaty things ain't to be trifled with." ~Ash, Forester from Arleon.
The Hearts of Roots and their evolved form, Pulse, are strange, beautiful, and terrible. They are formed and grown in dark morasses, deep within the woods of Roots. Their glow and rhythmic pulse inspire those around them, granting nearby allies increased magic resistance and defense
Though their floating form may seem harmless, they are anything but. Their energy beam lances across the battlefield, striking anything in its path. A poor decision or placement could see them turned against you, becoming weapons for your enemy instead.
BZZZZT!It is hard not to rant about Roots. We are having a lot of fun creating them, and we hope you will have just as much fun playing them. Picking up old ideas and making them feel new again is both a challenge and a reward.
What do you think of the lineup? Which units stand out, and what questions do you want answered? We cannot wait to hear what you think.
Wishlist Roots now and learn more in the months to come. Flesh will rot. Steel will rust. Roots will rise.
/Anders and everyone at Lavapotion
Hotfix 1.5.6
- Changed color of "current troop" marker in battle for improved readability
- Fixed turn timers in battle counting down twice as fast as they should
- Fixed bug in random map generation leading to too many neutral hostiles being just stacks of Arleon Militias
- Fixed exception when entering player stats menu if one of your most played maps was a random map layout that is no longer present
- Fixed bug in random map sublayout selection in lobby, leading to a random sublayout being used for game if no choice was made manually
- Fixed attack previews for Hellroar's Bombard ability not correctly applying the 50% damage multiplier
- Fixed build menu entry for Vanir's Longhouse sometimes showing two Swines instead of one Swine and one Berserkir
- Fixed edge case in AI recruitment that caused a softlock during AI's turn
Songs of Conquest Mobile has launched!
Greetings, Wielders!
Yesterday marked two major milestones in the journey of Songs of Conquest. We already talked about one in our update on Sim-battles, but the other deserves its own spotlight.
Our friends at Coffee Stain Mobile have just launched Songs of Conquest on mobile, letting you take our beloved strategy game with you wherever you go! Bringing the game to Android and iOS has been quite the challenge, but the results speak for themselves, and we’re incredibly impressed with how well it turned out.
Of course, we at Lavapotion have been involved in the process, but the real heavy lifting was done by the team at Coffee Stain. We’ve mostly been watching proudly as they worked to bring Songs of Conquest to even more players.
Playing on an iPad or phone feels almost surprisingly natural, and passing the device to a friend for a hot-seat game is just a great experience. Not all features made the transition to our newest format, though. user-created maps, the map editor, and online multiplayer aren’t included, but for single-player and local multiplayer, it’s a perfect fit.
The developers spent a lot of time making sure the interface was mobile-friendly! We can’t recommend this enough. Songs of Conquest is available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for €11.99/£11.99/$11.99. Playing through our Conquest maps or tackling the four campaigns on a mobile device is a real treat, if we say so ourselves. It runs smoothly and still delivers the same tactical and strategic challenge, just as it should.
Battling Arleon and freeing the march can now be done just about anywhere!Regardless if your an avid mobile-gamer or not, it really does belong in the literal hands of players everywhere. Now is obviously a fantastic time to take Songs of Conquest just about everywhere!
/Everyone at Lavapotion