Resolution Games has initiated a significant mechanical U-turn for Demeo x DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Battlemarked, scrubbing non-player “hirelings” from the game just four months after its high-profile launch. The “Warlock Update,” which went live this week, marks a definitive shift away from solo-friendly AI assists in favour of a more punishing, player-centric tactical experience.
The Stockholm-based studio confirmed that as of 17 March 2026, hirelings have been “fully removed” from the game. This represents the completion of a two-phase redesign sparked by early player feedback that criticised the static nature of the NPC allies. Moving forward, every hero on the digital tabletop must be a custom-created character, ensuring all party members gain experience and progress through the game’s campaign.
A Tactical Hardline: The Death of the Hireling
The removal of hirelings is a rare and drastic course correction for a major Hasbro-licensed title. While the 2025 launch of Battlemarked sought to bridge the gap between casual VR players and tabletop veterans, the inclusion of AI companions was met with frustration. Unlike player characters, hirelings could not level up, creating a “dead weight” effect in high-level play.
In a statement, Resolution Games focused on the narrative and global potential of the update:
The Warlock introduces a class built around tension, temptation and tactical risk while our expanded language support ensures that more players around the world can experience these great adventures together. This is about deepening the fantasy, strengthening player agency, and continuing to build Battlemarked into a living world.”
To soften the blow of the increased difficulty, the update introduces a “Bad Luck Protection” system inspired by Tymora’s Blessing. Players who miss a combat roll will now receive a temporary buff, allowing them to roll two dice and take the higher result on their next attempt, a mechanic that can be toggled off for those seeking an “uncompromising” experience.
The Warlock and the Frozen North
The new hero, Azruss Drevontir, brings the Warlock class to the Demeo system. Unlike the more traditional Wizard or Sorcerer, the Warlock relies on a “pact-bound” deck that rewards high-risk plays and battlefield manipulation. To unlock the character permanently, players must complete The Shard’s Shadow, a side quest set within the Crown of Frost campaign.
Furthermore, the update introduces Auril’s Cradle, a standalone “One Shot” adventure for veteran players. Notably, this encounter launches without selectable difficulty modes, serving as a raw test of tactical mastery for those who have already cleared the Ythryn campaign. This lack of scaling, combined with the arrival of “Elite” enemy variants that are noticeably tougher than their regular counterparts, signals that Battlemarked is moving toward a “hardcore” identity that mirrors the lethal nature of traditional high-level Dungeons & Dragons modules.
Global Reach
Beyond the mechanical shifts, the update adds expanded language support for Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. This expansion is a tactical necessity as Resolution Games seeks to maintain its dominance in the cross-platform XR market across Steam, PlayStation, and Meta Horizon.
As independent geek news, we have published 5 articles on battlemarked.
Latest entry: March 2026
Via Warlock update.
