developer-update
DevNote #7: Launch Systems and Class Balance
The final pre-launch developer note details Path of Glory ranks, Soul Hunt activities, Polearm and Shield mechanics, performance work and adjustments for all six classes.
Update highlights
- Path of Glory unlocks at level 6 and uses seven major tiers from Duskborn through Zenith
- Ranked participation is an independent opt-in and does not alter the matchmaking pool
- Season 1 Soul Hunt adds a progressive Soul Harvest activity and the Soulgnawer elite
- The Slumbering Contract Battle Pass unlocks after seven cumulative login days and can renew with activity
- Withered Knight Polearm and Shield has six skills, offensive and defensive paths, counters and a ranged teammate rescue
- Every launch class receives documented skill, talent, control or PvE tuning
- Performance work covers shader compilation, device presets, 2K and 4K output, camp frame rate, menus and combat microstutter
Context
- This is a developer-authored pre-launch summary, not an independent benchmark of the July 30 release client.
- Full numerical point tables, balance coefficients, reward tables and Soul Harvest timing are not published in the note.
- Live rules can change in launch-day or Season 1 patches.
Related records
Update scope
This entry summarizes the cited official update rather than recreating it. The highlights focus on changes that affect the wiki, planners or player decisions, while the original notice remains the authority for full wording and later corrections.
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