Dauntless Open Beta Now Live

Sharpen your blades, hop onto the nearest airship, and get ready to hunt some Behemoths, because the open beta for Phoenix Labs’ co-operative action-RPG Dauntless is now live. From my understanding, you can download the game directly from its website, sign up, and jump right into the action and see if it’s something that strikes your fancy. And if you need some convincing before you give Dauntless a go, there’s this new cinematic trailer:

The introductory “Welcome to Dauntless” video:

And this message from the developers:

You can also check out the game’s website for a bit of background information on the game’s Behemoths and your role as a Slayer:

EATERS OF AETHER

There are people who would have you believe that Behemoths are wicked beasts bent on human destruction. Our experiences lead to a different conclusion: that humanity is in their way. Despite their size and formidable power, these creatures appear to be feeding machines – ravenous, mobile consumers of aether. But one thing is clear: this single-minded aether consumption makes the Behemoths our enemies.

Without aether, the Shattered Isles – our home – would collapse into the Sky Below. While we have so far kept the Behemoths at bay, they’ve been getting bolder, creeping in from the frontier and ever closer to Ramsgate. If we don’t fight them off – if they succeed in devouring what aether is left – then humanity, too, is doomed to fall.

Slayers are those who fight to keep this from happening.

HUMANITY’S LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

When we speak of Slayers, we don’t speak of an elite group of chosen warriors. We speak of every human willing to wield a blade, or pike, or hammer, and fight for our future against the Behemoths. We speak of you.

As a Slayer, you will learn to make the most of every hunt. You will identify and harvest native flora for your tonics. You will strip scales and fur from the slain and shape it into aether-forged armour and steel. You will learn the ways that Behemoths hunt, and you will learn to turn that knowledge against them. If you are lucky, strong, and smart, you will survive to slay again.

Slayers are the last line of defense between Behemoths and civilization. There is no fallback plan. You are it.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A SLAYER

If, in spite of the challenges, you choose to pursue a life as a Slayer, you will likely begin by hunting something familiar: a Gnasher.

First things first: Never underestimate a Behemoth.

A Gnasher’s paddle-like tail can knock even a veteran Slayer off their feet, and a Gnasher in an enraged state is a stomping, chomping force of nature. Stay patient, avoid its rolling attacks, and take advantage of any tonics you’ve packed. It’s better to burn through 500 notes in supplies than leave your body in a tail-shaped crater.

This fight will be the first of many. Prepare yourself. Make friends among Slayers. And remember what you are fighting for: our future.

A SHIFT IN THE AETHER

Behemoths once kept their distance from inhabited islands, but lately? Not so much. Behemoths have been spotted outside their usual territories – dangerously close to human settlements – and they seem to be growing stronger. There have even been reports of strange new Behemoths out past the Monstrous Verge.

What are they doing out there? Where are they coming from? And why this sudden shift in behaviour?

We’ll be waiting for answers from you, Slayer. Good luck.

Or, if you’re already familiar with Dauntless, you may want to read the latest patch notes. Here’s an overview:

WHAT’S NEW

Slayers old and new: Welcome to the Shattered Isles! With the gates of Open Beta flung wide, your true legend can finally begin.

Dauntless has come a long way since we launched our first Alpha in early 2017. We’ve gathered invaluable information over the last year, and the outpouring of feedback and experience from testers in these last few weeks has been especially amazing. Since we released Shaping the Horizon, the team has been hard at work implementing a ton of improvements, including fixing a staggering 1966 bugs. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

So far, only a handful of Slayers have made their way to the edges of the Maelstrom: the most deadly region of the Shattered Isles. Now comes the time to dig deep and see how far your skills can carry you. There’s no telling what’s beyond the horizon…

THIS IS YOUR LEGEND – RAMSGATE IS OPEN AND READY TO WELCOME NEW SLAYERS

The Dauntless Open Beta brings changes and improvements to systems and content based on player feedback. Slayers will see new Evergame modifiers, multiple Behemoth and weapon balance updates, quality of life improvements, and a plethora of bug fixes.

BALANCED ON ALL SIDES – REBALANCED AND ENHANCED BEHEMOTHS

Wild fluctuations of aether have swept across the Shattered Isles. Some Behemoths have become more fearsome while others have ebbed ever so slightly. With new islands coming in and out of range more frequently than ever before, we’ve implemented a ton of balance changes and Behemoth improvements to keep Slayers on their toes.

SOCKET TO ME – GEAR IMPROVEMENTS AND BALANCE CHANGES

If you want to stay alive, you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. That means keeping your gear and skills razor-sharp. With this patch, we’ve balanced and updated weapons, armour, and cells to ensure that you keep your Slayer’s edge. Players who favor chain blades can look forward to incremental improvements, with additional refinements to come soon.

STYLE AND GRACE – UPDATED AND IMPROVED IN-GAME COSMETIC EXPERIENCE

The most fashionable Slayers of Ramsgate are now able to express themselves even more with all new dyes, sigils, banners, flares, emotes, and exclusive cosmetic armour sets that will make even Gregario Flynt jealous.