FOR HONOR™

Cycle of War launched on March 12 as FOR HONOR’s 10th-anniversary celebration, bringing the three-team Arena of Echoes mode, seasonal leaderboards, and the Glory season. Arakure joined the Samurai faction as a new Assassin, while Ranked Dominion added competitive progression from Bronze to Grand Master.

• New modes and seasons: Ranked Dominion debuted with unique rewards, while For Honor: Blood Hunt added the season’s darker theme, a new Battle Pass, and a Legacy Pass. Arena of Echoes also received a temporary map rotation in May.
• New hero and customization: Arakure launched on July 23 with a chaotic Assassin moveset and Samurai affiliation. The Scorching Herald gave Gryphon a fiery new Hero Skin with reworked voice-over and visual effects, while The Keeper of Chains added a Conqueror skin, armor variations, and related rewards.
• Assassin’s Creed events: For the Creed and Assassini e Templari returned with modified Dominion rules, themed rewards, and a free event pass. Eivor Wolf-Kissed, Naoe the Swift, and Yasuke the Brave arrived as Hero Skins, alongside the Naoe’s Vengeance, Yasuke’s Oath, and Eivor’s Ardor executions.
• Combat reworks and tuning: The March balance overhaul changed defensive-stances stamina costs and adjusted heroes including Kensei, Kyoshin, Nuxia, Black Prior, Conqueror, Jormungandr, and Sohei. The April TU2 rework further increased sprint speed for Conqueror, Kensei, Highlander, and Sohei, raised Berserker and Highlander health, and revised Lawbringer, Pirate, Nobushi, and Juren.

Juren, the new hero formerly named Chaos, arrived in Y9S4 alongside a 100-tier Battle Pass and the Battle Bundle. Cross-progression synced progress across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, while Conquest introduced a storyline centered on Prince Yi and General Zhi.

• New heroes and hero content:
  • Juren joined the roster with new feats and unpredictable power.
  • Virtuosa arrived as a new Outlander hero, while Lady Saori expanded the game’s character lineup.
  • Captain Coalheart, The Warrior Prince, Queen Kalliopi, and Prince Yi added new hero skins for Pirate, Aramusha, and other heroes.
• Battle Passes and rewards: Y9S2, Y9S3, and Y9S4 Battle Passes delivered 100 tiers of seasonal rewards, while the Y5S2, Y5S3, and Y5S4 Legacy Passes brought back classic cosmetics. The Battle Bundle - Y9S4 added 25 tiers of progression for the Battle and Legacy Passes.
• Maps, modes, and events:
  • Converted Canyon reimagined the Canyon battlefield with elements reflecting the Khatuns’ presence.
  • Starter Dominion provided a limited-time learning mode, while Chimera Banquet returned as a throwback mode.
  • Blades of Persia, Crashing Waves, and Hyper Duel supplied themed rewards, gameplay modifiers, and returning event formats.
• Systems and competitive play: Cross-progression enabled shared progress across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The Triple Threat Competitive Circuit returned with qualifiers and a new structure for tournaments and community competition.
• Combat overhaul: Global Stamina Damage Changes removed stamina damage or regeneration pauses from multiple attacks, while the Defensive Dodge Properties Update retuned assassin deflects and non-assassin dodges. Aramusha, Sohei, Warmonger, Varangian Guard, Kyoshin, Shugoki, Shaolin, and Pirate also received targeted move-set adjustments.

Sohei and Guljin joined For Honor’s roster as new heroes: Sohei brought seven weapons and unique abilities, while Guljin arrived as a fierce Khatun wielding Turco-Mongol sabers. The game also added Photo Mode, converted Cathedral and Viking Village into Dominion maps, and made Arcade Mode available to all players.

• New heroes: Sohei launched with the Seven Weapon Master event pass, while Guljin arrived alongside the Khatun’s Peace event and a free event pass containing outfits, ornaments, effects, and weapons.
• Maps and modes:
  • Cathedral was converted into a Dominion map with revised capture zones and pathing.
  • Viking Village became another converted Dominion map.
  • Last Hero Standing introduced a limited-time 1v1v1 free-for-all mode.
  • Arcade Mode became free for all players and added weekly quests.
• Progression and player tools: Legacy Pass access let players obtain older Battle Passes in chronological order, Reputation Level 80 raised the cap from 70 and added rewards, and Photo Mode added camera controls, filters, frames, and visual effects in the Barracks and matches.
• Combat reworks and balance:
  • Highlander Rework improved Offensive and Defensive Forms, added a dodge attack, and adjusted heavy attacks and guardbreak vulnerability.
  • Warden Feat Rework replaced Body Count with Death Toll and reworked several other feats.
  • Sohei, Lawbringer, and Nuxia received new moves or attack adjustments, while Orochi, Hitokiri, Afeera, and Shinobi received damage and timing changes.
  • Conqueror and Lawbringer gained improved side-dodge defensive attacks in the Year 8 Season 3 balance update.
• Events and cosmetics: For the Creed returned with Assassini E Templari, Battle of the Eclipse returned as a throwback event, and Destiny 2 inspired the Violet King and Crucible Lord hero skins; Peacekeeper also received the Ezio Auditore skin.

Year 7: Heresy launched with the Heresy of the Relics PvPvE event, a 100-tier Battle Pass, and new seasonal content. Ocelotl joined the roster in July 2023, followed by Varangian Guard in February 2024, while Y7S3: Deceit added a Ghost Festival theme and event content.

• New heroes: Ocelotl introduced an Aztec warrior with a distinct hunting-focused moveset, and Varangian Guard expanded the roster with a new hero in February 2024.
• Seasons and passes:
  • Y7S2: Vengeance added a 100-tier Battle Pass and the Conquistador Vela Warmonger Hero Skin.
  • Y7S3: Deceit launched with the Ghost Festival theme, the Ghost Rites Event Pass, and new armor variations.
  • Y7S4 brought a new Battle Pass and Battle Bundle, alongside the Oathbreaker Maddox Hero Skin.
• Modes and events:
  • Heresy of the Relics introduced a PvPvE launch event built around recovering relics.
  • Death by Metal returned the Test Your Metal mode, pitting players against the Fanatics.
  • Theater of Bones added a Halloween PvE mode in which players fought alongside Monkey King Wukong against the White Bone Spirit.
• Combat overhauls: Jormungandr was reworked away from stamina-draining gameplay toward displacement, while Lawbringer received a major revamp. Reflex Guard was also removed for Assassins and Shaolin, and Medjay and Peacekeeper gained new moves.
• Player experience: Onboarding Flow simplified tutorials and unlocked the full tutorial set from the start. Performance Mode improved frame rates on supported consoles, while the Easy Anti-Cheat update made For Honor playable on Steam Deck.

Y6S3: The Demon Dagger Season Launch delivered the biggest content package, adding a 100-tier Battle Pass, The Yokai Nightmare Event Pass, new Pirate armor variations, and fresh seasonal elements. Medjay also joined the Outlanders, while Crossplay Phase 1 and Phase 2 broadened matchmaking and cross-platform group play.

• Y6S3: The Demon Dagger: The season introduced its Battle Pass, The Yokai Nightmare Event Pass, two missing Pirate armor variations, and new Side Dodge Attacks for Warlord, Centurion, Highlander, Black Prior, and Jormungandr.
• Medjay: The new Outlanders hero arrived with a dual-wielding fighting style, dual-utility feats, and the Medjay’s Deliverance Free Event Pass, which offered exclusive rewards.
• Crossplay Phase 1 and Phase 2: Crossplay unified PvP and PvE matchmaking across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, reset skill ratings for the combined pools, and added an opt-out setting. Crossplay Phase 2 then enabled grouping with cross-platform friends and restored voice chat, while Removal of P2P Connections moved the remaining connections to servers.
• Combat updates: Testing Grounds Update: Dodge Attacks tested new dodge attacks, Valkyrie and Tiandi reworks, and Counter Guardbreak frame advantage. Out Of Stamina State Changes removed stamina pause and restored full stamina after recovering from an Unbalanced state, while Targetable Feats Update improved tracking against Stealth and dodging opponents.
• Seasonal events: Heralds of Chimera added a limited-time mode and lootable rewards; Horkos Masquerade and Battle of the Eclipse each introduced another special mode. Hero Fest events spotlighted ZhanHu, Shaman, Warmonger, and Tiandi, and the Friend Referral Program awarded rewards for inviting new players.

Year 5: Year of the Covenants began with Y5S1: Asunder and continued through the Mirage and Tempest seasons, bringing new seasonal rewards, events, armor, weapons, and battle passes. The year’s biggest additions were the Kyoshin hero and new 4v4 modes including Heralds of Chimera and Carousel of Horkos.

• Seasonal content: Each major season delivered a distinct set of activities and customization.

  • Y5S1: Asunder added Horkos-themed Battle Pass rewards, new armor variations, weapons, the paired Chest Bump emote, and the Horkos Masquerade event.
  • Y5S2: Mirage added drought-themed environments, a Battle Pass, the Visions of the Kyoshin event, and the Kyoshin hero.
  • Y5S3: Tempest reshaped the world around flooding and survival, added 100 reward tiers, gave every hero a unique execution, and introduced the Storm Tides event.

• New heroes and modes: Kyoshin joined the Samurai with a distinct fighting style and special abilities. Heralds of Chimera introduced best-of-seven 4v4 matches centered on defeating the opposing team’s Herald, while Carousel of Horkos removed Revives and Feats and added the Horkos Challenger NPC.

• Combat reworks: Shugoki, Aramusha, Berserker, Jiang Jun, Zhanhu, and Gladiator received substantial chain, dodge, stamina, and attack changes. Later Raider, Orochi, and Shinobi reworks accelerated attacks, expanded dodge and chain options, and overhauled Shinobi’s ranged moves; Testing Grounds also targeted the removal of parry option selects.

• Hero and match balance: Gryphon lost damage, healing, range, and flexibility across Draconite abilities and Shove, while Warden received Shoulder Bash, heavy-attack, Zone Attack, and feat changes. Pikemen, Fortifiers, Guardians, and Commanders were also weakened in the relevant breach encounters.

• Competitive and battlefield updates: Dominion Series 2021 introduced a four-stage circuit with qualifiers, majors, a Last Chance Qualifier, and a $65,000 prize pool. The Forge map gained new stair access and a daylight lighting overhaul, while Chimera Banquet and Visions of the Kyoshin added limited-time Dominion variations and rewards.

Jormungandr and Zhanhu joined For Honor’s roster as new Viking and Wu Lin heroes, each receiving a week of Year 3 Pass exclusivity before becoming available for Steel. Testing Grounds introduced community testing for combat changes, while the Battle Pass added a 100-tier free and premium reward track.

• Roster and maps:
  • Jormungandr: The Viking hero launched in August with the Wrath of the Jormungandr season.
  • Zhanhu: The Wu Lin hero launched in November and later became unlockable for 15,000 Steel.
  • Storr Stronghold: The new Breach map accompanied Jormungandr’s arrival.
  • Qiang Pass: The first Wu Lin map appeared in a limited Breach quest.
• New systems: Battle Pass added free and premium cosmetic progression across 100 tiers; Testing Grounds let players try changes for Centurion, Gladiator, Warlord, and Breach; and Spectator Mode Beta enabled spectating friends, including in Breach matches.
• Seasonal modes and events:
  • Fangs of the Otherworld: The Halloween event added Spooky Slashers, themed soldiers, event loot, and the Endless March map update.
  • Wrath of the Jormungandr: The Ragnarok Breach variant sent players after the Hamarr of Ragnarok in Storr Stronghold.
  • The Zhanhu’s Gambit: The event added Emperor’s Escape, a four-player cooperative mode against AI, alongside themed weapons and cosmetics.
• Combat tuning: Raider received Stunning Tap and damage nerfs, while Hitokiri received reductions to Uninterruptible Stance timing and damage. Jormungandr also received an opening-light recovery adjustment to address dodging the melee finisher.

The paid Marching Fire expansion launched with the Wu Lin faction—Tiandi, Shaolin, Nuxia, and Jiang Jun—and the castle-assaulting Breach mode. The For the Creed crossover then added an Assassin’s Creed-themed mode with Ezio and Cesare as commanders.

• Marching Fire: The expansion introduced the Wu Lin, Breach, three maps, and the Perks system. Its open test also let players try all 22 warriors before launch.
• Season 7: Storm & Fury: The season added the Secluded Keep map, reworked Warden and Valkyrie, adjusted Ranked Duel rewards, and opened every hero to temporary trials.
• For the Creed: The crossover introduced Assassini e Templari, a Dominion variant with no fall damage and air assassinations, while Ezio and Cesare served as high-health commanders with area-of-effect attacks.
• Training and competitive play: Patch 1.22 revamped training modes, added Arena, and delivered full controller customization. Ranked Dominion also returned, replacing Ranked Tribute with a rank reset and revised promotion and demotion rewards.
• Seasonal events: Several limited-time modes and reward tracks rotated through the year.
  • Apollyon’s Legacy added Test Your Metal, which pitted players against increasingly powerful campaign bosses.
  • Rite of Champions introduced Carousel of Death, where teams had to eliminate every opponent simultaneously.
  • Reigning Inferno added Infernal Dominion, a Dominion variant built around fire mechanics and event-exclusive loot.
  • Return of the Otherworld brought Halloween weapons, outfits, effects, executions, emotes, and ornaments.

Season Two: Shadow & Might delivered two heroes, two multiplayer maps, and a major gear overhaul in May 2017. Later, Season Four expanded the roster with Aramusha and Shaman, while Fight System changes and Duel Tournament features substantially altered competitive play.

• Season Two: Shadow & Might:
  • Centurion and Shinobi: Added the Centurion Knight Hybrid and Shinobi Samurai Assassin, later making both available for 15,000 Steel.
  • The Forge and Temple Garden: Added two multiplayer maps to the battlefield rotation.
  • Epic Gear and Gear Stats: Introduced Epic rarity, Defense Penetration, reworked stat combinations, and narrower gaps between high- and low-level gear.
• Season Four roster: Added Aramusha and Shaman as new heroes, expanding the available factions and playstyles.
• Combat overhaul: The July Fight System update targeted the defensive meta by changing stamina regeneration, Out of Stamina vulnerability, parry rewards, Guard Break vulnerability, chip damage, and Revenge activation. Earlier balance work also reworked Revenge Gain, adjusted Raider, Peacekeeper, Valkyrie, Warden, and Shugoki, and removed inconsistent soft feints.
• Competitive modes and training:
  • Duel Tournament: Public tests introduced ranked 1v1 competition with revised matchmaking, ranking displays, map selection, and anti-runaway rules.
  • Ranked Dominion: Activated with a single-pick hero format.
  • Warriors Training Program: Added a dedicated training path for new players.
  • Realistic Elimination and Realistic Tribute: Introduced stripped-down variants that removed gear stats and key HUD or combat assists.
• Seasonal events: Feast of the Otherworld brought Halloween-themed items and modes, while Frost Wind Festival added the Ice Brawlers 2v2 playlist, event orders, masks, outfits, and the Snowball combat emote. Dance of Death later returned with respawns after death.