Hunt: Showdown 1896

Blood Testament arrived with Update 2.9 on September 8, expanding the hunt with a new boss, weapons and visibility conditions. November’s As the Crow Carves added another Legacy Chronicle.

• Bloodskin and weapons: The two-phase Bloodskin boss dropped the Siphon Trait when defeated. Update 2.9 also introduced the Burgess folding shotgun and its Bayonet and Trauma variants.
• Hunting conditions: Blood Moon changed visibility and monster behavior. Inferno time of day and the All Hallows’ Cleave event offered further seasonal variations.
• Hunter DLC: Sage of Joseon added the Roaming Sage, while Bound by Blood featured The Protegee and the Primrose Mosin-Nagant.
• Legacy Chronicle: As the Crow Carves became available on November 6.

Road to Hell expanded Hunt in June with new weapons and a Story Challenge. Twice a Renegade, a separate cosmetic DLC, followed on July 2, 2026.

• Road to Hell: The update introduced the Stronghold, Maxim 1895 and 1890 Cavalry Rifle, along with new Story Challenge activity.
• Cosmetic DLC: July’s Twice a Renegade followed It Takes a Rogue, which added the Ironclad and associated skins in June.
• Objectives and events: Cargo Balloons offered another objective during hunts. Permanent Story Challenges expanded the Chronicle, while Fog of War added a limited-time set of conditions and rewards.

Post Malone’s Murder Circus launched on December 12, adding a circus compound, event rewards, new enemies, and the Shredder sawblade launcher. Bounty Clash delivered a fast single-bounty mode, while Judgement of the Fool later added Tarot-inspired Hunters and Thundershower storms.

• Maps and mode: Stillwater Bayou, Lawson Delta, and Bounty Clash all received substantial gameplay changes.

  • Stillwater Bayou received a full visual and gameplay overhaul using CRYENGINE 5.11.
  • Lawson Delta returned with revised terrain, lighting, and tactical routes.
  • Bounty Clash used 15-minute matches centered on extracting a single Bounty Token and later returned as a 24/7 mode during Murder Circus.

• Seasonal events: Harvest of Ghosts, Garden of the Witch, and Judgement of the Fool delivered new event systems and rewards.

  • Harvest of Ghosts introduced Pact Traits, event equipment, and Bounty Clash.
  • Garden of the Witch added the Bruja duo, Welders, Rare Supply Points, and the Blademancer, Corpse Seer, and Gunrunner Traits.
  • Judgement of the Fool introduced The Fool, The Pale Judge, Dorothy Alice, the Brute, and the dynamic Thundershower weather condition.

• Paid DLC: Six named packs expanded the Hunter and equipment roster.

  • Bones and Bounties added Silver Spur and themed weapon skins.
  • Ghost Face® Rampage added Ghost Face®, Life Taker, and silenced guns.
  • The Last Laugh added The Hyena Hunter, Lion’s Roar, Banner Shot, and Warm Embrace.
  • Dead Man’s Cut added Crossroads Walker and three new Hunter skins.
  • Last of the Herd added Plains Warden, Herd Thinner, Bison’s Leg, and Thunderbird’s Cry.
  • The Ghost of Blanchett Graves added an Angel of Death-themed Hunter, weapons, and items.

• Progression and arsenal: 18 unlockable Hunters became permanent rewards through Rookie progression, while Murder Circus added Pledge Marks, Troupe Traits, Fortune Teller, Ursa Mortis, and Circus Grunts. Legends Return introduced The Scaled Warrior, The Skinner, Ferryman’s Toll, and Nola’s Tiller.

• Combat rules and rollout: Ammo Scarcity rotated selected custom ammunition out of purchases, Revive Bolt was removed with reimbursements for existing copies, and Update 2.4 was reverted to Update 2.3 to restore stability.

From The Wilds DLC launched on June 27, 2024, marking a significant content addition with new items like Hart's Hope and the Trapper: Buckshot. This year also witnessed the release of Hunt: Showdown 1896, which introduced a plethora of new content including the Mammon's Gulch map and several new weapons. Numerous balance changes and new systems refreshed the gameplay experience.

• Major DLC Releases:

  • From The Wilds (June 27, 2024): Introduced new items and weapons.
  • The Reckoning Son (May 23, 2024): Added new Legendary Hunter and weapon options.
  • Son of Gunpowder (March 7, 2024): Featured new weapons and the Conspirator Hunter.
  • Northern Justice (February 8, 2024): Introduced The Mountie and new weapon variants.
  • The Shadow Under the Cowl (January 18, 2024): Added new Legendary Hunter and weapons.

• New Content Launches:

  • Mammon's Gulch Map (August 15, 2024): A new large map with unique features.
  • New Weapons (August 15, 2024): Included the 1865 Carbine and Infantry 73L.
  • Weapon Variants and Equipment (December 13, 2023): Added Caldwell Pax Trueshot and Katana, among others.

• Gameplay Overhauls:

  • Bloodline and Weapon Progression Overhaul (December 13, 2023): Adjusted unlocks and XP thresholds.
  • Tide of Desolation Pacts (December 13, 2023): Event-specific pacts and traits built on the existing system of pledging Hunters to a pact.

• Balance Changes:

  • Gunplay Experience Improvements (August 15, 2024): Adjusted bullet drop and damage mechanics.
  • Projectile Ballistics Implementation (August 15, 2024): Improved weapon aiming dynamics.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Tide of Desolation Live Event (December 13, 2023): Introduced new equipment and story chapters.
  • Scorched Earth Event (August 15, 2024): New mechanics and rewards for players.

Tide of Shadows launched on June 28 with Rotjaw, the first Wild Target, plus the Thundershower weather condition and three new Pacts. The update also introduced the Shooting Range, while a steady run of paid DLC added new Legendary Hunters and weapon variants.

• Tide of Shadows: Rotjaw became banishable for a Bounty Token and later entered the Standard Contract rotation. The event also added the Grounded, Primal, and Smuggler Pacts, rain-driven Thundershower missions, new consumables, the Drilling, and the Soul Survivor rebrand for Quickplay.
• Paid DLC: Nine named releases expanded the Legendary roster and arsenal.
  • The Penitent: Added Damien Yedaiah, False Sacrament, Delirium, and The Scourge.
  • The Concubine: Added Alaz “The Concubine” and the Sister’s Anguish, Shahmaran, and Pride’s Death weapon skins.
  • Frau Perchta: Added Dawn & Dusk Perchta, Midwinter Tusk, Unkempt, and The Avalanche.
  • La Luz Mala: Added Luz Mala, the Caldwell Conversion Chain Pistol, Vetterli Deadeye, and a Legendary Choke Bomb.
  • Commedia Della Morte: Added Scaramuccia, Macchinista, Opera Glasses, and Spaccagambe.
  • Biatatá – Still Waters Run Deep: Added Biatatá, Cobra da Várzea, Proteção do Andarilho, and Língua de Fogo.
  • Shrine Maiden’s Hell: Added The Miko, the Ochita Mozu hunting bow, and Shinbatsu throwing knives.
  • Phantom of the Catacombs: Added Granny Maunet, The Bone Mason, Fissure, Fresh Marrow, and Scarfskin Satchel.
  • Myth of the Moors: Added The Moorhound, Hell’s Dewclaw, Maw of Darkness, and Snarling Dawn.
• Practice and onboarding: The Shooting Range supported solo or three-player testing, target dummies, custom respawns, and damage indicators. Basic Tutorials, Advanced Tutorials, and The Ward of the Reptilian questline also improved new-player onboarding and progression.
• Seasonal progression: Devil’s Moon introduced Pacts, Soul Traps, weekly Challenges, new story content, and a Battle Pass, while the Halloween Questline and Vengeance of the Skinned added further unlockable Hunters and equipment.
• Combat changes: The Ammo Supply Rework standardized resupply amounts, while Gunplay Balance Changes adjusted shotguns, throwing knives, dual-wield ammunition, equipment prices, and Traits. ReShade was also prohibited because of its gameplay advantages.

Serpent Moon launched on July 27 as Hunt: Showdown 1896’s biggest live event, adding story progression, rewards, Snake Dens and Altars, and the evolving Legendary Hunter Viper. Gilded Path added a battle pass with free, standard, and premium paths, while The Prescient Night DLC launched with The Prescient and new weapons.

• DLC releases: Several Legendary-hunter packs expanded the roster and weapon collection.
  • The Prescient Night: Added The Prescient, Moon Bleached, The Blindside, and The Forewarning.
  • The Meridian Turncoat: Added The Turncoat, Crossfire, Ambush, and Red Cask.
  • They Came From Salem: Added The Witch Hunter and new weapons.
  • The Lawless, Cold Blooded, and The Kid: Added The Gunslinger, The Reptilian, and The Kid; Death’s Herald and Azure Arsenal also added Legendary gear.
• Serpent Moon: Viper evolved through event progression; Gilded Path provided free, standard, and premium reward tracks; and Snake Dens and Altars introduced snake capture and sacrifice mechanics. The event also added the Romero 77 Alamo, Sparks Pistol, and Beastface, Serpent, and Poison Sense traits.
• Progression systems: Summons replaced Daily and Weekly Challenges with five quest categories, stars, rotating objectives, and optional Blood Bond access to a third quest slot. Dark Tribute exchanged Bloodline XP for Hunt Dollars, Blood Bonds, and exclusive items, while Loadout Presets, Item Hotswap, and Reconnect Support improved preparation and recovery from disconnects.
• Arsenal and maps: The Hunting Bow, Berthier Mle 92, Caldwell 92 New Army, Winfield 1893 Slate, and Scottfield variants broadened weapon choices. DeSalle, Lawson Delta, and Stillwater Bayou received compound and spawn changes, while Kingsnake Mine gained a new subterranean area.
• Combat and matchmaking: Uppercut and slug damage were retuned, Friendly Fire explosive damage reduction was removed, and Bounty Hunt matches shortened to 45 minutes. A 225ms maximum ping limit and region lock also reshaped matchmaking.
• Seasonal events: The Harvest, Winter Solstice, Traitor’s Moon, and the Hunt 4th Anniversary Twitch Drops campaign delivered limited-time rewards and unlocks.

DeSalle arrived as Hunt: Showdown 1896’s third map, adding urban and industrial compounds to the Bayou in July 2021. Custom Ammo and the new Scrapbeak boss also substantially expanded loadout variety and PvE encounters, while Light the Shadows introduced a new event progression path and rewards.

• New map and arsenal: DeSalle launched with the Miner Grunt AI variant, followed by the Hunting Bow, Throwing Axe, Assailant, Dewclaw, and Hundred Hands during Light the Shadows. Custom Ammo added options such as Dragonbreath, Full Metal Jacket, and weapon-specific ammunition across much of the arsenal, alongside the Winfield 1876 Centennial and Winfield 1887 Terminus family.
• New boss and events: Scrapbeak debuted with hoarding, frenzy, item-shedding, concertina-bomb, and supply-denial mechanics. The As the Crow Flies anniversary event and Light the Shadows delivered event gear, Legendary Hunters, Reliquaries, and progression rewards, while Hunt’s first Halloween event added unlockable themed weapons and consumables.
• DLC Hunters and weapons: Ronin, Trickshooter, Spirit of Nian, The Beast Hunter, The Wolf at the Door, and Through the Bone Briar released new Legendary Hunters and weapon skins, including William Carter, North Star, Theodore Tuck, Cain, Nightmare, and Bone Briar.
• Matchmaking and survival systems: Skill-based matchmaking, revised group-rating calculations, expanded high-skill brackets, and MMR details gave players more control over match quality. Bounty Revive let bounty carriers revive teammates at the cost of health, while Quickplay returned and the Necromancer and Whispersmith traits expanded Hunter options.
• Combat balance: The Dolch 96 and explosive ammunition were heavily retuned, long- and medium-ammo ranges increased, and Bulwark’s damage reduction rose to 50%. The June hit-registration work also reduced invalid shots, particularly when the server incorrectly judged the shooter already dead.

Legends of the Bayou DLC launched on August 27, 2019, introducing two legendary Hunter skins and two legendary weapon skins. Another significant release was the Fire Fight Bundle on February 14, 2020, with proceeds supporting wildlife rescue efforts in Australia. The Trials Mode debuted on June 25, 2020, marking a major addition to the game's PvE content.

• New Gameplay Modes:

  • Trials Mode: A new PvE mode allowing players to complete challenges for rewards.
  • Bounty Hunt Game Mode: Continued as the core bounty-hunting mode after the full release, having already been available during Early Access.

• New Features:

  • Dual Wielding: Players gained the ability to use two identical handguns simultaneously on June 25, 2020.
  • New Weapons: The addition of weapons like the Springfield 1866 and new variants for existing weapons throughout the year enhanced gameplay variety.

• Balance Changes:

  • Fire and Poison Damage: Introduced varying intensities for fire and poison damage effects on June 9, 2020.
  • Weapon Price Reductions: Significant price reductions for tools, consumables, and various weapons were implemented on September 18, 2019.

• Seasonal Event:

  • Halloween Event: The Butcher received a festive appearance on October 28, 2019, adding a seasonal twist to the game.

• Quality of Life Improvements:

  • A substantial UI Overhaul was implemented on August 27, 2019, improving usability and aesthetics across menus and screens.