Don't Starve Together: From Beyond - Cursed Confrontation Pt. 1 & Klei Fest 2026
Cursed Confrontation Part 1 introduces a new Sanctum boss and loot, alongside Thermic Tools and a significant fire damage nerf for plant-like creatures.
Key Changes
- 1New boss encounter and loot drops added to the Sanctum
- 2Plant-like creatures now take more fire damage and burn longer
- 3Ancient Key is no longer destroyed when the Ancient Gateway resets
- 4New Thermic Tools, Thermal Balm, and Coals trap added
- 5Waymark Compass added for Sanctum navigation
- 6Mass unravelling feature added for duplicate Curios
- 7Don't Starve Together Mobile announced for July 21st
- 8Login bonus 'Thank You Box' available with multiple new skins
- 9Shadow Hands no longer target Night Lights
- 10Rope can now be used to traverse between Sanctum Chasm and Ancient Archives
All Changes
⚔️Creatures & Bosses(3)
- newSanctum: Added a new boss encounter and unique loot drops within the Sanctum.
- nerfPlant-like creatures: All plant-like creatures now burn for longer and take increased fire damage, matching Wormwood's mechanics.
- fixShadow Hands: Shadow Hands will no longer target Night Lights.
🎒Items & Equipment(6)
- newWaymark Compass: Added the Waymark Compass to assist with navigation through Sanctum rooms.
- newThermic Tools: Added Thermic Tools as a new craftable equipment tier.
- newThermal Balm: Added Thermal Balm, a new type of healing salve.
- newCoals: Added Coals, a new variety of trap.
- newHeat Gland: Added Heat Gland as a drop from Geothermites, used in new crafting recipes.
- buffAncient Key: The Ancient Key is no longer destroyed when the Ancient Gateway destabilizes; it now pops out and remains available.
🗺️World & Exploration(1)
- changeSanctum Chasm: Ropes can now be used on the Sanctum Chasm to create a path back up from the Ancient Archives.
🖥️UI & Quality of Life(1)
- changeItem Collection: Added a method for mass unravelling duplicate Curios within the Item Collection screen.
🎁Events & Rewards(3)
- changeThank You Box: Login bonus 'Thank You Box' includes the Clay-potted Succulent, Eets, Bee-Stealthy Cowl, The Hermetic, Duplicate Dungarees, and Space-age Sweaters.
- changeInteractive Lore: Reached the conclusion of the first Interactive Lore story arc, offering new rewards for players who follow the guide.
- newRosy Roaring Stampeder Chest: Released the 'Rosy Roaring Stampeder Chest' containing multiple furniture and decor chests for $12.99.
📅Coming Soon(1)
- newDon't Starve Together Mobile: Don't Starve Together Mobile is scheduled for release on July 21st.
🕹️Klei Fest & Other Games(5)
- newEets: The original game 'Eets' is now free for everyone permanently to celebrate Klei's 20th anniversary.
- newOxygen Not Included: Oxygen Not Included received a free update with new buildings and the release of the Aquatic Planet Pack DLC.
- changeRotwood: Rotwood received the 'Powers-A-Plenty' update adding Weapon Powers and QoL fixes.
- changeBeastieball: Beastieball updated with workshop support and Portuguese localization.
- newU.V.S. Nirmana: U.V.S. Nirmana released a free bonus campaign update.
Summary
Cursed Confrontation Part 1
This update marks the beginning of the end for the 'From Beyond' story arc, introducing the Sanctum—a new area featuring a boss encounter and unique loot. Players can now craft several new items including Thermic Tools, Coals (a new trap), and Thermal Balm for healing. Navigation within the Sanctum is aided by the new Waymark Compass, and a new shortcut using rope allows for easier travel between the Sanctum Chasm and the Ancient Archives.
Gameplay & Balance Adjustments
A major balance change has been applied to plant-like creatures, which now share Wormwood's vulnerability to fire, taking increased damage and burning longer. The Ancient Key has also received a significant quality-of-life buff, as it is no longer destroyed when the ruins reset.
Klei Fest 2026
Celebrating 20 years of Klei and 10 years of Don't Starve Together, players can claim a 'Thank You Box' login bonus containing several new skins and a Clay-potted Succulent. The update also concludes the first Interactive Lore story arc and coincides with a massive publisher sale across the Klei catalog.