8.0|May 21, 2026
View on Steam↗Bhashiva Character Pack & Update 8.0 Out Now!
4/5 Significant
Update 8.0 introduces a massive overhaul to Grand Cathay's technology tree and hero skill lines alongside the Bhashiva Character Pack.
Key Changes
- 1Grand Cathay technology tree completely overhauled into Military and Provinces branches
- 2Gate Master, Alchemist, and Astromancer heroes received massive skill tree updates and specializations
- 3Sky Lantern reworked into a support buffer with anti-infantry explosive projectiles
- 4Great Longma Riders now unlock earlier at Tier IV instead of Tier V
- 5Fixed a major crash issue when starting battles as Astragoth Ironhand
- 6Improved growth rates for all Grand Cathay settlements
- 7Alchemist gained the Sky Lantern as a new mount option
- 8New 'Assist Army' actions added for Cathayan heroes to buff army stats directly
- 9Fixed AI behavior issues including Vassal bankruptcy and idle units during sieges
- 10Resolved scaling issues for healing and damage spells on small unit sizes
All Changes
🛡️Factions(7)
- changeGrand Cathay: Complete overhaul of Cathayan Technologies, separating them into Military and Provinces trees.
- buffGrand Cathay: Improved growth gain from Cathay settlements.
- buffGrand Cathay: The Jade Dragon’s Edict commandment now provides Growth in addition to existing effects.
- buffGrand Cathay: The Iron Dragon’s Edict commandment now lowers building construction costs.
- nerfGrand Cathay: The Storm Dragon’s Edict commandment has a slightly lowered Corruption reduction effect.
- changeGrand Cathay: The Sea Dragon’s Edict commandment now increases building income in the province.
- changeIvory Road: Added more variety to travelling caravan encounters on the Ivory Road.
👤Characters(15)
- changeGate Master: Gate Master skill tree updated to allow specialization in melee infantry buffs, ranged units, or self-combat.
- changeGate Master: Gate Master combat skills reworked and reduced from 11 to 9.
- newGate Master: New Gate Master skill 'Implacable Spirit' grants range, AP damage, and missile resistance after 25s stationary.
- newGate Master: New Gate Master skill 'Volleymaster' adds Restock ability and AP missile damage.
- newGate Master: New Gate Master skill 'Celestial Hunter' adds Bonus vs Large and Melee Attack.
- newGate Master: New Gate Master skill 'Protective Oversight' adds Guardian ability, HP, and Immune to Psychology.
- newGate Master: New Gate Master Assist Army actions: Optimized Logistics (Ammo) and Preparedness Drills (Melee Defense).
- changeAlchemist: Alchemist skill tree updated with new self-buff lines for melee, casting, or ranged combat.
- newAlchemist: Alchemist gained a new mount option: Sky Lantern.
- newAlchemist: New Alchemist skill 'Alchemical Enhancements' adds magical attacks to the Lord's Army.
- newAlchemist: New Alchemist skill 'Harmonic Anchoring' allows unit to count as both Yin and Yang for Battle Harmony.
- newAlchemist: New Alchemist Assist Army actions: Metallurgic Refining (Weapon Strength) and Alchemical Hardening (Armour).
- changeAstromancer: Astromancer skill tree updated with a new Caster Buff line and specialization choices for constructs/magical creatures.
- newAstromancer: New Astromancer skill 'Astromantic Warding' adds physical resistance to Jade Lions, Jet Lions, and Terracotta Sentinels.
- newAstromancer: New Astromancer skill 'Heavenly Bonds' increases speed and armour for Great Moon Birds and Celestial Lions.
⚔️Units(7)
- buffGreat Longma Riders: Longma Paddocks building moved from Tier V to Tier IV, unlocking Great Longma Riders earlier.
- nerfSky Lantern: Sky Lantern missile range reduced to match Crossbow units.
- buffSky Lantern: Sky Lantern projectiles now have an explosion effect for better anti-infantry performance.
- nerfSky Lantern: Sky Lantern overall damage reduced to move away from the sniper role.
- buffSky Lantern: Sky Lantern can now activate both Yin and Yang Harmony.
- buffSky Lantern: Eye of the Dragon passive updated to improve range and reload speed for nearby allies.
- removeSky Junk: Removed Eye of the Dragon passive from the Sky Junk; it is now exclusive to Sky Lanterns.
🧠AI Behavior(6)
- fixAI: Fixed issue where Vassals would recruit until they went bankrupt.
- fixAI: Fixed AI units remaining stationary during walled settlement attacks.
- fixChangebringers of Tzeentch: Fixed AI Changebringers of Tzeentch attacking in melee while they still have ammunition.
- fixUshabti: Fixed AI Ushabti (Great Bows) refusing to fight in melee when engaged.
- fixGyrobombers: Fixed AI Gyrobombers not using their bombs.
- fixThe Changeling: Fixed AI Changeling spamming transformation and de-transformation in melee.
🐞Bug Fixes(9)
- fixAstragoth Ironhand: Fixed a random crash when manually starting battles as Astragoth Ironhand.
- fixMalakai Makaisson: Fixed Dwarf Foundry building not increasing ranks for Malakai’s airship lords.
- fixWood Elves: Corrected Wood Elf 'Tree Spirits Spared' effect to increase Charge instead of decreasing it.
- fixElspeth von Draken: Fixed Elspeth’s roster units not receiving Schematics from damage dealt.
- fixKhorne: Fixed Khorne units not receiving benefits from the 'Violent Hunger' Chaos Gift.
- fixGreenskins: Fixed crash when opening Lords & Heroes panel with a dead Waaagh general.
- fixPerformance: Resolved weapon ghosting artifacts when TAA is enabled.
- fixSpells: Fixed direct damage and healing spells not scaling correctly with small unit sizes.
- fixTerracotta Sentinel: Updated Terracotta Sentinel attack hitbox for better hit connection.
Summary
Update 8.0 focuses heavily on Grand Cathay, delivering a complete redesign of their technology tree into dedicated Military and Provinces branches. Heroes like the Gate Master, Alchemist, and Astromancer have received significant skill tree expansions to allow for deeper specialization in melee, ranged, or support roles. The update also includes a fundamental role change for the Sky Lantern, shifting it from a sniper to a dedicated infantry-disrupting buffer, alongside a vast array of AI improvements and campaign bug fixes.