Tears of Metal Wiki
The ultimate Tears of Metal resource hub. Early Access guides, hero builds, Emblem synergies, Act walkthroughs, village upgrades, co-op tips, and interactive tools — updated for July 2026 launch.
Early Access Launch Hub
Tears of Metal enters Early Access on July 22, 2026 on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass for PC. Paper Cult delivers three complete Acts, three playable heroes, eight Emblem families, Charms, and persistent Village meta progression in a Scottish medieval hack-and-slash that blends musou horde combat with cooperative roguelike runs.
Release
Launch week starts now — use the <a href="/guides/launch-day-checklist/">Launch Day Checklist</a> for pre-download steps, squad storefront picks, and first-run priorities. Release timing, platforms, demo retirement, and save policy are covered on our <a href="/release/">Release</a> page. Compare Steam, Game Pass, and planned Xbox support on the <a href="/platforms/">Platforms</a> guide and verify PC specs on <a href="/system-requirements/">System Requirements</a>.
Updates
The Early Access roadmap (4–12 months) includes new heroes, co-op balance passes, Emblem families, and an Xbox Series X|S version before the end of 2026. Track patches on <a href="/updates/">Updates</a>.
Review
The Steam demo was removed July 6, 2026 after overwhelmingly positive feedback. Pre-launch impressions still help, but EA brings rebalanced systems — read our <a href="/review/">Review & Impressions</a> page.
Start Here — New Player Guides
New to Tears of Metal? Start with campaign loop fundamentals, battalion commands, Emblem choices, and Village returns between runs. Our guides cover solo play and full four-player co-op.
How to Play — loop, controls, and first-run priorities
The <a href="/guides/how-to-play/">How to Play</a> guide explains the core loop, three launch heroes, and when to invest in the Village after your first wipe.
Controls
Master keyboard or controller before your first fight: battalion orders, dodge, and block should become reflexes. See <a href="/controls/">Controls</a>.
Survival Without Healing
Healing is scarce by design. Learn damage mitigation, troop positioning, and potion budgeting before Gilles the Hog and Acts 2–3.
Battalion Management
Scottish soldiers die permanently during runs. Recruitment, combat commands, and Village upgrades matter — see <a href="/guides/battalion-management/">Battalion Management</a>.
Heroes
Three commanders at Early Access launch: Wallace (balanced sword), Ruadh Stonecrusher (hammer tank with ally healing), and a third hero with a specialized kit. Each choice shifts Emblem synergies and co-op roles.
Wallace
Wallace — versatile commander ideal for first campaigns and Caithness combos.
Ruadh Stonecrusher
Ruadh Stonecrusher — armor break, crowd control, and healing pulses for co-op.
Third Hero — agile or specialist archetype unlocked through standard EA progression.
Compare kits, recommended Emblems, and online roles on the <a href="/heroes/">Heroes</a> hub.
Builds
Builds emerge from Emblems (per run), Charms (persistent), and Village equipment. Eight Emblem families, 100+ artifacts, and cross-clan synergies define every campaign.
Emblem Families — eight Scottish clans with tiers 1–3
Caithness, Orbs, Smite, and Mark appeared in the demo; Dunbar, Ross, Stirling, and Iona complete EA. Details on <a href="/builds/emblem-families/">Emblem Families</a>.
Best Emblem Synergies — top combinations per Act and hero
Caithness + Orbs for Act 1; Smite + Mark for armored Act 2 elites; Stirling + Iona to survive Dragon Stone pressure. Full rankings on <a href="/builds/best-emblem-synergies/">Best Synergies</a>.
Charms — persistent modifiers that bend run rules
Charms are purchased at the Village and deployed before each campaign. Effect breakdown: <a href="/builds/charms/">Charms Guide</a>.
Tools
Emblem Planner — select families and preview synergies before deploying.
Walkthrough
Each campaign spans three Acts on a left-to-right roguelike map: combat nodes, elites, shops, rest, and bosses. Manage Threat and Hazards to reach the Mother Stone prepared.
Act 1 — from landing to Gilles the Hog
Safe routing for beginners, pre-boss checklist, and Gilles patterns: <a href="/walkthrough/act-1/">Act 1 Walkthrough</a>.
Act 2Act 2 — stacked elites, Hazards, and resource scarcity
Act 2 demands coherent builds and Threat/rest discipline. Scout Tent and Training Grounds change the math — see <a href="/walkthrough/act-2/">Act 2 Walkthrough</a>.
Act 3Act 3 — Mother Stone approach at maximum pressure
Prepare defenses, Charms, and soldier roster two-thirds through before the final gate. Full guide: <a href="/walkthrough/act-3/">Act 3 Walkthrough</a>.
BossesAll Bosses
Patterns, phases, and rewards for Gilles the Hog, Act finales, and elite variants — <a href="/walkthrough/bosses/">All Bosses</a>.
Village
The Village converts run gains into permanent power: Training Grounds, Scout Tent, barracks, Charm shops, and companions. Emblems reset; the Village does not.
Settlement Upgrades — Training Grounds, Scout Tent, forges, and halls
Investment priorities between Acts: <a href="/village/settlement-upgrades/">Settlement Upgrades</a> and <a href="/guides/village-upgrades/">Village Upgrades</a> guide.
Soldiers — recruitment, permanent death, and Emblem auras
Protect veterans: permanent death removes levels and aura bonuses. Map tactics and combat commands on <a href="/village/soldiers/">Soldiers Guide</a>.
Tools
Interactive checklist for recommended upgrade order — <a href="/tools/village-priority-checklist/">Village Priority Checklist</a>.
Co-op
Online co-op for up to four players: each hero with own Emblems, Charms, and battalion orders; shared map and Threat. Ideal for ultimates and mutual cover.
Co-op
Lobbies, roles, revive etiquette, and EA stability: <a href="/co-op/">Co-op</a>. Game Pass and Steam — verify cross-store at launch.
Guides
Co-op Multiplayer Guide — roles, Emblem synergies, and boss coordination (<a href="/guides/co-op-multiplayer/">read the guide</a>).
Map
Campaign Map — node types, routing, and shared decisions (<a href="/map/">Map</a>).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tears of Metal?
Tears of Metal is a medieval hack-and-slash co-op roguelike developed by Paper Cult. You lead a Scottish battalion across a war-torn island, combining Musou-style horde combat with roguelike runs, Emblem buildcraft, and persistent village progression.
When does Tears of Metal release?
Tears of Metal launches in Early Access on July 22, 2026 for PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, with Xbox Game Pass availability on PC. An Xbox console version is planned before the end of 2026.
Is Tears of Metal co-op?
Yes. You can play solo or with up to three friends in online four-player co-op. Each player controls a hero commander while sharing battalion progression and village meta upgrades between campaigns.
Does the demo save transfer to Early Access?
No. The demo was removed on July 6, 2026 and save files do not carry over to the full Early Access version. The EA build includes significant balance changes, new systems, and three full Acts.
How many heroes are available at launch?
Early Access launches with three playable heroes: Wallace (balanced swordsman), Ruadh Stonecrusher (hammer tank with healing), and a third commander revealed at launch. More heroes are planned throughout Early Access.