Top-Down Extraction Action RPG

Vaultbreakers Wiki

Enter a dangerous fantasy world, fight challenging enemies, and escape with valuable relics to strengthen your Haven. Try Nymera or Bjornir in the free Steam PvE demo and prepare for the journey toward the Dragonvault.

  • Demo Launched Oct 8, 2026
  • Latest Patch Oct 8, 2026
  • 2 Demo Champions
  • Up to 3 Co-op Players
  • Full Release Target 2027

What is Vaultbreakers?

Vaultbreakers is a top-down fantasy extraction action RPG developed by BetaDwarf and published with Square Enix. Players explore dangerous expeditions, recover artifacts, fight powerful enemies, and escape with their loot. The free PC demo launched on Steam on October 8, 2026.

The demo features Nymera and Bjornir, part of Wolfswood, introductory quests, Haven upgrades, and cooperative play for up to three people. The broader game is designed around PvE and PvPvE missions, evolving environments, gear, perks, and Artifact combinations. The full release is currently targeted for 2027.

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Vaultbreakers gameplay in Wolfswood with a champion exploring the forest
  • Publisher
    BetaDwarf & Square Enix
  • Demo Release
    Oct 8, 2026
  • Demo Champions
    2
  • Demo Mode
    PvE
  • Full Release Target
    2027
  • Platforms
    Windows PC (Steam)
  • Genres
    Extraction Action RPG
  • Players
    1–3
  • Modes
    Single player, Co-op
  • Developer
    BetaDwarf

Vaultbreakers Wiki Hub

Eight research guides covering the demo, champions, release schedule, modes, Artifacts, Haven progression, and locations.

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Vaultbreakers Demo Guide

Learn how to download and play the free Vaultbreakers demo released on October 8, 2026. Explore the available characters, Wolfswood content, cooperative gameplay, and which rewards carry over to the full game.

  1. Install the Free Demo

    Open the Vaultbreakers Demo page on Steam and install the free demo.

  2. Pick Your Starting Vaultbreaker

    Choose between the two available Vaultbreakers, Nymera and Bjornir.

  3. Clear the Opening Quests

    Complete the introductory quests and explore the available portion of Wolfswood.

  4. Reach the First Vaultbreak

    Progress through the main quests until your first Vaultbreak, playing solo or cooperatively with up to two friends.

  5. Earn Legacy Points

    Complete Challenges to earn Legacy Points that carry over to the full release. Other demo progression is not guaranteed to carry over to launch.

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Vaultbreakers Beginner Guide

Master the fundamentals of combat, exploration, extraction, and character progression in Vaultbreakers. Follow a practical starting route that introduces mission difficulties, equipment management, and Haven upgrades.

  1. Finish the Tutorial

    Complete the onboarding tutorial to learn movement, camera rotation, abilities, and the basic mission systems.

  2. Start on Adventure Difficulty

    Begin with Adventure difficulty to learn enemy attacks and exploration before attempting the more challenging Core difficulty.

  3. Loot Mission Areas

    Explore mission areas, collect valuable equipment and crafting materials, and complete available quest objectives.

  4. Survive Tough Encounters

    Use positioning, dodging, ability timing, and environmental hazards to survive encounters with dangerous enemies.

  5. Extract Before the Timer Ends

    Locate an extraction portal and escape successfully to secure your recovered loot.

  6. Upgrade Your Haven

    Return to your Haven to manage equipment, craft items, upgrade buildings, and prepare for your next expedition.

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Vaultbreakers Characters and Abilities

Explore the playable Vaultbreakers and their confirmed abilities, perks, and combat mechanics. Compare the two characters included in the October demo with additional Vaultbreakers featured in other test content.

  • Nymera

    Demo

    Available in the demo. Her confirmed abilities include Moth Dash, Emerald Barrage, and Soaring Strike, with perks that modify her attacks and mobility.

  • Bjornir

    Demo

    Available in the demo. His abilities include Wild Swing, Giant Snowball, and Ice Block, supported by defensive and Chill-related perks.

  • Sparkwing

    A Vaultbreaker with abilities including Spark Flight and Electric Form, alongside perks such as Exploding Dragons and Empowered Vortex. Not available in the October demo.

  • Lumiri

    A character whose confirmed abilities include Bramble Wall and Shooty Flowers, with perks involving shields, roots, and plant-based attacks. Not available in the October demo.

  • Thora

    A character with abilities including Earthquake, Rager Dash, and Avalanche Cleave, plus health-related combat perks. Not available in the October demo.

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Vaultbreakers Release Date and Playtest

Check the confirmed demo release, upcoming Alpha PvPvE test schedule, and current full-release plans for Vaultbreakers. Learn which content is available now and how the game's progression carryover rules apply to each testing phase.

  • Free Demo

    Available

    The free Steam demo launched on October 8, 2026, featuring PvE gameplay, two playable characters, part of Wolfswood, and introductory quests.

  • Alpha PvPvE Test

    Upcoming

    The officially announced Alpha Test is scheduled for October 15, 2026 at 10:00 CEST through October 21, 2026 at 23:59 CEST, introducing unrestricted PvPvE testing.

  • Progress Carryover

    Demo progress is planned to carry into the October Alpha Test. Legacy Points carry over to the full game, while other demo progress will not.

  • Full Release

    BetaDwarf is targeting a 2027 release, but the Steam store does not yet list a confirmed launch date.

  • Platforms and Publisher

    The game is currently available as a Windows PC demo on Steam. BetaDwarf also plans console releases, and Square Enix Collective has joined as a publishing partner.

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Vaultbreakers PvE and PvPvE Modes

Compare Adventure, Core, and Breaker difficulty modes and understand their different challenges and rewards. Find out how solo play, three-player cooperative parties, and shared progression work across Vaultbreakers missions.

  • Adventure

    PvE

    The more accessible PvE difficulty, designed to help players learn the world and its combat systems with additional survival benefits.

  • Core

    PvE

    A more challenging PvE difficulty offering better rewards, rarer loot, additional experience, and Core Challenges.

  • Breaker

    PvPvE

    The PvPvE difficulty introduces encounters with rival players alongside environmental threats. October 2026 balancing gives Breaker difficulty triple Gold rewards.

  • Co-op

    Play alone or form a party of up to three total players, including yourself, to explore and complete missions together.

  • Shared Progression

    The main game's PvE and PvPvE modes share progression, allowing players to change their level of risk without maintaining separate progression paths.

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Vaultbreakers Artifacts and Vaults

Discover how Artifacts, Vault encounters, and their progression paths contribute to character development. Explore the confirmed Vault content, elemental powers, and mechanics introduced in the October Alpha update.

  • First Vaultbreak

    The October demo includes main quest progression leading to the player's first Vaultbreak, introducing the game's central Vaultbreaking system.

  • Vault 3

    Alpha

    The October Alpha Test adds Vault 3, featuring new enemy waves, rewards, and associated progression.

  • Vault 4

    Alpha

    Vault 4 introduces additional encounters and rewards alongside the Elemental Artifact in the October Alpha Test.

  • Artifact Powers

    Confirmed Alpha progression paths include Darkness, Elemental, Arcane, Holy, and Void powers.

  • Artifact Mechanics

    The October Alpha update expands Artifact-related interactions through corruption, holy orbs, wards, and environmental mechanics.

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Vaultbreakers Haven and Crafting Guide

Learn how Haven upgrades, crafting, salvaging, equipment progression, and the Codex support long-term character development. Explore confirmed systems for improving storage, obtaining recipes, and strengthening your equipment between missions.

  • Haven Upgrades

    Upgrade Haven buildings and NPC facilities to obtain progression benefits, including bonuses related to healing, experience, gold, and other gameplay systems.

  • Crafting Recipes

    Learn and use crafting recipes to produce equipment and other items. The October update improves recipe filtering, sorting, and material-cost visibility.

  • Fateweaver Gear

    Randomly rolled equipment is officially called Fateweaver Gear, with updated loot tables and item progression.

  • Salvaging

    Convert unwanted equipment into useful crafting materials through the salvaging system, which also received interface and functionality improvements.

  • Storage Upgrades

    Expand storage through unlockable rows, additional chests, and up to five storage tabs as described in the July 2026 update.

  • Codex and Legacy

    The Codex includes unlockable perks, abilities, cosmetics, and Chromas, with Legacy rewards connected to quests and Challenges.

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Vaultbreakers Maps and Locations

Explore the confirmed locations, points of interest, and environmental challenges found throughout Vaultbreakers. Start with Wolfswood and discover additional areas, traversal mechanics, and encounters documented in official updates.

  • Wolfswood

    Demo

    The first major map in Vaultbreakers, featuring exploration, enemies, quests, and extraction gameplay. A limited portion is available in the October demo.

  • Pinecrest

    Pinecrest Farm and Pinecrest Village are documented Wolfswood locations with explorable houses and nearby encounters.

  • Scrat Invasion

    An expanded Wolfswood area identified in the July 2026 update, associated with the game's Scrat-related world content.

  • Bandit Enclave

    A named location added to the expanded Wolfswood content described in the July 2026 patch notes.

  • South Vault Crash

    A confirmed Wolfswood location introduced among the expanded map areas in the July 2026 update.

  • Additional Alpha Areas

    Alpha

    The October Alpha update adds quests and progression involving Bahra, Shanty Town, Windshear Crag, and the Fume Pits, alongside Balloon Teleporters and new world events.

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Vaultbreakers FAQ

Verified answers for Steam demo players, returning playtesters, and future Vaultbreakers adventurers.

Can I play Vaultbreakers right now?

Yes. The free Vaultbreakers demo launched on Steam for Windows PC on October 8, 2026. The full game has not yet been released.

When is the full Vaultbreakers release date?

BetaDwarf currently aims to launch Vaultbreakers in 2027. The main Steam store page still lists the release date as to be announced, so no exact day has been confirmed.

Will Vaultbreakers be free to play?

The current Steam demo is free to download. BetaDwarf says the full game is planned as a premium, paid release, although that plan may change before launch.

Does the Vaultbreakers demo have PvP or PvPvE?

No. The October 2026 demo is PvE-only. PvPvE is part of the broader game design and is scheduled for a separate Alpha Test.

Which heroes are playable in the Vaultbreakers demo?

The demo includes two playable Vaultbreakers: Nymera and Bjornir. Other champions mentioned in development updates are not included in this demo.

Can you play Vaultbreakers solo or with friends?

Yes. You can play alone or join up to two friends, forming a co-op party of up to three players.

What content is included in the Vaultbreakers demo?

The demo includes part of Wolfswood, onboarding and main quests through the first Vaultbreak, two playable champions, Haven upgrades, perks, and co-op.

Does Vaultbreakers demo progress carry over?

Legacy Points earned in the demo are intended to carry over to the full game and unlock rewards. Other demo progression will not carry over to full release and may be reset before launch; the developer says demo progress does carry into the October 2026 Alpha Test.

When does the next Vaultbreakers PvPvE Alpha Test begin?

BetaDwarf's October 8 announcement schedules the Alpha Test to begin on October 15, 2026, at 10:00 CEST. Check official announcements for the end time, since the published test windows are not fully consistent.

Is Vaultbreakers coming to PlayStation or Xbox?

BetaDwarf says it is focusing on PC and consoles, but has not confirmed specific PlayStation or Xbox store releases or console launch dates. Steam on Windows PC is the verified public game listing.

Ready to Master Vaultbreakers?

From your first Wolfswood mission to smarter combat, champion choices, Artifact builds, and Haven upgrades, find the guides you need for every expedition.