Mordhau’s biggest update to date has just been released and it has brought sweeping changes to the game. Patch 7 was released along with a statement celebrating Mordhau selling over a million copies in the short time it has been available. While this doesn’t compare to Apex Legends or Fortnite, Mordhau’s relatively small launch generated word of mouth bringing more players to the game.
Patch 7 includes some sweeping changes to combat and weapons in Mordhau. Most weapons have been tweaked to make a better balance between their various forms of attack. There has also been some brand new content added to the game. New weapons and new maps were included in Patch 7. Since combat is quite tactics heavy in Mordhau, you need to stay up to date on the changes in mechanics if you want to keep winning matches. This guide runs you through all the major changes.
New Weapons and Maps
- Heavy Hand Axe – The Heavy Handaxe is the first new weapon added in Patch 7, it is a heavy and powerful one-handed weapon. It gives high damage, but it very slow to compensate. Its range is relatively good for a one-handed weapon. While it isn’t overpowered this axe should make quick work of anyone with light armor. The back of the axe is a blunt mallet that doubles as a blacksmith hammer. With this, you can parry attacks. However, you can also use it to repair structures! This axe only costs 3 points while the actual blacksmith hammer costs 2. This makes the blacksmith hammer a bit of a redundant item if you’re not using the pre-made character classes. This addition from Patch 7 definitely opens up more options for engineers.
- Javelin – This latest weapon is a throwable spear, it comes stacked with two ammo. If you hit your target this deals high damage and your ‘reload’ speed is also very high. This makes it a throwable to be wary of in Mordhau after Patch 7. Headshots with the Javelin will take out every player who isn’t in High armor. Even a torso shot will do serious damage to most types of armor and instant kill anyone with no armor.
- Crossroads –This is a new Frontline Map. It is pretty uniquely laid out, featuring one structure in the center with various raised platforms around it, making it a good place for ranged players. This should add some much-needed variety to the maps available. Patch 7 only contained one new map, hopefully, future updates will add ore to the other game modes.
Gameplay Changes in Patch 7
Patch 7 has mainly dealt with balancing combat and adding new content, but there have been some other changes.
- Customization– More options added.
- Taige – This map has been altered quite a bit. Patch 7 should address a problem experienced by players who thought the layout was weighted towards one team’s starting position over the other.
- Toolbox – This can no longer build structures in spawn areas. The ability to do so previously was an oversight rather than a feature. This is largely an anti-troll move that should make the game less frustrating.
- Bans – Players leaving during voting and disrupting now get a five-minute ban. This was a very minor problem but it is one of a few anti-troll measures in Patch 7.
- Points – Capturing and controlling objectives now reward more points.
Combat Changes
Balancing changes to weapons might have been the major change with Patch 7, but horses shields and general combat got their share of changes too.
- Shields – Holding down block with a shield will now automatically re-block after getting hit. Previously you would have to manually do this. Walking backward speed while shielding has also been increased.
- Kicking – The effective range of kicks against shields have been reduced. The hitboxes were slightly unaligned with models previously.
- Movement – Naked and low armor movement speeds have been increased. You can probably rationalize it as a Mordhau player receiving a rush of adrenaline knowing he has wandered into a battle naked.
- Horses – Bumping horse now slows them down quite a bit more. Horses also take less damage than they previously did. A minor change, but it could really shake things up for cavalry player.
- Parry– Stamina gains from parries have been increased by 5 in Patch 7.
Weapon Changes in Patch 7
This is the big one, there’s been quite a lot of changes…
- Longbow – Projectile speed and draw speed have been increased. However, draw speed has been reduced. This is a change that kind of cancels itself out but it will take some adjusting to.
- Crossbow – You now do more damage with a crossbow against torsos!
- Recurve Bow – Speed increased slightly. You can also now sprint a bit during the draw. This will really help with mobility and help distinguish it from the similar Longbow.
- Perks – The price of both Ranger and Huntsman has been reduced to 1.
- Jump Sway – This has been increased on all ranged weapons.
- Leg Damage – This has been increased for everything! This makes it much more effective than previously. If you’re aiming to recreate any Monty Python bits, now might the time.
- Halberd – Stab damage against plate helmets has been reduced to 45.
- Spear – Spears in the main grip now deal 3 more damage to torsos and 3 less damage to heads. In the alternative grip, stabs deal less damage to plate helmets.
- Axe – Strike range increased and combo speed has been increased. Patch 7 has made this a much more viable choice.
Sword Changes in Patch 7
- Executioner – Strike damage against armored helmets has been reduced and stab damage against everything has been reduced.
- Zweihander – Damage dealt while half-swording has been increased significantly. Stab damage done against plate helmets has been reduced and overall stamina drain reduced by 1. Stamina cost of a missed strike has been increased by 1.
- Eveningstar – Higher damage is now done against armored helmets with a strike. The overall range has been increased, and stab damage reduced against helmets.
- Bastard Sword – Strike combos are now faster, and the stamina drain for strikes has been increased by 1.
- Warhammer – Strikes now move faster and drain 1 more stamina.
- Arming Sword – A stab does more damage to plate torsos and strikes do more damage against plate helmets.
- Dagger – Stab damage increased, strike damage reduced.
- Cleaver – Strike Damage increased, stab damage reduced.
Patch 7’s Impact on Gameplay
These changes to weapons are all quite minor but they will contribute to a different balance for the weapons in the game. Overall, ranged weapons have each been made more distinct. This should help make archery more effective as a playstyle. A lot of weapons have had their uses between strikes, stabs, and alternative grips adjusted. This should help each weapon find an effective niche and reduce the overwhelming benefit of one or two over all else.
While players are getting used to these adjustments it is a good time to refresh yourself on the basics of dueling and optimize your settings. With a million copies now sold, there’s going to be a lot of new players to compete with.