Developer Stunlock Studios has released a few major updates since the Early Access launch, which introduced new areas and improvements to the game. Now, the recently announced Invaders of Oakveil update is about to bring even bigger changes to V Rising, along with a new biome and bosses.

When Invaders of Oakveil launches, players will explore a part of Vardoran that was once thought unreachable. Far northwest of Silverlight, in a forest filled with ruins from Dracula’s Great War, a once healthy woodland has been overtaken by dark magic. The Oakveil Woodlands are now under the control of Megara the Serpent Queen, whose Venom Blades cult has twisted trees and animals into dangerous creatures.

As players reach Oakveil, they will notice the air thick with sap dripping from the trees. This venom sap is the source of Megara’s power. Stavros the Carver gathers it, Lucile the Venom Alchemist refines it into deadly potions, and Dantos the Forgebinder uses it to create powerful weapons. Every step deeper into Oakveil shows that the forest itself fights back against outsiders. Players must move carefully, as the forest can either protect them or attack them. Four elite V Blood lieutenants, each representing a part of Megara’s power, wait to challenge those who explore too far.

The update also brings a major combat rework that Stunlock Studios calls a “deep stat rework” and “the next evolution of vampiric warfare.” Attributes now scale more carefully, caps prevent stats from getting too high, and blood types have been adjusted. Cultist blood and warrior blood give clearer bonuses, and rare types like mutant blood are easier to find through new enemies. A new corrupted blood type gives vampires special abilities. These systems fit together with a new item fusion feature. At the fusion forge, players can combine two weapons or spell jewels into one item, creating builds based on choice rather than luck.

Magic users will find seven new spells and a new ultimate ability tied to Megara’s legendary shard. Each magic school, arcane, blood, brutality, and shadow, now has a new signature spell that works well with the updated stats and blood bonuses. Melee players can now choose between fast claws, the heavy hitting twinblade, or the new ranged throwing daggers. Weapon coatings allow players to add one-time elemental or stat boosts, like storm effects. Alchemists can brew venom elixirs using venom sap to boost health, speed, or resistance.

For players who enjoy PvP, two new features are being added along with improvements to castle defenses. Castle arenas allow teams to fight inside keeps under custom rules without the risk of losing gear. A new global duel system lets two players test their builds in fair fights, with health restored afterward. In the open world, players can now bet their character titles instead of valuable items, which allows them to compete and show their strength without losing their gear.

Castle building has been expanded. Players can now build a stable to house and train mounts, teaching them to resist attacks and move faster. The treasury room can store extra materials and automatically supply nearby crafting stations. Decorative electrical wiring inspired by Gloomrot can also be added, though for now it only serves an aesthetic purpose. These additions work alongside the blood homogenizer, which distills blood vials into mixtures, and the fusion forge, which changes how players upgrade their gear.

Other parts of Vardoran have also seen changes. The Dunley Farmlands now feature two mid-tier bosses: Sir Erwin the Gallant Cavalier, who tests reflexes with horseback attacks, and Gaius the Cursed Champion, who has unpredictable combat moves. These fights prepare players for the tougher V Blood bosses in Oakveil.

Behind all these changes is a deeper story. Oakveil was once a peaceful place covered in moss after Dracula’s war. Megara’s arrival changed this, as she demanded hearts in exchange for power and turned villagers into Venom Blades. These cultists now roam the forest, carving symbols into trees and collecting sap for their rituals.

Oakveil’s dangers are meant to be rewarding. Corrupted bears and venom-infused wyverns drop venom sap but also carry dangerous poisons. Sunlight still drains vampire strength, and hunger and blood reserves remain important. Players will need to develop new strategies to survive. Whether sneaking through the woods or challenging bosses openly, every choice will shape your experience.

The update also introduces new cosmetics DLC. The Eternal Dominance Pack, available for $19.99, offers new castle decorations like statues, golden cages, and ornate coffins, including armor cosmetics, a fancy horse saddle, and a new wolf form appearance.

Invaders of Oakveil is not just a new region, but also a major update to many of the game’s systems. If you played V Rising before, you won’t want to miss the new update when it launches on April 28, 2025.