Long after most thought its journey had ended, the original Darkest Dungeon has one more surprise in store.
More than a decade after Darkest Dungeon first launched, Red Hook Studios is returning to the original game with brand new content. Six years after its last expansion, the gothic RPG will receive The Fire's Edge, a new DLC introducing two returning hero classes, new combat mechanics, Trinkets, and Hamlet Districts.
The expansion was revealed on Tuesday (22 July), with Red Hook confirming in an announcement on X that "The Fire's Edge, the first new DLC for Darkest Dungeon since 2020, is releasing on August 18th. The Duelist and Runaway, heroes who debuted in Darkest Dungeon II, bring their unique abilities to bear against horrors that lurk beneath the manor. Wishlist now."
When is Darkest Dungeon The Fire's Edge DLC releasing?
According to the Steam store page, The Fire's Edge is scheduled to launch on 19 August, 2026. The slight difference in release dates is likely due to regional time zones.
What is included in the Darkest Dungeon The Fire's Edge DLC?
The Fire's Edge marks the first major content expansion for the original Darkest Dungeon since 2020, bringing two familiar faces from Darkest Dungeon II into the original game's roster.
Rather than simply copying their existing versions, Red Hook describes both heroes as a "re-visioning" designed specifically for the original Darkest Dungeon. The DLC includes:
- Two new hero classes: the Duelist and the Runaway
- A new Burn combat mechanic introduced through the Runaway
- New Trinket mechanics, including Trigger Uses, Quest Charges, and Progressive Trinkets
- Three new Hamlet Districts: Academie Duello, Craftworks, and Archaeological Base Camp
Who are the Duelist and Runaway in Darkest Dungeon?
The Runaway joins the original game as a flexible damage dealer built around the new Burn status effect. Steam describes the hero as being "patterned in burns, draped in tatters and wielding a crude poker," favouring fire and stealth while working especially well alongside teams that rely on Stuns, Pull, Knockback, and Shuffle effects.
The Duelist, meanwhile, focuses on careful positioning and stance management. She can freely maintain Riposte while switching between Defensive and Aggressive stances, rewarding players who plan several turns ahead. As the Steam description puts it, "Proper planning of the Duelist's future turns is key to mastering her playstyle and maximizing her potential!"
While both heroes originally debuted in Darkest Dungeon II, their abilities have been reworked to better suit the mechanics and pace of the first game, giving returning players a fresh reason to revisit the Old Road.
