The Duskbloods Wiki — PvPvE Guide, Characters & News

The Duskbloods is scheduled for release in 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2. As of August 2026, no exact release date has been announced. Nintendo and FromSoftware have confirmed the game will launch in 2026, and Kadokawa, FromSoftware's parent company, still expects a 2026 launch. The closed network test runs August 21–24, 2026.

Applications ran from July 22–28, 2026 through campaign.theduskbloods.jp with a linked Nintendo Account. Selection results were announced August 7, 2026 on the Network Test account page. Selected players receive a download code on August 18, redeemable on the Nintendo Store or eShop. Requirements: a Nintendo Switch 2 system and a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

PvPvE stands for player versus player versus environment. In The Duskbloods, up to 8 players enter the same match and must fight both enemy NPCs spawned by the environment and the other players directly. It creates a three-way tension where you compete for Victory Points while surviving hostile encounters, choosing between direct combat and opportunistic play.

FromSoftware has confirmed over a dozen playable characters, all called Bloodsworn. Each Bloodsworn has a unique identity and appearance, distinct weapons and abilities, a combat-assist entity they can summon, and ranged attack options — some even wield firearms. Exact character names and full skill lists have not been officially revealed yet.

Matches in The Duskbloods are decided by Victory Points. Victory conditions vary from match to match — the most common is surviving as the last player standing, but matches can also be won by defeating a boss or completing special objectives. Personal roles like Destined Rivals and Destined Companion add dramatic dynamics, and dynamic events mid-match can change the rules.

Yes. As a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive online multiplayer game, The Duskbloods requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership for online play. The membership is also required to participate in the closed network test — this was explicitly listed among the test requirements.

The Duskbloods is not a traditional co-op game. It is a PvPvE multiplayer game where up to 8 players compete for First Blood. However, matches feature temporary alliances, Destined Companion roles and opportunistic play, so players can form transient bonds with rivals — but ultimately only one can claim First Blood.

No. Despite sharing a dark, Gothic-inspired aesthetic and director Hidetaka Miyazaki, The Duskbloods is confirmed not to be connected to Bloodborne or any existing FromSoftware title. It is a brand-new original IP created exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 — a first for FromSoftware on a Nintendo platform.