Crusader Definitive Edition: Winter Update

[Asophix 121]

Hello All!

Firefly Studios recently unveiled details about their next "Winter" update for Stronghold Crusader: DE, which is scheduled to release on February 3, 2026.

Much like the Autumn Update, it will feature free additions to the base game, as well as a paid downloadable content called The Sergeant and the Lioness for 5 EUR / 5 USD / 4 GBP. Take a look at the contents below.

Contents - Free Update

• 3 new maps
• A new cooperative trail
• Custom Trail Editor
  • Create your own skirmish trail up to 50 custom skirmish missions, with a selection of opponents and maps tailored to your liking.
  • Trails can be exported and shared with other players too!
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• CPU Lord and Castle Editors
  • Akin to our editors offered for SH2 and SHL (as well as the UCP!), Firefly will also grant us the ability to customise the preferences and castle layout templates built by any AI opponent.
  • Both utilities seem to be standalone applications, with the Castle Editor visually greatly resembling its earlier counterpart for vanilla Crusader.
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Contents - DLC

• New Sands of Time Trail: Trail of the Cobra

New AI opponent: The Sergeant

• Metal man! An aspiring veteran of a "dozen campaigns", who earned fame in his battles  prefers his armored troops to chew through enemy defenses.
• Builds similarly to the Marshal, erecting large castles divided into multiple elongated quarters, and lots of towers on the sides.
• Seen using the sturdiest troops there are: Crossbowmen, Pikemen, Arabian Swordsmen, Demolishers.

New AI opponent: The Lioness

• A bloodthirsty but playful dame? She is the proclaimed "Queen of the Sands", being an all-rounder overall.
• Her castles are much like an upgrade on the Kahinah, featuring an outer wall, moat and better productivity.
• Seen using a mix of Arabic and Bedouin troops: Arabian Swordsmen, Arabian Bowmen, Skirmishers, Heavy Camels.

[Sir Windows 34]

The lord editor looks promising. Hopefully it's going to have custom art and sound assets support. 

[Isaiah 30]

Ooh, this looks exciting. I didn't know they were going to let us create our own skirmish trails too!

Edited December 20, 2025 by Isaiah

[Lord_Chris 270]

Sounds great, hopefully they port to other games too

[Sir Windows 34]

I kinda like the lioness' castle design. It reminds me of Richard, just with samller towers and more archers.