DragonSword Upcoming Heroes – Liza, Jerome, Veronica & Logan

DragonSword: Awakening launches with a roster of 19 playable heroes, but developer Hound13 has already confirmed that additional characters are in active development. In a recent interview with Inven Global, the development team teased four new heroes entering the fray post-launch: Liza, Jerome, Veronica, and Logan. While official details remain sparse, community sleuths and data miners have pieced together enough information to start theory-crafting their potential kits, Status Ailment affinities, and how they might impact the Continent of Orbis meta.

This guide consolidates everything we currently know about these four upcoming heroes, provides estimated release timelines based on Hound13's content roadmap, and explores how their predicted mechanics could shift the competitive landscape. Whether you're a Valiant Hatchling just starting your journey or a seasoned Nameless Soul farming the Abyssal Direwolf, understanding what's on the horizon will help you plan your resource allocation and team compositions now.

New Hero List

Liza – The Frostweaver

Liza is the most frequently teased of the four upcoming heroes, with concept art surfacing during the final closed beta test. Described by Hound13's art director as "a wandering mage from the northern frontier who commands the raw essence of winter," Liza appears to be a ranged caster with heavy crowd control capabilities tied to the Freeze Status Ailment.

Predicted Playstyle and Kit

Based on her visual design—featuring crystalline blue motifs and floating ice shards—community consensus places Liza as a Control-type hero specializing in area denial and battlefield manipulation. Unlike current ice-themed hero Castella, who applies Freeze through direct melee strikes, Liza's kit seems designed around persistent area effects that gradually build the Frost Gauge on enemies within her influence.

Early data mines suggest she may possess a unique passive called "Permafrost Dominion," which reportedly causes enemies standing in her ice fields to suffer reduced movement speed and stacking Frost Gauge accumulation. This would synergize exceptionally well with the existing Freeze Status Ailment meta, particularly when paired with heroes who can capitalize on frozen targets for shatter damage bonuses.

Her Signal Skill is rumored to be called "Glacial Prison," which, according to a now-deleted Reddit post from a supposed alpha tester, "creates a massive ice wall that blocks enemy projectiles and applies instant Freeze to any enemy attempting to pass through it." If accurate, this would make Liza the first hero capable of terrain generation—a potentially meta-defining mechanic that could completely alter how players approach boss encounters like the Abyssal Direwolf.

Status Ailment Synergies

Liza's primary Status Ailment is almost certainly Freeze, but her secondary applications might include a new mechanic currently absent from the game: Frostbite. According to community reports from Korean gaming forums, Frostbite functions as a stacking debuff that converts a percentage of physical damage taken into ice damage, which then interacts multiplicatively with Freeze-affected targets. This would make her an exceptional pairing with physical damage dealers like Lute or Alex, whose high-damage Signal Skills could benefit from the conversion effect.

The Frost Gauge mechanic on Liza is estimated to build 15-20% faster than Castella's current application rate, based on frame data analysis from her brief appearance in the launch trailer. This accelerated buildup would cement her role as the premier Freeze enabler, potentially pushing Castella into a hybrid DPS role rather than primary control.

Jerome – The Umbral Blade

Jerome represents the most mysterious addition to the DragonSword: Awakening roster. Hound13 has revealed very little about his background, but the official website describes him as "a shadow operative of the Organa Order who walks the line between heretic and savior." His design aesthetic—dark leather armor with red accent runes—suggests a mobile melee assassin archetype.

Predicted Playstyle and Kit

Unlike current rogue-like hero Johnny, who relies on positional backstab mechanics and the Bleed Status Ailment, Jerome appears to be built around a new resource system tentatively called "Shadow Marks." According to a data mine posted on the r/DragonSwordAwakening subreddit, Jerome applies Shadow Marks through basic attacks, and consuming these marks with specific abilities triggers bonus effects based on the number of marks consumed.

His rumored Switching Signal, "Umbral Cascade," allegedly teleports Jerome to a marked target and consumes all active Shadow Marks, dealing bonus damage per mark consumed. If the target is afflicted with Knockdown, the damage is further amplified. This would create a powerful synergy with heroes like Kalien, whose kit centers on Knockdown application, or Dana, whose charged attacks can trigger extended Knockdown states.

Meta Impact Predictions

Jerome's mobility and mark-consumption gameplay loop suggests he'll function as a premier roamer in cooperative content and a high-skill-ceiling duelist in PvP scenarios. His reliance on stacking marks before committing to an engage creates a risk-reward dynamic that rewards patient, methodical play—a stark contrast to the more straightforward aggression of Johnny.

The Organa Order connection in his lore also hints at potential faction-based synergies. If Hound13 implements faction bonuses similar to other tag-action RPGs, Jerome could receive passive benefits when paired with other Order-affiliated heroes, though no official confirmation of faction mechanics exists yet. For more on the Organa Order's role in the story, check out our comprehensive lore guide.

Veronica – The Sanctified Flame

Veronica is positioned as the game's premier holy caster, described in promotional materials as a "high priestess of the Eternal Flame who wields purifying fire against the corrupted." Her design features ornate white and gold robes with floating censers, and her weapon appears to be a ceremonial staff topped with an ever-burning brazier.

Predicted Playstyle and Kit

Veronica seems designed to fill the support-DPS hybrid role currently occupied by Theresia, but with a focus on sustained healing and cleansing rather than burst protection. Her element is confirmed as fire, but unlike Tarte's aggressive pyroclastic style, Veronica's flames appear to have restorative properties for allies.

Community theory-crafting suggests her primary mechanic revolves around "Sacred Embers," which she generates through skill usage and can consume to empower her healing abilities. Her Signal Skill, tentatively named "Baptism by Fire," allegedly creates a large consecrated area that heals allies over time while applying the Shock Status Ailment to enemies. This dual-purpose design would make her invaluable in both cooperative boss encounters and solo content where survivability is paramount.

Status Ailment Interactions

Veronica is the first hero predicted to apply Shock through a persistent area effect rather than direct hits. Current Shock applicators like Charlotte require precise aim and single-target focus, but Veronica's zone-based application could dramatically simplify crowd control rotations for less mechanically skilled players. This accessibility suggests Hound13 is designing her as an entry point for support players transitioning from other MMOs.

Her healing output is expected to scale with her maximum health rather than attack power, according to estimated stat weights derived from the launch build's itemization patterns. This would make her gearing priority fundamentally different from current healer options, potentially revitalizing overlooked equipment sets that boost health and Status Ailment resistance.

Logan – The Iron Vanguard

Logan rounds out the upcoming roster as a heavily armored warrior wielding what appears to be a massive tower shield and one-handed flail. His official description calls him "the unbreakable bastion of the Red Fox Mercenaries," and his silhouette in the teaser image suggests a character built around damage mitigation and counter-attack mechanics.

Ability Comparison Across New Heroes

Predicted Playstyle and Kit

Logan seems poised to become the game's first true tank character with dedicated aggro management tools. While current heroes like Othello can absorb significant punishment through self-healing, no existing character possesses abilities specifically designed to draw enemy attention away from allies. Logan's kit allegedly introduces the "Bulwark" mechanic, which creates a directional barrier that blocks incoming damage and redirects enemy attacks to Logan.

His Switching Signal, rumored to be called "Retribution," reportedly deals damage based on the amount of damage blocked during the Bulwark's active window. This mechanic rewards precise timing and encounter knowledge, positioning Logan as a high-skill-ceiling tank that separates good players from great ones.

Status Ailment Potential

Unlike other tanks in comparable games, Logan does not appear to focus on a single Status Ailment. Instead, his flail attacks reportedly apply small amounts of Bleed through a passive called "Jagged Edges," while his shield bashes can trigger Knockdown on enemies with depleted stamina. This dual-Ailment access would make him exceptionally versatile, particularly in content where enemy resistances rotate or where specific Ailments are required for mechanic checks.

The Red Fox Mercenaries lore connection suggests potential synergy with existing mercenary-affiliated heroes, though Hound13 has not confirmed any faction-based bonuses. If implemented, heroes like Dana and Roxy might receive passive buffs when paired with Logan, creating thematic team compositions that reward lore-accurate groupings.

Release Timeline and How to Prepare

According to Hound13's post-launch content roadmap shared during the Inven Global interview, new heroes will be released approximately every six weeks following launch. The estimated release order, based on development completion percentages mentioned in the same interview, is:

Release Timeline

1. Liza – Expected 4-6 weeks post-launch (late August to early September 2026). Her kit appeared most complete in the beta build, with only balance adjustments remaining.

2. Jerome – Expected 10-12 weeks post-launch (October 2026). His Shadow Mark system reportedly required additional polish to prevent exploits in PvP scenarios.

3. Veronica – Expected 16-18 weeks post-launch (November to December 2026). Her healing mechanics were undergoing iteration to ensure she doesn't invalidate existing support options.

4. Logan – Expected 22-24 weeks post-launch (January to February 2027). His Bulwark mechanic required significant engine work to implement directional blocking properly.

These timelines are estimates based on community reports and may shift based on Hound13's internal priorities. The developers emphasized in the interview that "quality and balance take precedence over strict scheduling," suggesting these windows should be treated as aspirational targets rather than firm commitments.

Resource Planning Recommendations

If you're looking to main one of these upcoming heroes, start stockpiling the following resources now:

Universal Hero Shards: Each new hero will require Hero Shards for ascension. While hero-specific shards will be introduced alongside the characters, universal shards can supplement your progress during the critical early leveling phase.

Skill Enhancement Materials: Based on existing hero patterns, new heroes require approximately 120-150 Rare Skill Tomes and 40-50 Epic Skill Tomes to fully upgrade all abilities. Current farming routes for these materials typically yield 8-12 Rare Tomes per day, so plan your farming schedule accordingly.

Rift System Currency: If new heroes are added to the Rift System's rotating availability, you'll want a stockpile of Rift Coins to immediately invest in their exclusive Rift upgrades. Hero Request completions are currently the most efficient source of Rift Coins, so maintain a consistent daily routine.

Familiar Synergy: Certain Familiars may have specific synergies with the new heroes. The Valiant Hatchling familiar, which boosts ice damage, is expected to pair exceptionally well with Liza, while the yet-to-be-released "Cinder Pup" familiar (teased in the launch roadmap) might be designed for Veronica. Keep an eye on Familiar banners and save your summoning currency if you're targeting a specific hero.

How These Heroes Might Shift the Meta

The introduction of Liza, Jerome, Veronica, and Logan represents more than just roster expansion—it signals Hound13's long-term design philosophy for DragonSword: Awakening's evolving meta. Several key trends emerge when analyzing these heroes collectively:

Specialization Over Generalization

Unlike the launch roster, which features heroes with relatively broad applicability, each upcoming hero appears designed for specific content niches. Liza excels in area control encounters, Jerome in single-target assassination, Veronica in sustained support, and Logan in damage mitigation. This suggests Hound13 intends for players to develop diverse rosters rather than "maining" a single character for all content.

Status Ailment Depth

The introduction of potential new mechanics like Frostbite (Liza) and Shadow Marks (Jerome) indicates that Status Ailments will become increasingly complex. Players who master the Frost Gauge and its interactions will have a significant advantage as content difficulty scales. If you aren't comfortable with Ailment mechanics yet, now is the time to practice with existing heroes like Castella (Freeze) and Charlotte (Shock).

Cooperative Synergy Emphasis

Logan's Bulwark mechanic and Veronica's zone-based healing suggest Hound13 is designing future content with cooperative play in mind. The Continent of Orbis may see encounters that require dedicated tanks and healers, moving away from the "everyone is DPS" mentality that dominates current cooperative content. If you primarily play solo, consider joining a guild or finding regular teammates now to prepare for this shift.

PvP Implications

Jerome's high-mobility assassin kit and Logan's directional blocking could dramatically alter the PvP landscape. Current PvP favors heroes with instant-cast burst damage and reliable Status Ailment application. Jerome's mark-based gameplay introduces a setup-and-execute pattern that rewards game knowledge and prediction, while Logan's defensive capabilities might enable slower, more methodical team compositions.

Community Theories and Speculation

Beyond the confirmed details and data-mined information, the DragonSword: Awakening community has developed several compelling theories about the upcoming heroes that deserve mention, even if they remain unconfirmed.

Hidden Faction Passives

Multiple Reddit threads have speculated that Liza, Jerome, Veronica, and Logan each represent one of the game's major factions—Northern Frontier (Liza), Organa Order (Jerome), Church of the Eternal Flame (Veronica), and Red Fox Mercenaries (Logan). The theory suggests that once all four are released, Hound13 might implement faction-wide passive bonuses that reward thematic team compositions. While purely speculative, the pattern is compelling and worth monitoring.

Hero Request Integration

Some community members have noted that current Hero Request missions occasionally mention "future threats" from regions associated with the upcoming heroes. For example, a rare Hero Request from Chako mentions "strange ice formations in the northern pass"—potentially foreshadowing Liza's introduction. Completing these specific requests might unlock bonus dialogue or rewards when the associated hero launches, though this remains unconfirmed.

Hundred Soul Connection

Sharp-eyed players have identified symbols on Liza's concept art that match iconography associated with the Hundred Soul—the game's mysterious ancient warriors. If Liza has ties to the Hundred Soul lore, her personal quest might reveal significant backstory about the Continent of Orbis and the origin of the Nameless Soul protagonist. This connection hasn't been officially acknowledged but aligns with Hound13's stated commitment to "heroes with deep narrative integration."

FAQ

When will Liza be released in DragonSword: Awakening?

According to Hound13's content roadmap shared via Inven Global, Liza is expected to release 4-6 weeks after launch, placing her arrival in late August to early September 2026. She appears to be the most complete of the four upcoming heroes, with her Freeze-focused kit already undergoing final balance adjustments.

Will Jerome be a better assassin than Johnny?

Jerome and Johnny serve different assassin archetypes. Johnny relies on positional backstab damage and Bleed application, while Jerome's predicted Shadow Mark system rewards setup and timing rather than positioning. For sustained DPS, Johnny may remain superior, but Jerome's burst potential and mobility are expected to excel in PvP and hit-and-run cooperative scenarios. Neither is strictly "better"—they fill different roles within the assassin category.

Can I use my existing equipment on the new heroes?

Partially. While weapon types appear unique to each hero (preventing direct weapon transfers), armor and accessory slots should be compatible if they share the same stat priorities. Liza and Veronica are expected to scale with Elemental Attack and Health respectively, so caster-focused equipment will transfer well. Logan's Health scaling makes him compatible with existing tank gear from characters like Othello. Start saving high-roll Health and Elemental Attack pieces if you plan to main one of these heroes.

How do I farm resources efficiently for the new heroes?

Focus on daily Hero Request completions for Rift Coins and Skill Tomes, as these are the most time-gated resources. Universal Hero Shards should be stockpiled rather than spent on existing heroes if you're saving for a new release. For experience materials, the Abyssal Direwolf boss encounter currently offers the best ratio of Hero XP per minute, though this may change with future balance patches. Keep an eye on the official Hound13 blog for resource-boosting events before the new hero launches.

Will the new heroes be available through the Rift System or a separate banner?

Hound13 has not confirmed the acquisition method for new heroes. Based on the launch model, it's likely new heroes will be added to the Rift System rotation and also feature on limited-time Hero Request banners with increased drop rates. Save approximately 12,000-15,000 Rift Coins if you want to immediately max a new hero's Rift upgrades, based on current costs for launch heroes.

Do I need to complete the main story to unlock the new heroes?

While Hound13 hasn't specified unlock requirements, existing hero acquisition methods suggest new heroes will be available to all players regardless of story progression, accessible through the Rift System and Hero Request banners. However, some personal quest content for these heroes may require progression through specific story chapters. If you haven't completed the main campaign, consider prioritizing it to avoid missing limited-time story events associated with the new hero releases.