Beginner's Guide (Getting Started)

Last updated: 2026-06-15Pre-launch / subject to change at July 29, 2026 launch.

⚠️ The one rule that matters most: if you die, you lose everything you’re carrying. Mistfall Hunter is a PvPvE extraction RPG — you drop into a ruin, grab loot, fight monsters and rival players, and have to escape alive to keep any of it.

Mistfall Hunter is a third-person, Nordic dark-fantasy extraction RPG. Each run, you sail out from The Camp into the Gyldenmist, kill twisted creatures (the Corroded), loot their spoils, dodge or fight other hunters, and try to extract before the closing Mist or a rival kills you. Do that, and your loot is yours. Fail, and it’s gone. That’s the whole game in one breath — everything below is how to survive it.

1. The Extraction Loop in 60 Seconds

Here’s the cycle you’ll repeat every run:

1. Prep in The Camp. Gear up, restock, party up, then call Soekja to launch.
2. Drop into a raid map like the Solemn Needles.
3. Loot and fight. Kill the Corroded for spoils. Other players are out there too, carrying loot worth taking.
4. Extract. Defeat Returner Woodlings to collect bells, open a portal, and defend it for about 30 seconds.
5. Get out alive and your haul is banked. Then do it again.

The catch holding the whole thing together: the Gyldenmist forms a circle that shrinks over time, squeezing everyone together. You can’t stall forever. Full detail on the Extraction Loop page.

2. Choosing Your First Class

You’ve got six classes. For your first run, the community-recommended starters are Sorcerer, Mercenary, and Blackarrow — they’re the most forgiving while you learn.

• Sorcerer — the strongest pick right now and the best class for new players. Fire and ice magic that shreds from a safe distance, plus shields and buffs. Weak in melee, so keep your distance.
• Mercenary — the tanky frontliner. Big health pool, swaps between sword-and-shield and a heavy hammer. Simple to pick up, great for holding ground.
• Blackarrow — precision bow class. Staggers enemies and deals steady ranged damage, but needs good positioning and can feel underpowered solo.

Harder classes — Shadowstrix (stealth assassin), Seer (support that shines in a trio), and the launch-reveal Withered Knight — are better once you know the game. See the full Classes hub for all six. Good news: talents are reassignable, so a first-class mistake isn’t permanent.

3. Solo vs Trio (Co-op & Inviting Friends)

You can play solo or in a trio (up to two companions). Both are viable, but they feel different.

Inviting friends happens in The Camp: form your party there, then launch together. There are also Normal and Chaos difficulty options for both Solo and Trio — start on Normal. The Seer in particular is a trio class; it struggles alone.

4. Combat Basics

Combat is action-based and Elden Ring-flavored — timing matters more than button-mashing. Two resources drive it: stamina (your dodges and attacks) and focus. Manage stamina or you’ll get caught mid-swing with nothing left to dodge.

A few fundamentals:

• Watch enemy tells. Wind-ups telegraph big hits — that’s your cue to dodge or block.
• Don’t over-commit. Whiffing a heavy attack into a counter is how you die.
• Second wind exists — combat was reworked so stamina and second wind feel cleaner. Lean on it.
• If a monster kills you (not a player), you may be able to retrieve your soul and respawn within a time limit. Player kills are harsher.

More on resources in Stamina & Focus.

5. How to Extract

Extraction is the skill that separates good runs from wasted ones. You don’t walk to an exit — you earn one.

1. Find and kill Returner Woodlings to collect bells. Each extraction needs a set number of bells based on how much loot you’re carrying.
2. Press H to open the extraction portal once you have enough bells.
3. Defend the spot for ~30 seconds while the portal opens.
4. Step through and your loot is safe.

💡 The heavier your haul, the more bells you need — so plan your exit before you go greedy. The richest loot spots are also the most contested.

6. The Camp & First Upgrades

The Camp is your safe hub — no Mist, no PvP, no death. Between runs you’ll sell junk, restock, forge gear at the Spirit Blacksmith, and spend Gyldenblod (the game’s gold) on upgrades.

Your first upgrade priority should be the Gyldenblod Pool, which raises how much currency you can carry out of a raid. More extracted per run means everything else snowballs. After that, the tavern (for Victory Wine buffs) and storage. Pip’s Auction House opens at level 5 for player trading. Full breakdown on The Camp and Gyldenblod & Farming.

7. Beginner Mistakes & Tips

💡 Don’t get greedy. A medium haul you extract beats a fat haul you die holding.

💡 Plan your exit early. Know where you’ll farm bells before the Mist forces your hand.

💡 Treat every player as hostile. Anyone carrying loot is a target — including you.

💡 Start on Normal, solo or trio. Learn the maps before you touch Chaos.

💡 Upgrade the Gyldenblod Pool first. It pays for itself faster than anything else.

FAQ

Can I play Mistfall Hunter solo? Yes. Mistfall Hunter has a full Solo mode with its own difficulty, alongside trio co-op. Some classes like the Seer favor teams, but solo play is fully supported.

Is Mistfall Hunter free? The open beta is free-to-play on Xbox and PC, and the game joins Xbox Game Pass in July 2026. The full launch business model and any retail price aren’t officially announced yet.

Does Mistfall Hunter have crossplay? Yes. Cross-platform play is confirmed across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

How big are squads? Up to three players — you plus two companions. You can also go solo.

How do I get access? Through the open beta running June 14–22, 2026 on all three platforms, then the full launch on July 29, 2026. See Demo & Beta.

What happens when I die? You lose the loot you’re carrying. If a monster kills you, you may retrieve your soul and respawn within a time limit; player kills are less forgiving.