Veloren 0.18: The Living World Update — Quests, Gigas, and the Bow Rework

In the rapidly evolving landscape of open-source gaming, one project stands as a testament to what a dedicated community can achieve. While mainstream titles often struggle with development cycles, the volunteer team behind Veloren has just delivered its most transformative patch yet. With the official launch of Veloren update 0.18 on January 11, 2026, the game has successfully pivoted from a stunning technical demo into a fully realized, living RPG simulation. This update doesn't just add content; it breathes life into the very foundation of the Airshipper universe.

The core philosophy of this release is the "Living World." For years, explorers marveled at the procedural beauty of the voxel biomes but often felt the lack of a structured purpose. Veloren update 0.18 solves this by introducing a sophisticated procedural quest system, a massive rework of ranged combat, and the arrival of colossal world bosses. As captured in the recent community release party hosted by Nect, the update is already causing a stir with its chaotic multiplayer energy and deep mechanical polish.

Combat Evolution: The Bow Rework and Throwable Bombs

One of the most significant shifts in 0.18 is the total overhaul of the Bow system. Ranged combat has been redefined to move away from generic projectiles toward a tactical skill-based experience. The update introduces custom arrows with specialized effects and new attack patterns. Whether you are using the Repeater for speed or the Shotgun blast for crowd control, bows finally feel like a primary class choice.

Beyond the bow, throwable bombs have been completely reworked. Gone are the days when bombs were awkwardly "spit out" by the character model; you can now hold, aim, and throw them with precision. This, combined with new Combo Buff mechanics, makes high-tier combat feel faster and more responsive during intense dungeon dives.

The Quest for Purpose: Procedural Objectives

The standout feature of 0.18 is the Simple Quest System. This isn't a static list of "fetch quests" found in traditional MMOs; it is a system deeply integrated into the game's existing town simulation. NPCs now possess a level of agency previously unseen, requiring player intervention to help their settlements thrive.

Escort, Slay, and Hire Help

Two primary quest archetypes have been introduced: Escort a Merchant and Slay a Monster. The escort missions are particularly impressive because the merchant’s pathfinding is now dictated by the brand-new Town Road Variations. Solo players have also received a massive boost with the ability to hire NPCs. You can now recruit town guards or adventurers to assist in difficult dungeon runs, making the game’s toughest content accessible without a massive party.

Elemental Terror: The Fire and Frost Gigas

The release party recently showcased the terrifying power of the Fire Gigas and its chilling counterpart, the Frost Gigas. These roam the world rather than staying confined to dungeons. During the live stream, the Fire Gigas’ complex abilities and intense particle effects led to a massive player wipe, proving these titans are the ultimate test of coordination and dodging.

To aid in surviving these encounters, Veloren update 0.18 introduces optimized particles that respond to wind direction. These "smart" particles are more performant and visually dynamic, intelligently disappearing at night to maintain game performance during large-scale raids.

World Discovery: New Islands, Elephants, and Tidewater

Exploration has been expanded with newly designed islands inspired by the rugged aesthetics of Valheim. These areas feature everything from active volcanoes and mazes to parkour courses and hidden secrets. While exploring, keep an eye out for the massive new Elephant creatures and the revamped schooling fish mechanics that add a layer of biological realism to the waters of Orbis.

The Tidewater area has also received a significant visual remodel, making it a prime destination for those looking to see the new lighting and terrain generation at work. And for those traveling by air, airships now feature Safety Nets, a long-requested feature to prevent players from accidentally falling to their deaths during high-altitude transit.

Quality of Life: HRT Potions and UI Freedom

The developers have packed 0.18 with "small but mighty" changes that improve the day-to-day experience:

• HRT Potion: A new item that allows players to change their character's gender, providing more flexibility in character expression.
• UI Customization: The minimap and inventory items are now movable, allowing you to tailor your HUD to your liking.
• Achievements: A new achievement system—reminiscent of Minecraft’s progression—provides a clear path for new players to follow.
• Armor Updates: New Pirate and Witch armor sets are now obtainable, featuring updated models and textures.
• Lockpicks: New lockpick types have been added, changing how players interact with the various locked chests found in dungeons.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece in the Making

Veloren update 0.18 is a landmark achievement. By mixing technical polish (like the Wall Jumping movement mechanic and WGPU OpenGL support) with community-focused features, the team has created an RPG that feels truly alive. While we bid a temporary farewell to the old castles—removed in this patch to be reworked for future PvP—the arrival of the Gigas and the bow rework more than fill the void.

The future of the voxel RPG is being written in Rust, and 0.18 is the most compelling chapter yet. Whether you are navigating a maze on a volcanic island or dodging the flames of a Fire Gigas, Orbis is waiting for you.

Are you excited to test the new bow mechanics, or are you just relieved about the airship safety nets? Let us know in the comments below!