Dead Weight Wiki
Tactical Roguelite Wiki & Strategy Guide
Dead Weight is out now on Steam — launched July 16, 2026 with a 25% introductory discount at $9.74 USD through July 30. Klukva Games and Spaghetti Cat deliver a Lovecraftian steampunk tactical roguelite with action point combat, four playable characters, three regions, three bosses, and three Ancient Gods. Captain a flying pirate ship, fight Insid on tiny grid battlefields, and master pushing foes into the Abyss. Use our wiki for launch-week guides and full-game tips.
Explore the Wiki
Every section below links to in-depth guides updated for the July 16, 2026 launch. Pick a topic and dive in.
Strategy Guides
Our guides walk you through every core system in Dead Weight, from your first demo run to advanced fuel management and combat positioning.
- Getting Started Guide Learn how to download the demo, understand the prologue story, and survive your first battles as Arn the Barbarian.
- Combat Basics Master turn-based grid combat, action points, and the positioning rules that separate victory from a fall into the Abyss.
- Push into Abyss Guide Discover how environmental knockback works and why shoving goblins off floating islands is your deadliest weapon.
- First Run Guide Hub town, mercenaries, Gaby's Workshop, and Aluza prep for launch-week buyers.
- Aluza Boss Guide Defeat Mad Oracle Aluza with add control, mercenary prep, and Bleed trap tactics.
Characters & Builds
Dead Weight features four unique characters with deep skill trees. The demo and playtest let you experience Arn and Berry before the full launch roster arrives.
- All Characters Overview Compare all four playable sky pirates and their roles across a full roguelite run.
- Arn the Barbarian The demo protagonist — a heavy-hitting frontliner built for Abyss pushes and brute force tactics.
- Berry The agile second character available in playtests, focused on mobility and precision strikes.
- Best Builds Theory-crafted skill combinations and equipment pairings for Arn and Berry in the current demo.
Gameplay Systems
Inspired by Into the Breach and Final Fantasy Tactics, Dead Weight rewards players who think three steps ahead on cramped battlefields.
- Controls & Keybindings Full keyboard and mouse reference for combat, ship navigation, and menu navigation.
- Combat System Deep Dive Understand action points, enemy AI patterns, and the upcoming combat overhaul for launch.
- Items & Equipment Tier-1 loot tables, weapon types, and how gear synergizes with your skill tree choices.
- First Run Guide Hub town, Gaby's Workshop, mercenaries, and volcanic island route in the full game.
- Lighthouse Unlock Guide Unlock town recovery, mercenaries, and map vision without burning your first run.
- Madness & Fatigue Balance risk and reward as your crew's sanity shifts the world around you.
World & Release Info
Explore procedurally generated floating islands, encounter Ancient Gods, and track everything you need before the July 2026 Steam launch.
- Full Game Guide Four characters, three regions, three bosses, AP combat, hub meta, and launch discount details.
- Updates & News July 16 launch, 25% discount through July 30, 209+ Very Positive reviews, and post-release patches.
- Launch Day Guide First-run tips, $9.74 launch pricing, and what to do after buying on Steam.
- Boss Encounters Three mighty bosses, Aluza prologue finale, and grid tactics for multi-phase fights.
- Region 3 Guide Late-campaign islands, crises, higher-tier loot, and Ancient God density.
- Global Unlock Times July 16 unlock converted to PDT, EDT, UTC, JST, BRT, and other major time zones.
- Map & Regions Region 1 and Region 2 island layouts, points of interest, and exploration routes.
- Region 2 Playtest New islands, rival pirates, Berry gameplay, and playtest access requirements.
- Ancient Gods Meet Insid and other deities — fight them or follow them for forbidden knowledge.
- Release Date Dead Weight launches July 16, 2026 at 18:00 CEST for $12.99 on Steam.
- Demo Guide How to access the free demo, playtest, and what content each version includes.
- Launch Review Post-release impressions: AP combat, three regions, $9.74 discount, and buy recommendations.
Tools
Plan your next run before setting sail with our interactive build planner tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dead Weight launch?
Dead Weight launched on Steam July 16, 2026 at 18:00 CEST. The introductory discount is 25% off through July 30 — $9.74 USD from a $12.99 base price. Klukva Games confirmed the date with an official release date trailer on June 24, 2026.
What changed in the latest Dead Weight update?
The July 16, 2026 launch ships the full game: four characters, three regions, three bosses, action point combat, hub meta, and drifting-ship fuel mechanics. Earlier 2026 updates added the May playtest, Insid reveal, Region 2, and a final demo update that wiped old saves. See our Updates page for the full timeline.
What is Dead Weight?
Dead Weight is a tactical roguelite RPG developed by Klukva Games and published by Spaghetti Cat. You captain a flying steampunk pirate ship, explore floating islands, and engage in turn-based combat inspired by Into the Breach and Final Fantasy Tactics. It releases on Steam July 16, 2026.
Is there a free demo for Dead Weight?
Yes. A free demo is available on the Dead Weight Steam page. It includes the opening story where Arn attempts to rescue Berry from the Mad Oracle Aluza, featuring roughly 40–60 minutes of gameplay with 20+ skills and items.
How many characters are in Dead Weight?
The full game features four unique playable characters, each with their own skill tree and playstyle. The demo focuses on Arn the Barbarian, while playtests have also unlocked Berry as a second character.
What languages does Dead Weight support?
Dead Weight supports English, Russian, German, Spanish (Spain), Portuguese (Brazil), and Simplified Chinese with full interface, audio, and subtitles.
What are the system requirements?
Minimum specs are Windows 10, Intel i3 2125 3.30 GHz, 4 GB RAM, GT 750M graphics, and 500 MB storage. The pixel-art aesthetic keeps hardware demands modest.