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Combat DoctrineWeapons, defence, encounters and testing
CurrentPatch 1.17.00

Strongholds, Liberation & Re-Blockades

State-safe preparation, liberation, protection, reconstruction and repeatable stronghold operations.

Evidence
Official source
Verified
2026-08-08
Spoilers
Minor spoilers

Strongholds change state. Track the state transition, not just the battle, so liberation, protection, reconstruction and repeatable missions are not confused.

State Meaning
Hostile Liberation has not been completed
Battle The active blockade or Re-Blockade encounter
Reconstruct Post-battle objectives remain
Liberated The supported liberation trigger is complete
Protected Regional protection suppresses a major-stronghold Re-Blockade
Re-Blockade available A repeatable hostile return can be started or occur

Patch 1.10 added explicit Battle and Reconstruct stages to the improved Re-Blockade flow.

  • create a manual save;
  • identify the stronghold and region;
  • check healing, ammunition, tools and mount access;
  • record active faction or story quests;
  • confirm nearby Abyss Nexus access;
  • review the Content Database for known blockers;
  • keep one open save slot for recovery.

A reliable record contains:

  • stronghold name and region;
  • first-entry condition;
  • objectives actually displayed;
  • completion trigger;
  • services or missions unlocked;
  • contribution, provisions, trade goods or other displayed rewards;
  • post-liberation reconstruction;
  • whether the state survives quit and reload.

For a repeatable attempt:

  1. confirm the location was previously liberated;
  2. record whether Protection is active;
  3. save outside the battle state;
  4. complete Battle;
  5. complete Reconstruct;
  6. verify the liberated service state;
  7. confirm repeatable mission or reward changes separately.

Major strongholds can request Protection through the regional contribution assessor. Do not generalise that option to every location.

Patch 1.06 made dispatch, exploration and excavation missions at strongholds, plus dyehouse labour-support missions, repeatable. Repetition does not prove identical rewards; record each displayed result.

If enemies clear but progression does not:

  • confirm all reconstruction objectives;
  • leave and re-enter the tracked area;
  • check Patch 1.16 Known Issues;
  • reload the newest pre-operation save;
  • record the exact state label and objective;
  • avoid claiming liberation from map colour alone.