# WARDOGS Field Notes

> Official-source answers for WARDOGS players: server status, login error fixes, patch notes, Secure Boot, consoles, the core rules and the Early Access roadmap.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## About WARDOGS

WARDOGS is a tactical all-out warfare FPS developed by BULKHEAD and published by Team17, now in Steam Early Access. Up to 100 players split across three teams fight over a randomized Control Zone, and the cash you earn through teamwork carries over from match to match. This independent guide only states what BULKHEAD has published and shows a check date on every page.

## Key facts

- Developer: BULKHEAD
- Publisher: Team17
- Platform: Windows PC (consoles planned for 2028)
- Price: $39.99 on Steam (Early Access)
- Match size: Up to 100 players, 3 teams
- Guide checked: October 1, 2026

## Quick answers

**Is WARDOGS on PS5 or Xbox?**

Not yet. WARDOGS is currently a Windows PC game in Steam Early Access. BULKHEAD has announced that it is coming to consoles in 2028.

**Does WARDOGS require Secure Boot or TPM?**

Not currently. BULKHEAD says it may add that requirement later and will announce it before it takes effect.

**How long will WARDOGS stay in Early Access?**

The developer expects around one to two years, and says the exact length may change.

**Is this an official WARDOGS site?**

No. This is an independent fan-made guide and is not affiliated with BULKHEAD or Team17.

**When does WARDOGS Season 2 start?**

October 15, 2026, according to BULKHEAD's official Season 02 Teaser on Steam. The announcement gives a date but no start time.

**Does WARDOGS progress reset each season?**

BULKHEAD says that at the end of a season, cash and XP progression reset, with cash converted into Gold Bars, while Gold Bars and cosmetics stay on your account. It has not yet published a Season 2 notice listing exactly what resets.

## Guides

### Guides

- [How to Play WARDOGS: Rules, Cash and Your First Match](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/how-to-play.md): A beginner guide to WARDOGS based on official sources: how Control Zone scoring works, how cash and roles work, and what to expect in your first match.
- [Is WARDOGS on PS5 or Xbox? Console Release Date Explained](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/console.md): WARDOGS is PC-only in Steam Early Access today. Here is what BULKHEAD has officially said about the console release in 2028 and about controller support.
- [WARDOGS Factions: Lonestar, Valkyra and Manticore Explained](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/factions.md): Meet the three WARDOGS factions, Lonestar, Valkyra and Manticore, and the Kolchia setting they fight over, using BULKHEAD's official descriptions.
- [WARDOGS Weapon Tier List: Rank All 33 Guns Yourself](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/weapon-tier-list.md): Build your own WARDOGS weapon tier list. Rank all 33 guns into S to D tiers, filter by weapon class, and download your ranking as an image to share.

### Help & Fixes

- [WARDOGS Server Status: Where to Check Outages and Queues](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/help/server-status.md): How to check whether WARDOGS servers are down, where BULKHEAD posts maintenance and fixes, and what went wrong with the launch login queue.
- [WARDOGS Error 1147405308: What We Know and What to Try](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/help/error-1147405308.md): Seeing WARDOGS error 1147405308 or "failed to authenticate"? What BULKHEAD has confirmed, the WD-L020 crash fixed in Update 0.1.2, and safe steps to try.
- [Does WARDOGS Require Secure Boot, TPM or Support Linux?](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/help/secure-boot.md): BULKHEAD's official position on Secure Boot, TPM and Linux or Proton support for WARDOGS, plus how its anti-cheat and ban system work.

### Updates & Roadmap

- [WARDOGS Roadmap: Early Access Plans, Consoles & Pricing](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/updates/roadmap.md): What BULKHEAD has officially confirmed about the WARDOGS Early Access roadmap: the one to two year timeline, planned content, consoles in 2028 and pricing.
- [WARDOGS Patch Notes: Season 2 Update 0.2.0 Explained](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/updates/patch-notes.md): A plain-English summary of the WARDOGS Season 2 patch notes (Update 0.2.0): new weapons, vehicles, rain, damage and price changes, plus earlier official updates.
- [WARDOGS Next Wipe: No Reset Yet, Season 3 Planned Earlier](https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/updates/wipe.md): When is the next WARDOGS wipe? No quick Season 2 reset: BULKHEAD plans to bring Season 3 forward instead. What resets, what you keep, what is unconfirmed.


---

# How to Play WARDOGS: Rules, Cash and Your First Match

> A beginner guide to WARDOGS based on official sources: how Control Zone scoring works, how cash and roles work, and what to expect in your first match.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/how-to-play/  
Checked: 2026-10-01  
Game version: Early Access Season 1 · Update 0.1.2

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

A WARDOGS match puts up to 100 players into three teams that fight over one randomized 2×2 km Control Zone. Every 30 seconds, the team with the most players inside the zone earns one point. The first team to reach 100 points wins. Kills matter only because they help your team hold the zone.

## How a match is won

The Control Zone moves between matches, so no two games play out the same way. Inside the Control Zone there is a shifting sub-zone called the Hot Zone. Players standing in the Hot Zone count double toward their team's player count, and they also earn double cash. Holding the Hot Zone can swing a close match.

## Cash is your most important resource

Every player starts with $10,000. Each time you spawn, you buy your own loadout from weapons, gear, utility items and vehicles. You earn cash through teamplay, including reviving squadmates, transporting teammates to the zone, spotting, kills and controlling the objective.

Cash persists from match to match, so a bad life costs you real progress. BULKHEAD has also said that at the end of a season, cash and XP progression reset, with your cash converted into Gold Bars. Season 2 is due to start on October 15, 2026, so see our wipe page before you save up. You can also exchange cash for Gold Bars, the endgame currency used for cosmetics in the Gold Market. BULKHEAD has promised that cash and Gold Bars will never be sold for real money.

## Your role is what you buy

WARDOGS has no fixed classes. If you buy building tools, you are a builder. If you buy bandages and medkits, you are a medic. The developer says every role is viable, but roles that support the team are the most profitable.

You earn XP across separate progression tracks. The official Season 1 patch notes list unlocks for tracks including Career, Medic, Support, Recon, Pilot and Driver.

## Squads, voice chat and joining late

- Squad size is unlimited. Squadding up adds extra UI, communication tools and vehicle locking.
- WARDOGS uses drop-in and drop-out play, so you can join a match already in progress.
- Teams are not forced to have exactly equal player counts.
- Proximity voice chat lets you talk to nearby teammates and enemies.

## Building and destruction

You can fortify strategic locations by building your own forward operating base, and you can destroy buildings with explosives and heavy vehicles. The official site describes a sandbox where every moment is player-driven rather than scripted.

## Before you buy

| Check | Official answer |
| --- | --- |
| Platform | Windows PC through Steam Early Access |
| Price | $39.99, or $49.99 for the Supporter Edition |
| Minimum PC | Windows 10 64-bit, Core i5 8600 or Ryzen 5 3500, 16 GB RAM, GTX 1660 or RX 590, 50 GB storage |
| Controller | Support is limited in the current version |
| Consoles | Planned for 2028 |

## A simple first-match plan

1. Press Deploy and choose Official, Community, Infantry Mode or Low-Level servers. This Deploy screen was added in Update 0.1.2 on September 30, 2026.
2. Join a squad so you get squad UI and voice coordination.
3. Spend carefully, because the cash you lose does not come back next match.
4. Head toward the Control Zone and look for the Hot Zone.
5. Earn money through team actions such as revives and transport, not only kills.

## Sources

- [Official website: wardogs.com](https://www.wardogs.com/) (checked 2026-09-14)
- [Developer FAQ pinned on Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1867240/discussions/0/762932533852726673/) (checked 2026-09-14)
- [Steam announcement: WARDOGS - TOP QUESTIONS, February 18, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1825093633182385) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [BULKHEAD on YouTube: WARDOGS | Early Access & Beyond, April 7, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvtvAvl-78) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam store: WARDOGS](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1867240/WARDOGS/) (checked 2026-09-14)

---

# WARDOGS Server Status: Where to Check Outages and Queues

> How to check whether WARDOGS servers are down, where BULKHEAD posts maintenance and fixes, and what went wrong with the launch login queue.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/help/server-status/  
Checked: 2026-10-15  
Game version: Early Access Season 2 · Update 0.2.0

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

This page does not show a live server status, because WARDOGS does not publish a public status API that we can check. The fastest way to confirm an outage is to look at BULKHEAD's official channels: Steam announcements, the official X account and the official Discord. Maintenance and hotfix notices are posted there first.

## Official places to check

| Channel | Use it for | Link |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Steam announcements | Maintenance windows, patch notes, launch issues | [Steam news](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) |
| X | Short status updates | [x.com/wardogs](https://x.com/wardogs) |
| Discord | Community announcements | [Official Discord](https://discord.gg/TxKKdspkCp) |

## Recent official maintenance and fixes

- **October 15, 2026:** scheduled maintenance for the Season 2 launch between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC, with roughly 90 minutes of downtime announced in advance. Shortly before 10:00 UTC, BULKHEAD posted that Update 0.2.0 was released and servers were back online. The update also requires a Steam download.
- **October 2, 2026:** BULKHEAD announced a hotfix at 08:00 UTC for minor security and stability issues affecting some players, with an expected downtime of one hour. A separate balance hotfix the same day needed no client download and no server downtime, and its vendor change applied as servers restarted across regions.
- **September 30, 2026:** servers went down for about one hour starting at 08:00 UTC to deliver Update 0.1.2. It fixed the Windows 11 WD-L020 crash, closed several XP and cash exploits, and added a Deploy screen for choosing Official, Community, Infantry Mode or Low-Level servers.
- **September 14, 2026:** servers went down for about one hour starting at 08:00 UTC to deliver Patch 0.11. The announcement listed local times for every major region.
- **September 12, 2026:** BULKHEAD announced increased server capacity in Asia.
- **September 10, 2026:** Launch Stability Hotfix #1 targeted players who could not join servers, players kicked during play and long login queues. After updating, everyone returned to the login queue and was let in in controlled batches.

## Official servers and community servers

Since Patch 0.11, the server browser is split into Community and Official lists. Update 0.1.2 added a Deploy screen where you pick Official, Community, Infantry Mode or Low-Level servers. Community servers are rented from third-party hosts and run by their owners. A community admin can ban you from their own server, but that ban does not affect the rest of the game.

BULKHEAD's approved hosting partners for community servers are QONZER, BisectHosting and xREALM. In the Patch 0.11 announcement on September 12, 2026, BULKHEAD said community servers would offer a bonus 5% end-of-match cash reward for the following week, as an apology for the weak server browser. The announcement did not give an exact end date, so check the latest Steam announcement before planning around it.

## If you are stuck in the login queue

Around launch, long queues were a known issue that BULKHEAD fixed with a client update and batch-by-batch logins. If you see a queue, fully close the game so the latest client update can install, then check the official channels for current maintenance. Since Update 0.1.2, after you click Join the game shows that it is connecting and then your place in the queue, if there is one. For authentication errors, see our error 1147405308 page.

## New in Season 2: ping limits

Update 0.2.0 adds region-based ping limits on official servers. If your ping stays above a server's limit for a sustained period, you are kicked automatically, and you cannot rejoin that server until the next map transition. Brief spikes should not trigger a kick, and server-side lag spikes are excluded. The server browser now shows maximum ping tags and has ping filters, so pick a server in your region if you keep getting kicked. BULKHEAD says the first limits are lenient and will be tuned. Community server admins can set their own limits.

## Season 2 launch

Season 02 went live on October 15, 2026 after maintenance between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC. BULKHEAD's launch post says Update 0.2.0 is released and servers are back online. If you cannot connect, fully close the game so Steam can install the update, then check the official channels above.

## Sources

- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Is Now Live, October 15, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706677015) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Patch Notes, October 14, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706674560) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Security & Stability Hotfix, October 2, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656384445) (checked 2026-10-09)
- [Steam announcement: IR Goggles & CIWS Balance Hotfix, October 2, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656386801) (checked 2026-10-09)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Official WARDOGS account on X](https://x.com/wardogs) (checked 2026-09-14)
- [Steam store: WARDOGS](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1867240/WARDOGS/) (checked 2026-09-14)
- [Official Security & Enforcement policy (updated 2026-09-07)](https://www.wardogs.com/enforcement) (checked 2026-09-14)

---

# WARDOGS Error 1147405308: What We Know and What to Try

> Seeing WARDOGS error 1147405308 or "failed to authenticate"? What BULKHEAD has confirmed, the WD-L020 crash fixed in Update 0.1.2, and safe steps to try.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/help/error-1147405308/  
Checked: 2026-10-01  
Game version: Early Access Season 1 · Update 0.1.2

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

To fix WARDOGS error 1147405308, first check whether there is an outage or maintenance, then fully close and relaunch the game, verify the game files in Steam, and contact support@bulkhead.com if it continues. BULKHEAD has not published an official explanation of the code. Players report seeing it together with messages such as "Access Denied" or "Failed to authenticate with online services". Around launch, the developer confirmed login and server problems and fixed several of them with a client hotfix.

## What is officially confirmed

- On September 10, 2026, Launch Stability Hotfix #1 targeted players who could not join servers, players kicked from servers and extended login queue times.
- The official Security & Enforcement policy says the game refuses to launch or refuses to connect if it detects that it has been tampered with or that cheat software is running.
- On September 30, 2026, Update 0.1.2 fixed a Windows 11 crash with the error code WD-L020. BULKHEAD says the crashes were caused by the Windows 11 update KB5124010.
- Official support is available at support@bulkhead.com.

## What is not confirmed

Some websites say the code means a server outage, a build mismatch, a missing licence or a ban. BULKHEAD has not confirmed any of these meanings in the official sources we checked, so we do not present them as fact.

## Safe steps to try

1. Check the official Steam announcements, X account and Discord for maintenance or an outage.
2. Fully close WARDOGS and relaunch it, so that any pending client update can download.
3. Restart Steam, then use the standard Steam option to verify the integrity of the game files. This is a general Steam feature, not a WARDOGS-specific fix.
4. Remove any third-party tool that modifies the game or its memory. The enforcement policy says detected tampering blocks launching or connecting.
5. If the error continues, contact support@bulkhead.com.

Be careful with paid "error fixer", booster or VPN services that promise to solve this code. None of them are recommended by BULKHEAD.

## If you think you were banned

In the Update 0.1.2 announcement on September 30, 2026, BULKHEAD said it has reset cash and progression for players caught abusing cash or XP exploits, or real money trading, and that players now risk a permanent ban without warning for repeatable exploit abuse. According to the enforcement policy, only permanent account bans can be appealed. Email appeal@bulkhead.com with your account name and platform. A member of the team reviews every appeal and aims to respond within 30 days. Server restrictions, temporary suspensions and hardware bans are final.

## WD-L020 crash on Windows 11

If WARDOGS crashes on Windows 11 with the code WD-L020, install the latest game update first. Update 0.1.2 (September 30, 2026) fixed this crash, which BULKHEAD says was caused by the Windows 11 update KB5124010. Fully close and relaunch the game so the update can download. If it still crashes after updating, contact support@bulkhead.com with the exact code.

## Other crashes

The Season 1 changelog fixed several crash paths, and Patch 0.11 addressed more GPU crashes. If the game crashes rather than showing an error, install the latest update first.

## Sources

- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Official Security & Enforcement policy (updated 2026-09-07)](https://www.wardogs.com/enforcement) (checked 2026-09-14)
- [Official WARDOGS account on X](https://x.com/wardogs) (checked 2026-09-14)

---

# WARDOGS Roadmap: Early Access Plans, Consoles & Pricing

> What BULKHEAD has officially confirmed about the WARDOGS Early Access roadmap: the one to two year timeline, planned content, consoles in 2028 and pricing.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/updates/roadmap/  
Checked: 2026-10-19  
Game version: Early Access Season 2 · Update 0.2.0

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

BULKHEAD expects WARDOGS to stay in Steam Early Access for around one to two years, according to the developer Q&A on the Steam store page. The studio says the exact length may change depending on development and community feedback. Season 2 went live on October 15, 2026 with Update 0.2.0. Consoles are planned for 2028. No date has been announced for the full release.

## Confirmed so far

| Topic | Official status | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Early Access length | Around one to two years, may change | Steam store developer Q&A |
| Price | Lower during Early Access, may rise closer to full release | Steam store developer Q&A |
| Consoles | Coming in 2028 | Launch trailer announcement, developer FAQ |
| Season 2 | Live since October 15, 2026 as Update 0.2.0, after maintenance between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC. Adds four weapons, four vehicles, three buildables, a Molotov, rain weather and battery-powered Infrared Range Finders, plus large damage, progression and price changes | Season 02 Patch Notes (Oct 14), Season 02 Is Now Live (Oct 15) |
| Later in Season 2 | A Wager Vendor that opens later in Season 2, and Steam Trading Cards and Point Shop items, pending Valve's approval | Season 02 Patch Notes (Oct 14) |
| Season resets | At the end of a season, cash and XP progression reset, cash converts to Gold Bars, and Gold Bars and cosmetics stay on your account | Early Access & Beyond video (April 7) |

## Planned content

The developer Q&A lists these plans for Early Access and beyond:

- More maps, weapons, vehicles and gameplay variety.
- New vehicle types, including fighter jets.
- Expanded weapon categories and additional objective variations.
- Deeper progression systems and a stronger seasonal metagame.
- Systems that reward players for combat, support or logistics.
- Ongoing work on balance, performance and stability.

## The metagame: Black Market, Vault and Player Skills

In April 2026, BULKHEAD said it will build a metagame during Early Access. It named the Black Market and Vault, and a Player Skills and Challenge System. The goal is to let players keep earning and progressing outside matches. The design exists, but these systems will arrive over the course of Early Access, and no dates have been given.

In the same video, BULKHEAD described how seasons work: at the end of a season, cash and XP progression reset with cash automatically converted into Gold Bars, while Gold Bars and cosmetics stay on your account across seasons. The Season 2 patch notes do not repeat this or say what reset at launch. For what that means, see our WARDOGS wipe and Season 2 page.

## Monetisation promises

In its August 2026 pre-order announcement, BULKHEAD made three commitments:

1. No monetisation at any point during Early Access.
2. In-game cash and Gold Bars will never be sold. They must be earned through play.
3. Camos will never be sold directly.

An optional Supporter Edition is sold on Steam for $49.99.

## Not announced yet

- A date for the full release.
- The specific console models.
- A list of exactly what reset at the start of Season 2, and the cash to Gold Bars conversion rate.
- When Season 3 starts. On October 17, 2026, BULKHEAD said on X that it is looking at bringing Season 3 forward significantly, with details in a dev vlog the following week, but it gave no date.
- An opening date for the Wager Vendor.

We update this page when BULKHEAD posts new roadmap information.

## Sources

- [WARDOGS on X: Season 2 announcement, October 17, 2026](https://x.com/WARDOGS/status/2111412655726489872) (checked 2026-10-19)
- [Steam store: WARDOGS](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1867240/WARDOGS/) (checked 2026-09-14)
- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Is Now Live, October 15, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706677015) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Patch Notes, October 14, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706674560) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Teaser, September 22, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1844115010504839) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: IR Goggles & CIWS Balance Hotfix, October 2, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656386801) (checked 2026-10-09)
- [BULKHEAD on YouTube: WARDOGS | Early Access & Beyond, April 7, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvtvAvl-78) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Developer FAQ pinned on Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1867240/discussions/0/762932533852726673/) (checked 2026-09-14)

---

# Is WARDOGS on PS5 or Xbox? Console Release Date Explained

> WARDOGS is PC-only in Steam Early Access today. Here is what BULKHEAD has officially said about the console release in 2028 and about controller support.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/console/  
Checked: 2026-10-01  
Game version: Early Access Season 1 · Update 0.1.2

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

No, WARDOGS is not on PS5 or Xbox yet. It is currently a Windows PC game in Steam Early Access. BULKHEAD's launch trailer announcement on September 10, 2026 says WARDOGS is coming to consoles in 2028, and the developer FAQ repeats that console launch window.

## What BULKHEAD has confirmed

| Question | Official answer | Where it was said |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Can I play on console today? | No, the game is being developed for PC | Developer FAQ on Steam |
| When are consoles planned? | 2028 | Launch trailer announcement and developer FAQ |
| Which PC platforms? | Windows only on the Steam store | Steam store page |
| Controller support on PC? | Limited in the current version | Developer FAQ on Steam |

## PS5 and Xbox specifically

The official Steam announcement and FAQ say "consoles" without naming models. Major gaming outlets have reported PlayStation 5 and Xbox versions. We will list specific consoles here once we can link to an official store page or announcement that names them.

## Crossplay

We did not find an official statement about crossplay between PC and consoles in the sources we checked. Treat any crossplay claim as unconfirmed until BULKHEAD announces it.

## Should you wait for consoles?

That depends on whether you have a Windows PC that meets the requirements. The developer expects Early Access to last around one to two years and plans a lower price during Early Access, with a possible increase closer to full release. The console window is currently more than a year away.

## Sources

- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Developer FAQ pinned on Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1867240/discussions/0/762932533852726673/) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam store: WARDOGS](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1867240/WARDOGS/) (checked 2026-10-01)

---

# WARDOGS Factions: Lonestar, Valkyra and Manticore Explained

> Meet the three WARDOGS factions, Lonestar, Valkyra and Manticore, and the Kolchia setting they fight over, using BULKHEAD's official descriptions.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/factions/  
Checked: 2026-10-01  
Game version: Early Access Season 1 · Update 0.1.2

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

Every WARDOGS match has three teams: Lonestar, Valkyra and Manticore. BULKHEAD introduced them in its official Top Questions announcement in February 2026, and the developer FAQ on Steam lists the same three teams.

## The three factions

| Faction | Team colour | Official description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lonestar | Blue | The heavy hitters of the Western paramilitary world |
| Valkyra | Red | A force that aims to return the Soviet People's Republic to greatness |
| Manticore | Green | The Kingdom of Persia's force, described as Tehran's shadow army |

## Where the war takes place

WARDOGS is set in Kolchia, a war-torn region in the derelict industrial mountains of Eastern Europe. The factions are fighting over PV-1, a rare resource that the official announcement says has fuelled decades of Eurasian conflict. Kolchia includes multiple locations and points of interest.

## Do the factions play differently?

The official sources we checked describe each faction's identity and story, not different weapons, abilities or statistics. Players on community forums share opinions about how each team tends to play, but those are impressions, not published rules. We will add gameplay differences here only if BULKHEAD confirms them.

## Faction flavour in matches

Proximity voice chat means you can talk to enemies as well as allies. The official announcement also mentions building loudspeakers to blast faction propaganda at the other teams.

## Sources

- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Developer FAQ pinned on Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1867240/discussions/0/762932533852726673/) (checked 2026-10-01)

---

# WARDOGS Patch Notes: Season 2 Update 0.2.0 Explained

> A plain-English summary of the WARDOGS Season 2 patch notes (Update 0.2.0): new weapons, vehicles, rain, damage and price changes, plus earlier official updates.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/updates/patch-notes/  
Checked: 2026-10-15  
Game version: Early Access Season 2 · Update 0.2.0

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Latest update

The latest WARDOGS update is Update 0.2.0, the Season 2 update. BULKHEAD posted the Season 02 patch notes on Steam on October 14, 2026, took the servers down for maintenance on October 15 between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC, and announced shortly before 10:00 UTC that Update 0.2.0 was released and servers were back online. The headline changes are four new weapons, four new vehicles, a Molotov, rain weather, big damage cuts to high-calibre rounds, a faster XP curve and a large round of price changes.

## Season 2: Update 0.2.0 (October 15, 2026)

This is a summary in our own words. The official patch notes are long and list many exact level and price changes, so read the original announcement on Steam for the full detail.

### New weapons, gear and attachments

- **Four new weapons:** TCX-SPR assault rifle (7.62x39mm), PP-19 Bizon SMG (9x19mm), Evo-3 Ultra LMG (.308 Win) and M14 marksman rifle (.308 Win), each with new attachments such as optics, muzzle devices, magazines and bipods.
- **Molotov:** a thrown incendiary that does impact damage, leaves burning fire, can burn destructible foliage and is weakened by rain.
- **Infrared Range Finder:** back, and now runs on batteries. One battery lasts around 80 seconds of active use and drains faster if you toggle it on and off quickly.
- **Level 4 helmet:** now muffles audio and proximity chat, narrows your field of view and fogs up while sprinting. Level 3 and Level 4 helmets resist suppression better.

### New vehicles and buildables

- **Vehicles:** Wolf-110 light transport, Wolf-110 with a ring-mounted M2 Browning, the T-72B3 main battle tank, and the Flakpanzer Gepard anti-air vehicle.
- **Buildables:** an MG Nest with a manned M2 Browning, a Large Shelter, and a Wooden Step.

### Rain, matchmaking and quality of life

- **Rain weather preset:** wet surfaces, rain audio that changes with cover, rain through destroyed roofs, and thunder that every player hears at the same moment and that can mask footsteps. Rain also affects spotting range.
- **Team switching:** once a team leads by more than 10 points, you cannot switch again for 15 minutes, and late joiners or switchers have an obscured map and no spawn vehicle access until they first reach the control zone.
- **Team kills:** the victim now chooses Forgive or Punish. Punish votes add up to kicks and escalating bans.
- **Squad intent:** squad leaders can show what their squad plans to do before others join.
- **Rebuy Last Loadout:** fills the vendor with your last loadout so you can edit it before buying.
- **Server seeding:** players who fill empty servers earn rewards and a vendor discount once the match starts, and there are things to do before the match begins.
- **Ping limits:** official servers now have region-based ping limits. Players with sustained high ping are kicked and cannot rejoin that server until the next map. The server browser gains ping tags and filters.
- **Bakurani:** all three team spawns moved, with new routes to the zone.
- **Gold Market:** eight new camos in four families. The Black & Gold AK camo is removed, and Black & Gold for the Little Bird is listed as a Season 2 exclusive.
- **Wager Vendor:** lets you bet your own cash on your own performance, but it is not available at launch. BULKHEAD says it opens later in Season 2 and will come and go during a season.

### Faction balance experiment

BULKHEAD calls this a social experiment. For Season 2 only, Lonestar gets a cash and XP win bonus plus cash and XP multipliers for teamplay actions. Any team at least 40 points behind second place now gets 20% off at the vendor. The announcement gives no percentages for the Lonestar bonuses, and says community server hosts seen exploiting the faction bonus will be punished.

### Combat balance

- **High-calibre damage cut:** base damage is down 25% for .308 Winchester, 20% for 7.62x54mmR, 19% for 7.62x39mm and 16% for .50 Cal. This applies to every weapon using those rounds, including vehicle weapons such as miniguns.
- **Snipers** keep their role through higher hit-location damage. DMRs now sit between assault rifles and snipers, and LMG body damage now matches assault rifles.
- **Armour:** Level 3 damage reduction drops from 55% to 50%, Level 4 from 65% to 60%.
- **Suppression** was rebuilt and is much stronger from small and medium calibres. Level 3 helmets cut suppression by 68%, Level 4 by 80%.
- **Parachutes** open more slowly, will not open below about 10 m, and opening below about 50 m at speed means fall damage. The Basic Parachute now costs $500 and the Sport Parachute $700.
- **Weapon tweaks:** the MP5 recoil is harder to control, the Super-45 loses more damage past 50 m, all DMRs got a recoil pass, the MGL-40 is slower and less accurate, and the Mosin gets its own 3.5x PU scope but loses access to other optics.

### Building and vehicle balance

- Build costs rise for most structures and some defences get cheaper. For example, the L81 Mortar goes from 150 to 600 supplies and the Talon 9K-SAM from 1,000 to 650.
- Drill Rigs need more fuel to start and run for less time, and the Talon and Mortar restock more slowly.
- Doors and gates can no longer be breached with a hammer. The Halligan bar can breach both.
- Purchased vehicle inventories are now private to the driver and squad by default. Free team vehicles stay open to everyone.
- Many vehicle bug fixes, including tanks launching themselves from their own turret and vehicles sinking when ramming.

### Progression and rewards

- **Faster XP curve:** reaching level 20 in a role track now takes less than half the playtime it did in Season 1. For example, level 20 needs 111,500 XP instead of 250,000.
- **Unlock reshuffle:** most attachments move to earlier levels, C4 and the Molotov move into the Assault track, the Medical Bag unlocks at Medic level 14, the PKM at Support level 15, and the Little Bird with miniguns now unlocks later and costs more.
- **Rewards:** logistics base rewards are lower but delivery streaks add bonuses, spotting pays around 30% less than in Season 1, and each vehicle variant now has its own destroy reward.
- **Vendor prices:** many items cost more, including the L2A6 at $22,000 and the Havoc at $28,000. Some cost less, including the AK74 at $800 and most muzzles and grips.

### Controller and misc

- An Aim Assist strength slider in Settings, under Controller and then Advanced. Setting it to 0 turns Aim Assist off.
- Several controller bind changes and fixes.
- Steam Trading Cards and Point Shop items are planned within Season 2, pending Valve's approval.

### What the patch notes do not cover

The Season 2 patch notes and the Season 02 Is Now Live post do not mention a reset, Gold Bars, a cash conversion rate or how long Season 2 will last. For what BULKHEAD has said about resets, see our WARDOGS wipe and Season 2 page.

## Previous update: Update 0.1.2 and October 2 hotfixes

### IR Goggles and CIWS Balance Hotfix (October 2, 2026)

- IR Rangefinders were disabled in the vendor until Season 02, where they would require batteries. BULKHEAD said it agreed they had become too overpowered.
- CIWS destroys the Havoc in around 6 seconds instead of 12.
- No new client download or server downtime was required.

### Security and Stability Hotfix (October 2, 2026)

A hotfix at 08:00 UTC addressed minor security and stability issues affecting some players, with an expected downtime of one hour. The announcement does not list individual changes.

### Update 0.1.2 (September 30, 2026)

BULKHEAD took the servers offline for about one hour at 08:00 UTC on September 30, 2026 to deliver Update 0.1.2, which it calls a minor patch.

- **WD-L020 crash fixed.** BULKHEAD says the crash was caused by the Windows 11 update KB5124010.
- **Exploits:** revive checks are fully server authoritative, a vehicle fly-through exploit was fixed, buildable destroy rewards scale with build progress, and pallets deposited outside the zone pay less.
- **New Deploy screen:** after you click Deploy, you choose Official, Community, Infantry Mode or Low-Level servers.
- **Server browser:** Advanced filters returned on the Official list, long names are no longer cut off, and you see your place in the queue after clicking Join.
- **Streamer and Anonymous mode** hide the server name more consistently, and gamepad works on the Deploy screen.
- **Community server admins** can set a daily restart time in UTC and restrict RCON access.
- **Enforcement:** players caught abusing cash or XP exploits, or real money trading, had cash and progression reset and risk a permanent ban without warning.

## Patch 0.11

BULKHEAD announced Patch 0.11 on September 12, 2026 and delivered it during a one-hour maintenance window at 08:00 UTC on September 14. Most changes target the server browser.

- The server browser now has separate Community and Official lists.
- Unneeded filters were removed from the Official list, and Community filtering is more reliable.
- Community servers gained text search and a persistent server ID, so you can join by ID.
- A Show Empty and Show Full option was added, and server names now sort alphabetically.
- Community servers paid a 5% end-of-match cash bonus for one week.
- Various cash exploits and more GPU crashes were fixed.
- Server capacity in Asia was increased.

### New rules on exploits

- Abusing cash exploits leads to a timed ban and a reset of cash and XP to zero.
- Making content that teaches others to abuse exploits is treated like advertising cheats and leads to a permanent ban.
- Joining an XP farming server for more than a few minutes leads to a permanent ban.

## Launch Stability Hotfix #1

Released on September 10, 2026, this client update targeted players who could not join servers, players kicked during play and long login queues. Everyone was asked to restart and update, then admitted from the login queue in controlled batches.

## Season 1 changelog

Published on September 9, 2026, the day before launch.

### Progression

- Levels 10 to 20 are slower, and the XP curve flattens from level 35 onward.
- BULKHEAD expects the median player to reach about level 20 after 20 to 25 hours.
- Each season will have a different XP curve and a different item unlock order.
- The Artillery Tank moved to Career level 90, and the Heavy Tank moved to Driver level 35.

### Selected price changes

| Item | Before | After |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Forward Operating Base (vendor) | $2,500 | $7,500 |
| Large Hammer (vendor) | $1,600 | $2,400 |
| Artillery Tank (Career) | $400,000 | $500,000 |
| Large Hammer (Support) | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| Little Bird with miniguns (Pilot) | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Z20 Lakota (Pilot) | $50,000 | $35,000 |
| URAL (Driver) | $50,000 | $35,000 |

These are the prices as listed in the Season 1 changelog. Season 2 changed many of them again.

### Fixes and quality of life

- Fixed an exploit that let players reach an unintended spot on the church roof.
- Added report tracking, with less weight given to repeated bad-faith reports.
- Improved voice chat reliability.
- DLSS Frame Generation can now be turned off without restarting.
- Fixed several crashes, including crashes involving buildables and frame generation.

## Sources

- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Is Now Live, October 15, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706677015) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Patch Notes, October 14, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706674560) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Preview, October 9, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846018067933823) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: IR Goggles & CIWS Balance Hotfix, October 2, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656386801) (checked 2026-10-09)
- [Steam announcement: Security & Stability Hotfix, October 2, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656384445) (checked 2026-10-09)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)

---

# Does WARDOGS Require Secure Boot, TPM or Support Linux?

> BULKHEAD's official position on Secure Boot, TPM and Linux or Proton support for WARDOGS, plus how its anti-cheat and ban system work.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/help/secure-boot/  
Checked: 2026-10-01  
Game version: Early Access Season 1 · Update 0.1.2

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

WARDOGS does not currently require Secure Boot or a TPM to play online, and Linux is not officially supported. BULKHEAD's Security & Enforcement policy, last updated on September 7, 2026, says the Secure Boot or TPM requirement may be introduced if it becomes necessary, and that players will be told before it takes effect.

## Secure Boot and TPM

The official policy says some anti-cheat protections depend on your system configuration. If BULKHEAD decides to require Secure Boot or TPM, it will announce the change first, and the game will tell you what needs to change on your device. You may see forum posts claiming that some players are already forced to enable Secure Boot. That does not match the current official policy text, so we do not treat it as confirmed.

## Linux, Proton and Steam Deck

In a pinned developer post from early September 2026, BULKHEAD said it does not officially support Linux and cannot commit to Linux support for the Early Access launch. The team is still working on official Proton compatibility. Earlier tests that worked on Linux did so by chance. A follow-up added on September 25, 2026 says there is still no timeline, and that BULKHEAD will announce Linux support only once compatibility is confirmed. The Steam store lists Windows only. Steam Deck runs Windows games through Proton, so the same unofficial status applies.

## Minimum PC requirements

| Part | Minimum | Recommended |
| --- | --- | --- |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 | Intel Core i7 12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 590 | Nvidia RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |

## How the anti-cheat works

The policy describes client-side and server-side detection, monitoring of applications running during gameplay, analysis of input and gameplay patterns, and checks that the game and hardware have not been tampered with. Player reports from the in-game report feature also guide enforcement. When a ban comes from behavioural detection, a team member reviews the evidence before it is applied.

## Penalties

| Penalty | What it means | Appeal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Server restriction | Barred from one server for a period | No |
| Temporary suspension | No online play for a period | No |
| Permanent account ban | Account loses online access permanently | Yes, via appeal@bulkhead.com |
| Hardware ban | The device is barred from online play | No, unless lifted with an overturned permanent ban |

On September 30, 2026, the Update 0.1.2 announcement added that cash and XP exploits and real money trading now carry the risk of a permanent ban without warning, and that players caught earlier have had their cash and progression reset. The official enforcement policy was last updated on September 7, 2026.

Community server admins can also ban players from their own servers. Those bans are separate from BULKHEAD's enforcement.

## Sources

- [Official Security & Enforcement policy (updated 2026-09-07)](https://www.wardogs.com/enforcement) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Developer post: Linux Compatibility (pinned, updated 2026-09-25)](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1867240/discussions/0/588436698284962639/) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam store: WARDOGS](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1867240/WARDOGS/) (checked 2026-09-14)

---

# WARDOGS Weapon Tier List: Rank All 33 Guns Yourself

> Build your own WARDOGS weapon tier list. Rank all 33 guns into S to D tiers, filter by weapon class, and download your ranking as an image to share.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/guides/weapon-tier-list/  
Checked: 2026-09-17  
Game version: Early Access Season 1

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## How to use this tier list

Pick a tier for each weapon using the S to D buttons on its card, or tap a card first and then tap the tier row you want. Use the class filters to work through one weapon type at a time, and press Download image when you are done.

Your ranking is stored in your own browser only. Nothing is uploaded, and no account is needed. Coming back later reopens the same ranking.

## Why price decides more than damage in WARDOGS

Cash carries over between matches instead of resetting when you die. That changes the question from which gun hits hardest to which gun wins fights without draining an account you then have to rebuild. A free rifle you can replace every round can be worth more to you than an expensive one you lose once and cannot buy again.

This is why a tier list here is personal. A player who banks cash and plays carefully will rank the expensive long range options far higher than a player who pushes every objective and expects to lose kit.

## Weapon classes at a glance

The roster below is grouped into nine classes: assault rifles for general infantry work, SMGs that trade reach for handling, shotguns for point blank rooms, LMGs for holding a position, marksman rifles for repeated fire at range, sniper rifles for single long range shots, a bow for silent kills, sidearms as backup, and launchers for answering vehicles.

Filtering by class is usually the fastest way to build a ranking, because weapons only really compete with others that do the same job.

## Where these numbers come from

BULKHEAD has never published WARDOGS weapon prices or stats. The prices, rates of fire and calibres shown on each card were compiled by the player community from the Closed Alpha build, and they are included here only as a reference while you rank.

Two limits worth knowing. BULKHEAD has since confirmed 37 weapons at Early Access launch, so this roster of 33 may be incomplete. And because the game is in Early Access, balance figures can change with any patch.

Treat the numbers as a starting point, not as settled fact. The ranking you build is your own judgement, which is the part that does not go out of date when a patch lands.

## WARDOGS Weapon Tier List

Status: SEASON 1 · COMMUNITY DATA · NOT OFFICIAL

BULKHEAD has not published weapon prices or stats. Figures below are community-compiled from the Closed Alpha and are shown for reference only; BULKHEAD has since confirmed 37 weapons at Early Access launch, so this roster may be incomplete or out of date. Rank the weapons yourself — your ranking is saved in your own browser and is never uploaded.

| Name | Category | Details |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bushmaster M17S | Assault Rifle | $0 · RPM 700 · 5.56 |
| A-91 | Assault Rifle | $0 · RPM 700 · 5.56 |
| KH-2002 | Assault Rifle | $0 · RPM 700 · 5.56 |
| T-21 | Assault Rifle | $600 · RPM 750 · 5.56 |
| AK74 | Assault Rifle | $1,600 · RPM 650 · 5.45 |
| Galil | Assault Rifle | $2,200 · RPM 650 · 5.56 |
| M4 | Assault Rifle | $2,800 · RPM 800 · 5.56 |
| FAL | Assault Rifle | $6,500 · RPM 650 · .308 |
| AMP-9 | SMG | $900 · RPM 900 · 9mm |
| PP-19 Vityaz | SMG | $1,200 · RPM 800 · 9mm |
| MP5 | SMG | $1,500 · RPM 800 · 9mm |
| Super-45 | SMG | $2,600 · RPM 1200 · .45 |
| MP43 | Shotgun | $400 · RPM 900 · 12ga |
| M500 | Shotgun | $1,200 · RPM 120 · 12ga |
| M249 SAW | LMG | $3,200 · RPM 850 · 5.56 |
| PKM | LMG | $4,500 · RPM 600 · 7.62 |
| SKS | Marksman | $2,400 · RPM 420 · 7.62 |
| SVD | Marksman | $4,800 · RPM 480 · 7.62 |
| BMR-308 | Marksman | $6,000 · RPM 450 · .308 |
| Scout Rifle TD | Sniper | $1,100 · RPM 46 · 5.56 |
| Mosin Nagant | Sniper | $4,500 · RPM 46 · 7.62 |
| SV98 | Sniper | $5,200 · RPM 46 · 7.62 |
| MK22 | Sniper | $6,400 · RPM 46 · .308 |
| AMR 50 | Sniper | $8,800 · RPM 41.5 · .50 |
| Compound Bow | Bow | $800 · RPM 90 · Arrows |
| GGX 17 | Sidearm | $200 · RPM 600 · 9mm |
| Judge | Sidearm | $250 · RPM 200 · .45 Colt |
| M1911 | Sidearm | $300 · RPM 430 · .45 |
| GGX 18 | Sidearm | $800 · RPM 1200 · 9mm |
| Deagle | Sidearm | $900 · RPM 267 · .50AE |
| RPG-7 | Launcher | $2,000 · RPM 100 · 93mm |
| MAAWS | Launcher | $2,600 · RPM 100 · 84mm |
| MGL-40 | Launcher | $6,000 · RPM 75 · 40mm |

## Sources

- [Official WARDOGS announcements on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1867240) (checked 2026-09-17)
- [Developer FAQ pinned on Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1867240/discussions/0/762932533852726673/) (checked 2026-09-17)

---

# WARDOGS Next Wipe: No Reset Yet, Season 3 Planned Earlier

> When is the next WARDOGS wipe? No quick Season 2 reset: BULKHEAD plans to bring Season 3 forward instead. What resets, what you keep, what is unconfirmed.

Page: https://wardogsfieldnotes.com/updates/wipe/  
Checked: 2026-10-19  
Game version: Early Access Season 2 · Update 0.2.0

WARDOGS Field Notes is an independent fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by BULKHEAD or Team17. Every factual page lists the official sources it is based on and the date it was checked.

## Short answer

There is no new wipe date yet. On October 17, 2026, BULKHEAD said on its official X account that it would not do a quick reset that weekend. Instead it is looking at bringing Season 3 forward significantly, so players get a proper fresh start, with more details promised in a dev vlog the following week. No date has been announced for Season 3 or for any other reset.

WARDOGS Season 2 is live. BULKHEAD ran maintenance on October 15, 2026 between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC, then announced that Update 0.2.0 was released and servers were back online. BULKHEAD has said since April that at the end of a season, cash and XP progression reset, with cash converted into Gold Bars, while Gold Bars and cosmetics stay on your account. The Season 2 patch notes and launch post do not repeat that or list what reset, so this page separates what is confirmed from what is not.

## When is the next WARDOGS wipe?

BULKHEAD has not given a date. Here is exactly what it has said, in its October 17, 2026 announcement on X:

- Season 2 progression was sped up on purpose, and that "was the wrong call". Some players reached end game gear like Tier 4 armour and MBTs within days, "so the wipe never really landed".
- There will be no "knee jerk reset" that weekend, because that would be unfair on players already enjoying the climb.
- Instead, BULKHEAD is "looking at significantly bringing forward Season 3 and some of its content", so players get a proper fresh start.
- More details are promised in a dev vlog the following week.
- Clearly unbalanced items will be fixed. Others that split the community will be watched first.

Our reading: the next reset is most likely to come with Season 3. Seasons so far reset cash and XP progression, as explained below. We will add the Season 3 date here when BULKHEAD announces it.

## When did WARDOGS Season 2 start?

October 15, 2026. The Season 02 Patch Notes posted on Steam on October 14 announced a maintenance window on October 15 between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC, with roughly 90 minutes of downtime before the new season went live. BULKHEAD's Season 02 Is Now Live post went up shortly before 10:00 UTC the same day and says Update 0.2.0 has been released and servers are back online.

## Does WARDOGS progress reset every season?

BULKHEAD says yes. In its "Early Access & Beyond" video from April 7, 2026, the studio says that at the end of a season, your cash and XP progression will reset, with your cash automatically converted into Gold Bars. It gives two reasons: to let newer players compete on a more level playing field with veterans, and to let the developers overhaul the major progression throughout Early Access.

The Season 1 changelog from September 9, 2026 adds that each season will have a different XP curve and a different item unlock order. The Season 2 patch notes match that: they publish a new, faster XP curve and move many unlocks to different levels and role tracks.

## What do you keep after a reset?

According to the same April video, Gold Bars and cosmetics from a season stay permanently on your account across seasons. The video also describes a planned Player Skills system as permanent progression that carries across seasons. BULKHEAD lists it as planned, with no release date.

## What is officially confirmed

| Question | Official answer | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| When did Season 2 start? | October 15, 2026, after maintenance between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC | Season 02 Patch Notes, Oct 14, and Season 02 Is Now Live, Oct 15 |
| What version is Season 2? | Update 0.2.0 | Season 02 Is Now Live, Oct 15 |
| Does progress reset between seasons? | Cash and XP progression reset at the end of a season | Early Access & Beyond video, Apr 7 |
| What happens to cash? | It is automatically converted into Gold Bars | Early Access & Beyond video, Apr 7 |
| What stays? | Gold Bars and cosmetics | Early Access & Beyond video, Apr 7 |
| Is the XP curve different in Season 2? | Yes. Reaching level 20 in a role track takes less than half the playtime it did in Season 1, and level 20 needs 111,500 XP instead of 250,000 | Season 02 Patch Notes, Oct 14 |
| Do unlocks move in Season 2? | Yes. Most attachments move to earlier levels, and several weapons and items move between role tracks | Season 02 Patch Notes, Oct 14 |
| Are there Season 2 only bonuses? | Yes. Lonestar gets a cash and XP win bonus and teamplay multipliers, for Season 2 only | Season 02 Patch Notes, Oct 14 |

## What BULKHEAD has not said yet

- **An item-by-item list** of what reset when Season 2 started. The Season 2 patch notes and the launch post do not mention a reset at all.
- **The cash to Gold Bars conversion rate** at the end of Season 1. Neither Season 2 post mentions Gold Bars or a conversion.
- **When Season 3 starts.** BULKHEAD said on October 17 that it is looking at bringing it forward significantly, but gave no date. It never published the original planned length of Season 2 either.

## Our reading, not an official statement

The April video says progression resets at the end of a season, and Season 2 publishes a new XP curve and unlock order, so a reset of cash and XP at the Season 2 launch is the expected outcome. We did not find an official announcement that uses the word "wipe" for Season 2. The Season 02 Patch Notes and the Season 02 Is Now Live post do not use it, and they do not describe a reset either. Some news sites and community posts report a full wipe on October 15. Treat those as reports, and check your own account in game for what carried over.

## Official timeline

- **April 7, 2026:** the Early Access & Beyond video describes the end-of-season reset and the Gold Bars conversion.
- **September 9, 2026:** the Season 1 changelog says each season gets a different XP curve and unlock order.
- **September 22, 2026:** the Season 02 Teaser gives the start date, October 15.
- **September 30, 2026:** Update 0.1.2 describes Season 02 as a larger content update.
- **October 2, 2026:** a balance hotfix says IR Rangefinders are disabled until Season 02, where they will require batteries.
- **October 9, 2026:** the Season 02 Preview lists new content and repeats the October 15 date. It says nothing about resets.
- **October 14, 2026:** the Season 02 Patch Notes announce maintenance on October 15 between 08:00 and 09:30 UTC and list every change. They say nothing about resets or Gold Bars.
- **October 15, 2026:** BULKHEAD announces that Season 02 is live with Update 0.2.0 and servers are back online.
- **October 17, 2026:** BULKHEAD says on X that speeding up Season 2 progression was the wrong call, that there will be no reset that weekend, and that it is looking at bringing Season 3 forward significantly. Details are promised in a dev vlog the following week.

We update this page if BULKHEAD posts more about resets or Gold Bars. The fastest way to see it is the official Steam announcements, the official X account and the official Discord, which are listed on our server status page.

## Sources

- [WARDOGS on X: Season 2 announcement, October 17, 2026](https://x.com/WARDOGS/status/2111412655726489872) (checked 2026-10-19)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Is Now Live, October 15, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706677015) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Patch Notes, October 14, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706674560) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Preview, October 9, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846018067933823) (checked 2026-10-15)
- [Steam announcement: Season 02 Teaser, September 22, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1844115010504839) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: Update 0.1.2 (Minor Patch), September 30, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [Steam announcement: IR Goggles & CIWS Balance Hotfix, October 2, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656386801) (checked 2026-10-09)
- [Steam announcement: Pre-Load Live & Season 1 Changelog, September 9, 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1843481262690549) (checked 2026-10-01)
- [BULKHEAD on YouTube: WARDOGS | Early Access & Beyond, April 7, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvtvAvl-78) (checked 2026-10-01)