Ravenswatch adds Merlin DLC — two-button spellcasting, runes, and a free magical overhaul

This caught my attention because Ravenswatch has been quietly stealing the best parts of ARPG combat and roguelike tension – and now the game is asking for money for its first extra character. On paper, Merlin looks like the kind of high-skill, high-reward addition that suits the game’s tempo.

Ravenswatch welcomes Merlin: a spellcasting powerhouse and the game’s first paid DLC

• Merlin launches January 19 as Ravenswatch’s first paid DLC character: $7.99 / £6.49.
• He uses two-button combos to access nine spells across nature, arcane, and sacred trees, plus rune-driven spell enhancements and distinct ultimates.
• Free update adds five new magical objects, reworks existing magic items, improves enemy aggro and leashing, and guarantees better drops from yellow/red chests.
• Modest price but meaningful gameplay depth – expect higher skill ceilings, build variety, and co-op synergies.

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Publisher|Passtech Games
Release Date|January 19, 2026
Category|Action ARPG Roguelike DLC
Platform|PC (Steam)
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What Pascalteh’s (Passtech Games) update does well is keep the game’s tone: dark fairy-tale characters translated into tight, top-down combat. Merlin fits that roster naturally – he’s an Arthurian addition that broadens playstyles rather than just tacking on numbers.

Mechanically, Merlin is the headline. Instead of a typical three-button setup with discrete skills, he maps two-button inputs into nine spells grouped into three thematic trees: nature (brambles, falling stars, protective stones), arcane (channeled lightning, explosive fireballs, tracking frost orbs), and sacred (regeneration blessings, shielded stuns, short teleports). That design echoes hybrid complexity you find in high-skill moba or MMO roles — I’m reminded of Invoker practice sessions in Dota 2 and the satisfying rotation lock-in from playing Ninja in FFXIV. It raises the skill ceiling without being obtuse: once you internalize combos, Merlin offers real moment-to-moment decision-making.

Runes add a second strategic layer. Merlin passively builds up to three runes with basic attacks, and he can use an active to refill them on cooldown. Spells consume runes to gain amplified effects, turning simple cast choices into resource-management puzzles. The two available ultimates — a giant standing stone that forces enemy attention, or a hidden set of “forbidden” spells you discover in play — give players options for aggro control or burst windows. Both choices feel designed to slot into co-op runs or solo survivability strategies.

The free update that ships with him is just as important. Passtech reworks magical objects (five new ones plus several reworks), refines aggro and leashing behavior, and implements balance changes driven by community feedback. The loot tweak is a practical QoL change: yellow chests now guarantee at least one rare, red chests at least one epic. For roguelikes that hinge on gear spikes, this makes runs feel fairer and reduces frustrating variance.

There’s also the business angle: Merlin is the studio’s first paid DLC character. At $7.99 / £6.49 the price is modest compared with many character DLCs, and because the patch includes free updates for all players, Passtech avoids the “paywalling core features” pitfall. That said, communities are sensitive about monetizing roster content; how Merlin’s power level holds up across balance passes will determine whether players view this as fair value or a monetized power gap.

Ravenswatch has been doing well with players — the game sits at around 86% positive reviews on Steam — and this update leans into what the community enjoys: fluid ARPG combat, inventive fairy-tale reinterpretations, and meaningful build choices. Merlin won’t be for everyone — his combo-driven style favors players who enjoy learning and optimizing execution — but he’s a satisfying option for those who love technical spellcasting.

What this means for players

• If you like technical casters, Merlin is a clear buy at $7.99/£6.49 — he rewards practice and precision.
• Casual players benefit too: the free overhaul and loot guarantees make runs feel smoother and more reliable.
• Co-op groups gain new synergy options (aggro stone, potent support spells) that can reshape meta strategies.
• Watch balance patches closely — the community will push for adjustments if Merlin skews run power or obviates other characters.

TL;DR

Merlin arrives on January 19 as Ravenswatch’s first paid DLC ($7.99/£6.49), bringing two-button combo casting, rune-based spell enhancements, and interesting ultimates. He’s paired with a free update that overhauls magical objects, tightens aggro/leashing, and guarantees better chest loot — a tidy package that adds depth without crippling free players. If you enjoy high-skill spellcasters and top-down ARPG combat, Merlin is worth checking out; if you play casually, the free changes still improve runs across the board.