The Short Answer
Mistfall Hunter's open beta ran June 14 to June 22, 2026 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, and it went out with real content, not just a performance test. Players got their first hands-on time with the Withered Knight, a new aggressive melee class, explored the new Hallowgrave map, and got the first public look at a Mist Lord boss named Salmar, the Cursed Moonwane. With the beta closed and launch set for July 29, 2026, this was effectively the last big public checkpoint before release.
The Withered Knight Steps Into the Gyldenmist
The headline addition to the beta was the Withered Knight, joining the existing roster of Mercenary, Blackarrow, Sorcerer, Shadowstrix, and Seer to bring the total to six playable classes. It wields a two-handed greatsword with unusually long reach, and its kit centers on a sigil-and-detonation loop: apply Withering Sigils, then trigger a Reckoning detonation for burst damage, all built around tight parry timing and Thorn Guide grapples that let it break enemy formations and open up team fights.
It is a heavier, more aggressive class than the existing melee options, trading some defensive safety for raw pressure. We break down its full loop, weapon, and playstyle in the Withered Knight guide.
Hallowgrave and the First Mist Lord Reveal
Alongside the new class, the beta opened up Hallowgrave, a new map area, and gave players their first public look at Salmar, the Cursed Moonwane, one of the game's Mist Lord bosses. Mist Lords sit at the top of Mistfall Hunter's extraction loop as the highest-value, highest-risk encounters, so a public boss reveal this close to launch is a strong signal about how the endgame difficulty curve is shaping up.
Why This Beta Mattered
Mistfall Hunter's launch was originally slated for March 2026 before Bellring Games delayed it to July, specifically to overhaul the combat system: moving away from an energy-based system toward a more fluid, stamina-based one, with mid-fight weapon swapping and a promise of zero pay-to-win mechanics or paid stat boosts. This open beta was the first time that reworked system, plus a brand-new class, was tested at scale across all three platforms simultaneously, ahead of Day One release on Xbox Game Pass.
With the beta now closed and no further public tests scheduled before release, everything Bellring Games ships on July 29 will be building directly on what players saw in this window.
What Is Next
Launch is set for July 29, 2026 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, all on the same day, with Xbox Game Pass Day One availability confirmed. For a full rundown of all six classes, the extraction loop, and platform details, see our everything we know guide, and track ongoing coverage on the Mistfall Hunter wiki.
Sources: Xbox Wire, Games Press, and IndieGame.com.
