Tears of Metal Beginner Guide: Start Strong in 0.11

Know what carries into the next campaign

The official Steam description separates the game into two connected loops. Keeping them distinct makes early decisions much easier.

First-campaign checklist

1. 1

   Confirm the version before a co-op run

   The normal Steam branch is on 0.11.57863, while Paper Cult currently directs mixed-store crossplay users to a separate Crossplay Beta branch. A branch mismatch can matter more than any build choice.
2. 2

   Build from the choices you actually receive

   Each campaign creates new Emblem combinations. Patch 0.11 changed family selection to favor families that have not appeared yet, so a rigid shopping list is less useful than a coherent trigger-and-payoff plan.
3. 3

   Check shops, fountains and treasure costs again

   Patch 0.11 adjusted prices across all acts. Grey Fountains restore 5 additional Health, Dragonstone Treasure Chests cost one Dragonstone and guarantee a high-tier Charm, and several other campaign costs changed.
4. 4

   Read special objectives

   Paper Cult says special objectives unlock artifacts, characters, cosmetics, upgrades and combos. An objective can therefore matter beyond the immediate campaign result.
5. 5

   Spend the result on permanent progress

   Upgrade soldiers and expand the settlement between attempts. Patch 0.11 also guarantees Region Currency rewards in every act and increases rewards in Acts 2 and 3.

How Emblems fit into a beginner build

Paper Cult describes Emblems as the source of powerful synergies gained during each campaign. Version 0.11 adds one important current rule: family selection now favors families that have not appeared in that campaign instead of being completely random.

That does not establish a universal best family, exact offer odds or a current family count. The official store and current patch note do not publish those values. Use the Emblems wiki page for the verified mechanics and evidence gaps.

Solo and co-op basics

Tears of Metal supports single-player and online co-op for as many as four players total. The official Steam listing does not advertise local or split- screen co-op.

The current patch announcement says crossplay compatibility is temporarily disabled on the normal Steam version. If a Steam player needs to join a Windows Store or Game Pass group, follow the developer's Crossplay Beta instructions before troubleshooting builds, saves or invitations.

What changed for beginners in patch 0.11

The August 1 balance patch changed several early decisions:

• Region Currency is guaranteed in every act, with higher rewards in Acts 2 and 3;
• shop and Campaign Shop prices were adjusted;
• Grey Fountains restore 5 additional Health;
• Dragonstone Treasure Chests cost one Dragonstone and guarantee a high-tier Charm;
• Small Burning Statues that reduce Threat cost one Dragonstone instead of two;
• Charm rarity categories, balance and some functions changed;
• level 1 allies received a survivability improvement;
• campaign Emblem-family selection now favors families not seen yet.

These are official change-log statements. They do not prove a particular purchase order or build is optimal, so this guide does not turn them into a tier list.

Where to go after the first campaign

• Start the Act 1 walkthrough for the verified act structure and current patch notes.
• Read the Gilles the Hog guide before the first boss.
• Check the latest patch notes when an older video or guide behaves differently.
• Use the Steam and Windows page for requirements and current platform features.

Official sources

• Tears of Metal official Steam store page
• Early Access launch announcement
• Paper Cult's version 0.11.57863 announcement