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Catalysts and Progression
May 22, 2026 at 05:31 AM
Initial Catalysts and Progression page (2026-05-22)
Catalysts are the core progression currency in Valor Mortis. As William cuts down the corrupted soldiers of the Eternal Guard, he gathers these Catalysts and carries them back to a lantern, where they can be spent to make him stronger. The system follows the familiar shape of a Soulslike economy: progress is earned through combat, banked at safe points, and put at risk every time you push deeper into hostile ground.
Catalysts drop from defeated enemies as you fight your way through each region. The plague-twisted forces of Napoleon's army are the main source, so engaging in Combat is the primary way to build up a balance. Clearing tougher foes and pressing into new areas tends to yield more, which encourages players to keep advancing rather than grinding the same easy encounters. The exact drop values and any bonus sources have not been detailed ahead of release.
Upgrades are purchased at lanterns, which double as the game's checkpoints. Resting at a lantern restores William and lets him convert his stockpiled Catalysts into permanent improvements. The upgrades shown so far cover the character's foundational attributes, including health, stamina, and other core stats. Because lanterns are also where you spend, the act of reaching one safely carries weight: it is both your respawn point and your shop. New players should make a habit of pushing toward the next lantern before committing to a difficult fight, since a death along the way puts the run's earnings on the line.
The specific upgrade trees have not been fully revealed, so the breakdown below is approximate and reflects only the categories shown so far. Treat it as a general guide rather than a confirmed list of every option.
Category | What It Affects (Approximate) |
|---|---|
Health | Raises William's survivability against heavy hits from the Eternal Guard. |
Stamina | Extends the pool that fuels dashing, blocking, and aggressive attacks. |
Core Stats | General character attributes that scale William's overall power; finer details are not yet confirmed. |
The defining tension of the system is what happens when William dies. Any unspent Catalysts are dropped at the place of death, and they can be recovered if you return to that spot. Die again before reclaiming them, however, and that stockpile is lost. This creates the classic Soulslike risk loop: the deeper you venture with a large unspent balance, the more you stand to lose, and the more cautious play becomes worthwhile. Spending Catalysts at a lantern the moment you have enough for a meaningful upgrade is the safest approach, since banked progress can never be lost.
Cash in your Catalysts at a lantern whenever you have enough for an upgrade, rather than hoarding a large balance you might lose.
After a death, prioritize a careful return to your drop point before taking on new risks.
Balance investment between survivability and offense; stamina supports both your defensive options and the corruption-fueled Transmutations.
New players should review the Getting Started guide to understand how lanterns tie checkpoints and upgrades together.
As more of the progression system is revealed ahead of the Fall 2026 launch, this page will be updated with confirmed upgrade trees and any additional ways to earn or spend Catalysts.
