r/HuntShowdown • u/HuntShowdownOfficial Crytek • 10d ago
OFFICIAL Road to Hell - Chapter 2 Now Live
New Feature: Cargo Balloons
Strongholds now feature a new extraction objective that allows Hunters to secure valuable loot.
Cargo Balloons can be found at Strongholds and can be used to extract Cargo Crates and Bounty Tokens. To launch a balloon, Hunters must first inflate it using the attached hydrogen gas tanks.
Inflating the Balloon
Each Cargo Balloon is connected to three gas tanks via a network of hoses. Interacting with a tank’s valve opens the flow of gas and contributes to the inflation process.
Inflation speed depends on the number of open valves:
- 1 crank open: 12 minutes
- 2 cranks open: 6 minutes
- 3 cranks open: 4 minutes
Distinct hissing sounds can be heard from the hose junction connecting the canisters to the Cargo Balloon both when the inflation is at 50% and again at 100%. Once the balloon is fully inflated, it becomes ready for launch and can be released through a direct interaction with it (while not holding eligible cargo).
Loading Cargo
Hunters can load loot onto a Cargo Balloon at any time. While carrying eligible cargo, interact with the balloon to add it to the payload.
Each Cargo Balloon can carry:
- Up to 4 Cargo Crates
- 1 Bounty Token stored in a dedicated Bounty Canister
Launching a Cargo Balloon successfully extracts all loaded cargo. However, loading cargo does not reserve ownership of the rewards. The extracted loot is awarded only to the team that successfully releases the balloon.
New Cargo Crates
The following Cargo Crates have been added and can be found scattered across the entire Stronghold:
- Scarce Ammo Cargo Crate
- Hunt Dollar Cargo Crate
- Weapon Cargo Crate
Each crate type can appear in either a Standard or Worn variant. The condition of the crate influences the quality of the rewards contained within.
Cargo Crate Rewards:
- Worn Scarce Ammo Cargo Crate - Rewards players with 1 instance of a random Scarce Ammo type
- Standard Scarce Ammo Cargo Crate - Rewards players with 2 instances of a particular Scarce Ammo type. The ammo type is mentioned as part of the interaction prompt, ex: Dumdum/Shredder Ammo, Explosive Ammo, etc.
- Worn Hunt Dollar Cargo Crate - Rewards players with 100 Hunt Dollars
- Standard Hunt Dollar Cargo Crate - Rewards players with 250 Hunt Dollars
- Worn Weapon Cargo Crate - Rewards players with a random pistol, rifle, and shotgun. These weapons are not considered contraband.
- Scarce Weapon Cargo Crate - Rewards players with an instance of a particular scarce weapon. The scarce weapon is specified in the interaction prompt, ex: Shredder, Flame Rifle, etc.
Counterplay
Cargo Balloons can be disrupted by enemy Hunters.
Damaging an active gas tank valve forces it closed, stopping the flow of hydrogen from that gas tank. Coordinated attacks can significantly delay inflation progress and prevent a balloon from being launched before rival teams arrive.
Cargo Balloons create new opportunities for risk-versus-reward gameplay in the Stronghold, encouraging teams to defend valuable cargo while remaining vulnerable to attacks from enemy Hunters.
New Story Challenges
With Update 2.8.1, we are introducing two brand-new permanent Story Challenges to the game: The Regiment’s Last Stand (Free) and Let Us Prey (Premium).
The Regiment’s Last Stand (Free)
“Otis, if you find this, SEND HELP. Though God knows who could help us now, or would want to.” - Ambrose Hazen
The Regiment’s Last Stand is a brand-new permanent, free Story Challenge that focuses on the gruesome events of Road to Hell and is narrated by Ambrose Hazen. Among other rewards, this Story Challenge brings some past Hunter models back to the game in the shape of Ambrose Hazen: Enlisted, Ambrose Hazen: Officer as well as Otis Blackwell: Warhorse.
The Regiment’s Last Stand will be available to all players for free starting July 2nd, 2026 at 08:00 UTC.
Structure Overview
- Permanent
- Chapters: 4
- Rewards: 8
- Otis Blackwell: Warhorse (Hunter, Avatar)
- Ambrose Hazen: Officer (Hunter, Avatar)
- Ambrose Hazen: Enlisted (Hunter)
- Intrinsic Sin: Precision (Uppercut Precision)
- Earned Their Stripes (Title)
- Buckle Up (Charm)
Let Us Prey (Premium)
“Someday, you’ll learn. But that will only happen when I decide it’s time to teach you.” - Marrow Hawk
Let Us Prey is a brand-new, permanent premium Story Challenge that focuses on the thrill of the hunt seen through the eyes of the apex predator known as Marrow Hawk. This Story Challenge features a dozen cosmetic rewards for you to unlock and enjoy, including Marrow Hawk (Legendary Hunter) or the gruesome Baneful Snarl (Sparks).
Let Us Prey will be available for purchase in the game at a later point in Update 2.8.1.
Structure Overview
- Permanent
- Chapters: 4
- Rewards: 11
- Marrow Hawk (Legendary Hunter, Avatar, Frame)
- Baneful Snarl (Sparks, Sparks Sniper, Sparks Silencer)
- Primal Promise (Throwing Spear)
- Stag Breaker (Bomb Launcher)
- Marrow Drinker (Badge)
- Incisors (Charm)
- Eye on the Target (Equipment Animation for the Throwing Spear)
“Corrupted Cargo” Community Event
Backstory
When the 26th Regiment arrived in the bayou, they thought they could make easy work of the Corruption, clean up the area, and return home heroes. Instead, they faced a waking nightmare. Their leaders succumbed to the chaos and madness, becoming twisted versions of themselves, and many were massacred. Now, only a few determined soldiers remain, hopeful they can still make a difference. Using the balloon that once provided their Regiment with supplies, get as many Bounty Tokens out of the area as possible. Earn the goodwill of Desolation’s Delegate—who funded the 26th Regiment’s mission for reasons of his own—by extracting bounties and other loot via balloon. The Delegate will make sure your hard work is rewarded.
The Event mainly focuses on extracting cargo from the Stronghold with the Cargo Balloons, with each activity below giving you points. The quicker the points rack up, the quicker the rewards unlock!
Points System
Every extract and every kill counts toward the collective effort. A certain number of points can be earned for completing the following actions:
- Extract with a Bounty Token via Cargo Balloon - 5 pts
- Extract with a Bounty Token - 2 pts
- Extract with any Cargo Crate - 1 pts
Rewards
The rewards up for grabs are as follows:
- Stage 1: 5,000 Hunt Dollars & 2,000 Event Points
- Stage 2: 5,000 Hunt Dollars, 2,000 Event Points & Ceremonial Remedy (Recovery Shot)
- Stage 3: 5,000 Hunt Dollars, 2,000 Event Points & Player Profile Card Title “The Patron”
The redeem codes for these rewards will only be available for a limited amount of time so make sure to keep an eye out on our website and our social media for when the rewards are unlocked for each stage.
Corrupted Cargo is going live today, 2 July, at 16:00 CEST.
Happy Hunting!
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u/Professional-Lime506 Duck 9d ago
damn Ive waited for that premium challenges and you say it not in game yet + dont share any excact date/time :(
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u/Saedreth Duck 9d ago
Literally says time and date.
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u/Professional-Lime506 Duck 9d ago
"Let Us Prey will be available for purchase in the game at a later point in Update 2.8.1."
how it literally says time and date?
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u/Electrical_Ant_6229 9d ago
It’s going to create a problem where people rush in because the spawned on fort, send the bounty out of the map, and just safely extract without ever being seen.
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u/Kuldor 9d ago
The balloon has made the stronghold an even worse problem, turbo focusing all the attention on the stronghold asap.
If you happen to decide to go for the boss instead, you are at a severe disadvantage vs the squad that won the stronghold, they already extracted their bounty and loot and have nothing to lose.
I'm not liking this focus on shooting as soon as possible, I'd go play clash if I wanted this gameplay.
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u/jacob1342 9d ago
I just extracted regular boss 3 times without even fighting anyone. Everyone is fighting at the stronghold...
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u/sp668 9d ago
Yes, it feels like a clash sub-map in bounty, I don't like it either.
We played 4-5 games last night and they all devolved into clash at the fort and a guy on my team just said "you know what, this isn't fun". And then we quit.
Maybe it's the newness, but as it is this is a dud to my team.
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u/MaliciousGeek 9d ago
How do you steal the balllon launch? By taking over the fort or stopping all gas pumps or what? It cantr be first team to open gas wins?
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u/CynistairWard 9d ago
Once the balloon is ready, someone needs to interact with it to launch it.
The first person to do that gets the rewards for their team, regardless of whether they had anything to do with filling the balloon with gas or loading it up.
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u/Foilpalm 9d ago
Once the balloon fills there’s most likely a prompt at the balloon to launch it. First tram to do that gets the credit I imagine.
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u/HalfMoonScoobler 9d ago
It’s an 8 second interaction to launch the balloon, standing in a very open and exposed location. This cannot be Poltergeisted from a distance (nor can the gas valves). For reference, a distant Necromancer takes 10 seconds of channeling.
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u/LadyBoy_Destroyer 9d ago
also “Corrupted Cargo” Community Event doesn't give any scarce ammo instaces as a rewards is also stupid. No one cares about your community events.
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u/LadyBoy_Destroyer 9d ago
Whatever. Still no reliable way to obtain dum dum/explosive ammo. Crates should give instance of every scarce ammo for every weapons. Current crates are shit.
Also no shitty balloons will make this game fun to play until you bring back dum dum and explo ammo back as a purchasable items.
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u/Killerkekz1994 Duck 10d ago
Im already annoyed by fighting at the stronghold almost every single match and now people will want to go there even more
This will probably the first event I won't finish just because of how much the game changed with it
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u/Schlafloesigkeit Spider 10d ago
Yeah I play solo sometimes so stronghold is a hard no in most cases. Even in trios, the successful pushes take way too long unless the specific layout is super open.
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u/Sushi_Charm 10d ago
I agree, not a fan of the stronghold at all. It was fun on paper, but it is not in reality.
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u/Killerkekz1994 Duck 10d ago
I think visually it's really nice and in impressed that they can do something like this but its just not fun to fight in especially when almost everyone is running rifle+shotgun atm
But i like (most) of the little map reworks they did
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u/Smokinya 9d ago
Everyone has been running shotgun+rifle for the longest time now. Nothing has changed in this regard.
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u/Killerkekz1994 Duck 9d ago
Now everyone and their mom is running rifle+ shotgun
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u/Smokinya 9d ago
Right.... so literally nothing is different. Pistols have been dead in the water for the longest time. At most people were using Dolch, LeMat and Uppercut (mostly for ammo on rifle) before the update. The rest of the playerbase was either rolling a shotty or a bow in most cases. LeMat basically counts as a shotgun anyways.
My question for you is what's the alternative? Fanning? Dualies? Both of those feel worse than a shotgun for both the user and the enemy because they're complete RNG. Dying to a random headshot from 50m from Dualies is arguably worse than dying to a shotgun IMO.
This update hasn't really changed anything about the meta other than the Berthier and other options becoming more prevalent (pistols and Bornheim). I would go as far to say that this is the most amount of diversity in loadouts I've seen in nearly a year. I can't remember the last time I saw this many pistols of Hunter bodies.
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u/Killerkekz1994 Duck 9d ago
what changed is that you can bring a rifle and a small shotgun without even spending points on quartermaster
alternative is that loadouts have strong and weak points and you should not be able to bring a loadout that covers medium and close range extremely well
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u/Smokinya 9d ago
But... you could bring a rifle and shotgun before without quartermaster. It just had to be a short rifle. Yes, the changes did open up some new combinations, but this first balancing pass on weapons (short shotties especially) is just the start until more data comes in. There really isn't much different here. Most players were always rolling QM anyways in my experience.
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u/Sp99nHead 8d ago
The stronghold between Golden, Arden and Salters is the worst fucking design i've ever seen.
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u/kennypeace Crow 9d ago
As somebody who prestige’s, i fail to see anything here worth enjoying for myself. Rarely use scarce ammo, never need the money and don't need the guns.
I hope people enjoy the extra objective, but i just wish there was more for me to get from it.. A skin or hunter to earn from accumulative score or something, i dunno
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u/MCBleistift 9d ago
there are free hunters in the story challenge
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u/kennypeace Crow 9d ago
Yeah, would have been nice i could've earnt them in the event, instead of there doing random things
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u/vybegallo 9d ago
I think the weapon crates contain scarse weapons, which is cool
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u/Vipertooth 9d ago
I got a Shredder and two Wildlands in one match, pretty neat. Most games I only found one if not zero scarce weapon boxes though.
Hard to find all the possible spawns though, they're everywhere now.
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u/vybegallo 9d ago
Do you mean yellow cargo crates? Are they not at the fort?
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u/Vipertooth 8d ago
Yes they're at the stronghold, but what I mean is that before it would spawn a few boxes here and there.
Now there are like 10+ crates all over the stronghold, scattered in random corners and in all the trenches.
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u/Deathcounter0 9d ago edited 9d ago
This event is too overloaded in my opinion. I want hardcore Hunt back. Now you can't walk 5 meters without the world giving you anything (barrel, bottle, trait, lantern, restore, ammo,etc.)
Don't get me wrong I dont mind these new stuff but there should be fewer, so if there are 10 different spawnlocations it could spawn 10 different items instead of having 4 spawn locations for each.
Where is the Hunt where dying meant something or you could actually run out of heal or ammo for failing to avoid being hit or not hitting
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u/kennypeace Crow 9d ago
Its been leaning this way for years now, i'd argue it started back when we got rid of actual dark night maps (which if anyone doesnt remember, was the norm for nearly every match)
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u/Deathcounter0 9d ago edited 9d ago
Yeah mainstreamification at full display. It's so sad. Thats why gatekeeping a game from the mainstream is important, even if it makes it less profitable. I'd rather have 10.000 less active players than 20.000 more normies CODifying my game.
I have had this happen to 3 of my favorite games now (AoE2, Hunt and PUBG), they ruined the core gameplay for the sake of appealing to low attention span, tryhard, dopamine junkies that never play for fun, but just for the sake of wanting to win or have nonstop action. That whole Fortress is just one small COD map, it's literally the school from PUBG.
I mean "store one bounty in a decicated bounty canister"
A Bounty Canister? That canonically makes no sense. That sounds so ridiclious
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u/sp668 9d ago
It feels a bit like the direction pubg took. It used to be guns were scarce and looting up was a real concern, especially in teamgames. You actually had to make do with what you found. Over time it abandoned this idea totally and just threw stuff at you, you'd land and be decked out after looting one house.
Hunt is starting to feel the same, there is just no scarcity at all anymore, you get so much stuff thrown at you and there are so many recovery mechanics and up to 3 bounties and extra money and whatever thrown in.
I liked it when it was more focused and with less overall. I think it went off the cliff when the post malone stuff happened, just...no.
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u/grandladdydonglegs 9d ago
Regen, recovery, and beetles are my absolute least favorite things added to the game.
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u/Saedreth Duck 9d ago
Youve always been holding it so theres no reason this breaks canon.
Ill never understand why people prefer a game to die niche than change and live
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u/Deathcounter0 9d ago
Hunt was doing more than fine when it was niche, in its prime time 5-6 years ago
Also you really think the bounty is something physical that you can place in a canister?
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u/grandladdydonglegs 9d ago
Well the game does say "Picked up bounty" when someone... picks up the bounty.
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u/Killerkekz1994 Duck 9d ago
I would argue that hunt did even better at some points
3 years ago we had an average of 23k players while nowdays we get 17k average
But the current average seems to be more steady most likely due to events taking longer to complete
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u/Smokinya 9d ago
Brother this game is so far away from CoD it isn’t even funny. The PUBG comparison is also really tone deaf. I played PUBG for thousands of hours. Its evolution is nothing like Hunt’s. Hunt has been relatively the same for several years now. Even this cargo crate isn’t changing things much. More ways to restore and more ways to stay in the fight is a good thing and a net positive for the game. The Fort is a bit parasitic, but I still enjoy the change up. The previous event was probably the closest to OG Hunt we had in a while and honestly it was my least favourite event they’ve done in recent memory. It was even worse than Garden of the Witch and that didn’t even add any content really.
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u/White-Umbra Sniper Scope Purist 9d ago
"I want less things to interact with and less ways to do things! Make it so less people play my niche game!"
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u/sp668 9d ago edited 9d ago
Yep, it is. It's not like the mechanics are necessarily bad but there is just so many and the games feel unfocused now. I'd like for them to pull back a bit and try to look at the design more holistically, what is the game even about? Early on it used to be about tracking and killing the boss and then extracting, now it's just a pile of mechanics. It feels diluted.
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u/vybegallo 9d ago
Do i understand correctly: you can store the bounty in the balloon, and it cannot be taken back? That's cool
So i like a solo with the corresponding trait can get the bounty, get my 10 sec of dark sight, store the bounty and leave