Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode is the new easiest difficulty introduced in Update 1.1 on October 22, 2026. The old Story setting is now called Forgiving. The new Story option has extra combat assistance, so it’s easier than the setting that used to carry the same name.
You can use the new option in an existing campaign on PC, PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. It changes combat difficulty, not the story’s time limit. Here’s where the selector is, how the presets compare and what the patch actually says about assistance.
How to enable Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode
Install Update 1.1, pause the game and open Settings → Gameplay → Difficulty Preset. Choose Story for the lowest challenge, or Forgiving for the setting previously named Story. You don’t need to find a separate Story Mode button at the title screen.
Difficulty could already be adjusted on an existing save before this update. If you’re about to tackle a hard fight, keep a separate save so you can compare settings. Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode should appear in the selector once the update is installed.
Story versus Forgiving: what changed in Update 1.1?
The change is straightforward: Forgiving is the former Story difficulty, while the new Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode adds more assistance. If an older walkthrough recommends Story, it is describing what is now Forgiving.
| Difficulty | What it means now | Who should try it |
|---|---|---|
| Story | New lowest difficulty, with additional combat assistance | Players prioritising the narrative |
| Forgiving | Former Story preset | Players who liked the original easier fights |
| Fair | Previously available balanced preset | Players seeking standard combat |
| Challenging | Previously available harder preset | Players after greater pressure |
| Duelist | Existing demanding preset | Players looking for a severe combat challenge |
Rebel Wolves hasn’t published exact damage multipliers, automatic-block rules or the full breakdown of every new assist. Story should make fights less punishing, but there is no official promise of invincibility or automatic boss victories.
Can you change Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode mid-game?
Yes. You can change difficulty through the existing settings menu without restarting the campaign. Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode is an added combat preset rather than a separate playthrough or paid mode.
Difficulty and skills are separate settings. The October patch also brings Draught of Mind Rebirth, a potion for reallocating Swordmastery, Witchcraft and Vampirism abilities. Switching to Story won’t use that potion or reset Coen’s build.
Does the new Story Mode remove the 30-day limit?
There is no announced change to the campaign deadline. Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode makes combat easier, but it doesn’t stop quests consuming time or give Coen unlimited days. The 30-day rescue structure remains a separate system.
Our time-system guide explains the campaign clock, while the day and night guide covers which abilities Coen can use in his human and vampire forms.
What combat assistance does Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode provide?
The developer describes additional combat assist for Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode, but does not provide the complete list or numerical values in the official patch notes. It’s an easier setting for players who want to experience the story without as much combat pressure.
Update 1.1 also improves target selection, enemy lock-on and disengaging, the combat camera and the responsiveness of Shadowstep and Planeshift. These are changes across the game, not Story-only features.
The patch reduces the health of higher-level wolves and boars too. If fights against animals or awkward targeting were making combat frustrating, you may notice those improvements on Forgiving and Fair as well.
Which difficulty should you pick?
Try Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode if the fights are stopping you from enjoying the quests. Forgiving suits anyone who liked the old Story experience. Fair, Challenging and Duelist offer progressively more demanding combat.
If you’re working toward an achievement with a difficulty condition, check the actual trophy description before lowering the preset. The patch notes don’t supply a complete achievement-by-achievement rules list. Our open-world guide explains how exploration and quest choices fit together.
Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode not showing?
If you can’t see the new preset, check that Update 1.1 is installed, then return to Settings → Gameplay → Difficulty Preset. The new Story and renamed Forgiving settings are available after the patch, not as separate options on the main menu.
The new Blood of Dawnwalker Story Mode doesn’t change what kind of game Dawnwalker is. It simply gives you a more relaxed way to handle combat when you’d rather concentrate on Coen and the story.
Related Guides
Official source: Bandai Namco’s Update 1.1 patch notes.
