Matrix Games

Before We Begin…

Before diving into our 10th Dev Diary, we want to thank everyone who has been following and supporting our work. We are fully committed to delivering a great experience. While the beta is still a few months away next year, we invite you to stay tuned by joining our Discord channel (link) and saving the date for the next Slitherine Next livestream event:

When: December 9th, 2025 – 6:00 PM CET
Where: Live on YouTube and Twitch

Tactical spellcasting that turns the tide

Most strategy games handle magic the same way: classic fireballs, frost bolts, meteors. Stormbinders keeps those familiar roots, but rebuilds everything around our core idea: storm-driven battle magic that reacts to the world and reshapes every fight.

This is how it works.

What Makes Stormbinders Magic Different

In most games, magic is a fixed toolbox. In Stormbinders, it’s a living system. Our Battle Spellcasting isn’t just about bigger numbers—it’s about reacting to the world, reading the flow of combat, and shaping the battlefield together with weather, units, and your hero. Spells don’t simply ‘activate’—they evolve, shift, and respond to storms, terrain, sensitivities, and the pace of your army. It’s not you adjusting to spells. It’s spells adjusting to you.

This turns every cast into a small tactical choice, not a routine action. It’s a dialogue between player, magic, and the storm itself.

Five Main Magic Schools

In Stormbinders, elemental magic isn't just a toolbox – it's your identity. Each school is designed to create memorable battlefield moments and clear strategic playstyles.

• Fire – raw damage, explosions, burning effects.

• Air – mobility, speed manipulation, shock damage.

• Earth – protection, armor, fortifications, stuns.

• Spirit – summoning, curses, morale shifts, draining effects.

• Water – slowing, frost damage, cleansing, weather control.

These schools create a familiar fantasy foundation that players instantly understand while still offering plenty of depth.

Faction Magic – Unique Perks Only Your Faction Can Use

Faction magic defines who you are. These powerful perks aren't global spells – they're signature moves that make each faction feel truly distinct on the battlefield.

• Light – blessings, healing, radiant shields.

• Chaos – volatile damage and unpredictable power spikes.

• Order – strong buffs, discipline, formation-based reinforcement.

• Shadow – resurrection, corruption, siphoning and dark manipulation.

These abilities are unlocked through hero progression, ensuring even warriors can wield impressive magic, but always with a focused, thematic flavor.

We never allow every faction to use everything—preserving clear identity and power fantasy.

Stormbinding – When Weather Becomes Your Spellbook

Stormbinding is where the entire system comes alive. Weather stops being cosmetic and becomes a weapon – a shifting layer of tactical depth that rewards adaptation and creativity.

Example effects:

• Water spells become stronger during winter storms.

• Fire spells weaken in blizzards.

• Units lose -2 movement in deep snow.

• Air spells cut through sandstorms with extra control.

Stormbinding makes every fight feel dynamic and encourages players to rethink their strategy in real time.

Stormbinding doesn’t just modify spells—it redefines them. It turns magic into a reactive battlefield tool, as important as positioning or morale.

For the Nerds – How the Numbers Actually Work

Behind the scenes, Stormbinding is a carefully tuned system built for number-lovers. Players who want to dive into damage multipliers, sensitivities, and critical hit chances will find a deep statistical playground – without overwhelming casual players.

Example calculation:

• Fireball base damage: 100

• Active Stormbinding (Fire): x1.5

• Local weather state (“Scorched”): x1.3

Result: 180.

Add hero talents or critical chance, and the damage climbs even higher. Buffs, debuffs, and sensitivities layer on top for further customization.

Units React Too

Magic isn't the only thing shifting during storms. Your units adapt as well, making battlefield positioning and timing more important than ever.

• Winter slows infantry.

• Sandstorms disrupt ranged units.

• Heatwaves supercharge Fire-aligned abilities.

Stormbinding transforms every encounter into a tactical puzzle that rewards smart commanders.

Why This Matters – The Gameplay Payoff

Our philosophy is simple: reward mastery without punishing simplicity. You can play Stormbinders casually, casting ‘Fireball go brrr,’ and still succeed. But players who lean into the storm system will discover an entirely new layer of power.

Stormbinders isn’t just about magic. It’s about timing, adaptation, and bending the elements to your will. You’re not just casting spells. You're commanding the storm.