Stake & Fang is a 5v5 first-person hero shooter built around asymmetric faction combat in a gothic setting. Players divide into Slayers armed with conventional firearms and tools or Vampires equipped with supernatural abilities and movement options. The core loop centers on escorting or denying a mobile UV weapon called the Dawn Engine through urban environments while managing resources, positioning, and cooldowns.
Gameplay
Each match pits five Slayers against five Vampires with strict role limits. Teams field one Tank, multiple DPS options, and Supports, with no hero duplicates allowed on the same side. Every hero carries four abilities that include a dedicated movement skill and an ultimate. Slayers rely on precision weapons such as shotguns, sniper rifles, crossbows, revolvers, axes, and an umbrella gun paired with traps and protective tools. Vampires close gaps through abilities like bat swarms, puppet hexes, and blood moon rallies that alter visibility and momentum.
The stake system adds a distinct layer to combat. Vampires reduced to zero health enter a downed state where they can crawl toward cover during a bleed-out timer. Teammates perform a six-second revive that restores them at half health. Slayers must approach to deliver a finishing stake strike, as standard gunfire cannot eliminate downed targets. Stakes also inflict 75 damage against standing Vampires. This mechanic rewards aggressive finishes while forcing defenders to weigh rescue attempts against exposure.
Role passives further differentiate playstyles. Slayer DPS heroes gain faster manual reloads after kills or assists within a short window. Vampire DPS heroes gain partial transparency after one second in deep darkness. Tanks on the Slayer side reduce knockback and slow effects, while Vampire Tanks resist a portion of UV damage. Supports on both factions accelerate ultimate charge through teammate healing, and each side gains movement or recovery bonuses when operating near low-health allies.
Game Modes
Matches follow a two-round Dawn Engine escort format on a single randomly selected map. One team escorts the engine along a fixed route while the opposing team contests checkpoints and attempts to halt its progress. After the first round, factions swap so both sides experience attack and defense on the identical path. The team with the stronger escort performance across both rounds claims victory. Servers select from three maps without player input: Saint Orison with its stone streets and rooftops, Mourning Hollow featuring foggy graveyards and tombs, or Blacktide Harbour along docks and waterfront structures under aurora lighting.
Heroes and Factions
Fourteen heroes split evenly between factions emphasize distinct weapon and ability kits. Slayer options include Rook, Rife, Duffy, The Priest, Helsing, Grimm, and The Gentleman. Vampire options include Vesper, Nos, Vander, Royal, The Witch, Dracula, and The Ghoul. Complementary picks matter because of the single Tank slot and the need to balance pressure, sustain, and frontline presence. Supports build ultimate charge exclusively through actual health restoration to teammates rather than self-healing or overhealing.
Is It Worth Playing?
Stake & Fang remains in development with a release date listed as coming soon and no user reviews available yet. The described systems deliver a focused 5v5 hero shooter experience centered on escort objectives, faction asymmetry, and the unique downed-state revive mechanic. Players who enjoy tactical positioning, role-based team composition, and close-quarters decision making around revives and finishes will find clear appeal in the verified mechanics. Those seeking established multiplayer titles with active player bases and post-launch updates should monitor official announcements for launch timing and server population details once the game becomes available on PC.