Updates

Updates

Patch notes and balance history for Birds of War — every change since launch 1.0.0 including the Seagull nerf and Eagle Talon Dive buff.

4
Patches Shipped
1.1.5
Latest Patch
~3-7 days
Patch Cadence

Introduction

Birds of War has shipped four patches in the first two weeks since launch: 1.0.0 (launch), 1.0.5 (map balance + egg-pickup fix), 1.1.0 (bird balance + 100K wishlist celebration), and 1.1.5 (Seagull nerf + Eagle Talon Dive buff + Golden Egg Crate). The patch cadence is brisk — HexNest is a 3-person indie team but they ship balance updates every few days, which keeps the meta fresh. Each patch includes bug fixes, balance changes, and content additions; the Golden Egg Crate in 1.1.5 is the first cosmetic crate, offering Legendary-tier egg skins. This page tracks every patch with date, focus area, and key changes, plus a meta-impact analysis explaining how each patch shifted the tier list. The next patch (1.1.6 or 1.2.0) is rumored to address the Hummingbird air-control jank, but HexNest hasn't confirmed a release window.

Patch Timeline

PatchDateFocusMeta Impact
1.0.0Jul 22, 2026LaunchHigh
1.0.5Jul 23, 2026Map balanceMedium
1.1.0Jul 23, 2026Bird balanceMedium
1.1.5Jul 23, 2026Meta shake-upHigh

Patch History

S

1.0.0 Launch

launch

1.0.0 Launch patch shipped seven launch birds, five maps, and the 3v3v3 match format. The foundation patch that set the meta for the 1.0.x cycle and is the baseline against which all subsequent balance changes are measured in patch notes and community discussions. This entry sets the foundation for the rest of the category and is a good starting point for understanding the meta.

DateJul 22, 2026
FocusLaunch
Highlights7 birds, 5 maps, 3v3v3
A

1.0.5 Map Balance

balance

1.0.5 Map balance patch shrunk Highrise by 25%, fixed the egg pickup glitch, and added controller tweaks. The map-meta-shaping patch that pushed Highrise into the meta and demonstrated HexNest's willingness to address community concerns about third-party raids. This build excels in the current 1.1.5 patch and rewards players who invest the time to learn its mechanics.

DateJul 23, 2026
FocusMap balance
HighlightsHighrise -25%, egg fix
A

1.1.0 Bird Balance

balance

1.1.0 Bird balance patch buffed Seagull Chip Frenzy (later reverted in 1.1.5), fixed Eagle Talon Dive damage bug, and celebrated 100K wishlists. The patch that established Seagull as must-ban material before the over-correction was re-balanced in the next balance patch. This option fits a niche playstyle and rewards players who master the timing windows specific to this configuration.

DateJul 23, 2026
FocusBird balance
HighlightsSeagull buff, Eagle fix
S

1.1.5 Meta Shake-up

meta

1.1.5 Meta shake-up patch nerfed Seagull Chip Frenzy hard, buffed Eagle Talon Dive damage, and added the Golden Egg Crate Legendary cosmetic content. The current meta-shaping patch and the basis for the 1.1.5 tier list, comp rankings, and patch notes. This role fills a specific gap in team compositions and is a strong counter-pick in the right matchup situations.

DateJul 23, 2026
FocusMeta shake-up
HighlightsSeagull nerf, Eagle buff

Core Mechanics

Each patch ships in three buckets: (1) bug fixes (egg pickup glitch fixed in 1.0.5, Talon Dive damage bug fixed in 1.1.0), (2) balance changes (Seagull Chip Frenzy buffed in 1.1.0 then nerfed in 1.1.5, Eagle Talon Dive buffed in 1.1.5), and (3) content additions (Golden Egg Crate Legendary in 1.1.5, 100K wishlist announcement in 1.1.0). The cadence is fast — every 3-7 days for the first two weeks — and HexNest communicates clearly via Discord and Steam News. Patch notes include both raw numbers (damage values, cooldown seconds) and developer intent (why the change was made), which helps players predict future balance direction. The 1.0.5 Highrise shrink was a notable map change, demonstrating HexNest's willingness to address community concerns about third-party raids.

Advantages

The fast patch cadence means bugs get fixed within days, not weeks, which is a strong signal that HexNest is committed to game health. Each patch brings meaningful balance changes — no patch has been a pure-bugfix release, so the meta stays fresh. The developer intent comments in patch notes help players understand the design philosophy and predict future changes. The Steam News and Discord channels provide additional context that the wiki patch notes summarize. The Golden Egg Crate in 1.1.5 shows HexNest is open to cosmetic monetization, which is a healthier revenue model than pay-to-win. The 100K wishlist celebration in 1.1.0 was a strong community-morale event.

Challenges

Fast patches mean guides and tier lists go stale within days — the Seagull guide was rewritten twice in two weeks. Some balance changes feel rushed — the 1.1.0 Seagull buff was widely considered an over-correction, requiring the 1.1.5 nerf to fix. The 3-person dev team may not sustain this cadence long-term; expect patches to slow after the launch window closes. Patch notes sometimes lack precise numbers (e.g., "Seagull damage reduced" without specifying the percent), which makes meta analysis harder. The community has called for a public roadmap, but HexNest hasn't published one yet. Two upcoming birds will require significant balance work to integrate into the meta.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the biggest balance change in 1.1.5?+
The biggest balance change in 1.1.5 was the Seagull Chip Frenzy nerf, which reduced damage and knock-back distance to compensate for the 1.1.0 over-buff. The second biggest was the Eagle Talon Dive damage buff, which restored the one-shot potential on a clean hit. The Highrise shrink in 1.0.5 is still in effect (no further map changes in 1.1.5). The Golden Egg Crate Legendary added in 1.1.5 is the first cosmetic content.
What is the Golden Egg Crate?+
The Golden Egg Crate is a Legendary-tier cosmetic crate added in patch 1.1.5. It contains egg skins, victory poses, and proximity voice tags. The crate is earned through ranked wins, not real-money purchase, which fits HexNest's "Pay to Flex, Not Pay to Win" philosophy. The crate is the first cosmetic content in Birds of War and signals HexNest's commitment to ethical monetization.
When is the next patch (1.1.6 or 1.2.0)?+
HexNest hasn't confirmed a release date for 1.1.6 or 1.2.0. Based on the launch cadence (every 3-7 days for the first two weeks), the next patch is likely within 1-2 weeks of 1.1.5. Community speculation points to Hummingbird air-control fixes, two new birds for the 9-bird target, and possibly Mac/Linux or console port news. Watch the official Discord for the announcement.
Did 1.1.5 change the MVB award system?+
No, the MVB award system is unchanged from 1.1.0. The MVB is the bird that won the most games for the player during the ranked season, with bonus weight for higher-rank wins. The 1.1.5 Seagull nerf means Seagull MVBs are less common in 1.1.5, but Shoebill, Eagle, and Pigeon are all strong MVB candidates. The first ranked season ends in Q3 2026, and the MVB icon is awarded at the end of the season.

Quick Tips

💡

Always check the patch version before applying a guide's advice — the Seagull Chip Frenzy strategy was completely different in 1.1.0 vs 1.1.5, and the next patch (1.1.6 or 1.2.0) may shift the meta again. Stale patch advice is responsible for most bad gameplay decisions in solo queue. Stale patch advice is responsible for most bad gameplay decisions in solo queue climbing.

💡

Read the developer intent comments in each patch note carefully — they signal which direction the next balance pass will likely go. For example, HexNest's 1.1.5 note "we want Seagull to be a niche pick, not a default" suggests future nerfs if Seagull remains strong in the post-1.1.5 meta. For example, HexNest's 1.1.5 note on Seagull suggests future nerfs if Seagull remains strong in the post-1.1.5 meta.

💡

Watch for the 1.1.6 / 1.2.0 patch — community speculation points to Hummingbird air-control fixes, two new birds for the 9-bird target, and possibly Mac/Linux or console port news. Follow the official Discord for the announcement and prepare your bird pool for the upcoming balance shifts. Follow the official Discord for the announcement and prepare your bird pool for the upcoming balance shifts.

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