The Duskbloods Datamine Points to 13 Playable Characters as FromSoftware Remains Silent on Release Date

FromSoftware's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods, has resurfaced through a new datamine suggesting the game could feature 13 playable Bloodsworn characters. The discovery follows the game's August 2026 closed network test and arrives as the studio remains silent about its official release date, despite the multiplayer action title still being scheduled for 2026.

The information originated from game files extracted by community dataminer ividyon, who shared a collection of internal text files recovered from the network test client. The published spreadsheet contains character descriptions, equipment references and additional information about the game's lore and relationship systems.

One particularly interesting file, named ProfileMat, includes 13 equipment and artifact entries that appear connected to individual Bloodsworn. Community member NeedleKnightLenny identified several potential associations, including the Golden Scarab, which appears related to Layla, and the Nike Wheel Spear, a weapon reportedly used by a miniboss encountered during the network test.

The findings are consistent with Hidetaka Miyazaki's official interview with Nintendo, in which the director confirmed that players would be able to choose from more than 12 distinct Bloodsworn, each featuring unique weapons, abilities and customization options. However, the extracted files only establish the presence of 13 relevant entries in the network test data, not necessarily the complete launch roster.

Additional text reportedly contains references to character relationships, ancestry and clan structures. These findings are particularly interesting given the game's previously confirmed Blood History and Fate customization system, which allows players to modify character attributes, appearances and relationships with other Bloodsworn.

As detailed in the August gameplay preview, The Duskbloods combines competitive multiplayer with challenging enemy encounters, temporary alliances and objectives that extend beyond defeating other players.

Matches support up to 8 participants competing for First Blood, with players earning Victory Points through combat, exploration and other activities. The game also introduces special roles such as Destined Rivals and Destined Companion, encouraging players to form relationships or pursue designated opponents for additional rewards.

The extraction of these files also follows recent Nintendo Switch 2 security breakthroughs, which have expanded the community's ability to inspect software and experiment with unofficial applications. However, access to extracted text does not imply that the complete game or its underlying security systems have been compromised.

Despite the new information, FromSoftware has not provided a release date since the August network test. Its official announcement continues to identify 2026 as the launch window, but with only 2 months remaining, speculation about a possible move to 2027 is increasing. Neither Nintendo nor FromSoftware has announced a delay.

The discovery of 13 potentially character related artifacts offers another glimpse into the depth of The Duskbloods' character design, but the more interesting information may concern its relationship and progression systems.

FromSoftware has traditionally delivered storytelling through environmental details and fragmented lore. The Duskbloods appears to extend that philosophy into multiplayer, where character histories, rivalries and alliances could influence how individual matches unfold.

If the final roster contains 13 or more Bloodsworn with distinct abilities and meaningful customization options, balancing these characters across competitive and cooperative encounters will be one of the studio's biggest challenges.

The absence of a confirmed release date is also becoming increasingly noticeable. While the 2026 launch window remains official, a substantial marketing campaign and release announcement would be expected before a major exclusive arrives. For now, a delay remains speculation rather than an established development.

Are you more interested in The Duskbloods' unique Bloodsworn characters and multiplayer mechanics, or would you prefer FromSoftware to return to a traditional single player experience similar to Bloodborne or Elden Ring?