Towerborne Early Access Rewards Transfer Guide & How to Unlock Brutal Difficulty
After months of Early Access chaos and Belfry battles, Towerborne is finally going premium on February 26, 2026.
If you’ve been rocking it as a Founders’ player, there’s good news: your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.
While your character progress resets for balance, all the cool cosmetics, achievements, and special currencies you earned are coming with you to the full 1.0 release.
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From Free-to-Play to Premium: What You Need to Know
Stoic Studio pivoted from a free-to-play live-service model to a solid Buy-to-Play structure. That means:
- Automatic Upgrade: If you snagged a Founder’s Pack on Steam or played via Xbox Game Preview, your game will automatically update to the standard edition of the premium launch.
- Gameplay Reset: Character levels, gear, and map exploration are wiped to ensure everyone starts fresh in 1.0. Balance matters, folks.
Cosmetic & Founders’ Pack Transfers
Here’s where your Founders’ loyalty really pays off:
- Founder Skins: Legendary sets like Longship and Jarlbone, plus Umbra skins like Thrasher Iska and Warhawk Pox, will appear in your new account automatically.
- Monthly Bonuses: Anything claimed during Early Access sticks around. Missed a month? December and January rewards will retroactively drop at launch.
- Earned Cosmetics: Emotes, stickers, and cosmetic skins bought with Writs or unlocked via Ogden’s Cache are yours forever.
Currency Transition: Stepstones
The premium Belfry Bucks currency is retiring, replaced by Stepstones. Here’s the lowdown:
- Conversion: All Belfry Bucks from your Founders’ Pack or purchases are automatically converted to Stepstones.
- Redemption: Use Stepstones to grab specialized packs like Rare Aspects, Forging Materials, Spirit Dust, or Big Bags of Writs to jumpstart your fresh 1.0 adventure.
Achievements Stay with You
Even though your level resets, your achievements follow you. If you maxed a class or hit Level 50 during Early Access, those accomplishments unlock instantly in 1.0. So yes, your hard work still counts!
Early Access Rewards at a Glance
| Item Category | Transfer Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Founder Skins/Sets | Transfers | Includes Longship, Jarlbone, and Umbra skins |
| Belfry Bucks | Converted | Becomes Stepstones for 1.0 use |
| Character Levels | Wiped | All Aces start at Level 1 |
| Curio Unlocks | Transfers | Premium Curio progress carries over |
| Weapons/Gear | Wiped | Power-based gear reset for balance |
| Emotes & Stickers | Transfers | Permanent cosmetic rewards |
Claiming Your Rewards
- Update: Make sure your Steam or Xbox client downloads the 1.0 update on launch day.
- Visit the Belfry: Head to the central hub to see your Founder items.
- Check Store & Mail: Most cosmetics appear automatically. Stepstones rewards can be redeemed in the Belfry Store tab.
Conquering Brutal Difficulty in Towerborne: Your DL5 Survival Guide
For anyone who’s spent time in Towerborne, reaching the top of the ladder means stepping into Brutal difficulty, also known as Danger Level 5 (DL5).
Let me tell you—this isn’t just a harder fight, it’s a gauntlet where every mistake gets punished. If you thought DL4 was tough, DL5 will make you sweat, and trust me, preparation is everything.
Step 1: Progress to Danger Level 4
Before you even think about DL5, you have to master DL4. That means completing the Danger License Trial for DL4, usually involving a major boss encounter like Yxil’s Domain. Only after clearing it can you return to the Belfry to unlock DL4 nodes on your world map. Think of it as your warm-up—skip it and DL5 will chew you up.
Step 2: Reach the Gear Score Threshold
DL5 doesn’t forgive sloppy gearing. The community often jokes that jumping into Brutal “early” is a skill issue because these zones can demand 200+ gear score higher than early DL4 missions. Here’s how to prep:
- Farm DL4: Grind high-tier materials and mission drops to beef up your gear.
- Legendary Gear: Orange-tier items only appear after unlocking DL5, so hitting the right gear threshold first is key.
Step 3: Complete the DL5 License Trial
This is the real test. Conquering the DL5 trial officially unlocks Brutal difficulty and raises your level cap to 50. Pro tip from veterans: stack Affliction Damage—combining Burn+Poison or Bleed+Poison works wonders against those massive health pools. Success here nets 4 new class-specific Legendary Weapons and 12 Legendary Gear items.
Step 4: Navigating the World Map
Once unlocked, DL5 isn’t a global switch—it’s tied to specific high-end zones. Only the hardest areas are flagged for DL5, so when using the Group Finder, specifically look for parties recruiting for DL5 to guarantee you’re facing the real challenge.
DL5 Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Previous Tier | Complete Danger Level 4 License Trial |
| Character Level | Prepare for the new cap of 50 |
| Gear | Farm superior materials in DL4 zones |
| Final Step | Clear the DL5 License Trial boss |
Final Thoughts
DL5 isn’t just about gear—it’s about patience, strategy, and knowing when to retreat. From farming the right materials to stacking Affliction Damage, every decision matters.
Personally, the thrill of finally beating the DL5 trial after hours of preparation is one of the most satisfying moments in Towerborne. If you’re serious about mastering the game, Brutal difficulty is where you prove your skill.
