inXile Entertainment has announced that Wasteland 3’s next patch will add the eagerly anticipated Permadeath mode to the tactical RPG. Patch 1.3.3 is currently set to arrive in early March and will also add difficult skill checks and character respec options. Permadeath, once enabled, cannot be turned off and it’s only usable in single-player.
How it works is that any squadmate who enters a Downed state will require a certain number of rounds to revive. Failure to do so will result in them dying permanently (and a Nitro Spike won’t help revive). Their equipment will be sent back to the shared party inventory after death. Losing all Rangers will result in a Game Over screen.
As for difficult skill checks, these will increase requirements for skill checks within the game from +2 all the way up to +10. So if you’ve really wanted to agonize over specializing certain squadmates, this is for you. However, those who make a mistake – or simply want to reroll – will also have a respec option back at Ranger HQ. While the first two are free, subsequent respecs cost money, all the way up to $3000. Hiring and retaining fees for the entire squad also increase.
Stay tuned for more details when patch 1.3.3 goes live. Wasteland 3 is currently available for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.