Hello, hello, hello! In today’s [b]Steel Division 2[/b] DevBlog, we talk maps. That’s right, we’ll be previewing the upcoming [b]Dukla Pass[/b] map. Let’s go! [b][h2]A new battlefield[/h2][/b] The new [b]Dukla Pass[/b] map will be released for free to all owners of [b]Steel Division 2[/b]. The same will happen with the new [b]Valley of Death[/b] map (which you can read more about [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/919640/view/3958168241602664463?l=english]in this DevBlog here[/url]). These two new maps will likely come as two separate free Reinforcement Packs DLCs. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/eb0f4ab468dd4ccfd0e29f0a144a7f104a982e0d.jpg[/img] So, what’s the deal with these two new maps? They can be seen as a precursor to our next [b]Army General[/b] expansion, codenamed [b]Dukla Pass[/b]. The historical details you can check out [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/919640/view/7132068756331141341?l=english]in this DevBlog[/url]. [b][h2]Inspiration[/h2][/b] Both maps are centered on the historical [i]Battle of Dukla Pass[/i] on the Polish-Slovak border fought in the second half of 1944. This series of battles featured the Axis (the 1st Panzer Army and the 1st Hungarian Army) opposed by the Soviets commanding elements of the 1st and 4th Ukrainian Front, as well as the 1st Czechoslovakian Army Corps (composed of former Czech soldiers exiled in the Soviet Union, refugees, Slovak POWs, etc.). The Soviets, with the Czechoslovakian Corps, slogged through a mountainous battlefield to join up with Slovak Uprising rebels on the plains beyond. Ultimately, it was too little, too late, with the campaign ending in a (temporary) German victory. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/38c9aa83cf3766d6f4a9610f6b82f4f806cd9241.jpg[/img] The [b]Valley of the Death[/b] map was inspired by the battlefields around Svidnik, where the actual pass leads out into a wider valley. In comparison, the [b]Dukla Pass[/b] map is on the other side of the Laborec Highlands, just south of Dukla (hence the name). In this area, the Carpathian mountains begin to climb. Several valleys rise towards the pass, forming parallel “canyon-like” gullies. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/574b26f28eaf23cb47642c10709f475754f621da.jpg[/img] [b][h2]Dukla Pass detailed[/h2][/b] As already mentioned, [b]Dukla Pass[/b] takes advantage of the quickly rising Carpathians to create three “corridors.” The main one, the broader valley in the center, contains the Dukla-Svidnik road. The two narrower corridors, one on each side, are smaller valleys. Ultimately (not depicted), these merge into a single valley before reaching the pass itself (likewise off-map). At the edges of each side, dense forests represent the woods of the real-life mountain range. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/6e23d50bf7f9316b87851e0fa283fb4c7ac8ea91.jpg[/img] Each of the three corridors is separated by relief, which increases in height the deeper you advance (depending on the direction you travel). This represents the beginning of the Laborece Highlands, inspired by real-life terrain variations. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/71d00a8bd450ee44948ed6e33ecc5af9645ecc34.jpg[/img] While separated through height difference and thick forest, connections between the corridors exist. Pathways reach plateaus and go down on the other side. That’s why, if some Spartan-wannabes block one path, you can still try to go sideways and outflank the enemy blocking force. While the valleys have quite a few villages and farmsteads, which can act as defensive strong points, the higher plateaus are mostly devoid of structures and buildings. There are a few isolated settlements, but most of this terrain is covered in woods. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/0c78e7a157c1a3fe28955b4ac7dcdf55ea13954b.jpg[/img] Sight lines down in the valleys or on the plateau’s edges are pretty open, allowing for long-range engagements. However, the plateaus themselves are better suited for close combat and ambushes. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/33563925/8a0dd3d66bfbfb8dbe74f118bfecfd416b2ee477.jpg[/img] [b][h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2][/b] That’s all for this DevBlog. Let us know what you think! Don’t forget that the latest [b]Steel Division 2[/b] expansion has just been released. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2873780/Steel_Division_2__Tribute_to_Normandy_44/ Join the [b]Steel Division 2[/b] community on our [url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/919640/eventcomments/]Steam forums[/url]. The latest [b]Steel Division 2[/b] news can also be encountered on our [url=https://www.instagram.com/eugensystems/]Instagram[/url]. Looking for an online game? Visit the [url=https://discord.gg/TEeBArm]Discord server[/url] or [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steel_Division/]Reddit page[/url] and get involved with the lively [b]Steel Division 2[/b] community! See you on the battlefield, commanders!