The Hive Blight Early Access launch is officially locked in for March 9, 2026, as Belgian indie studio OptizOnion prepares to unleash its insect-themed roguelite autobattler onto Steam.
Announced alongside a brand-new trailer, Hive Blight challenges players to unite rival insect clans and push back a spreading fungal corruption threatening to consume their kingdom. With deep drafting mechanics, clan synergies, and escalating boss battles, Hive Blight aims to carve out a unique niche in the ever-growing roguelite space.
Here’s everything you need to know before the swarm begins.
Fight the Blight: A Kingdom on the Brink
At the heart of the Hive Blight Early Access launch is a lush but perilous insect kingdom under siege by a corrupting fungal plague.
The mysterious Fungomancer has unleashed the Blight across the land, infecting everything in its path. As commander, players must assemble a squad of insect warriors, build strategic alliances, and adapt to ever-changing encounters.
Hive Blight blends roguelite progression with autobattler strategy, meaning every run offers new drafting opportunities, evolving threats, and fresh combinations of units and equipment.
Over 30 Unique Insect Units to Draft and Master
Strategy is king in the Hive Blight Early Access launch, with more than 30 unique insect units inspired by real-world species.
Each unit features:
- Distinct abilities
- Unique stat profiles
- Synergy-driven roles
- Tactical strengths and weaknesses
Careful drafting and adaptability are essential. Players must build around the units offered each run, forming cohesive team compositions that can withstand increasingly dangerous encounters.
Boss battles serve as major skill checks, pushing players to refine their synergy strategies and optimize positioning for maximum efficiency.
Clan Synergies Shape Every Run
Every playthrough of Hive Blight begins by forming an alliance between two insect clans, fundamentally shaping the strategic possibilities available.
The Vespadas
Focused on raw offensive power and debilitating effects that overwhelm opponents.
The Silent Cabbale
Masters of poison, stealth, and ambush-based tactics.
The Sweet Symphoney
Specialists in healing, control, and seductive battlefield manipulation.
Combining clans unlocks powerful and sometimes unexpected synergies. According to the developers, some combinations have even surprised the team with their devastating effectiveness.
The Hive Blight Early Access launch emphasizes experimentation, rewarding players who think creatively about synergy potential.
Gear, Trinkets, and Risk-Reward Systems
Beyond drafting units, players can enhance their squads through:
- Over 40 unique pieces of equipment and trinkets
- Ancient powers discovered at sacred altars
- Crafting upgrades at the forge
- Risk-heavy mysterious potions
These layered systems deepen the roguelite loop, encouraging strategic risk-taking while offering meaningful progression paths across multiple runs.
Featured in the Tiny Roguelike Event
Ahead of the Hive Blight Early Access launch, the demo was featured in the Tiny Roguelike event running from January 31 to February 14, giving players an early taste of the game’s mechanics and tone.
OptizOnion also showcased its previously acclaimed title, Bounty of One, during the event—further cementing the studio’s focus on highly replayable, optimization-driven roguelikes.
What to Expect in Early Access
When Hive Blight enters Early Access on March 9, players can expect:
- Core roguelite autobattler systems fully playable
- Expanding balance adjustments based on feedback
- Continued unit and synergy tuning
- Ongoing content updates during development
OptizOnion has built a reputation for tight, replayable design, and the Hive Blight Early Access launch appears to follow that philosophy closely.
Release Date and Platform
Hive Blight launches in Early Access on:
- PC via Steam
Release Date: March 9, 2026
With its distinctive insect aesthetic, fungal apocalypse theme, and deep synergy-driven strategy, Hive Blight is poised to become a standout entry in the roguelite autobattler genre.
If you’re ready to draft, adapt, and fight back against the Blight, the swarm begins March 9.
