STALCRAFT: X patch notes [29.07.2026]: Coliseum, matchmaking and class balance
EXBO patch breakdown for July 29, 2026: shared Coliseum queue, Free Play disabled on NA/NEA/SEA, Tank/Phantom/Specialist balance, expanded stats and inventory module drag-and-drop.
STALCRAFT: X patch notes [29.07.2026]: Coliseum, matchmaking and class balance
On July 29, 2026 EXBO shipped a major STALCRAFT: X update (often searched as Stalzone in RU communities). The headline is Coliseum: matchmaking on low-pop regions, class balance, richer match stats and UI fixes. Below is a structured breakdown focused on PvP meta — not a copy-paste of the forum thread.
Official source: patch notes on EXBO Forum.
TL;DR
- NA, NEA, SEA: Free Play disabled in Coliseum; Fair Fight rewards increased.
- Solo and groups up to 3 share one queue; the dedicated trio queue is off.
- Match-decline penalties hit only the player who declined.
- Explosive barrels nerfed; Tank, Phantom and Specialist tuned.
- Expanded match statistics and a new team color scheme (allies always blue).
- Weapon modules can be rearranged via drag-and-drop in inventory (safe zone + personal storage).
Matchmaking: why the patch feels “regional”
EXBO states that on NA, NEA and SEA Coliseum matches often failed to start due to low population. Response:
| Regions | Change |
|---|---|
| NA, NEA, SEA | Free Play disabled |
| NA, NEA, SEA | Fair Fight rewards increased |
| NA, NEA, SEA | Shared queue for solo + groups up to 3 |
Global queue rules
- Separate trios-only queue — disabled.
- Joining search removes you/your party from other queues and preliminary Operations search.
- Updated estimated wait time display.
- Fixed: players who did not decline a match are no longer blocked from searching.
- Decline penalty applies only to the decliner.
- After the confirmation timer, only unconfirmed players are penalized.
- Gear no longer stays locked after a canceled match.
Note: duo matchmaking was restored in the July 22 hotfix; this patch further consolidates queues on weak regions.
Coliseum-wide balance
Economy and restrictions
- Full squad wipe penalty: 10% → 15% of command points.
- Toggle items reset to default at round end.
- Inventory cannot be opened in the mode.
- Fixed bringing grenades into matches.
Barrels and antigravity
| Mechanic | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Explosive barrel damage | 310 | 250 |
| Explosion radius | 3 m | 1 m (total/min damage unchanged) |
| Throw force in antigravity | — | reduced |
| Antigravity barrels | — | +50% bullet speed (like Tank grenades) |
Class balance
Tank
- Self-Destruct full-damage radius 5 → 3 m.
- Stimulator speed 50% → 40%, cooldown 25 → 35 s.
- No item animation when High Gravity Aura triggers.
Phantom
- No Installation / revive marker interaction while in another dimension.
- Updated cluster grenade VFX.
- Stasis anomaly now kills players under Escape to the Inside Out.
Specialist
- Tranquilizer charges 3 → 2, cooldown 8 → 10 s, hit applies 1 s scanner mark.
- Psionic Mine damage 200 → 125, radius 3 → 4 m, max mines 3 → 2.
Stats and UI
New Coliseum stats include overall/current K/D, games, wins, kills, deaths, rifts, batteries, installations, detections, combat/support/objective points and respawns.
Team colors: allies always blue, enemies one of four distinct colors — applied across HUD, confirmation window, stats, closed lobby and results.
Module QoL
- Modules auto-removed when a weapon is sold, deleted or bartered.
- Modules can be dragged in inventory without the upgrade window — safe zone + personal storage only.
Other fixes worth knowing
- Teleport-grenade wall clipping fixed.
- Battery duplication fixed.
- Temporary items/abilities behave correctly when receiving batteries or respawn markers.
- Interactions with batteries/stations/markers/canisters interrupt current item animation.
- Barrel loot correctly tied to location.
- Player profile module/attachment/artifact display fixed.
- English VO linked to speaker volume.
- Coliseum guide localized to Spanish and Korean.
Outside Coliseum: one-color weapon paints, Arsenal window first 5 hours after midnight, Gladiator motif on Albatross Heavy Assault Exoarmor, removable FAMAS G2 SG underbarrel/silencer, naming/translation fixes.
If you use private software
Major STALCRAFT PvP patches often trigger On Update waves for private builds. Skip random mirrors — check live storefront status.
Samurai Cheats reads:
- How to read Undetected / On Update / Detected
- After a major anticheat patch
- Stalcraft / Stalzone FPS guide
- MASON Stalcraft launch guide
FAQ
Where is the official patch?
[EXBO Forum — Patch notes [29.07.2026]](https://forum.exbo.net/d/192272-patchnout-29072026
Is Free Play disabled everywhere?
EXBO lists NA, NEA, SEA explicitly. Other regions may differ — verify in your client.
Does duo queue work?
Yes after the July 22, 2026 hotfix; this patch merges solo + up-to-3 queues on the listed regions.
Bottom line
The 29.07.2026 patch rebuilds Coliseum queues, penalties, classes, barrels and stats. PvP players should revisit Fair Fight presets and Tank/Phantom/Specialist timings. Private users: status first, session second.
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