- Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core Update 3 is live now on Steam with a fourth boss and major systems.
- Expenite drops now come from every enemy kill, making combat directly rewarding by default.
- Reroll upgrades with the new Refractor Terminal, powered by Flux Quartz, from level two onward.
- Balgorath Gatekeeper debuts as a bullet-hell boss fight with optional Risk Vectors.
- New tools include the Ventura Model 57 shotgun and the XQ-2 Quantum Warp Field teleporter.
Update 3 Overview: What Changed
Update 3 is the third major content drop for Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core, and it touches nearly every layer of the run-based loop: economy, upgrades, boss fights, weapons, traversal, and extraction. Ghost Ship Games promoted several community-favorite experimentals into permanent features after strong player feedback during Update 2.
Video Highlights:
- All enemies now drop Expenite by default, not just as a mission modifier
- Fourth boss Balgorath Gatekeeper delivers a bullet-hell showdown
- Refractor Terminal lets you reroll upgrades using Flux Quartz
- New shotgun, new Corespawn enemy, and a teleporter traversal tool
- Host disconnect protection lets the remaining team continue the run
| Feature Category | What's New | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Enemies drop Expenite by default | Combat is directly rewarded every run |
| Upgrades | Refractor Terminal reroll system | Never stuck with unwanted upgrades |
| Bosses | Balgorath Gatekeeper + Risk Vectors | Fourth boss, customizable final fights |
| Weapons | Ventura Model 57 pump shotgun | New short-range heavy hitter |
| Traversal | XQ-2 Quantum Warp Field | Place two nodes and teleport between them |
| Stability | Host disconnect protection | Team can continue after host crash |
Beyond the headline features, Update 3 ships with balance tweaks and bugfixes. Check the full patch notes on the official Steam page for the complete list.
Combat and Economy: Expenite From Every Kill
The biggest default-mode change in Update 3 is straightforward: every enemy killed now drops Expenite. In Update 2 this existed as an optional mission modifier, but both the developers and the community agreed it was simply more fun as the standard rule.
You can still mine Expenite from deposits as usual, so mining-focused playstyles remain viable. The difference is that aggressive, combat-heavy runs now generate income at a comparable pace.
| Playstyle | Pre-Update 3 | Post-Update 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Mining focus | Primary Expenite source | Still fully viable |
| Combat focus | Minimal Expenite income | Every kill pays out |
| Balanced runs | Leaning on mining | Both sources stack |
Combat-heavy Reclaimers no longer fall behind on economy. Chain fights, elite Corespawn, and swarm defense all generate direct income, opening up faster upgrade pacing in the mid-run.
New Enemy: The Bloater
Update 3 also adds target practice in the worst way. The Bloater is a heavyweight Corespawn that moves slowly and absorbs enormous amounts of damage. Its huge health pool means it lives long enough to proc elemental synergies on nearby enemies, and it explodes on death. Kill it at range, not in melee range.
Upgrades and Rerolls: The Refractor Terminal
Previously, a bad upgrade roll could hamstring an entire run. Update 3 fixes that with the Refractor Terminal, found in the elevator and available from the start of the second level of every run.
Reach Level Two
The Refractor Terminal unlocks from the start of the second level in each run, so plan your first-level upgrade picks with rerolls in mind.
Collect Flux Quartz
Flux Quartz powers the terminal. Prioritize gathering it during exploration so you always have reroll currency when it matters.
Reroll Your Upgrades
Spend Flux Quartz at the terminal for a fresh shot at the upgrade you actually want instead of the one you were stuck with.
Build Toward Synergy
Use rerolls to complete elemental and weapon synergies before the final level, where boss-specific Risk Vectors await.
Update 3 also deepens the Bio-Booster system: a polished UI shows collected decks and unlock requirements, and new base decks unlinked to any specific Reclaimer allow more mix-and-match playstyles, with more coming in future updates.
The Balgorath Gatekeeper and Risk Vectors
The long-teased fourth boss has arrived. The Balgorath Gatekeeper fight is described as a bullet-hell experience: expect dense ranged attack patterns that demand constant movement, dodging, and positioning awareness rather than pure DPS checks.
Boss-Specific Risk Vectors
Risk Vectors are optional alterations selected as you enter the final level of a run. Each one changes the terms of your final showdown.
| Risk Vector Type | Availability | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Universal vectors | Any boss | Modify general fight conditions |
| Boss-specific vectors | Certain bosses only | Unique variations tailored to each encounter |
| Optional | Player choice | Skip entirely if you prefer the standard fight |
Bullet-Hell Dodging
- Constant movement is survival
- Watch ranged patterns
- Save mobility tools for this fight
Pick Your Vector
- Universal options fit any boss
- Specific vectors for tailored challenges
- Fully optional alteration
Trophy Wall Rewards
- Tracks where and when you beat bosses
- Unlocks unique rewards
- Gives every boss kill long-term value
Risk Vectors are chosen at the final level entrance. Arrive with a rerolled, synergy-complete build, because you cannot change your selection once the showdown begins.
New Gear: Weapons and Traversal
Ventura Model 57
A classic pump-action shotgun that behaves exactly as you would hope: it hits hard, reloads slowly, and makes a mess of anything at short range. It is ideal for Reclaimers who fight in the thick of swarms and want punchy close-range answers to the new Bloater.
XQ-2 Quantum Warp Field
The new traversal tool is a teleporter. Place two nodes and zap between the two points. This opens up kiting routes, emergency escapes during boss patterns, and fast repositioning around dense arenas.
| Item | Type | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura Model 57 | Weapon | High burst damage, shredding short range | Slow reloads |
| XQ-2 Quantum Warp Field | Traversal tool | Instant repositioning, escape potential | Requires two placed nodes |
| Flaire Gun | Repositioned item | Utility for any class | No longer in traversal pool |
The Flare Gun was removed from the traversal tool pool because it is not really a traversal tool. It now sits in a glass box that anyone can break to collect, making it available to the whole team.
Extraction, Stability, and Cosmetics
New Elevator Extraction Variations
Two new variations join the elevator extraction sequence, rolled randomly for each level of a run:
- Repair extraction: collect parts scattered around the level to repair the elevator instead of simply defending it
- Growth interference: fight off mysterious growths that have jammed up the elevator gears
Host Disconnect Protection
If the host leaves or crashes, the remaining team can now continue the game without them, restarting the stage they are currently on. This prevents lost progress from connection issues.
Cosmetic Sheet Rework
The cosmetic sheet received a facelift for easier tracking of unlocks, most items are now automatically unlocked for all classes rather than one, and any scrip spent in the old system is automatically refunded.
Update 3 Checklist:
- Farm kills for default Expenite drops
- Stockpile Flux Quartz for Refractor rerolls
- Defeat the Balgorath Gatekeeper
- Try a boss-specific Risk Vector
- Test the Ventura Model 57 and Quantum Warp Field
Update 3 is available now on Steam. Log in, break open the Flare Gun glass box, reroll toward your dream build, and go hunt that Gatekeeper.
Update 3 FAQ
Q: Do all enemies drop Expenite in Update 3, or is it still optional?
It is now part of the default game. Expenite drops were introduced as an optional mission modifier in Update 2, but community feedback convinced Ghost Ship Games to make combat rewards standard in Update 3. Mining still works as usual.
Q: How does the Refractor Terminal reroll system work in Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core Update 3?
The Refractor Terminal appears in the elevator from the start of the second level in every run. It is powered by Flux Quartz, which you collect during the run, and lets you reroll toward upgrades you actually want so you are never stuck with a bad pick.
Q: Are Risk Vectors mandatory for boss fights?
No. Risk Vectors are introduced as an optional alteration. You select them when entering the final level of a run, and some are universal while others are specific to certain bosses. You can skip them entirely for the standard fight.
Q: What happens if the host crashes mid-run?
Update 3 adds disconnect protection. If the host leaves or crashes, the remaining team gets the option to continue the game without them, restarting the stage they are on so progress is not lost.