Getting Started
How do I download Vestra Coda?
Vestra Coda is installed through the Vestra Coda Launcher. During the closed alpha the Launcher button on the home page is available to signed-in alpha participants; the launcher then signs you in, downloads the game and keeps it up to date.
Windows says “Windows protected your PC”
The alpha launcher is not yet code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen warns on the first run. Click More info, then Run anyway. This is expected during the alpha; a signed build follows once our certificate is issued. The launcher itself verifies every game file it installs against a signed manifest.
What are the system requirements?
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel i5-4460 / AMD FX-6300 or equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 760 / AMD R9 270 or equivalent
- Storage: ~2 GB available space
- Network: Broadband internet connection
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel i7-6700 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 or equivalent
- Storage: ~4 GB available space (accounts for future updates)
- Network: Broadband internet connection
These requirements may change during early access as we optimize the game.
Account & Login
How do I create an account?
Visit vestracoda.com and click the sign-up link. You'll need a valid email address and a username. After verifying your email, your Shadow Dance Studios account is ready to go.
How do I reset my password?
Click "Forgot Password" on the login screen. Enter the email address associated with your account, and we'll send you a reset link. If you don't receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder.
How do I keep my account secure?
- Use a strong, unique password that you don't reuse on other sites.
- Never share your login credentials with anyone — Shadow Dance Studios staff will never ask for your password.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) when it becomes available.
- If you suspect unauthorized access, contact us immediately at [email protected].
Gameplay
Controls overview
Vestra Coda uses a classic MMORPG control scheme. Movement is handled via WASD or click-to-move, with the camera controlled by the mouse. The action bar at the bottom of the screen holds your abilities, and you can bind keys to suit your playstyle through the Settings menu. A full keybinding reference is available in-game under Settings > Controls.
How does the skill system work?
Every skill in Vestra Coda can be leveled from 1 to 100. You gain experience in a skill by performing actions related to it — swing a sword to improve your Melee skill, cast spells to improve your Magic skill, mine ore to improve your Mining skill, and so on. There are no class restrictions. Your character can train any combination of skills, and mastery comes from dedication, not arbitrary gates.
Combat basics
Combat in Vestra Coda is built around three core disciplines: Melee, Ranged, and Magic. Each has its own skill tree with deep specialization options. You can mix abilities from different trees, but the most powerful synergies come from committing to a path. Combat uses a tick-based system where positioning, timing, and resource management matter more than raw button-mashing.
Technical Issues
The game is crashing or running poorly
Try these steps first — they resolve most issues:
- Update your GPU drivers. This is the single most common fix. Visit your GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and install the latest drivers.
- Scan and repair game files. In the launcher, open Options ▾ → Scan and repair game files. Every file is checked against the manifest and anything corrupted or missing is downloaded again.
- Clear the shader cache. Flickering, black surfaces or artifacts after a graphics driver update are usually a stale shader cache: Options ▾ → Clear shader cache. The first minutes after may stutter while it rebuilds.
- Try the Direct3D 12 renderer. A black screen or an immediate crash on start usually means the graphics driver's Vulkan support is broken. Options ▾ → Settings → Renderer → Direct3D 12.
- Reset game settings. Options ▾ → Reset game settings returns keybinds, graphics and interface options to their defaults without touching your account.
- Send us a report. Options ▾ → Report a problem files a bug report with your launcher and game logs attached, so we can see exactly what happened.
- Lower your graphics settings. If you're experiencing low FPS, try reducing draw distance, shadow quality, or particle effects in Settings > Graphics.
- Close background applications. Other programs consuming CPU, RAM, or GPU resources can impact performance.
- Check our known issues list. Visit the roadmap page for a list of known issues we're actively working on.
I can't connect to the server
Check the server status page to see if there's a known outage or maintenance window. If servers are online and you still can't connect, make sure your firewall or antivirus isn't blocking the game, and try restarting your router.
Community Guidelines
Vestra Coda is built around a community of players who respect each other. The short version: don't cheat, don't harass, don't exploit, and don't be a jerk. For the full details, see the Code of Conduct section in our Terms of Service.
Still Need Help?
If you didn't find your answer here, we're happy to help directly.
- Contact us: Visit the contact page to reach the team.
- Report a bug: Found something broken? Head to the bug reports page for instructions on how to submit a report.
We're a small team, but we read everything and do our best to respond within 2-5 business days.