Fourth Wing Officially Returns Fall 2026 With A New Adventure

5 hours ago 13

Published Aug 27, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond.

Rebecca Yarros's romantasy franchise Fourth Wing has taken the world by storm in the past few years, taking readers on a perilous journey full of dragons, magic, political intrigue, and heartbreak. Yarros' Empyrean series gives readers a wonderfully addictive escape into a unique fantasy world, following a young woman unexpectedly forced into Basgiath War College's brutal dragon-rider program after preparing her entire life to become a scribe.

The original novel quickly became a publishing phenomenon, spending months on bestseller lists, with the series' success continuing with the Iron Flame and Onyx Storm sequels, expanding the mythology surrounding Navarre, its dragons, and Violet's increasingly complicated relationship with Xaden Riorson.

With additional books still planned for the series and a television adaptation in development, Fourth Wing has grown well beyond a single breakout novel, establishing itself as one of the defining fantasy franchises of the decade. And this Fall, Fourth Wing fans will embark on a brand-new adventure with the release of Rise of the Wingleader (via BGG).

Onyx Storm, Fourth Wing, and Iron Flame is in front of fiery design

Rise of the Wingleader is a brand-new experience for Fourth Wing fans who are waiting eagerly for the release of the next mainline novel. It's an upcoming new card-based game set in the Empyrean universe built around surviving and advancing through Basgiath War College's Riders Quadrant. Designed for 1–5 players, with sessions lasting roughly 30–60 minutes, the game challenges players to accumulate Glory and ultimately rise to the coveted rank of Wingleader.

Each round begins by revealing an Event inspired by the books, after which players decide whether to Play, Claim, or Fold. Playing Ally cards strengthens a player's position across four attributes (Strength, Agility, Cunning, and Connection), while claiming lets someone secure a scoring token. Folding instead allows players to recover their cards and conserve resources for future challenges. Claiming or folding removes that player from the remainder of the round, adding a bluffing and push-your-luck element to each round.

Players also unlock unique Signet Abilities inspired by powers from the novels as they progress. The game leans heavily into Fourth Wing themes, with unique and original character artwork, custom dragon player pieces, and a metal Tairn bookmark that doubles as the first-player marker. Released by Goliath Games earlier this year, Rise of the Wingleader is receiving an official launch via ToyBooks this fall.

For Fourth Wing fans, Rise of the Wingleader offers another way to step into Basgiath and experience the rivalries, alliances, and high-stakes competition that make the books so addictive. Its familiar characters and dragons and its accessible strategy should make it an especially appealing addition for readers eager for more Empyrean between novels.