Playing together in TMNT: Splintered Fate now offers more than having extra Turtles on screen. Super Evil Megacorp has introduced 40 cooperative additions that reward players for coordinating their abilities, sharing defensive effects and supporting teammates during a run.
Released on November 10, 2026, the free Shell Squad Co-Op Update brings new powers, tools and character masteries to the action roguelike. Meanwhile, the separately sold Trench Coat Pack DLC expands its cosmetic options. The distinction matters: the new cooperative gameplay features are available to all players without purchasing the DLC.
Splintered Fate now gives teamwork its own set of abilities
The biggest change is how cooperative play influences the abilities players can use. Previously, Splintered Fate already supported solo adventures and multiplayer runs. Now, every co-op session can unlock a dedicated collection of abilities built around interactions between teammates.
These additions work in both local couch co-op and online multiplayer, whether players join friends or strangers. According to Super Evil Megacorp’s official Steam announcement, the update introduces the following content and improvements:
- 24 new co-op powers: Three for each power tree, designed to create opportunities for teamwork rather than simply strengthen individual attacks.
- Passing the Torch: While Rapid Fire is active, the first teammate you touch also receives its effects for the remaining duration.
- Shared Warmth: When one player consumes a Splinter’s Revive, every player receives healing.
- Chain Reaction: Special attacks can activate Chain Lightning, dealing Utrom damage with each link.
- 8 new co-op tools: One for each power tree, introducing additional ways for players to coordinate attacks and defensive effects.
- Bubble Trouble: Creates bubbles on you and the farthest teammate. They deal Water damage, apply frost to enemies and provide bonus Water damage.
- Tether Beam: Connects you to the nearest player and damages enemies caught between you every second.
- Shadow Pact: Grants Dark Shell to you and the nearest teammate. Each defeated enemy extends the effect.
Every character also gets a co-op mastery
The masteries and several general improvements complete the update:
- 8 new co-op masteries: One for each character, providing additional character-specific benefits during cooperative play.
- Donatello’s mastery: Makes the closest teammate invulnerable when Donatello uses his Tool.
- Raphael’s mastery: Gives any player who lands a critical hit a chance to trigger a Multi-crit.
- Michelangelo’s mastery: Grants a Torrent Strike stack to Michelangelo and his closest teammate when he uses his Special.
- Leonardo’s mastery: Gives the nearest player Light Shell when Leonardo activates his Special.
- Character swapping: Players can now switch characters during online multiplayer and couch co-op matches.
- Improved flame visuals: Fire effects receive visual enhancements.
- Clearer Lucky Dice communication: The update improves how Lucky Dice information is conveyed to players.
Altogether, the update contains 24 powers, eight tools and eight masteries. These 40 additions are the main attraction, while character swapping and the smaller presentation improvements make cooperative sessions more flexible.
The new powers could change how groups approach each run
What makes this update interesting is the relationship between abilities. Passing the Torch encourages teammates to stay close enough to share an offensive effect. Tether Beam, however, rewards positioning, since enemies must be caught between two connected players to take damage.
Other abilities emphasize survival. Shared Warmth turns a single revive consumption into healing for the whole group, while Shadow Pact offers a defensive effect that can last longer as enemies fall. Consequently, choosing powers is no longer only about what benefits one character. Players also have reasons to consider how an ability interacts with the rest of the squad.
The new masteries reinforce that approach. Donatello can protect another player, Leonardo provides Light Shell, and Michelangelo shares a Torrent Strike stack. Raphael’s critical-hit effect also creates an offensive benefit for teammates. These examples suggest different cooperative possibilities without guaranteeing that any particular combination will become the strongest strategy.
For players returning after earlier updates, this is the practical difference: co-op now has a more distinct ability selection. Solo play remains available, but the Shell Squad additions specifically target multiplayer sessions.
The Trench Coat Pack adds outfits without locking away co-op powers
Alongside the free update, Super Evil Megacorp has released the paid Trench Coat Pack DLC. It provides trench coat outfits for every playable character, including the DLC characters. The pack follows the previously released Samurai Armor Pack.
Importantly, the trench coats are separate from the new cooperative abilities. Players do not need the cosmetic DLC to access Shell Squad’s powers, tools or masteries. The announcement does not list a price for the pack.
This combination of free gameplay improvements and optional paid content is also appearing in other games. For example, The Outer Worlds 2 is pairing its first expansion with a free update. Similarly, Diplomacy is Not an Option combined its Fog of War DLC with free improvements. In each case, the important question for players is which changes require a purchase and which are available without an additional payment.
Splintered Fate has built on a busy 2026 with more planned ahead
The November release follows several milestones for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles roguelike. Rather than being an isolated content drop, Shell Squad arrives after a major story update, additional playable characters and a significant sales achievement.
Here is how Splintered Fate’s 2026 journey has unfolded, including what the developer has said about the future:
- August 2026 — King’s Gambit: The free update marked the official 2.0 release and concluded the main story with new missions, levels and a final boss.
- 2026 — Additional characters: Alopex and Slash joined the game as paid DLC characters, with Slash arriving alongside King’s Gambit.
- Earlier in 2026 — Sales milestone: Super Evil Megacorp confirmed that Splintered Fate had surpassed one million copies sold.
- November 10, 2026 — Shell Squad: The free cooperative update introduced 40 powers, tools and masteries, alongside multiplayer and presentation improvements.
- November 10, 2026 — Trench Coat Pack: A new paid cosmetic DLC brought trench coat outfits to every character, including DLC fighters.
- Looking toward 2027: The studio has teased “even bigger surprises” for next year, without announcing specific content or release dates.
Splintered Fate remains playable solo or with friends
Originally launched on Steam on November 6, 2024, the Super Evil Megacorp action roguelike is now available on all major platforms, according to the developer. Its solo and multiplayer options remain central to the experience, although the latest update gives groups more reasons to experiment with different character combinations.
For returning players, Splintered Fate now offers a clear reason to organize another co-op session: 40 additional ways to connect abilities across a team. Whether these combinations become essential strategies or simply encourage more experimentation will depend on how players use them. For now, the free update is the substantial gameplay release, while the Trench Coat Pack remains an optional cosmetic purchase.
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