Claims in BitCraft Online can currently be stretched into narrow snakes across chunks or punched full of holes. Clockwork Laboratories wants to rework claim stability so defensive borders cannot double as a tool for blocking nearby settlements.

The proposal would increase the minimum distance between new settlements and cap how far tiles can be claimed from a settlement totem. The studio also wants smoother per-tile costs and maintenance rules that make filling holes equal to or cheaper than leaving them open.

The raw stability score is already visible in the UI, while a preview of the proposed rules will arrive later. A starting claim shape scores 5.75. Under the test values, maintenance starts rising below 5.70 and reaches roughly x3 at 5.50. The previous threshold was around 4.6, so thin and fragmented claims would pay much more for their shape.

This is a feedback proposal, not a live balance patch. Clockwork says players will get at least two weeks' notice before maintenance costs or stability change on the live server. No implementation date has been announced.

BitCraft Online is in early access. It costs $15.99 on the US Steam store and supports English only.