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The Four Types of Save
AutosaveCreated automatically by the game
Created automatically by the game. It is a separate slot from Quicksave and Manual Save.
Final AutosaveSpecial game-managed late-progression save
A separate game-managed save used around late-run and final progression. It is not the same slot as the ordinary Autosave.
QuicksaveBest after progress you don't want to repeat
A player-triggered save you can create when saving is available. Best before a risky encounter, after meaningful progress, or before experimenting.
- • Before a risky encounter
- • After meaningful progress
- • Before experimenting
Manual SaveBest before choices, quests and ending branches
Use manual saves for milestones you may want to return to later. Choices, missables, romance, ending branches and time-sensitive states make these more important than in a typical action RPG.
Example save menu layout, not a live reading of your files.
Manual Save
Day 12
Current run
Quicksave
Day 12
Autosave
Day 11
Final Autosave
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Which Save Should I Use Right Now?
Pick what you are about to do. The recommendation updates instantly.
When Does The Blood of Dawnwalker Autosave?
The game does autosave, but you should not assume it creates a new save after every fight, purchase or item pickup.
What you can rely on
- ✓ The game maintains an Autosave slot.
- ✓ Autosave is separate from Quicksave.
- ✓ Autosave is separate from Manual Saves.
- ✓ Final Autosave is a separate game-managed slot.
What you should not assume
- ✕ Every battle creates an Autosave.
- ✕ Every vendor transaction creates one.
- ✕ Every item pickup creates one.
Players have reported finishing substantial combat and other activity without receiving the autosave they expected. Check Load Game if you are unsure.
What Is Final Autosave?
Final Autosave is a separate game-managed save used around late progression and final-game states. It is not the same slot as the normal Autosave, and it should not replace your own Manual Save before a major ending branch.
The exact moment Final Autosave is written is not known yet.
What Should You Save Before?
Make a Manual Save before anything you may want to undo later.
Before
A major choice
Major branches can lock later outcomes. Marking the hideout starts the Brencis commitment sequence, so keep a file before a commitment you might want to revisit.
Before
A missable or timed quest
Timed and missable quests can fail for good. Save before you spend a day you cannot get back.
Before
A romance or character survival decision
Romance commits and character survival choices can lock later states. Save before you try a branch you might want to undo.
Before
Committing to an ending route
Keep a milestone before the route commitment, not after it is already locked, so you can revisit nearby endings without replaying the whole run.
Before
Spending large amounts of Skill Points
There is no native respec, so a save before a big skill purchase is your only reliable fallback.
After
A long stretch of exploration or difficult progress
If you would hate to repeat the last hour, write a Quicksave or Manual Save while saving is available.
Save before spending a day you cannot get back.
Advancing time can close quests and change who is still available later. If you are unsure whether you are done with an area, save first.
Recommended Milestone Saves
These are milestone reminders, not required slot numbers. Use the save habit you already like.
Save A — After the Prologue
Manual milestone before the valley opens.
Save B — Before your first major route commitment
Manual milestone before irreversible commits.
Save C — Before important romance or character survival quests
Manual milestone before romance or survival branches.
Save D — Before the finale
Manual milestone for nearby ending states.
Save E — Before experimenting with nearby endings
Manual milestone so you can try a nearby outcome and still come back.
Use Quicksave for normal progression.
Saving Before Choices, Romance and Endings
Dawnwalker currently has no New Game Plus carry-over, so milestone manual saves are especially useful if you want to revisit nearby ending states without replaying everything.
A finale save can help you revisit nearby outcomes, but earlier decisions may already have locked some routes.
Why Does My Save Say “Day 6” or “Prologue”?
The save label reflects in-game progression, not how many real-world days you have played. Before the main valley opens, saves can be labeled Prologue. Later saves use the current in-game day.
Day 6 on a save is not the same as spending six full real-world days, and it is not a complete accounting of the 30-day clock.
Did the Game Actually Save?
Before continuing after a crash, a surprise death or a long session you do not want to repeat:
- Open Load Game
- Find the newest save
- Check the save type
- Check the Day or Prologue label
- Confirm your latest important event is represented
If the newest save is older than you expected, make a Quicksave or Manual Save before continuing.
Save Strategy by Playstyle
How you want to play changes how many milestone saves you need.
One blind playthrough
Quicksave normally and make a Manual Save only before major commitments.
What to save before →See multiple endings
Keep Manual milestone saves before finale branches and major route commitments.
Endings →Test romance choices
Keep a Manual Save before romance-defining dialogue.
Romance routes →Experiment with builds
Save before large Skill Point spends, because a native respec is unavailable.
Can you respec? →Back Up Your Saves or Fix a Save Lock
Two save questions live on their own pages instead of here.
Where are Dawnwalker save files stored?
PC save files can be backed up manually, and Steam and GOG use different folders. Steam Cloud sync is useful, but it is not the same as an independent backup, so copy the save folder before reinstalling, modding or troubleshooting.
Open Save File Location Guide →Can't save your game?
If Manual Save or Quicksave is disabled, this is a troubleshooting issue rather than normal save behavior.
Fix “Saving Is Currently Locked” →FAQ
- Does The Blood of Dawnwalker autosave?
- Yes. Autosave is one of the game's four save types, alongside Final Autosave, Quicksave and Manual Save.
- Can you quicksave?
- Yes. Quicksave is a separate save type in the game and is the fastest way to protect recent progress.
- Can you manually save?
- Yes. Manual Saves are separate from Autosave and Quicksave, and are the best choice before a decision you may want to undo.
- Does every fight trigger an autosave?
- Do not assume so. Players have reported completing substantial combat and other activity without receiving the autosave they expected.
- What is Final Autosave?
- A separate game-managed save slot used around late progression and final-game states. It is not a replacement for your own Manual Save.
- When should I make a Manual Save?
- Before anything you may want to undo later: a major choice, a missable or timed quest, a romance commitment, an ending route or a large Skill Point purchase.
- Why does my save say Prologue or Day X?
- Saves are labeled by in-game progression rather than real time. Saves created before the main valley opens are labeled Prologue.
- Where are Dawnwalker save files stored?
- PC save files live in the Dawnwalker save folder, and Steam Cloud can sync them. Use the dedicated guide for the exact path and backup steps.
- Save File Location →
- Why can't I save?
- If Manual Save and Quicksave are disabled, that is a save-lock problem rather than normal autosave behavior. Use the troubleshooting page to diagnose it.
- Fix “Saving Is Currently Locked” →