The AC-130 has arrived in orbit. The Valkyrie is a slow, heavily armored flying tank designed for one thing: melting massive targets.
Heavy Beam: Fires a continuous high-damage orange laser that prioritizes Bosses, Cruisers, and Behemoths.
Tank Logic: Comes with 10 Shield Charges. It can soak up a massive amount of enemy fire before going down.
Strategic Choice: Costs 10 Stability. Do you scramble Vanguards for crowd control, or call in the Valkyrie to end a boss fight?
Interceptors are no longer static turrets; they are now part of your tactical economy.
Mortal Combat: Vanguards now utilize a Shield Charge system. They will physically block incoming projectiles to save Earth, but they will eventually be shot down.
Cost Reduction: Stability tax reduced from 20 to 10. Scrambling a squadron is now a fast, reactive decision.
This new update should make the early stages far more engaging. But truly, the actions-per-minute skill check didn't change much.
In other words, high-level players will feel this crunch. No longer can you yeet every meteor and stack 12 vanguards and 100 stability in 2 minutes.