In the time since our last patch, we've been working on a larger update that we're excited to finally share. In addition to our usual tweaks and fixes, for which you can find a full changelog for in our patch notes post, this update includes some new features that we'll dive into in more detail below.
Once again, a very big thanks to everybody who reported issues or suggested improvements!
The big feature in today's update is a loadout system that allows starting Blessings and Enchantments to be equipped before the start of a run.
Each Hero has their own set of loadout Blessings to unlock and choose from, offering a range of perks aimed at resonating with a particular playstyle or play goal. For example, the Goblin's Tonic Blessing may come in handy for a token that needs an extra potion, or the Shock Stacker Blessing may give a valuable edge when putting together a lightning-focused build.
Similarly, a loadout Enchantment can now be equipped for each piece of Hero-specific starting Equipment. Additionally, both Platinum Enchantments can also be unlocked for loadout use, allowing you to get a head start down a Platinum branch if you're confident you want to commit to that before the start of a run. Most of the loadout Enchantments are in new tokens that will need to be unlocked to your Collection before they can be purchased for use in your loadout. These new tokens are tied to using the relevant piece of Equipment, so you'll find them appearing organically as you play.
We've also surfaced Adventure-specific curses for higher difficulty Adventures so that they can be viewed ahead of time, and we've added extra icons for Adventure objectives to make those easier to track their completion of at a glance.
The loadout system exposes an additional layer of metaprogression and some light customisation that draws focus back onto growing Heroes and their Equipment. We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing your runs!
The game will now automatically save at the end of each Adventure's stage, allowing you to quit and resume your run later. Any upgrades you purchase from the Trading Post, and any healing or other activities you do at the Campfire will also be automatically saved before continuing on to the next stage.
Your laptop's suspend function can finally have a rest.
As part of the loadout system, we've added 19 loadout Blessings and 48 loadout Enchantments to the game. What were previously "permanent upgrades" are now "Trinkets", and each Hero has their own section where loadout Blessings and Enchantments can be viewed or purchased as well. We've also added the ability to reset Trinkets and loadout purchases individually, giving more flexibility on how and where you spend your shards.
Soldier's Sword has a new Enchantment, which is unlocked from Focused Finisher. If you had previously unlocked Focused Finisher's token, then Sword Master will be removed from your Collection until you complete the new token requirements, otherwise Soldier's Sword will now unlock from the new Enchantment.
To make some of the nooks and crannies of Hordes' Encounters a little more discoverable, and to allow a more streamlined experience when replaying, we've greatly expanded the number of Encounters with "discovered option hints." These show "(???)" for options that haven't yet been chosen, and give a quick indication of the outcome for those that have. For example, if you didn't previously know that there was something to be gained by not drinking Lion Heart's potion, now you do!
Our localisation team has completed a standardisation pass to make each language's stat descriptions internally consistent. We have also incorporated further localisation tweaks and fixes based on feedback and suggestions from players - thanks so much for your input!
In response to the new loadout cards, and also in response to player feedback, we've made a number of balancing changes. You can find specific details in our patch notes post, but of particular note, some Hero stats and perks (such as Warrior's heal bonus from eating at the Campfire) have been moved off to loadout Blessings.
The timings for Gloves of Shielding and Flintlock Pistol have both been tightened to make both feel more responsive. We recognise this has been a friction point for some players, and we hope these changes make the Trickster and Rebel a little more enjoyable to play.
Now that this update is out, we'll be shifting our attention back onto our first major content-focused update, which will feature a new location (which you may have gotten a peek at in our first devlog post), and a new boss.
We know that you're eager for more Adventures, Encounters, and Equipment, and we're just as eager to share once they're ready. In the meantime, we hope that today's update whets your appetite and that you'll join us for some of the upcoming community activities we have planned for the weeks ahead.
See you in the forums!