Coming April 7th, we have a major content update for Mech Shuffle! We are adding a new game mode, new control cards, a Card Compendium, and tons more.
New Game Mode: Hard Mode
A new single player game mode is being added. Hard Mode introduces permanent battle damage, and the need to carefully balance risk and reward when choosing end of combat upgrades versus repairs. Hard Mode is not meant for new players who are still learning the ins and outs of heat management, card cycling, and deck building. You will unlock the ability to start a hard mode run once you have reached Wave 4 with any Mech.
After that, you can start a new run as usual, and a new "Activate Hard Mode" button will be available before you choose your first encounter. Expect a real challenge, and an achievement for giving Hard Mode a try.
Card Compendium
Now available next to the settings button, you will find the Card Compendium button. This opens a new screen which will let you browse all of the cards in the game by category, and to view the full upgrade paths for each card. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about which cards to add to your deck, which to remove, and which to upgrade all the way!
New Cards
With this content patch we have a bunch of exciting new cards to play with! Cards like E-Pulse Cannon will add more control deck options to the game:
While other cards are adding more defensive deck building options:
Here are some of the new cards to look forward to:
- Pilot Skill: Sentinel
- Heavy Flamer
- Support: Artillery Barrage
- E-Pulse Cannon
- Shroud Missile
- System: Laser Point Defense
- System: Synaptic Core
- System: Auger Analytic Tracker
Balance Changes
Several cards are being adjusted. Some are being changed for game balance, some to make cards feel more unique in their intended role, and some to open design space for new cards. The Flamer cards have been adjusted for all of these reasons:
Card Changes
- System: ECM level 2 now costs 1 heat and level 3 now costs 2 (up from 0)
- System: Battle Computer now costs 1 heat (up from 0)
- Light Flamer now has a level 3 upgraded form
- Flamer level 2 and 3 have been adjusted
- Quirk: Jump Jets now costs 2 heat (down from 3)
- Artillery Cannon now has a level 3 upgraded form
- Pilot Skill: Misdirect now has a level 3 upgraded form
Card Pack Changes
Two card packs are being adjusted. The DODO light mech is replacing one Flamer with the new Heavy Flamer. This will help address some issues the DODO has with dealing early game damage. The reduction in heat cost for Quirk: Jump Jets is meant to improve the defensive capabilities of the DODO during the first wave of a run.
The aggressive pilot BERINGER is also being updated, replacing Proficiency: Heat with the new Pilot Skill: Sentinel.
This change is meant to open up more viable strategies involving BERINGER. Previously this pilot was almost exclusively used in combination with the TAURUS, while now she can be used effectively with most missile focused builds, or in a more control oriented deck.
And More!
The pilot pack FALK will have a second method of unlock, so that she can be unlocked without playing Ranked Play. There will be several bug fixes, VFX and SFX updates, new achievements, an improved tutorial for first time Mech pilots, and more.
I have had a lot of fun getting this patch ready, and I am very excited to get it out for you to try. See you all on April 7th!