Ascent: Rivals Version 0.9

Updates

• Significant performance improvements throughout.
• Integrated NVIDIA DLSS 4 AI technologies including:
  • DLSS Super Resolution
  • DLSS Frame Generation
  • DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing)
  • Reflex for input latency reduction

• Physics stability improvements:
  • Increased collision tunneling prevention
  • Smoother, more predictable motion at high speeds

• Deterministic weapon recoil and spray patterns.
• Imperfect and variable weapon accuracy.
• New audio for light and medium engines.
• Rank titles added.
• Item thumbnails added for core parts and weapons.
• Reworked bots to be more humanlike in piloting and combat.
• Bullet impact effects + settings toggle in Video Options.
• Passive credits are now earned on lap completion.
• “Unstable” warp drives are now more unstable.

Quality of Life Changes

• Ships slow down faster when reversing.

Balance Changes

Economy

• Increased Speed | Tier 3 category cost from 3500 → 4500.
• Ship Progression & Diversity
  • Later-stage ship loadouts were scaling too quickly, making early builds less viable.
  • Progression has been smoothed, giving early builds more breathing room.

• Passive ARC (Credits) per Heat
  • Heat 1: 3000 (was 4000)
  • Heat 2: 4000 (was 5000)
  • Heat 3: 5000 (was 6000)
  • Heat 4: 6000 (was 4000)

Item Balance

• PRS nerfed at lower tiers:
  • Spitvalve:
    • Active strength lowered from 2250 → 2000
    • Air cost increased from 15 → 22.5

  • Galvent:
    • Passive air strength increased from 0.4 m/s → 0.45 m/s

  • Pulsevalve:
    • Air tank size decreased from 175 → 150

• Aeromark XR4:
  • Damage falloff decreased for better long-range performance
  • Damage increased from 44 → 65
  • Moved from Tier 2 → Tier 3

• DMR:
  • Air cost decreased from 80 → 60
  • Damage increased from 75 → 80
  • Fire rate decreased from 2.25 → 1.75

• Lrzer:
  • Charge time increased from 0.7 → 0.85
  • Pre-fire delay increased from 0.6 → 0.65

• Arbiter:
  • Improved consistency when farming obelisks at long range
  • Damage falloff lowered
  • Hip-firing made less accurate