We're finding certain builds in the game can get into a stalemate where both Winnie and the enemies are unkillable. For example, Spike/Counter builds with no offense rely on the enemies attacking, and so over time I've been adding attacks to pretty much every enemy to accommodate this... Still, it's not been the most ideal solution because this means everything becomes more homogenous.
I've really wanted a way to have enemies which don't need offense and are still a threat, and been thinking about a mechanic like environmental damage in an autobattler...
This is actually what first inspired the status effect Hunger, which inflicts Physical on everyone at the end of each turn. So far Hunger has mostly used in a single Virus Strain, but we do have more synergies coming for it.
In this Beta I'm trying an idea to help increase the pressure as a battle progresses, but in a way which gives you agency over in it.
This will need further balancing for some Virus Strains if continuing this direction, but I wanted to release it for testing and feedback.
I think it changes the gameplay to have an extra layer of strategy which has more depth than it seems because it subtly affects the way you play, but you still have enough agency to build towards or away from utilising it.
Having a way to increase pressure over time will prevent stalemates.
Added strategy around how to use or avoid gaining Hunger, which also makes for more interesting decisions around which blocks and brain changes you make.
Enemies can be more extreme archetypes if they don't all need to attack, it opens up new battle win conditions.
Gaining Hunger can help make defensive builds more offensive without needing attack actions.
Hunger synergies can be useful for any build, it makes a whole pool of Perks and Actions relevant.
Needing to rethink how you use and build decks around Exhaust and Lock Actions. These favour a more defensive build if gaining Hunger.
Virus Strains which lack Redraw will need some rebalance.
Wren has Cowardly Perk
Flurry works with more Movement mutations
Nibbler works with Surge
Fix for Plague Doctor minions
Fix for Rethink Perk
Right click Winnie's Hole in your Steam library, select Properties.
Select the BETAS tab and choose the Beta you want to install.