Hello Runners!

Were happy to bring you the first of the Major Updates. This update brings an entirely new mechanic weve been designing for some time and that is part of the core game loop weve always had in mind. We feel Collapsing Clusters, which will be explained further down, are the right level of immersion we want for Into The Grid and a powerful tool that will afford us more control over the map exploration.

Were eager to hear your thoughts on it once youve got a few runs with it under your belt! Remember were always excited to receive your feedback either on our Discord server or in our Steam Community Forums.

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/95665d93fd0d7f941999eff7d7cf96cfca502196.png\"][/img]

This Patch rebalances and reworks several aspects and elements of the game. It should help make infinite-loop builds the exception and not the rule, and it should make Protocols easier to play. This Patch also introduces a new core mechanic, known as Collapsing Clusters, that will raise the stakes of map exploration and substantially shorten the average time for completing a run. The new balancing also makes both the Player and the enemies scale more consistenly, avoiding swingy runs were Players felt they were too strong from the start of the game, or that the enemies sudden power spikes made it impossible for them to win.

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/310a4ad7eef81a02f5ea10a13509bad74d03adb7.png\"][/img]

Now, every Alarm Level starting from Alarm Level 1 will select one or more Clusters that will be Collapsed when reaching the following Alarm Level. Collapsed Clusters will have all their Nodes exhausted, their Watchers disabled, their Sentinels destroyed, and their Gates closed and replaced by Collapsed Gates. Players will still be able to move through them.

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/884faf7d4dacdd68489d955992f9a312e7bcdefd.png\"][/img]

• All Tool icons have been upgraded.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/53794ed0dc8d6a6ee275873a62f26939bf3e5f65.png\"][/img]

• Fixed a bug that made Ghost Driver affect Protocol cards.

  [/*]

• Fixed a bug that made Fang Strike count as a \"Codeslash\" card.

  [/*]

• Fixed a bug that made using a Teleporter not work when the Grid is completely revealed.

  [/*]

• Fixed a bug that made some tooltips remain on screen even when not hovering over them.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/9162952692b64fa7f2ed886b700952268e23af5d.png\"][/img]

• Upgrader, Remover and Driver Nodes are now limited to one of each per Layer.

  [/*]

• Rehashing Driver and Compiler Nodes no longer boosts the rarity of the reward offered. Instead, it now shows one extra option to choose from.

  [/*]

• Data Gates are now Intel Gates.

  [/*]

• Heavy Gates are now Trace Gates.

  [/*]

• Raising the Alarm Level no longer closes Gates, but spawns more Sentinels.

  [/*]

• Log Scrubbers now reduce Trace by 3 instead of 4.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/89273a6f0305b1d180a4dfa507d5c67b90ae040a.png\"][/img]

• Hashkeys are no longer available on Sur.Face.

  [/*]

• Combat Drivers are now available on Sur.Face.

  [/*]

• Deep Sur.Face has been deprecated and replaced with Upgraded Sur.Face. This shop offers upgraded cards, and it costs 2 Hashkeys to enter it.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/597022d35552c62d186778039a647b4a37218901.png\"][/img]

• Darwin\'s Touch is now: \"Trigger 1 random Assist effect and reduce its counter,\" and it now costs less VIM.

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Augmented Touch is now: \"Trigger 1 random Assist effect and without reducing its counter.\"

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Repurpose is now: \"Discard the rightmost card in your hand,\" and it now costs less VIM.

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Augmented Repurpose is now: \"Choose a card to Discard.\"

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Augmented Strategize is now: \"Create 2 random Scripts. Preserve all Script cards in hand until next turn.\"

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Replicate is now: \"Every time you create any amount of Scripts, create one extra,\" and it now costs less VIM.

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Augmented Replicate effect is the same as the base one, but it costs even less VIM.

  [/*]

• Darwin\'s Augmented Prepare is now: \"Next turn, gain 1 Clock and draw 1 extra card.\"

  [/*]

• Darwins Dive Command has been Replaced by Mulligan: Discard up to 3 cards, then draw that many cards. Augmented Mulligan has the same effect, but reduced VIM cost.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/fc0071a878ef3e26c4afca3aabb39055838c0cf2.png\"][/img]

[table equalcells=\"1\" colwidth=\"191,50,48,\"][th colwidth=\"191\"]

Card Name

[/th][th colwidth=\"50\"]

Clock

[/th][th colwidth=\"48\"]

VIM

[/th][th]

Effect

[/th][td colwidth=\"191\"]

Paper Crane

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 20 BARRIER. Discard 1 card. On-Discard: Gain 20 BARRIER.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Paper Crane

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 30 BARRIER. Discard 1 card. On-Discard: Gain 30 BARRIER.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Captain Commandogs

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Deal 25 DMG. Assist 1: Augment a random Command.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Captain Commandogs

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

Deal 30 DMG. Assist 2: Augment a random Command.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Air Superiority

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

1

[/td]

Draw 1 card and gain 1 Clock for each Augmented. Command you have. DECOMPILE

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Air Superiority

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Draw 1 card and gain 1 Clock for each Augmented. Command you have. DECOMPILE

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Enlighten

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Enlighten

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Venom Strike

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Deal 20 damage. Increase the base damage of Bite Scripts by 5 this turn. On-Hit: Inflict 2 Exposed.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Venom Strike

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Deal 40 damage. Increase the base damage of Bite Scripts by 5 this turn. On-Hit: Inflict 2 Exposed.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Liquefaction

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Deal 15 DMG. On-Hit: Create 2 Bite Scripts.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Liquefaction

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

Deal 15 DMG. On-Hit: Create 3 Bite Scripts.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Silk Shell

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 30 Barrier. Create 3 Cocoon Scripts.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Silk Shell

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 40 Barrier. Create 4 Cocoon Scripts.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Molt

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 30 Barrier. If you played at least 4 Scripts this turn, also: Create 2 copies of the last Script you played.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Molt

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 40 Barrier. If you played at least 4 Scripts this turn, also: Create 3 copies of the last Script you played.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Scouting Scuttle

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

Create 2 Weave Scripts. If you played at least 4 Scripts this turn, also: Create 2 Weave Scripts.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Scouting Scuttle

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

Create 3 Weave Scripts. If you played at least 4 Scripts this turn, also: Create 3 Weave Scripts.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Adaptation Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Every time you use an Augmented Command, generate 2 VIM.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Expiration Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

The first time an Assist effect expires each turn, gain 1 Clock.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Patch Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Junk Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Every time you discard a card during your turn, deal 10 damage to the ICE.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Boost Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Hatch Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Digest Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Weave Script

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

0

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[/table]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/52488471e867cf322893cb4e91e7cb621720764c.png\"][/img]

[table equalcells=\"1\" colwidth=\"191,50,48,\"][th colwidth=\"191\"]

Card Name

[/th][th colwidth=\"50\"]

Clock

[/th][th colwidth=\"48\"]

VIM

[/th][th]

Effect

[/th][td colwidth=\"191\"]

Mem Dagger

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

1

[/td]

Deal 20 DMG. If you have at least 12 VIM, also gain 1 Cached.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Mem Dagger

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Deal 30 DMG. If you have at least 12 VIM, also gain 1 Cached.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Ulysses\' Toy

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Ulysses\' Toy

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

\\[Effect remains the same]

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Stray\'s Ambush

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Deal 30 DMG. If you have at least 8 Feral, also gain 1 Clock.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Stray\'s Ambush

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

3

[/td]

Deal 50 DMG. If you have at least 8 Feral, also gain 1 Clock.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Kennel Law

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

1

[/td]

Gain 30 Barrier. If you have at least 8 Grit, gain 1 Clock.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Kennel Law

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

1

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Gain 50 Barrier. If you have at least 8 Grit, gain 1 Clock.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Input Assistant

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

1

[/td]

Gain 30 BARRIER. If you used a Command this turn, also gain 1 Cached.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Mem Cloak

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

0

[/td]

Gain 20 Barrier. If you have at least 12 VIM, generate 2 extra VIM.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Upgraded Mem Cloak

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

0

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

1

[/td]

Gain 30 Barrier. If you have at least 12 VIM, generate 2 extra VIM.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Cunning Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

At the start of your turn, gain 2 Grit.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Moon Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

At the start of your turn, gain 2 Feral.

[td colwidth=\"191\"]

Ignition Protocol

[/td][td colwidth=\"50\"]

2

[/td][td colwidth=\"48\"]

2

[/td]

Whenever you use a Command, deal 15 DMG to all targets.

[/table]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/a67f09a5e90e44453d848861b158a9d46713c731.png\"][/img]

• Agility Driver has been deprecated.

  [/*]

• Zap Driver has been deprecated.

  [/*]

• Dynamo Driver has been deprecated.

  [/*]

• Missile Driver is now a Darwin exclusive.

  [/*]

• Patience Driver is now an Ursa exclusive.

  [/*]

• Stream Driver is now: The first time you play 3 Attacks in a single turn, draw 2 cards.

  [/*]

• Battery Driver is now: The first time you play 3 Defenses in a single turn, gain 1 Overclocked.

  [/*]

• Hibernation Driver is now: Each turn, preserve up to 25Barrier instead of losing it all.

  [/*]

• Cranium Driver is now: Every 3rd Command you use, gain 1 Clock.

  [/*]

• Storm Driver is now: At the end of your turn, deal 2 DMG to the ICE per VIM you have.

  [/*]

• Satellite Driver is now: At the start of each combat, Augment all Commands.

  [/*]

• Shockwave Driver is now: Every time you use an Augmented Command, deal 20 DMG to ICE.

  [/*]

• Transistor Driver is now: Every time you discard a card, gain 1 VIM.

  [/*]

• Chain Driver is now: The first time you play 4 Scripts in a row each turn, gain 1 Clock.

  [/*]

• Viper Driver is now a Core Keeper Driver, and its effect is now: Increase base DMG of Bite Scripts by 5.

  [/*]

• Ripple Driver has been added to the pool: The first time an Assist effect expires each turn, draw 1 card and generate 1 VIM.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/42ff772daa53ccba533e93ec0f70c83a272ef30d.png\"][/img]

All Mk1 Sentinels have been rebalanced to make the combats shorter, although possibly more taxing. Integrity points and Barrier gain of all Sentinels have been reduced. Many Sentinels now can inflict more debuffs than previously. We wont go through every change for this category at this time, but well share two of the most significant ones:

• Maxillas passive subroutine now upgrades its offensive subroutines unless it receives at least a fixed amount of damage each turn.

  [/*]

• Wendigos passive subroutine no longer deals damage based on the amount of cards in hand, it now inflicts a debuff if an Antler is online.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/341d5760f1a2059dd8d78db08f0df7a4cffbec02.png\"][/img]

• Sometimes Gates dont get locked properly when a Cluster Collapses.

  [/*]

[img src=\"https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/44751808/f81feaa7a409ee165a0a2ef5ffcc619078bb8624.png\"][/img]

• Were working on updating the Tutorial Mission to include new game mechanics.

  [/*]

• An old friend is preparing to join the Elite Sentinel pool.

  [/*]

[ 2025-12-19 20:20:43 CET ] [Original Post]