Beta Changelog - Gameplay Changes (V3.8.5)

In case you missed our previous beta hotfix messages, from here on we are committed to the Beta Build remaining stable so that you may continue to earn achievements as you play, and playing with others online or in split-screen should work as-expected! There may yet be some bugs, but these beta builds are quite stable. If you like what you see, now would be a great time to hop onto the Beta branch. It's easy to opt in: - Go to Barony in your Library - Go to the game's Properties (in Steam) - Activate the Quality of Death Beta build in the Betas tab)
While there are a ton of fun gameplay changes in this update, the majority of focus is on stabilizing the game and preparing to get out of beta, and that also includes a lot of bugfixes that we detail later.

TL;DR

Underworld Overhaul

Now a viable, if dangerous option for more runs, with more levels and more fun to be had.

Custom Class Hotbars

Sick of re-organizing your hotbar every time you start a new game? Set custom hotbars for each class. Arrange the hotbar as you like using the class' starting kit and type:[quote]/saveclasshotbar[/quote]

Base Class Rebalance

We want you to feel like you have a good reason to play every class, even once you're good at Barony, and especially while you're still bad at it.

Shopkeeper Hostility Rework

The game's vendors now operate under a set of logical rules, opening the path for more kinds of interactions between shopkeepers and players, and fewer dumb ones.

Bugfixes and More

Read on to view the details of all these changes.

Shopkeeper Hostility Rework:

Motivated by the Merchant's class balance tune-up, shopkeepers are now smarter about who they are hostile toward and why, with accompanying UI to help players understand why they are the target of a shopkeepers' ire. Old: If a Shopkeeper targets a player for any reason, all player humans/automatons are considered hostile. New: Individual players are marked as hostile ("Wanted!" status effect) when attacking or killing a shopkeeper, not when the Shopkeeper targets players.

New "Wanted!" status effect lists your infractions:

• Assassination
• Inciting Violence
• Accessory to Violence

Hostility is tracked per player, per race. - (e.g polymorphing into an automaton will not carry over your "Wanted!" status as a human). When infractions occur in a shop area, players inside the shop tiles are now "Wanted!" for accessory. - If the Shopkeeper has line of sight to any other players they will also be "Wanted!" for accessory. Shopkeepers by default still only trade with Human and Automaton players, but will trade with other monsters wearing a Merchant's monocle, provided they are not "Wanted!"

New Item: Monocle!

Monocle

• +1 PER
• 200% gem appraisal speed
• Enables any player monster to trade with shopkeepers if visibly worn (will not work while shapeshifted or invisible)
• Has no effect under "Wanted!" status effect
• The Merchant class now starts with this item

Map Changes:

Underworld Overhaul To make the underworld both more interesting for more players, and make it more accessible on more runs, its undergone a major overhaul similar to the Mines and Swamps. In addition to receiving a major level design content overhaul, a new feature allows players to explore this dangerous zone without the aid of Levitation.

• New and revised wall and floor textures, adding more visual variety and an adjusted color palette.
• 180+ map changes and additions, including new grim beacons, which allow adventurers to access each island using a risky teleport shrine.

Underworld Beacon inside the revised Underworld

Other map fixes

• Fixed impassable map decoration spawning too close to each other (tables/graves/sinks etc), was only taking into account map tiles, not other generated entities.
• Doors now delete other doors 2 tiles away if other doorway is perpendicular 90 degrees
• Map messages "you hear the sound of pickaxes..." etc are now stored to your savefile, so will replay when reloading a saved game instead of being lost

General Gameplay:

• Troll's Blood lowered Magic requirement from 60 -> 40
• Bloodletting spell now interacts with the Punisher's Executioner Hood energize effect
• Cream pies now equip instead of consumed when activated from hotbar
• Revert Form spell now removes Polymorph in addition to Shapeshift, but only 1 per cast (Removes Shapeshift first)
• Magic now only can be reflected up to 2 times before fizzling out
• Some followers can now be commanded to interact with shrines, and teleportation portals/ladders (Not all monster types have the ability to interact with objects in the world)
• Thrown cursed gems always shatter on impact
• Gyrobots can now pickup/deploy other Tinkering bots and noisemakers, not just bombs
• Cure Ailment now removes only negative status effects, instead of most status effects. Effects now cured: Sleep, Poison, Confuse, Drunk, Blind, Greasy, Messy, Paralyzed, Bleeding, Slow, Pacify, Webbed, Fear, Burning
• Improved Cure Ailment effect messages, now will mention if you or allies actually had an effect cleansed, or otherwise say it had no effect.

Reworked monster ally alerting/infighting to help keep large groups alive during accidental friendly fire:

• Monster vs monster (If both "friendly") now won't alert "friendly" monster allies. Helps large groups stay alive such as Zap Brigade and Algernon packs.
• If a player hits a follower, then non-follower monsters will not be alerted to the player if everyone involved is "friendly"
• If a player hits a non-follower, the followers will not be alerted to the player if everyone involved is "friendly"

Class Hotbars: Classes now have user-configurable hotbar layouts. Eventually we'd like to expose this in the UI, but if you want to play with it now, instructions below. [quote]Default hotbars are located in /data/class_hotbars.json To write your own hotbars, place items on hotbar and use command /saveclasshotbar or /deleteclasshotbar to remove. These are saved to /config/class_hotbars.json These configurations are unique between keyboard and gamepad, and if you wish to restore defaults, delete the class_hotbars.json file in config folder.[/quote]

Bugfixes:

• Fixed a level change crash in multiplayer, where entities appeared as 2d sprites and other strange visual bugs if the game didn't crash
• Fixed client players getting stuck inside doorways, now should become passable until player leaves the door if stuck.
• Added door interact if you do get stuck inside so you always should be able to target it to open
• Fixed succubus Lilith model positioning incorrectly when moving to next level
• Fixed spawning many browser tabs when clicking on locked DLC classes in character creation, added popup to confirm navigation to DLC store pages
• Fixed minimap pings not being sent over the network
• Fixed audio being set to 100% when launching game and clicking away from the window to lose app focus
• Fixed levels of other players in multiplayer not visually resetting on game restart
• Fixed hiscores table reporting 100's of goblins killed for multiplayer clients and no other monsters
• Fixed legendary Swords skill inflicting bleed to skeletons
• Fixed being able to interact with objects while cutscenes were playing in multiplayer
• Fixed Shaman shapeshift forms incorrectly being able to use certain items (e.g scrolls)
• Fixed potion of sickness poison effect not awarding XP on kill
• Fixed blood dropping from enemies in singleplayer as a non-vampire (occurred when previously playing with a vampire in multiplayer)
• Fixed known potion base/secondary ingredients not being saved to file
• Fixed "Sponge" achievement being awarded on a follower being hit
• Fixed clients being able to get unlimited potions of water from sinks

Misc:

• A popup on game start will notify if you are ineligible for achievements due to game settings or modded maps
• Accepting first-time tutorial prompt sends you to Trial #1 instead of the hub
• Added High DPI support for Mac/OSX

Base Class Rebalance:

The game's original 10 classes have remained untouched as we've continued to add features and content to Barony. With 3 classes from the Blessed Addition and 8 more from DLC, some of the old basics weren't quite keeping up. It was important to us to revisit them and make sure they're the best classes they can be with a clear vision in the modern context. In pursuit of making each class feel valuable and interesting, their starting stats and/or equipment have been adjusted with the aim of giving each of them clearer class-defining qualities. In some cases, this meant narrowing the scope of some classes while keeping their core identity in focus. We embrace that some classes are harder to play than others. But Barony is a big enough game that we can make sure at least that each of them at least has an interesting job to do, and that they do that job well. We welcome your feedback! That's why this is a beta. Please give them a shot, and then provide feedback based on your play experience in a Discussion Thread or on our Discord. We'll describe the vision for each class preceding each of the changelists, to give you an idea of what to expect!

General:

• Classes that start with torches now are "worn" appearance so to stack with other torches from campfires/walls
• Some hotbar layouts have been adjusted to add/group up items, or make them visible on modern hotbar layout

Barbarian:

As Barony's fast fighter, we doubled down on his rampaging playstyle by focusing his starting stats. The Axe is now central to his identity. The barbarian retains his tomahawks as a solo fighter to soften up tougher or resistant enemies before the melee ensues. New mace drops in the early floors ensure that if he wants to diversify his skills, he may very well have the opportunity. Changed stats:

• STR 1 -> 2
• DEX -1 -> 0
• CON 1
• INT -1 -> -2
• PER 0
• CHR 0 -> -1

Changed proficiencies:

• Maces 50 -> 25

Starting loadout changes:

• Removed Iron Mace

Warrior:

The Warrior is a professional soldier, who relies on armor and methodical fights. The spear is now central to his identity, and the Warrior's role is easier to understand as a beginner class without a bunch of extras tacked on. He remains a capable squad leader, allowing him to reliably serve as a party tank. Changed stats:

• STR 1
• DEX 1
• CON -3 -> 0
• INT -1 -> -2
• PER -1
• CHR 1

Changed proficiencies:

• Swords 50 -> 25
• Blocking 50 -> 25

Starting loadout changes:

• Removed Iron Sword and Shortbow

Healer:

The healer was adept at fulfilling her intended role as a support caster, but lacked somewhat in skill values compared to other classes. With some appraise and blocking to get her started, she becomes a little more adaptable. Changed proficiencies:

• Appraisal 0 -> 10
• Blocking 0 -> 10

Rogue:

The rogue is the game's broadest skill-monkey, as rogues archetypically tend to be. To focus on the marriage of her broad set of skills, her new kit defines her playstyle by the combination of its parts, and gives her the ability to use them more reliably. While some classes got a reduced kit, hers expanded so she can do her job reliably as a stealth-utility generalist using tinkering, archery, and sneak attacks, distinct from the Hunter or Ninja. Changed stats:

• HP 20 -> 25

Starting loadout changes:

• Bronze Sword: servicable -> excellent
• Leather Breastpiece: decrepit -> worn
• Shortbow: servicable -> excellent
• Potion of Sickness: quantity 3 -> 5
• Added Quiver of Springshot 15x
• Added Noisemaker 1x
• Lockpicks: servicable -> excellent

Wanderer:

The Wanderer seemed to exist mostly for beginners learning how to manage their time with food, a role that has since been overshadowed by the Monk and Skeleton. Seeking a new identity, the Wanderer has retained his ample supplies, but has rebranded as the party logistician. In this role, nobody knows better how to navigate the map, especially as it concerns foes and food, than the Wanderer. Stats have been improved to account for an unnecessarily thin distribution. Changed stats:

• STR 0
• DEX 0 -> 1
• CON 1
• INT -1
• PER 0 -> 1
• CHR -1

Starting loadout changes:

• Crossbow: replaced with excellent Slingshot
• Lantern: worn -> excellent
• Added Scroll of Magic Mapping 6x
• Added Ring of Warning
• Added Spellbook of Detect Food
• Added Potion of Cure Ailment 1x
• Removed torches

Cleric:

The careful fighter with casting potential, the cleric often had a great start, thanks to Maces being central to his fighting style; ideal against the early-game's undead. But a common complaint was the lack of party utility casting to start with, as players tend to expect that of Clerics. He now starts with a spellbook too cryptic for him to memorize, but which can help the party recover after tough battles without overshadowing the Healer's role. This, and some minor stat shifting, helps him to better align and balance with the playstyle and themes of the class right out the gate. Changed stats:

• STR 0
• DEX -1
• CON 1
• INT 0
• PER 2 -> 1
• CHR -1 -> 0

Changed proficiencies:

• Blocking 0 -> 10

Starting loadout changes:

• Added decrepit Spellbook of Troll's Blood
• Removed torches

Merchant:

Sometimes overvalued by beginners, thanks to the high appraisal skill, the Merchant quickly falls out of favor with most players as they learn the game. With new updates, her already great Trade skill allows her to access Shopkeeper's reserve inventory of consumables sooner then everyone else. Critically, now monsters who want to shop can have the privilege as a Merchant by starting with the Merchants' Guild Monocle, a new unique class item. In addition to reliably being the best choice to liaison for appraising, buying and selling on behalf of the party, the Merchant's starting kit and stats have been gently improved to make her a more competent utility-fighter, in between trips to the store. Changed stats:

• STR 0
• DEX -1
• CON 0
• INT -1 -> 0
• PER 1
• CHR 1

Changed proficiencies:

• Tinkering 0 -> 10

Starting loadout changes:

• Starting gold: 500 -> 1000
• Bronze Axe: servicable -> excellent
• Glasses: replaced with new Monocle

Wizard:

The wizard is a favorite and does his job well. Off-hand book casting and new spell drops have helped him stay relevant organically. But we found he came up lacking a little in terms of some stat balances, so we gave him a gentle boost. Due to his reliance on MP, another potion of restore magic has been added to give him a little more time to diversify his equipment and strategies before running out of steam. Changed stats:

• STR 0
• DEX -1
• CON 0
• INT 1 -> 3
• PER 1
• CHR -1

Changed proficiencies:

• Appraisal 0 -> 10

Starting loadout changes:

• Potion of Restore Magic: quantity 1 -> 2

Arcanist:

Seeking to carve out a unique niche for the Arcanist, we have focused her kit on the combination of magic attacks and ranged combat, using items primarily with memorized spells as a backup, making her the game's primary nuker / archer. She's gained fire arrows and a magicstaff of fire, and some more items for support like a restore magic potion and scrolls of charging. Removing her sword helps keep her core competencies from being spread thin, and center her role in the players' minds. Changed stats:

• HP 30 -> 25
• STR -1
• DEX 0 -> 1
• CON 0 -> -1
• INT 1
• PER -1 -> 1
• CHR 1 -> -1

Changed proficiencies:

• Swords 25 -> 0

Starting loadout changes:

• Crossbow: servicable -> worn
• Added Quiver of Fire 15x
• Added Potion of Restore Magic 1x
• Added Magicstaff of Fire
• Added Scroll of Charging 2x

Joker:

The joker remains a favorite for players looking to troll their friends with deliberately disruptive gameplay, and we're just fine with that. Doubling down, we've replaced her fish with a bunch of pies which she can choose to throw in peoples faces, or eat, whichever is funniest. Some improvements to Ranged, Stealth and a blessing for her Jester Hat help make sure that her awful combat ability comes with just a taste of added competence. Polymorph potion has been added really just for more trolling, but could improve the followers which she remains good at recruiting. Changed proficiencies:

• Ranged 0 -> 20
• Stealth 0 -> 10

Starting loadout changes:

• Jester Hat: Starts blessed +0 -> +1
• Sling: servicable -> excellent
• Fish: replaced with 8x Cream Pie
• Added Potion of Polymorph 1x

Ninja:

As a Blessed Addition class, the Ninja has continued to perform her role well. In the interest of keeping her stats balanced with other classes, we've just given her a little boost which is well suited to her class' playstyle. Changed stats:

• STR -1 -> 0
• DEX 2
• CON -1
• INT -2
• PER 0 -> 1
• CHR 0

Monk:

The monk is widely regarded as being a bit overpowered, starting with some ranged, melee and magic ability, in addition to his other core competencies. While we retain his vision as a character who wins battles of attrition due to insanely high block skill and low need for food, his stats were over-packed really without a good reason, and had skills that were unnecessary for the ascetic's theming. The only thing we've offered him in return for taking away his stats is a torch, as a reminder that blocking is essential to the monk's playstyle. Don't worry, he's still very strong, thanks in part to his growth rate in high-value stats. Changed stats:

• STR 1
• DEX 0
• CON 2
• INT 0
• PER 1 -> -1
• CHR 1 -> 0

Changed proficiencies:

• Polearm 10 -> 0
• Ranged 10 -> 0
• Swimming 0 -> 10

Starting loadout changes:

• Added Torch 1x

Thanks for reading!

[ 2022-12-07 06:34:07 CET ] [ Original post ]