Hello, this is ShiftyCode. It is time for the next dev diary for the anniversary 1.3 update. Even though the player builds are at the heart of the game, those builds would be pointless without some fun enemies. And the enemies can be a bit lacking if you've mastered the game. Some enemies did not create enough threat, even under the right circumstances. There are also some rather pointless enemies that have to be reworked, replaced, or removed. For example, spiders are pretty pointless. They barely pose a threat and die to everything. But the main reason for those changes is to partially address abuse builds. Every enemy can still be countered, but your squad needs to be well-balanced in the types of damage it provides =) So there is a list of changes so far: Fundamental changes: Status effects: - Status effects mechanics changed: some status effects can now have a set amount of turns before expiration. This solves the issue of player mechs having 10 stacks of "Propulsion Damaged" and limping along for the rest of the mission. The duration is refreshed upon adding new stacks though! - Propulsion Damaged and Interference now only lasts 3 turns, regardless of stack amount. - Corrupted Data rework. It lasts for 2 turns now, but prevents any healing and can't be cleansed. This gives this status effect a unique place in the game, adding a new threat type. - Damaged Sensor rework. Lasts 2 turns and limits the max damage from weapons. Crit builds, beware =D! - New status effect: Unstable Current. Lasts 2 turns and reduces weapon damage by 5 per stack. It is introduced as a proper active counter to burst fire builds. - New status effect: Lingering Heat. Applies a minor amount of heat (per stack, maybe?), but can't be cleaned at all. Still working on the numbers for this one =D - Player units utilize Improved Interference that cuts damage by 50%. Enemies: - Dominator Armor. This armor sets a limit on how much damage the owner can take in a single instance. This counters single crit shot builds and mass corrosion, but leaves the unit vulnerable to other builds. - Nullifiers, be gone! There is no complete status effect immunity for enemies, only partial. New Isolated Internals item cuts 50% of any status effects damage. This should be enough to discourage players from focusing the wrong target, yet will allow finishing a wounded Sentinel with status effects. - Pretorians now have the aforementioned Dominator Armor and got the T2 variant. - Armored Spiders and Suppressors have Isolated Internals to make them tankier against status effects. - Adaptive armor (used by Bulwarks and Suppressors) now applies Unstable Current to the attackers, countering burst fire more effectively than before. - Suppressors lost the ability to apply Interference. - Orions now apply Unstable Current and Lingering Heat on the attack. They've got more armor, and apply heat to the attackers. - Devastators have fancy Dominator Armor and increase main gun damage by 1 each turn. Featuring a new T3 model as well. - Overlord applies Interference on attacks and has status effects damage reduction. - Operators lost armor. - Assailant has 50% status effect damage reduction. - Spiders, enhancers, Hive and Sharpshooter removed, for now. At least until I can rework them. This is not a complete list of changes. I am currently testing the game extensively in order to make sure those changes will make the game more fun =) Next time, I will talk about a fancy new system that will replace Enhancers. Thanks for your attention and see you next time!