Monday, September 28, 2015

1.1.25 Released!

This is a large balance update.  After talking with a few players and brainstorming a bit, I think these changes will have a very positive effect in many ways and give the game some more life.

Some of these changes were specifically to address weaknesses, and others were made to encourage the use of less commonly seen units and tactics.  Fremen and Sardaukar for instance have been given more interesting roles to ensure that Troopers and Infantry still have valid use cases.  Turrets have had their ROF reduced so that they do less sustained damage, but still have the range and power to discourage initial confrontation and loitering.

Changes since 1.1.24:

  • Atreides now get free MCV research instead of Microwave Power (this was simply too strong)
  • Warriors are now proper guerilla assassins.
    • Now fully stealthed.  As with Saboteurs, they can only be detected when moving too close to an enemy or when in combat
    • Base damage increased to 4 from 3 and bonus damage vs Foot units increased to 16 from 15
  • Sardaukar are cheaper and still strong in the open, but less useful against bases.  Troopers do 66% greater DPS to structures so we should see even mixes
    • Strength reduced to 60 from 75
    • No longer do any bonus damage vs Buildings
    • Cost reduced to 100
  • Saboteurs cost reduced to 150 from 200
  • Trikes are now 20% faster
  • Raiders repurposed to be the ultimate flanker vs artillery lines and harvesters.
    • Speed is now slower to match Trikes
    • Strength reduced to 40 from 45
    • Weapon type is now Small Missile with half the ROF
    • Weapon now does bonus damage to Heavy Vehicles
  • Quads and Flak Trikes are now 4% faster
  • Ornithopters should be very viable again.  Possibly overpowered.
    • Range is now 6 up from 5
    • Strength is now 70 up from 60
    • Now prioritize hostile enemies with Anti-Air abilities
  • Deviators buffed to give Ordos more late-game power.
    • ROF now matches Sonic Tanks
    • Range improved to 3-9 from 3-8
  • Rocket Launchers receive one small change that will dramatically change the game.
    • AOE reduced by half
  • Armed Harvesters now have a weapon similar to the new Guard Turret to better defend against light units
  • Guard Turrets changed dramatically.
    • Is now a rapid-fire bullet weapon doing extra damage to Foot units, instead of AOE
    • Range is now 5 from 6
  • Gun Turrets nerfed.
    • Rate Of Fire is now 50% slower
  • Rocket Turrets nerfed.
    • Rate Of Fire is now 50% slower
  • Fixed issues with Results web site (http:\\krizikcraft.no-ip.info) preventing results from being submitted properly.  Note that you still need to play until the "mission complete" or "failure" message has been received for this to happen.
It's very likely I'll have to make another patch after this one to even things out.  Some of these balance changes are going to have very wide-ranging effects.  I'm actually very worried I just made the Ordos the strongest faction by far with these simple changes, but time will tell.  I encourage you to have patience and try some new things. :)