EpicDuel PVP Game Design Notes

January 20, 2023

Balance and bug fixes are on the menu for today's update, but a much more savory, sumptuous feast awaits in the new year! Check out the brief list of upcoming features EpicDuel is preparing in the game dev kitchen for a festive and flavorful 2023!

Balance

We've been hitting balance hard these last few months, and the results have generally been positive in terms of build diversity and class performance. It can be frustrating to experience so many changes so quickly, but we thank you for your patience as we finally break through some of the stagnant balance trends of 2022.

• Tactical Mercenary
  • Barbed Grenade: Lowered Strength requirement by 8.
  • Toxic Grenade: Improves every 2 Support → 1.5; requires 16 Strength, +3 per level (43 max).
  • Force Field: Added Support scaling; improves 1 point every 10 Support.

• Blood Mage
  • Blood Shield: Add supp scaling; improves 1 point every 8 supp.

• Cyber Hunter
  • Plasma Grenade: 25% lifesteal → 20%.

• Bounty Hunter
  • Cheapshot - 25% heal reduction → 20%; new NPC version without a passive swapped on all NPCs with Cheap Shot.
  • Multi-Shot: Improves every 0.32 Dexterity → 0.3; base values 205, +25 per level (430 max); 3 turn cooldown → 2; gain 15% damage to energy (only applies to 1 target).
  • Reflex Boost: Improves every 2.5 Support → 3.5 Dexterity; converts 15% damage received to energy.
  • Stun Grenade: Improves with Dexterity → Support; increased energy cost by 60 (255 max); requires 24 Dexterity +2 per level (42 max).
  • Static Grenade: Improves every 0.6 Support → 0.8; buffed base values by 10.

Bug Fixes and Changes

• Darkeater Promotional Package:
  • The cores Darkeater's Overcharge and Darkeater's Defiance were flipped in their database definitions which was causing Overcharge to switch to Defiance when replaced on an armor. It was also causing Overcharge to freeze battle when it was attempted to be used.
  • Armor cores should be correct on future purchases, and existing armors after the change should have the appropriate working core.
• Battlebot
  • Battlebot E - Correctly does energy damage.
  • Battlebot Barrage P/E: 1 use limit.
• Double Strike: Added Deflection reduction effect to debuff; different version created for NPCs without a debuff.
• Necrotek Executioner P/E, Necrotek Scythe P/E: Can be sold.Repaired missing assets from skill icons.

2023 Battleplan

The following are a few major updates planned for the near and mid-term of 2023. This list is not all-inclusive, but meant to highlight topics that have not been mentioned before. As game development is unpredictable, these items are subject to change as priorities shift over time.

Azrael's Scorn Battlepass

With the current Battlepass set to end at the end of the day January 31, we're already looking forward to the next collection: Azrael's Scorn. This Battlepass will be loaded with new weapons and rewards with (hopefully) easier methods for earning EXP. Expect this new Battlepass to launch in February.

Optimization

This area is probably the least exciting for players, but it's desperately needed. The Flash files the game relies on to function have become bloated and unwieldy after years of accumulated technical debt. The main focus in the near-term will be ongoing improvements to the character timeline, which was creating all sorts of errors and crashes around when the first Battlepass launched. We were able to cut many animations to recover functionality, but there's still work to be done.

Fortunately, this in an ongoing process that can be tackled gradually without diverting too much attention from regular release content. Optimization is also essential to allow us to deliver the next feature on this list.

EpicDuel Widescreen

A massive undertaking, we are in the process of expanding existing maps and interfaces to accommodate a larger game resolution (1280 x 720). In addition to adding more screen real-estate for crowded UI, this change will make the game easier to port to other platforms. It's nowhere near 4K, but the updated aspect ratio will be essential for modernizing EpicDuel. I think 4K Flash assets might be a fire hazard for mortal CPUs anyway.

Limited Shop

A proposal from Spider, we're developing a new shop in EpicDuel to allow players to acquire promotional gear piecemeal from an in-game shop. This is similar to the Night Market feature in popular online games like Valorant. Every day, a new list of seasonal and promotional gear would appear in the shop, allowing anyone to have a chance to acquire out-of-season gear or shop-exclusive promotional items. Of course, the best value would be to purchase the complete package from the Varium shop, but this option would be beneficial to someone who only wishes to own a single piece of a set like an armor or core, rather than the entire set. This would only impact promotional items released after this feature appears in-game.

Chronos' Cataclysm and The Challenger

Numerous new bosses and storylines are in development to provide a feast for those who have been craving more PvE content.

EpicDuel's Anniversary

In a few months EpicDuel will celebrate 14 years of operation! Hopefully, we'll have some epic surprises for those who have been loyal duelists after all this time!

Tags: Nightwraith

January 13, 2023

Balance improvements, styles, and new seasonal rare PvP drops await in the first Friday the 13th update of 2023!

Friday the 13th PvP Drops

14 new weapons crafted by Acatriel are available as seasonal PvP drops! Can you complete the Necrotek set?

• Necrotek Executioner P
• Necrotek Executioner E
• Necrotek Scythe P
• Necrotek Scythe E
• Necrotek Blades P
• Necrotek Blades E
• Necrotek Hammer P
• Necrotek Hammer E
• Necrotek Staff P
• Necrotek Staff E
• Necrotek SMG P
• Necrotek SMG E
• Necrotek HMG P
• Necrotek HMG E

New Achievements

Two new seasonal achievements are available from the Seasonal section of the Achievement shop.

• Australia Day 2023
• Friday The 13th 2023

New Hairstyles

Visit the style change shop for 4 new styles combining the new Necrotek weapon theme.

Class Balance Changes

• Tactical Mercenary
  
  • Energy Shield → Force Field: A shield that grants % damage reduction and lowers attacker's energy by the same % of melee damage; values 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; costs 75 energy, +15 per level (210 max); 4 turn duration.
  • Field Commander: Removed 10% damage reduction; added effect that increases Rage Gain rate by a % equal to the amount of Support granted.
  • Crippling Strike: Buffed by 7%; improves every 4 Strength → 6 Strength.
  • Barbed Grenade: Improves every 0.35 Technology → 0.32 Dexterity; costs 15 energy per level → 10 (205 max).
  • Tactical Grenade: Improves every 3 Dexterity → 2 Support.

• Blood Mage
  • Blood Lust → Mania: Added passive Rage Gain rate increase (scaling with skill level, 25% max).
  • Deadly Aim → Red Vision: Buffed damage increase by 5%.
  • Energy Parasite: 85% damage → 100%; initial strike gains energy equal to 25% of damage dealt and drains flat 100 energy; unblockable; increased minimum energy gain per turn from 10 → 50.
  • Plasma Cannon: Gain 10% damage to energy → 35%.
  • Terrify: Reduces 15% def/res → 20%.
  • Fire Scythe: Change values to 21% +3% per level (48% max). 

• Bounty Hunter
  • Smoke Screen: Removed 20% heal reduction effect; reduced energy cost by 30.
  • Cheap Shot: Added 25% heal reduction effect; 3 turn duration; 2 turn cooldown → 3 turns; reduced cost by 30.
  • Massacre: Changed values from 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 → 58, 66, 74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114, 122, 130 (+8% per level instead of +10%).
  • Venom Strike: Buffed by 20 points; 4 turns → 3; costs 30 more energy per level → 20 (240 max).
  • Static Grenade: 70% damage → 85%; reduced drain by 20 points; improves every 1.1 Support → 0.6 Support; can Rage.

• Cyber Hunter
  • Memory Leak: Reduced values by 10.
  • Kernel Panic: Improves every 4 Technology → 6 Technology
  • Proton Cannon: Reduced energy cost by 30 (280 at level 1); changed values from 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 → 58, 66, 74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114, 122, 130 (+8% per level instead of +10%).
  • Static Charge: Unblockable. 

• Tech Mage
  • Deadly Aim: Buffed damage increase by 5%. 

• Mercenary
  • Double Strike: Added Defense/Resistance, block chance, and deflection debuff equal to the % More Damage; effect lasts 1 turn; changed values to 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28; improves every 6 Dexterity.

Core Changes

• Phantasm Blast E/P: 60% +3% per turn (81% max) → 35% +5% per turn (70% max).
• Energy Shot: 4 turn cooldown → 6; 2 turn warmup; 30% → 25%.
• Mana Burst: Add 2 turn warmup; 40% → 35%.
• Frostbite/Cold Ignition: 5 turn cooldown→ 6; Energy cost 90 → 100.
• Frost Shards: 5 turn cooldown → 6.
• Health Booster: 300 HP → 450 HP.
• Generator: Buff multiplier from 2 → 3.25 (440 HP/50 MP with full defense armor).
• Minor Health Reserve: Increased multiplier from 3 → 3.5 (410 HP → 470 HP with full Defense armor).
• Health Reserve: Increased multiplier from 3.75 → 4.0 (500 HP → 530 HP with full Defense armor).
• Energy Booster: 400 MP → 450 MP.
• Piston Punch: Deal 110% primary damage.
• Thorn Assault E/P: 110% damage → 115%.
• Minor Thorn Assault E/P: 110% damage; 25% crit chance.
• Dualism: 115% damage; 1 time use; warmup removed.
• Battlebot Barrage E/P: 110% damage; 1 time use.
• Meteor Shower/Plasma Shower/Shattering Star: 115% primary damage.
• Jack-O-Fire P/E: 110% primary damage.
• Blood Shot/Bloodseeker Blast: 50% lifesteal → 40%.
• Exsanguinating Spears/Feeding Frenzy/Typhoon Leviathan Frenzy: 30% lifesteal (both initial and the effect) → 25%.

Bug Fix:

• Skills that raise Support by a flat value stack correctly. Previously, combining Support buffing skills like Field Commander and Growth Serum would appear to apply correctly on the stats page, but would not apply benefits to Support-improved skills like Field Medic.

Tags: Nightwraith

January 06, 2023

Check out EpicDuel's first update of 2023 with dozens of new cores and balance changes!

New Cores

The following unlimited charge cores are available at VendBots throughout Delta V.

• Domination (Armor): +7 Strength, +7 Dexterity.
• Domination (Primary): +3 Strength, +2 Dexterity.
• Domination (Sidearm): +2 Strength, +3 Dexterity.
• Domination (Auxiliary): +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity.
• Infinite (Armor): +7 Strength, +7 Technology.
• Infinite (Primary): +3 Strength, +2 Technology.
• Infinite (Sidearm): +2 Strength, +2 Technology.
• Infinite (Auxiliary): +2 Strength, +2 Technology.
• Destruction (Armor): +7 Strength, +7 Support.
• Destruction (Primary): +3 Strength, +2 Support.
• Destruction (Sidearm): +2 Strength, +2 Support.
• Destruction (Auxiliary): +2 Strength, +3 Support.
• Fortitude (Armor): +7 Dexterity, +7 Technology.
• Fortitude (Primary): +2 Dexterity, +2 Technology.
• Fortitude (Sidearm): +3 Dexterity, +2 Technology.
• Fortitude (Auxiliary): +2 Dexterity, +2 Technology.
• Vigor (Armor): +7 Dexterity, +7 Support.
• Vigor (Primary): +2 Dexterity, +2 Support.
• Vigor (Sidearm): +3 Dexterity, +2 Support.
• Vigor (Auxiliary): +2 Dexterity, +3 Support.
• Absolution (Armor): +7 Technology, +7 Support.
• Absolution (Primary): +2 Technology, +2 Support.
• Absolution (Sidearm): +2 Technology, +2 Support.
• Absolution (Auxiliary): +2 Technology, +3 Support.
• Supremacy (Armor): +3 Strength, +3 Dexterity, +6 Technology, +3 Support.
• Supremacy (Primary): +2 Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Technology, +1 Support.
• Supremacy (Sidearm): +1 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +1 Technology, +1 Support.
• Supremacy (Auxiliary): +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Technology, +2 Support.

The following limited charge cores are available at VendBots throughout Delta V.

• Domination (Primary) x30: +6 Strength, +3 Dexterity.
• Domination (Sidearm) x30: +3 Strength, +6 Dexterity.
• Domination (Auxiliary) x30: +3 Strength, +3 Dexterity.
• Infinity (Primary) x30: +6 Strength, +3 Technology.
• Infinity (Sidearm) x30: +3 Strength, +3 Technology.
• Infinity (Auxiliary) x30: +3 Strength, +3 Technology.
• Destruction (Primary) x30: +6 Strength, +3 Support.
• Destruction (Sidearm) x30: +3 Strength, +3 Support.
• Destruction (Auxiliary) x30: +3 Strength, +6 Support.
• Fortitude (Primary) x30: +3 Dexterity, +3 Technology.
• Fortitude (Sidearm) x30: +6 Dexterity, +3 Technology.
• Fortitude (Auxiliary) x30: +3 Dexterity, +3 Technology.
• Vigor (Primary) x30: +3 Dexterity, +3 Support.
• Vigor (Sidearm) x30: +6 Dexterity, +3 Support.
• Vigor (Auxiliary) x30: +3 Dexterity, +6 Support.
• Absolution (Primary) x30: +3 Technology, +3 Support.
• Absolution (Sidearm) x30: +3 Technology, +3 Support.
• Absolution (Auxiliary) x30: +3 Technology, +6 Support.
• Supremacy (Primary) x30: +3 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Technology, +2 Support.
• Supremacy (Sidearm) x30: +2 Strength, +3 Dexterity, +2 Technology, +2 Support.
• Supremacy (Auxiliary) x30: +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Technology, +3 Support.

Balance Changes

These are just a few of the changes planned over the course of this month. More significant class skill and core changes are underway.

• Skill Changes
  • Field Medic (all classes):
    Improves every 1.5 Support → 0.6 Support; changed values to 145, 180, 215, 250, 285, 320, 355, 390, 435, 480; weakens by 1 Health Point per 0.15 levels below 20 → 0.3; improves by 1 Health Point per 0.1 levels above 20 → 0.12; Field Medic beam changed to distinguish it from other healing skills.
  • Mineral Armor: Support buff rounds up instead of down.
  • Deadly Aim (Tech Mage): Technology buff rounds up instead of down.
  • Shadow Arts: Flat 10% Dexterity buff.
  • AOE energy cost formula changed to be Energy Cost + 20. This applies to all multi-target skills that cost energy.

• Core Changes
  • Meteor Shower / Plasma Shower / Shattering Star: 120% weapon damage → 115% primary damage; 100% primary damage against multiple targets and costs 20 extra energy; reusable; 1 turn warmup, 3 turn cooldown.
  • Jack-O-Fire P/E: 120% weapon damage → 110% primary damage; 95% primary damage against multiple targets and costs 20 extra energy; 15% defense ignore; reusable; 1 turn warmup, 3 turn cooldown.
  • Thorn Assault P/E: 120% weapon damage → 110% primary damage; 95% primary damage against multiple targets and costs 20 extra energy; 25% Crit chance; reusable; 1 turn warmup, 3 turn cooldown.
  • Bacon Breath / Titan Chomp / Bacon Rain: 120% weapon damage → 125% primary damage.
  • Exile/Legion Strike: 120% weapon damage → 115% primary damage.
  • Hawk Guardian P/E: 130% weapon damage → 130% primary damage.
  • Yeti Fury / Apocryphal Champion’s/Demigod's Wrath: 110% weapon damage → 110% primary damage; 50% lifesteal → 60% lifesteal.

Next week, in addition to more balance changes, we plan to release new rare PvP drops in celebration of the first Friday the 13th of 2023!

Tags: Nightwraith