EpicDuel PVP Game Design Notes

November 23, 2022

A bounty of balance changes await on the even of an epic holiday weekend! Savor all the changes between bites of turkey, ham, tofu, broccoli, or whatever food you favor as you give thanks for this long-awaited update!

General Balance

• Adjusted starting stats for 3 classes
  • Tech Mage: 19 Str, 21 Dex, 22 Tech, 18 Supp → 17 Str, 21 Dex, 24 Tech, 18 Supp
  • Tactical Mercenary: 18 Str, 22 Dex, 19 Tech, 21 Ssupp → 18 Str, 21 Dex, 19 Tech, 22 Supp
  • Cyber Hunter: 19 Str, 19 Dex, 24 Tech, 18 Supp → 19 Str, 18 Dex, 22 Tech, 21 Supp
    
    
• Field Medic
  • Support scaling unified for all classes. Improves with every 1.5 Support

Class Balance

All classes have received some major changes this update. Ultimately, our goal is that each class should have multiple viable builds, and these changes should provide more viable builds while reinforcing the unique identity of each class. Special thanks to those who responded to our feedback survey, who provided thorough documentation for all proposed changes. We are much more likely to implement an idea that's specific (not just "nerf/buff X skill") and well-justified.

• Bounty Hunter
  • Multi Shot: Lowered energy cost by 80 across all levels; improves with every 0.35 Dex → 0.32 Dex.
  • Stun Grenade: Lowered energy cost by 40 across all levels. Improves with every 0.4 Dex → 0.35 Dex. 20% stun chance → 15% chance.
  • Shadow Arts: Added Dex buff (10% at max); Support requirement lowered by 8 across all levels.
  • Massacre: Lower energy cost by 30 across all levels; requires Strength → Support; reduced by 10% across all levels (130% at max); added 30% defense ignore and 50% lifesteal.
  • Venom Strike: Improves every 6 Dex → every 2 Supp.
  • Cheap Shot: Changed values to 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48; added 25% Rage reduction; lowered energy cost by 10 across all levels.

• Blood Mage
  • Fireball: Reverted scaling to improve with Dex instead of Support.
  • Fire Rain: Reverted scaling to improve with Support instead of Dex; improves every 0.40 Supp → 0.32 Supp; ignores 10% defense → 20% defense; removed staff requirement.
  • Brutal Strike: Replaced with Fire Scythe; ignores % Defense; unblockable; ranged; values 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42; costs 105 energy +15 per level; 2 turn cooldown.
  • Terrify: Buffed values to 17, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35; reduce duration from 4 turns to 3 turns.
  • Blood Shield: Changed values to 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 28, 30; grants 90 energy upon use.
  • Blood Instinct: Grants 90 energy upon use.
  • Deadly Aim: Added flat 10% Strength buff.

• Tactical Mercenary
  • Concentration: Reverted to Reroute (Passive); converts % of all damage received into energy; values 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32. Requires 24 tech, +2 per level.
  • Adrenaline: Changed to an active effect that grants flat 180 energy and % Rage; values 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 46, 48, 50.
  • Mineral Armor: Reduced Support requirement from 43 to 34 at max (+2 per level instead of +3); added flat 10% Support buff.
  • Frenzy: Remove 2 turn warmup; unblockable.
  • Crippling Strike: 110% damage → 120% damage; reduced energy cost scaling from 25 per level to 15 per level (220 energy at max); only debuffs Defense; values 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33; requires club.
  • Field Commander: 10% crit chance to 10% damage reduction.
  • Suppressing Fire: Improves every 0.35 Supp→ every 0.32 Supp. 

• Cyber Hunter
  • Lock On: Renamed Kernel Panic; reduce % Resistance: 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33; improves every 4 tech; cost 85 energy +15 per level (220 max); requires 21 dex +2 per level; initial strike deals 100% damage.
  • Static Charge: 100% damage → 85% damage; drain opponent’s energy by 50% of damage.
  • Pulse Punch: Removed 2 turn warmup; changed effect from % More Damage to % reduced Rage Gain for 3 turns: 38, 41, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56, 59, 62, 65; initial strike reduced target Rage 50%; reduced energy cost scaling from 20 per level to 10 per level; removed 25% lifesteal; added 20% defense Ignore.
  • Plasma Grenade: Removed 25% crit chance; added 25% lifesteal.
  • Neural Scythe: Reverted to Support skill; new values: 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340; improves every 0.35 Support, +1 per 0.3 level above 20, -1 per 0.8 levels below 20.
  • Adaptive Offense: Improves every 0.35 Supp→ every 0.3 Dex; removed 15% crit; added 25% energy drain based on damage dealt; lowered energy cost by 100 across all levels; 3 turn cooldown→ 2 turn cooldown.
  • Memory Leak: 4 turn cooldown→ 3 turn cooldown.
  • Counterattack: Swapped with Nanotech Shield
  • Nanotech Shield: Swapped with Adaptive Armor; increases Defense/Resistance for 3 turns; values 40, 55, 70, 85, 100, 115, 130, 145, 160, 175; improves +1 Defense every 1 support, +1 per 0.5 levels above 20, -1 per 0.7 levels below 20; costs 100 energy +20 per level; 2 turn cooldown.

• Tech Mage
  • Nanotech Shield: Changed to Defense Matrix with values 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200; improves +1 Defense every 0.35 Support; +1 per 0.5 levels above 20, -1 per 0.7 levels below 20; costs 80 energy +20 per level; 2 turn CD.
  • Battery Backup: Changed to Concentration; essentially passive Reroute in that it converts % of all damage received into energy; values 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32; requires 24 tech, +2 per level; added15% damage reduction.
  • Deadly Aim: Added flat 10% tech buff.
  • Assimilation: Changed base values to 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160; improves every 1.5 Dex → 1.25 Supp; Changed 150% absorption to 90% absorption. 70% damage → 100% damage.
  • Overload: Improves with every 0.35 Dex → 0.3 Dex; lower energy cost by 20 across all levels; +15 energy cost per level → +10 per level. 2 turn cooldown → 1 turn cooldown ; 20% stun chance → 15% chance.
  • Bludgeon: Reduced energy cost scaling from 20 per level to 15 per level (245 energy at max). 

• Mercenary
  • Hybrid Armor: Reduced Support requirement from 42 to 33 at max (+2 per level instead of +3); removed stat buff.
  • Static Smash: 120% damage → 100% damage; buffed values by 7% across all levels; removed Tech requirement.
  • Reactive Armor: Reduced Dex requirement by 8 across all levels.
  • Artillery Strike: Improves every 0.35 Supp → 0.32 Supp; added 20% defense ignore; removed 30% lifesteal.
  • Blood Commander: Improves every 4 Supp → 3 Supp; buffed values to 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41
  • Intimidate: Removed 10% Defense debuff; reduces Support in addition to Strength.
  • Berzerker: Requires Supp → requires Dex; remove 15% lifesteal; reduce energy cost by 20 across all levels.
  • Maul: Added a 65% Heal Reduction effect lasting 1 turn; 2 turn cooldown → 4 turn cooldown .

Core balance

While many of these changes serve to buff underutilized cores, there are also calls for nerfing many cores. While a much broader core update was planned, these have been on hold to weigh the impact of this new balance update on the game meta.

• Skull Cracker: Compatible with Deadly Aim.
• Skull Smasher: Reusable; 4 turn cooldown .
• Frost Aura: 25% trigger chance → 35% trigger chance.
• Curse Aura: 25% trigger chance → 35% trigger chance; 50% Support reduction → flat 50 Support reduction; added 25% heal reduction debuff for 3 turns.
• Curse: 50% Support reduction → flat 50 Support reduction; added 25% heal reduction debuff for 3 turns.
• Minor Curse: 40% Support reduction → flat 40 Support reduction; added 25% heal reduction debuff for 3 turns.
• Eternal Protection: +15 Def/Res → +20 Def/Res.
• Salvage: 100% damage → 110% damage.
• Phase Shift (all versions): 100% damage → 110% damage.
• Infernal Fury/Titan’s Trigger/Hair Trigger: 100% damage → 110% damage.
• Blood Bullet/Titan’s Barrage: 120% damage → 125% damage.
• TrueShot (Gun)/TrueShot: 135% max → 140% max.
• Feast of Flesh: 35% highest stat → 50% highest stat. Grants 150 energy upon use.
• Dark Omen: 40% Support reduction → flat 40 support reduction. Add 20% heal reduction debuff for 3 turns.
• Growth Serum: 50% Support → flat 50 Support. 25% Rage gain → 50% Rage gain. 3 turn duration → 4 turn duration. Grants 150 HP upon use.
• Minor Growth Serum: 40% Support → flat 40 Support. 25% Rage gain → 50% Rage gain. 3 turn duration → 4 turn duration. Grants 150 HP upon use.
• Sea King’s Spirit: 5 turn cooldown → 4 turn cooldown.
• Lifeline: 225 HP → 300 HP.
• Sea King Corruption: 25% heal reduction → 30% heal reduction.
• Corrosive Shot: Restored 15% defense ignore on initial attack.
• Screaming Soul Spears/Darkeater’s Impaler: 40 HP/MP reduction → 60 HP/MP reduction.
• Sea King’s Venom: 70 HP reduction → 80 HP reduction.
• Poison Barbs: 70 HP reduction → 80 HP reduction. 85% initial damage → 100% initial damage.
• Cold Ignition: Costs 60 energy → 90 energy. Reusable; 5 turn cooldown.
• Magma Grenade P/E: Defense reduction factor increased to 4 per level.
• Minor Magma Grenade P/E: Defense reduction factor increased to 2.5 per level.

Robot Balance

Many bots have been beefed up in this release, including the Yeti sets. Several older bots have also had additional effects added to their normal attacks.

• Phantasm Slash: Drains energy by 25% of damage.
• Phantasm Blast E/P: 35% +4% per round (55% max) → 60% +3% per round (81% max).
• Infernal Overload P/E/PxE/ExP: 85% +5% per round (115% max) → 100% +5% per round (135% max). Single use.
• Bio Claw: Added 20% defense ignore.
• Cyber Yeti Breath: 100% damage → 105% damage.
• Ice Shield: Added 30% damage reduction.
• Dino Fire/Rusted Dino Fire P/E/PxE/ExP: 2 turn warmup → 1 turn warmup.
• Azrael Claw: Added 15% defense ignore and 25% crit chance.
• Heart Attack: 85% damage → 100% damage; changed from physical damage to energy damage.
• Plasma Super Beam/Infernal Super Beam: 4 turn cooldown → 3 turn cooldown.
• Baby Yeti/Dark Yeti/Downtown Yeti/Dark Downtown Yeti: 150 damage → 170 damage.
• Baby Yeti Warrior/Dark Yeti Warrior/Pink Yeti: 160 damage → 180 damage.
• Omega Baby Yeti/Omega Dark Yeti: 170 damage → 190 damage.
• Golden Yeti: 180 damage → 190 damage
• Flesh Demigod Judgment E/P: 30% lifesteal → 25% lifesteal; reusable; 4 turn cooldown.
• Necrosis: 85% damage → 100% damage; increased defense reduction factor to 4 from 2.4.
• Lionhart’s Claws: 25% Rage reduction → 50% Rage reduction.
• Assault Claw: Added 15% lifesteal.

Epic Legendary Supporter

Although there will be no Gifting event this year, we are still offering the 40K Varium package for those who wish to stock up. This package also comes with the Epic Legendary Supporter 2022 achievement. This offer will only be available until December 1st, 2022!

The other 10K Artix Point packages will also include the evolving Epic Supporter 2022 achievements. If you purchased a 10K AP package since Friday November 18th, 2022, you will receive this achievement retroactively. Please note the Varium offered by the other 10K AP packages have not been increased this year.

We've also added a 2022 World Cup achievement if you still needed a few more rating points to your next star!

Battlepass Encore

Some of you have been extremely diligent in completing your daily and weekly Battlepass challenges, reaching the coveted level 50 milestone. To make completing challenges worthwhile after hitting the cap, we've expanded the pass to include 10 more levels with substantial Varium and Credit rewards! This Battlepass will officially end at the end of the day on December 4th. In the future, we expect passes to last about 30 days, but due to some early hiccups, we're letting this season run a bit longer.

Tags: Nightwraith

November 14, 2022

Today we made a small update to EpicDuel's Battlepass to fix some issues with certain NPC and boss challenges not counting towards completion of the challenges. This error was due partially to some NPCs that weren't designated as bosses not being counted towards the challenge. Though this error was difficult to isolate, it was fortunately easy to fix, and all NPC challenges should register as intended.

As compensation for those who who were unable to complete the bugged challenges, we awarded 10,500 Battlepass XP to all players with more than 0 progress this season. Hopefully that's the last of the issues for now, and you can continue to enjoy the current season uninterrupted!

Tags: Nightwraith

November 10, 2022

Battlepass Changes

Based on your ongoing feedback we have made the following changes to the Battlepass Challenges.

• Reduced max cap on 2v2 challenge to 10. Increased base XP to 200 from 100.
• Reduced max use of coupons challenges to 1 from 5. Increase base XP on Class Change Coupon to 1000.
• Reduced Hair Change base challenge XP to 50 from 250.
• "Defeat any NPC" base XP reduced to 100 from 150.
• "Play a PvP match with no Active or Passive Cores equipped" base XP increased from 200 to 400.
• Removed Nightmare and Legendary Bosses from the pool of class-specific challenges. You may lose progress on current boss challenges, but the revised challenges should be much easier to complete.

So far we've received a wealth of suggestions for improvements, changes, and additions to the Battlepass, and we will consider all of them as we improve what we can in the current season and look towards the next. Thank you for your patience as we build upon this robust system and help reveal its full potential.

ArmoryBot Restock!

Weapons added to ArmoryBot

• Nightwraith's Avatar Slayer P
• Nightwraith's Avatar Slayer E
• Nightmare Wraith Pikes P
• Nightmare Wraith Pikes E

Expanded Nightwraith Missions

The mission "36" has been replace with 2 new missions in the chain Party Business.

• 37
• 38

New Nightwraith Bounties

This update is introducing 4 new mission chains offering enticing rewards including Credits, XP, Coupons, and Achievements!

New Missions added to Nightwraith!

• Night's Basic Bounties
  • Craven Cravings
  • Guard Gotcha
  • Hitting Heavy Hitters
  • Sly Resupply
  • Shadow of Doubt
  • Stay Hydrated!
  • Solo Tested
  • Duo Tested
  • Free for All Finale
  • Spare Shades

• Night's Big Bounties
  • Solo Trial 1
  • Solo Trial 2
  • Solo Trial 3
  • Duo Trial 1
  • Duo Trial 2
  • Duo Trial 3
  • Duelist Trail 1
  • Duelist Trail 2
  • Duelist Trail 3
  • Duelist Trail 4

• Night's Boss Blitz
  • Target: Theon
  • Target: Bido
  • Target: Deuce
  • Target: Seth Juron
  • Target: Revontheus
  • Target: Darkon
  • Target: Rabblefroth
  • Target: Charfade
  • Target: Titan
  • Target: Dage the Evil
  • Target: Acatriel
  • Target: REDACTED

New Missions added to Nightmare Nightwraith!

• Night's Nightmare Blitz
  • Target: Nightmare Pumpkin Lord
  • Target: Nightmare Capt. Shoggoth
  • Target: Nightmare Kartherax
  • Target: Nightmare Abyss Spider
  • Target: Nightmare Azrael
  • Target: Nightmare Adjudicator
  • Target: Nightmare Charfade
  • Target: Nightmare Dage
  • Target: Nightmare Luthiel
  • Target: Nightmare Acatriel
  • Target: Nightmare Titan
  • Target: Nightmare Finale

Power Weekend!

Power Hour has been enabled from now through to Sunday evening!

Tags: Nightwraith

October 28, 2022

Battlepass Online!

We're commemorating AE's 20th anniversary with the biggest feature we've added to EpicDuel in years: Battlepass! This feature will allow all players to earn new weapons, items, styles, cores, and currency just by completing specific daily and weekly challenges! 

To start, simply make progress towards any of the challenges available. You will being to earn XP automatically as you complete the various tasks. If you're stuck by a challenge or two, you can wait for them to reset or purchase a level worth of XP to advance and claim more prizes. Also, an Enhanced Battlepass is available to unlock even more prizes if you desire.

This season is designed to last until December, enough time for those who complete challenges every day to have a chance to claim up to level 50. Spider designed this system cleverly enough that we have tremendous flexibility to add content and expand challenges as the feature evolves. We hope you enjoy what is the first iteration of a powerful and exciting new feature!

Special thanks to Spider, Acatriel, and our Testers who helped see this feature from inception to final delivery!

O.M.G. Mode

As a surprise bonus addition to this release, we've introduced a new battle mode: O.M.G.

According to our programmer Spider, this acronym stands for Offensive Magnitude of Gorgonzola (because you're cheesing your opponent). Don't let the punny name fool you -- this mode is brutal! This mode makes the following adjustments to regular battle:

• HP multiplier of x1337
• DMG multiplier of x750
• Maximum cooldown of 1 for every ability
• Unlimited energy
• Flat +25% stun resist
• Legendary Points disabled
  

To maintain its novelty, this mode will only be available for a limited time so experiment while you can!

20th AE Anniversary

The main meat of this release was the Battlepass, but in recognition of 20 year, we thought the least we could do was offer a rare achievement to claim from the Achievement shop to mark this momentous occasion! If you're a baseball fan, you might also note the Big Show 2022 achievement in the seasonal portion as well.

In addition to all the other anniversary festivities, AQ3D is offering FREE Artix Points if you log in and find the secret code! Sounds like a deal! Read more on how you can redeem the code: https://www.artix.com/posts/how_to_redeem_artix_points/

Mysterious Man Returns

In celebration of AE's 20th anniversary, we're bringing back a boss from EpicDuel's recent past: The Mysterious Man! Visit his domain in the Afterlife to vanquish this foe again to receive a new tiered achievement. In recognition of those who already experienced and conquered this adversary, the original achievement will remain rare.

Techstalker Tech

In recognition of AE's 20th anniversary, we're delaying removing the Techstalker Promo until November 7th! This should allow everyone who's either been hibernating or saving up enough time to grab these items before they're gone!

Tags: Nightwraith

October 21, 2022

EpicDuel's first Battlepass is still under construction, but nearing completion as we enter the final rounds of testing. This set's theme was crafted by Acatriel with a focus on a fusion of Blood Magic and Technology into an unparalleled Sanguine Showcase! When implemented, this collection will offer more content than any other promotion in EpicDuel's history. 

An incomplete list of what the Battlepass will include:

• 4 new armors!
• 22 new items!
• 6 new achievements!
• 6 new cores!
• 24 new styles!

We're working hard to make this new feature a success and thank you for your patience. Stay tuned for updates when the feature is finally ready to be released in-game!

Power Weekend Returns

Since there will be no update today, we've reactivated Power Hour to last all Weekend long for an excellent opportunity to grind and level up in anticipation of this new feature!

Heromart 2023 Preview

The 2023 Heromart Calendar is just around the corner, and in anticipation of its arrival we're offering a preview of the items that will be available as in-game bonuses for those who purchase this upcoming piece of merchandise.

Armors

• Paladin Chronomancer A
• Paladin Chronomancer B
• Paladin Chronomancer A CC
• Paladin Chronomancer B CC

Weapons

• Paladin Chronomancer Sword P
• Paladin Chronomancer Sword E
• Paladin Chronomancer Redeemer P
• Paladin Chronomancer Redeemer E
• Paladin Chronomancer Blaster P
• Paladin Chronomancer Blaster E
• Paladin Chronomancer Collider P
• Paladin Chronomancer Collider E

Please note the 2023 Calendar is not currently available for sale. Keep an eye on Heromart.com and its social media accounts for product updates!

EpicDuel 2022 Player Survey

Earlier this week we released a survey via Twitter and email to collect player feedback. So far we've received dozens of results, but we're posting it again here just in case you missed those social media and email links or just didn't feel like responding before and forgot. If you have any thoughts on balance, new features, or any other improvements for the game, now is your time to share your feedback! Want more boss? Wish Tactical Mercenaries were more viable? Feel like Dexterity builds should have their time to shine? Want new battle modes and events? Let us know!

To begin the survey follow this link to help us build a better EpicDuel in 2023!

Thank you for your participation and support!

Tags: Nightwraith

October 14, 2022

Boss Bounty Boost

Last week we added tiered achievements to many bosses throughout EpicDuel, and this week we're making boss farming a bit more worthwhile by adding many PvP drop weapons to specific bosses. Since determining which boss drops what by trial and error would be time consuming, we're including a list of which weapons were added to which bosses. Happy hunting!

• Edgar Booth - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• King Alaric - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Dravax - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• The Endless - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Captain Shoggoth - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Legendary Captain Shoggoth - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Axes
• Nightmare Captain Shoggoth - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Axes
• Legendary Titan - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Staffs
• Nightmare Titan - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Staffs
• Dage the Evil - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Legendary Dage the Evil - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Legendary Big Tuna - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Nightmare Kartherax - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Legendary Nightwraith - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Blades
• Nightmare Nightwraith - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Blades
• Legendary Deuce - Infernal Overfiend Weapons
• Legendary Bido - Overfiend Nemesis Weapons
• Pumpkin Lord - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Nightmare Pumpkin Lord - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Azrael - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Nightmare Azrael - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords
• Legendary Caden - Overfiend Nemesis and Infernal Overfiend Swords

To prevent some randomness in boss difficulty, we've removed Nanotech shield from NPCs

Star Expansion

With the additional boss achievement tiers, rating points have exploded well beyond the prior limits. To accommodate this accomplishment, we've added 4 new star tiers: Obsidian, Gilded Obsidian, Topaz, and Galactic.

Xenomorphic Weapons

New seasonal weapons items crafted by Bido have been added to Cinderella:

• Xenomorphic Slayer P
• Xenomorphic Slayer E
• Xenomorphic Talons P
• Xenomorphic Talons E
• Xenomorphic Splitter P
• Xenomorphic Splitter E
• Xenomorphic Staff P
• Xenomorphic Staff E

2023 Paladin Chronomancer Hairstyles

This update, as a preview of EpicDuel's 2023 Calendar items, we've included 6 new Paladin Chronomancer hairstyles. The rest of the set will be available with the new Heromart item when it's available. 

Tags: Nightwraith