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EpicDuel PVP Game Design Notes

Behind the scenes information about EpicDuel's development and releases, a real-time PVP MMO that you can play online in your web browser.
Nightwraith

May 18, 2023

May the Fourth Forever

EpicDuel Star Sabers Part 2

Performance improvements, bug fixes, and enough star sabers to stop an imperial army arrive with this latest update!


May the Fourth Forever

Well, maybe not forever. We do have many more rare social media prize code drops to last throughout the month of May! Can you collect them all?

 

Animation Optimization

Optimization is rarely exciting but often a net positive and sometime necessary for sustained development. With so many custom skills and variants for different weapon types, our character timeline ballooned to nearly 10,000 frames. Over time, we've been able to trim this down to about 7,000 frames with this latest update. The biggest change was consolidating the alternative animations for the class-specific weapons when using sidearms and auxiliaries. Now, the weapons will quickly fade out and back in at the end of the animation. This streamlines the animations while drawing focus to the weapons being used. After all, what's the point of upgrading a fancy new sidearm if it's going to be hidden behind your other weapons?

Optimization is an ongoing process, but this update was a major push forward in our battle against performance issues and file size!

 

Bug Fixes / Changes

There has been a persistent bug impacting AOE cores such as Ultra Obliteration that would cause the client to freeze if used against 2 targets without enough energy. We tried for awhile to resolve this issue, but to keep this issue from remaining in game and freezing battles, a stopgap solution was introduced in the most recent update: All AOE skills have the same energy require when used against 2 targets as 1 target. This will affect cores and regular class skills. In a way, it makes sense to unify the cost for 1 and 2 targets since players do not have a choice weather to target 1 or 2 players with an AOE, it's an automatic increase is energy cost. This may perhaps make AOE skills more viable in 2v2 and Juggernaut battles.

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

May 06, 2023

Ultra Corsair Now Live

Ultra Corsair Gear

EpicDuel is live with its latest limited-time promotion: Ultra Corsair Gear!

 

Ultra Corsair Package

This new 4,000 Artix Point package includes over 20 items! A great value on par with some of the 10,000 AP packages of the past. This limited-time promo includes the following items:

  • Ultra Corsair Armor A
  • Ultra Corsair Armor B
  • Ultra Corsair Armor A CC
  • Ultra Corsair Armor B CC
  • Ultra Corsair Bike
  • Ultra Corsair Bike CC
  • Ultra Corsair Sword P
  • Ultra Corsair Sword E
  • Ultra Corsair Sword CC P
  • Ultra Corsair Sword CC E
  • Ultra Corsair Carnage
  • Ultra Corsair Cataclysm
  • Ultra Corsair Revolver P
  • Ultra Corsair Revolver E
  • Ultra Corsair Revolver CC P
  • Ultra Corsair Revolver CC E
  • Ultra Corsair Rifle P
  • Ultra Corsair Rifle E
  • Ultra Corsair Rifle CC P
  • Ultra Corsair Rifle CC E
  • Ultra Corsair Bot P
    • Ultra Corsair Uppercut P: Piston-powered uppercut with 20% crit chance.
    • Ultra Corsair Crusher: Unleash a mini-Rage of 45% dmg on target's Energy; 15% Stun.
  • Ultra Corsair Bot E
    • Ultra Corsair Uppercut E Piston-powered uppercut with 20% crit chance.
    • Ultra Corsair Crusher Unleash a mini-Rage of 45% dmg on target's Energy; 15% Stun.

Cores (pre-equipped to the sidearms and auxiliary items in the package)

  • Revolver Retribution (sidearm): Summon a rapid-fire revolver to deal 115% damage. Can be used against 2 targets.
  • Ultra Obliteration (auxiliary): Summon a rapid-fire shotgun to deal 115% damage. Can be used against 2 targets.

This package also comes with an exclusive achievement, the Ultra Corsair Crest!

*Please note that this package does not include additional Varium.

 

Ultimate Stat Boost Pack

Though there are many passive cores available in EpicDuel, it can be difficult to know what to buy and where to buy it when crafting a build. Since stat-boosting cores are great for providing noticeable improvements in damage output, defense, healing, and more, we assembled many of the most common permanent stat cores into one convenient package. This new 10,000 Artix Point package contains over 40 passive stat-boosting cores to cover all the main gear categories. To provide added value, the package also includes 10,000 Varium to give players everything they need to create a highly competitive build. 

  • Prime Strength Boost
  • Prime Dexterity Boost
  • Prime Technology Boost
  • Prime Support Boost
  • Strength Boost (Sidearm)
  • Strength Boost (Armor)
  • Strength Boost (Auxiliary)
  • Dexterity Boost (Primary)
  • Dexterity Boost (Armor)
  • Dexterity Boost (Auxiliary)
  • Technology Boost (Primary)
  • Technology Boost (Sidearm)
  • Technology Boost (Auxiliary)
  • Support Boost (Primary)
  • Support Boost (Sidearm)
  • Support Boost (Armor)
  • Domination (Armor)
  • Domination (Primary)
  • Domination (Sidearm)
  • Domination (Auxiliary)
  • Infinity (Armor)
  • Infinity (Primary)
  • Infinity (Sidearm)
  • Infinity (Auxiliary)
  • Destruction (Armor)
  • Destruction (Primary)
  • Destruction (Sidearm)
  • Destruction (Auxiliary)
  • Fortitude (Armor)
  • Fortitude (Primary)
  • Fortitude (Sidearm)
  • Fortitude (Auxiliary)
  • Vigor (Armor)
  • Vigor (Primary)
  • Vigor (Sidearm)
  • Vigor (Auxiliary)
  • Absolution (Armor)
  • Absolution (Primary)
  • Absolution (Sidearm)
  • Absolution (Auxiliary)
  • Supremacy (Armor)
  • Supremacy (Primary)
  • Supremacy (Sidearm)
  • Supremacy (Auxiliary)
  • War Commander
  • Health Reserve
  • Energy Reserve

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

April 28, 2023

May the Fourth 2023

May the Fourth 2023

EpicDuel is live with 2 new 4,000 AP promo packs, new PvP drops, new styles, and new prize code star sabers for the entire month of May!

 

New Promos

EpicDuel can be very intimidating for new players. After 15 years of development, there are so many weapons and cores that it can be difficult to know how to best spend your hard-earned credits and Varium. To provide a boost to new and returning players, we've introduced two new promotional packs for 4,000 Artix Points each:

Stat Boost Pack

Stat Boost Pack

A quick way to optimize your build is to equip potent passive cores to boost key stats like Strength, Dexterity, Technology, and Support. Many new players don't even know such cores exist! This package includes many of the most common Passive boosts to provide tangible boosts to struggling builds.

  • Primary Mastery
  • Gun Mastery
  • Auxiliary Mastery
  • Health Reserve
  • Energy Reserve
  • War Commander

This pack also includes 2 of each of the following limited-charge stat boost cores:

  • Strength Boost x30
  • Dexterity Boost x30
  • Technology Boost x30
  • Support Boost x30

Grenade Pack

Grenade Pack

Grenades are useful Primary Active cores that can offer a quick offensive advantage in battle. This pack includes two of each limited charge grenade core. 

  • Soldier's Grenade P x25
  • Soldier's Grenade E x25
  • Om Nom Bomb P x25
  • Om Nom Bomb E x25
  • Magma Grenade P x25
  • Magma Grenade E x25
  • Short Circuit Grenade P x25
  • Short Circuit Grenade E x25
  • Crystal Grenade x25
  • Stalagrenade P x25
  • Stalagrenade E x25
  • Hammer Grenade P x25
  • Hammer Grenade E x25

If these packs are successful, we hope to introduce more packages bundling other useful cores and items to improve shopping convenience for new and veteran players alike.

 

New PvP Drop

If you don't want to wait until Monday to start collecting saber swords, we've added 8 new weapons to the PvP drop pool!

  • Darkwraith Star Saber P
  • Darkwraith Star Saber E
  • Darkwraith Star Blades P
  • Darkwraith Star Blades E
  • Darkwraith Star Axe P
  • Darkwraith Star Axe E
  • Darkwraith Star Staff P
  • Darkwraith Star Staff E

As of this update the April Fools weapon drops have been removed from the PvP drop pool. 

 

May the Fourth

Starting May 1st at 12 PM (EST), a new prize code will be posted to Nightwraith's Twitter for a new rare saber sword. The next code will be posted at 5 PM (EST). This will be the schedule until all codes are depleted! There should be enough quantity of each prize item to last a while, but they won't last long and there will not be any reposting. Good luck, and May the Fourth be with you!

 

New Styles

As an appetizer for the upcoming Ultra Corsair promotional package, we've introduced eight new styles to complement the set once it's finally released!

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

April 14, 2023

Botanical Battlepass Now Live!

Botanical Knight Battlepass

The Botanical Knight Battlepass is LIVE! Login now to earn the latest collection of spring/knight-themed weapons, armors, vehicles, morphs, bots, cores, and more crafted with care by Bido and Acatriel! This Battlepass will last from today to June 6, 2023.

Good luck and happy dueling to reach level 60 of EpicDuel's latest Battlepass season!

 

Varium Sale End

As of this latest update, the Spring Varium sale is now over in EpicDuel after over a week extension. 

 

PvP Drop Adjustment

The overall drop rate for PvP items was somewhat overtuned over the last few weeks, so it has been adjusted to be lower in the latest update.

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

March 31, 2023

Botanical Knight Battlepass Preview

Botanical Knight Battlepass Preview

The Botanical Knight Battlepass is on schedule to be released next week with new cores, styles, weapons, armors, and more! The expected release date is Friday April 7 as soon as it's ready.

The release has been postponed until next week to allow enough time for thorough development and testing.

 

PvP Queue Time

To encourage faster matchmaking, the queue times for PvP matches have been reduced, especially in 2v2. This means that if a human match is not found, an AI opponent will be chosen faster. While priority is given to human matches, getting into battles to get rewards feels better than waiting at a loading screen. The level range of AI matches has also been increased from 36 to 38.

 

Drop Rate Update

Since the 2023 Dage drops are dropping less frequently than intended, we've updated the the drop weights to give preference to the new items while increasing the overall drop rate. 

In anticipation of April Fool's Day, we've added the following items back into the drop pools:

Weapon Drops

  • Fw0rsht B4n3
  • FluF B4n3
  • Inf3rn0l Sl4y4h
  • Impurrnal Slayer
  • Dorge's Decimalat0r
  • Borge's D3c1m4T0R
  • 4zr33l Bj0rn
  • Azreal Bean

Home Items

  • ChickenCalf Right
  • ChickenCalf Left
  • Armored ChickenCalf Right
  • Armored ChickenCalf Left
  • Chibi Ox Right
  • Chibi Ox Left
  • DF ChickenCow Right
  • DF ChickenCow Left
  • ChickenCow Right
  • ChickenCow Left
  • ChickenCow 2 Right
  • ChickenCow 2 Left
  • RoosterBull Right
  • RoosterBull Left
  • Spirit RoosterBull Right
  • Spirit RoosterBull Left
  • Sriracha RoosterBull Right
  • Sriracha RoosterBull Left

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

March 21, 2023

Ancient Legion Arsenal

Ancient Legion Arsenal

The Undead Legion's latest arsenal has arrived in EpicDuel! Collect over 50 new items that can be earned through PvP victories! These drops are seasonal and will leave for the season after a few months.

 

New PvP Drops

Fight and win PvP duels for a chance to receive these new weapons!

  • Doom Fusion Daggers
  • Legion Fusion Daggers
  • Doom Fusion Maul
  • Legion Fusion Maul
  • Doom Fusion Staff
  • Legion Fusion Staff
  • Doom Destroyer Spear
  • Legion Destroyer Spear
  • Ancient Doom Cleaver
  • Ancient Legion Cleaver
  • Ancient Doom Katana
  • Ancient Legion Katana
  • Ancient Doom Scythe
  • Ancient Legion Scythe
  • Ancient Doom Crusher
  • Ancient Legion Crusher
  • Ancient Doom Slicer
  • Ancient Legion Slicer
  • Ancient Doom Reaper
  • Ancient Legion Reaper
  • Ancient Doom Spear
  • Ancient Legion Spear
  • Ancient Doom Impaler
  • Ancient Legion Impaler
  • Ancient Doom Bow
  • Ancient Legion Bow
  • Doom Fusion Blade
  • Legion Fusion Blade

New Home Item Drops

Fight and win PvP duels for a chance to receive these new home items!

  • Dage x Doom Fusion
  • Dage Fusion Bobblehead R
  • Dage Fusion Bobblehead L
  • Doom Fusion Bobblehead R
  • Doom Fusion Bobblehead L
  • Legion Fusion Statue R
  • Legion Fusion Statue L
  • Doom Fusion Statue R
  • Doom Fusion Statue L
  • Legion Cracked Ground
  • Doom Cracked Ground
  • Legion Fusion Executioner
  • Doom Fusion Executioner
  • Legion Fusion Daggers Display
  • Doom Fusion Daggers Display
  • Legion Fusion Skull
  • Doom Fusion Skull
  • Legion Fusion Crest
  • Doom Fusion Crest
  • Legion Destroyer Spears
  • Legion Destroyer Sword
  • Legion Swordsman Statue R
  • Legion Swordsman Statue L
  • Legion Spearman Statue R
  • Legion Spearman Statue L

 

New Collection Missions

Visit Dage the Evil's avatar on Delta V to accept the new collection mission chain Dage's 2023 Arsenal! If you complete all the missions, you can earn thousands of credits, new rare weapons, and an new achievement: Dage Collector 2023!

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

March 10, 2023

EpicDuel Anniversary Beta Gamma Rewards

EpicDuel Anniversary Beta Gamma

EpicDuel is continuing it's anniversary celebration with new rewards for Beta and Gamma supporters!*

*Rewards only available for those who meet criteria specified below.

 

Beta Rewards

With this update, our Beta Supporters who owned the original Beta Brutalizer set will receive new and improved 2023 Beta Weapons! 

  • Beta Cleaver 2023 P
  • Beta Cleaver 2023 E
  • Beta Brutalizer 2023 P
  • Beta Brutalizer 2023 E

As with the Alpha weapons last week, these new weapons will be added to inventories as additional items and will not overwrite the existing legacy gear.

 

Gamma Rewards

Gamma supporters who already own the Gamma Bot will receive the new Electro Gamma Bot, which is a damage-swapped counterpart to the coveted Gamma Bot!

 

Returning Drops

Because we didn't formally announce the Evolved Frostbane PvP weapon drops a few weeks ago, we're re-adding them to drop pool to allow those still wrapping up the related missions a chance to complete them. These drops will leave after a week to become seasonal drops.

Additionally, to celebrate Dage the Evil's birthday, we're restoring Dage's Legion item drops. These returning drops will be reinforced soon with new items next week!

When the other PvP drops were removed, the intention was to revert the drop rates back to the pre-holiday rates. With this update the overall drop rate has been reduced, but still remains higher than it was before the holiday change.

 

Next Week: Dage's Birthday Items

Prepare for new weapons, home items, and maybe even a mission or two as we bring Dage the Evil's devious designs to EpicDuel!

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

March 03, 2023

EpicDuel Anniversary

EpicDuel's 14th Anniversary!

Login for epic rewards as EpicDuel celebrates 14 years since its initial Alpha Launch!

 

Epic Varium Bonus

If you have an EpicDuel character that has been active since January 1, 2020, you will receive 1400 free Varium on that character! Not many online games can boast that achievement, and we wanted to commemorate that milestone with an unprecedented gift to help everyone power up! Our humble little Sci-fi PvP MMORPG never would have remained live and dueling this long without you and your support! Duel on!

 

Spring Varium Sale

Today, EpicDuel began its Spring sale, which is expected to run until Tuesday, April 4th. We are increasing the included Varium with the Darkeater Gear Package from 10,000 to 15,000 and increasing the Varium-only package value from 18,000 to 20,000! Those who purchased either of these packages 24 hours before the sale went live received the difference in Varium earlier today.

 

Anniversary Gear

Visit Nightwraith for new rare Anniversary weapons!

  • Fourteen Year Alpha Sword P
  • Fourteen Year Alpha Sword E
  • Fourteen Year Alpha Annihilator P
  • Fourteen Year Alpha Annihilator E

 

Legacy Rewards

Starting this week, we will be equipping new legacy rare gear to players from different development phases who meet certain criteria. This week, we will reward players with the original Alpha gear with new variants of their ultra rare gear! 

  • Alpha Blade 2023 P
  • Alpha Blade 2023 E
  • Alpha Annihilator 2023 P
  • Alpha Annihilator 2023 E

Next week, we will distribute new gear for Beta players with the original Beta weapons and Gamma players who already own the original Gamma Bot!

 

Bug Fixes/Changes

  • Chained Blood:3 turn duration; lifesteal aspect can be reduced by Heart Attack/Azrael’s Torment/Consecrated Fire
  • Consecrated Ground: No longer reduces the target’s Rage gain rate. If the core has not been used in the battle yet, using the normal aux attack will properly put the core on a 3 turn cooldown, instead of 2.
  • Dualism: If the core has not been used in the battle yet, using the normal gun attack will correctly put the core on a 2 turn cooldown, instead of 3.
  • Azrael’s Chimera CC: Tail CC fixed.

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

February 24, 2023

Flesh Demigod Returns

Flesh Demigod Arrives

The Flesh Demigod Gear has returned to Azrael! Jump to his haunting lair to browse his loot and complete your collection of Seasonal gear and potent cores! 

 

Fourteen Year Alpha

A new achievement representing EpicDuel's 14th anniversary is available from the Ultra-Rare section of the Achievement shop. There is also a limited wall home item available to mount the achievement within your home(s).

More anniversary gear will be available next week, including new gear celebrating EpicDuel's earlier development phases!

 

Anniversary Bonus

For next week's update, as a reward for loyal EpicDuel players, we will be rewarding all characters who have been active since 2020 1,400 Varium! This will be a great opportunity to revisit the game if you've been away for awhile or just want to try the game for the first time with a nice boost of currency! 

 

Balance Changes

  • Chained Blood: 3 turns → 4 turns; buffs highest stat by 50%.
  • Exsanguinating Shield: Reusable; 5 turn cooldown.
  • Chronopact: Increases Strength by 100% → flat 100 Strength point increase; grants 100% initial Rage gain; 15% damage reduction.

 

Fixes / Changes

The following achievements have moved from the Ultra-Rare category into the Events category:

  • Daily Gift Champion
  • Legend
  • Supreme Legend 

Additionally, war-themed General and Ultra-Rare achievements have been moved into the War category:

  • World Domination
  • Artillery Master
  • Warlord (most daily war kills)
  • Flag Captured
  • Token Contributor
  • Overlord Operative Order

The Epic Supporter 2022 achievement has been removed from the 10,000 AP Varium packages.

 

In-Progress

EpicDuel Expanded Resolution

So far over 150 screens have been adjusted for the upcoming resolution update! Progress is rapid, but there is still much to do. In addition to modernizing the aspect ratio and appearance of the game, this massive update will add much needed-breathing room for the many crowded and complex interfaces. The last time something like this was done, EpicDuel had only recently joined the AE family (2009-2010-ish) so it's a change that was long overdue!

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

February 17, 2023

Azrael Ongoing

Azrael Ongoing

Azrael's Scorn is here! So far 14 diligent duelists have achieved level 50 and beyond! If you're far from that benchmark, you have plenty of time to earn EXP and claim the numerous rewards! This update, we're focusing on balance changes, QoL, and rating point increases while we prepare for larger updates later.

 

Balance Changes

We've made the following balance changes to tweak the current duel dynamics, with Tech Mages and Mercenaries receiving substantial buffs to improve their performance.

  • Mercenary
    • Hybrid Armor: 10% highest stat buff → 20%.
    • Double Strike: Increased base values by 8 per level.
  • Blood Mage
    • Fire Scythe: 110% damage → 105%.
    • Terrify: 20% Defense / Resistance reduction → 15%.
    • Plasma Cannon: 25% damage to energy → 20%.
  • Bounty Hunter
    • Cheapshot: Increased energy cost by 20; 20% heal reduction → 15%.
    • Venom Strike: Increased energy cost by 20.

 

  • Tech Mage
    • Malfunction: Updated values to 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28; lowered energy cost by 20.
    • Concentration: Increased energy conversion by 5% per level.

 

 

Achievement Boosts

As a precursor to EpicDuel's 14th Anniversary, we're boosting the rating points of the following phase-based achievements!

  • Alpha Tester: 7000 increased to 8000
  • Founder: 7500 increased to 8500
  • Beta Tester: 5500 increased to 6500
  • Elite: 7500 increased to 8500
  • Gamma Tester: 4500 increased to 5500
  • Delta Knight: 3500 increased to 4500
  • Omega Overlord: 2000 increased to 3000
  • Omega Endures: 1000 increased to 2000
  • Golden Omega Ticket: 2000 increased to 3000

*"Omega Founder" was listed as being changed but this achievement was a placeholder and never actually offered in-game.

 

Inventory Cleanup

The following gear is now able to be sold to free up inventory space. Please be careful to not accidentally sell any of these items as they are rare. Notable exceptions are the cores included in these packages and passes which are still unsellable as they do not take up inventory space.

  • Techstalker promotional gear
  • Sanguine Showcase Battlepass gear
  • Frost Revenant Battlepass gear

 

Power Weekend

Since this is a relatively light update, we've activated Power Weekend until Monday evening!

 

Bug Fix

We fixed a bug that was causing Frost Slayer to display the graphics for one of the new Battlepass weapons.

 

Ongoing Development

Our main ongoing task is expanding, revamping, and optimization of all of EpicDuel's world screens and UI for a new resolution. We're making good progress, and we thank you for your patience as we complete and implement this task which should make EpicDuel more visually appealing and easier to port to other platforms in the future.

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

February 11, 2023

Azrael's Scorn Battlepass Now LIVE!

Azrael's Scorn Battlepass Launch

Azrael's Scorn Battlepass is LIVE! Login now to collect the latest collection of Azrael-themed weapons, armors, vehicles, morphs, bots, cores, and more crafted with care by Bido and Acatriel!

This latest Battlepass is scheduled to last from today to March 19th!

This new season introduces some changes to ease the rate of progression through the Battlepass' prize levels:

  • 10 daily and weekly challenges, up from 7.
  • Slightly increased BXP earned from many PvP challenges.
  • To prevent PvP overload, slightly increased chance of NPC challenges. 

Good luck and happy dueling to reach level 60 of EpicDuel's latest Battlepass season!

 

Golden Omega Ticket

For consistency, we've awarded a Golden Omega Ticket achievement to all qualifying players. Since the original ticket was a sellable item, we can't track strictly by the item. We've had to broaden the criteria to include anyone who purchased a 10,000 AP package between 12/20/2012 and 2/5/2013. These criteria may include characters attached to accounts that made the purchase, but wouldn't normally qualify for the ticket since Varium purchases are character based. In this case, it was the only option to award the achievement based on the data available.

 

Achievement Expansion

To declutter the achievement interface a bit, we added a new category of Achievements: Events. This will include limited-time events such as Battlepasses, Tournaments, and Gifting.

While you're browsing the new Achievement interface, you might want to note that the Big Game LVII achievement is available from the Seasonal section!

 

In Progress

Since the Battlepass is now live, we are moving full speed ahead on converting ED's interface and myriad backgrounds to the new expanded resolution!

 

Going Soon!

This Tuesday we will reset all seasonal rares to their normal restock times. Additionally, we will be removing the Bido, Dage, and Nulgath drops from the PvP and NPC drop pools.

Tags: Nightwraith


Nightwraith

January 20, 2023

Balance and Battleplan

EpicDuel Balance and Battleplan

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!

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Nightwraith

January 13, 2023

Friday the 13th 2023

Necrotek Collection Friday the 13th

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


Nightwraith

January 06, 2023

New Year New Cores

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


Nightwraith

December 24, 2022

Frost Revenant Showcase Live!

Frost Revenant Showcase is Live!

After some delays, bug fixing, QoL additions, and final rounds of polish, the Frost Revenant Showcase is finally LIVE! Login today and collect the latest and greatest designs from Acatriel and Bido!

There were still more features planned to improve the Battlepass experience, but those sadly had to be cut for this update to launch before the New Year. We hope you enjoy it!

 

New PvP Drops

In addition to new Battlepass rewards, we've added new Evolved Frostbane PvP drops courtesy of Deuce! 

  • Evolved Frostbane Blades P
  • Evolved Frostbane Blades E
  • Evolved Frostbane Axe P
  • Evolved Frostbane Axe E
  • Evolved Frostbane Staff P
  • Evolved Frostbane Staff E
  • Evolved Frostbane Blaster P
  • Evolved Frostbane Blaster E
  • Evolved Frostbane Bow P
  • Evolved Frostbane Bow E

We've also re-added cores to the drop tables. Some limited charge cores that dropped during the update that introduced them were erroneously set to be unlimited. These will be manually set to 30 charges after this update. The core drops should now function normally with one known display bug that they still show "Unlimited" despite being the x30 variants in your inventory. Equipping the cores resolve this issue. 

 

New Missions

After you've battled enough to collect several of the new PvP drops, you can visit Deuce in the abandoned train station in the Mines to take on his new mission "Frosty Evolution", offering significant rewards culminating in new rare rewards!


Holiday Wishes

2022 presented many challenges and triumphs, but we're still here dueling on! Though the lack of Gifting has made this a more low-key month, it's been invaluable for stress reduction and creative recuperation. We have no shortage of interesting ideas and projects to build upon our progress from 2022 to carry EpicDuel into the future. On behalf of the EpicDuel team, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season, and a prosperous 2023! Thank you, and duel on!

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