Bierzerkers 0.6 Release Notes
New Mode - Bierball
Bierball mode (working title) has arrived, see below for more information
Added a new map called Odin’s Arena (also working title)
New Class - The Highlander
In addition to the new map and mode a new class, the Highlander, lover of sheep, has been added. He is a very offensively focused character wielding a large two-handed sword. His defense mechanic is to block, similar to the Raider, but he can’t take as many blocks as the Raider can before his guard breaks.
His abilities are:
- Sheep Bomb - by playing his bagpipes the Highlander sends a sheep minion out with a bomb on his back. When the bomb explodes it does damage to all nearby and will knock the Sheep out of anyone’s hands who may be carrying it in the area.
- Sheep Joust - the Highlander rides a sheep and charges forward, using his weapon as a lance to push enemies back.
- Super Uppercut - the Highlander executes a mighty swing, launching himself and anyone in his path straight up into the air.
Progression and Customization
Alpha versions of progression and customization have been implemented. As you play with each class you will level them up and unlock rewards for them, which can be equipped in the armory. These systems and rewards are still in a very early state and we are very interested in feedback on them. Players must stay until the end of a match to earn XP.
- Each rank gained unlocks a new reward
- Levelling each class grants class specific items
- Current offerings include helms, weapons, color themes, and mugs
UI Redesign
The UI in nearly all parts of the game has been redesigned and had new artwork implemented. This is also in an Alpha state and any feedback from the community is appreciated. Changes include:
- New art and flow for all main menu screens
- Redesigned options
- Armory section for equipping characters
- Early leaderboard for displaying stats
Parties
We have created a party system to allow friends to play together on the same team. Parties can be created in the main menu and match make together. When team scrambling occurs between matches parties will be kept together. Parties also will not be split up for auto-balancing.
Known Issues
- Icons in the armory sometimes don’t load correctly and appear as green boxes
- Characters sometimes get stuck in the transparent wall in spawn, if a team scores or if the player reconnects to the server this will cause a respawn and fix the issue
- Rare client crash on clicking ‘Quick Match’ after lingering in the main menu for a while
About Bierball
In Brewhalla, the gods Odin and Freya each field a team of elite Bierzerkers to compete in the ancient game of Bierball. Crowds gather in the arenas to watch Odin and Freya’s finest clash and score points against each other in this ancient game of strength, battle prowess, and teamwork. Each team must carry a resource (the bewildered sheep in the case of Odin’s Arena) into the enemy’s territory to score.
Carrying the Sheep
Competitors can pick up the sheep when it is nearby by pressing Left Control or F (this can also be toggled to always be on by pressing C). The reticle will change to indicate your status. While carrying him you cannot attack and move a bit slower than usual. The carrier’s team must work together to clear a path and defend the carrier so that he or she can carry the sheep into the opposite team’s goal to score 7 points, or throw it into the goal for 3 points.
Pressing the defense button (RMB by default) will charge up a throw, when released the sheep will be thrown on the indicated trajectory. Getting hit while throwing or hitting the sheep itself may alter the trajectory. Skilled teams will use their attacks to lift or boost the carrier to get some extra ‘umph’ on the throw.
If the carrier is stunned or knocked down while carrying the sheep he or she will fumble it and need to pick it back up to regain possession.
Thor’s Blessing
A Bierzerker who shows great combat prowess by killing three opponents without dying will be granted Thor’s Blessing. His or her weapon will be struck by lightning and crackle with energy. While in possession of this blessing the Bierzerkers will do increased damage and benefit from increased health. The blessing is lost when your team scores or you are slain.
Sudden Death Overtime
If the scores are tied when time runs out then the mode shifts to sudden death overtime. Each team respawns at their bases and the sheep spawns in the middle of the match. Play continues until a team scores, who will then be declared the winner. However - there is no respawning in sudden death so make sure you get a Drunkard on your team for healing! If a team is completely wiped out they will automatically lose.
About Development
Our goal with Bierball is to introduce a game mode that we feel is simple in concept yet deep in interactivity and competition. This new mode takes the combat and ability system we’ve
created and layers in a more strategic, competitive element. With the design of the mode in place, some changes were required to rebalance the classes around it. Here are some of the changes that our early players will see when playing this version:
- Friendly fire damage has been removed
- Knockback still works on teammates. This can be useful for pushing someone faster across the map or giving the sheep carrier some height for a good throw
- You will still see FX and hear audio cues play when you hit teammates, but no damage is done
- Attack speeds for all classes have increased
- Damage for all classes have increased
- Movement speeds for all classes have increased
- For now we are only putting the new mode into the playlist
- Timing and speeds for all abilities have been rebalanced, generally to come out faster and move faster if they have some movable component
- Teams always respawn behind their own goal
- Spawn waves have been removed
