Greetings, Viceroys!
The next content update for Against the Storm, titled Commons Update (1.8), is coming on July 31st at 5:00 pm UTC, along with the Nightwatchers DLC. In today’s article, we’re sharing previews of the new features, a short guide on how to prepare for the update, and gameplay videos from the Nightwatchers DLC.
| Important: Make sure to finish your ongoing settlements before the update goes live - otherwise, they’ll need to be closed. More details below! |
The Commons
The Commons is a shared space where villagers can fulfill service needs like Leisure, Luxury, Religion, etc. Satisfying needs here grants a smaller Resolve bonus than in dedicated service buildings.
To start fulfilling needs at the Hearth, you first need to unlock the Commons in the Main Hearth. The commons are in a separate tab in the Hearth UI. Unlocking them costs 8 Planks. Once unlocked, the UI tab will list all service needs that can be fulfilled at the Hearth.
To gain access to the Commons, you must first purchase an upgrade in the Smoldering City - the Monastery of the Vigilant Flame Level 6 upgrade (for 60 Food Stockpiles and 12 Machinery).
Additional blueprint and cornerstone slots in Prestige games
We’re also adding the option to purchase an additional blueprint slot in the Reputation Rewards panel at Prestige 12 and above, and an additional cornerstone slot in the yearly cornerstone window at Prestige 13 and above.
An additional blueprint slot can be bought using Ancient Tablets, while an extra cornerstone slot can be bought using Wildfire Essence. The extra slots apply only to the current blueprint and cornerstone selections. Rerolling does not remove the additional slot.
Prioritize reward collection from Glade Events
Another addition is an option to prioritize reward collection from Glade Events.
Scouts collect rewards based on their position in the UI, from left to right (leftmost rewards are collected first). Shift + Left Click moves a reward one spot to the left. Ctrl + Left Click moves a reward one spot to the right.
Buildings’ new look
With the addition of Bats to the world of Against the Storm, some of the existing buildings will get a new look. The buildings that will incorporate Bats’ architecture are: Grill, Smelter, Smithy, Toolshop, Tinkerer, and Academy (former Explorer’s Lodge).
Bats - a new playable species - are available in the Nightwatchers DLC.
Scaffolding within the footprint
In Update 1.7, we introduced a new construction animation and, more importantly, irregular building footprints (as seen with the Shelter and Big Shelter in the video). This, in turn, required us to redo the existing system, resulting in scaffolding being placed outside the building's border/footprint.
We then learned that players preferred the previous version, and now that we've had a bit more time to work on the Commons Update 1.8, we've decided to tackle it.
And more
But that’s not all! There are plenty of other improvements coming in the update. We’ll release the full update notes for the DLC and the Commons Update (1.8) on July 31st, when they both go live.
You can also check the pre-release gameplay previews.
Nightwatchers DLC and Commons Update (1.8) gameplay previews
Learn what to expect from the upcoming update and the DLC from the pre-release gameplay previews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=325HgtXonBk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9V4o1LH26g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k85b4SLvpI
You can find more online. If you’d like your favorite content creators to cover the game, please let them know about it!
How to prepare
Finish the settlement before the Update
Important: Due to numerous systemic changes, the update will close the ongoing settlements to prevent potential issues. As compensation, you’ll receive Citadel Resources equal to winning that game and a Royal Resupply.
If you don't want your ongoing settlement to be closed, please be sure to finish it before the update goes live on July 31st at 5:00 pm UTC. Your Cycle progress and meta progress will remain intact.
We will also be leaving the current 1.7 version on a separate Steam branch so that you can complete the settlement if you are unable to do so before the Commons Update (1.8) goes live. However, we recommend that you consider this option as a last resort.
Developer Preview Livestream
We invite you to join us on Tuesday, July 29th, at 3:00 pm UTC for a Twitch livestream during which we’ll present and discuss the major features coming in both the Commons Update (1.8) and the Nightwatchers DLC as well as answer your questions during the Q&A segment.
Tune in Tuesday, July 29th, at 3:00 pm UTC:
Follow us on Twitch
See you on Tuesday and may the storm be gentle on you,
Eremite Games
P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider wishlisting the DLC to be notified when it releases:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3725110/Against_the_Storm__Nightwatchers/