v1.31 "Unity Ascendant" brings Steam Achievements, Additional New Gravity Wells, and Advent Unity Ability Updates
This update not only enhances the gameplay experience but also introduces a plethora of new features that will excite both veterans and newcomers alike. From Steam achievements to significant improvements for the Advent Unity abilities, this update is a game-changer.
Steam and Epic Achievements:
One of the most exciting additions in the Unity Ascendant Update is the introduction of Steam and Epic achievements. Players can now showcase their prowess and dedication to the game with a variety of challenges. Here are just a few examples:
- Talk Like A Pirate: Max out your reputation level with Pirates.
- Who's Stopping Us?: Get a Titan to level 10.
- Dust and Echoes: Strip to the Core 30 planets in one game as Vasari Exodus.
- Go Big or Go Home: Win a match using only capital ships.
New Gravity Wells:
The update also introduces two new gravity wells that promise to enrich the exploration aspect of the game. These new locations will not only enhance the lore of the game but also provide new strategic opportunities for players:
- Ship Graveyard: A colonizable gravity well filled with the debris from a long-forgotten battle, ripe for the taking.
- Space Junk: A non-colonizable gravity well, also filled with remnants of past conflicts, providing a unique backdrop for your interstellar adventures.
Advent Unity Ability Improvements:
Faction Themes
This update emphasizes the contrasting approaches to warfare taken by the Wrath and Reborn factions. The Wrath Advent faction embodies a classic archetype centered on Control, Culture Spread, and Vengeance. They excel at debuffing enemies and spreading culture, leveraging aggressive mechanics to dominate their foes without concern for the cost.
In contrast, the Reborn Advent faction adopts a more radical stance, focusing on Restoration and Sacrifice. They draw power from the loss of their own units, intentionally sacrificing ships to fuel their abilities while effectively countering enemy aggression.
New Abilities Breakdown
The update introduces five new Unity abilities, with Wrath gaining three and Reborn acquiring two.
- Wrath Abilities:
- Avatar: A potent fleet buff that significantly boosts damage output.
- Chastise: A control ability that restricts enemy movement, preventing escapes.
- Fury: A direct damage ability that unleashes raw power on foes.
- Wrath also retains Clairvoyance for enhanced map awareness and Proselytize, which has regained its unrestricted culture projection capabilities.
- Reborn Abilities:
- Cleanse: A sacrificial ability that heals nearby units by destroying one of your own.
- Resurrection: A game-changing ability that allows players to restore entire fleets mid-battle.
- The Reborn faction shares Clairvoyance and retains Recall and Sanctify, further enhancing their strategic options.
Focus Economy Overhaul
A significant overhaul of the Focus economy accompanies these updates. Focus capacity is now front-loaded and harder to increase, while regeneration is slower. This change encourages players to manage their resources strategically, allowing for bursts of Unity power at a cost. Adjustments to ability costs and cooldowns create a more dynamic system that rewards careful planning.
Improved Research Options
New faction-specific research options have been added, such as Rite of Reclamation for the Reborn, which accelerates wreck salvaging, and Clarity of Purpose for the Wrath, enhancing Psi Power within their culture. The research trees have been refined for better readability and accessibility, with notable buffs to existing technologies.
The Future of Conversion
While Conversion is a key aspect of the Wrath faction, its current implementation has been problematic for balanced gameplay. It has been temporarily removed and will return with a more nuanced design in a future update, ensuring a fairer competitive landscape.
