We’re kicking off 2024 with some long-anticipated hero balance work, new Lair Boss Trophies, and challenging new Infernal Flames!
Hero balance and path updating has been a longstanding community request, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to dive in and begin that process. As of this patch, Highwayman and Grave Robber have been updated and refined using the learnings and improvements we’ve gained since our development journey started. We’ll give the same treatment to other heroes in future updates.
Also of note in this update are improvements to non-damaging skill critical hits, as well as gamepad improvements.
As always, we thank you for your support, and can’t wait to surprise you with what we have planned for 2024!
-The Red Hook Team
Trophies & Torches
New Trophies: A new Trophy can be found at each of the Lair bosses!
- The Decimal System
- The Safety of Slumber
- The Undertow
- The Rancid Feast
New Infernal Torches: 4 new Infernal Flames have been added for unlocking at the Altar of Hope. The total cost to unlock ALL Infernal Flames is unchanged, meaning if you’ve already fully unlocked all the Infernal Flames, all the new Flames will be available to you at the Valley Inn.
- The Fragile Flame
- The Killer’s Glow
- The Star of the Chosen
- The Bastard’s Beacon (DESPAIR WARNING: This one is brutal!)
Grave Robber
Wanderer
Wanderer has been updated to reflect its identity as an evasive, flexible counter-defense kit with a CRIT focus.
- Absinthe and Absinthe+ healing threshold raised from 25% to 33%
- Flashing Daggers DMG increased from 2-3 to 3-5
- Flashing Daggers CRIT increased from 5% to 15%
- Flashing Daggers+ DMG increased from 3-5 to 4-6
- Flashing Daggers+ CRIT increased from 10% to 20%
- Flashing Daggers+ now ignores Dodge if the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Glint in the Dark DMG increased from 4-6 to 4-7
- Glint in the Dark+ DMG increased from 6-8 to 6-9
- Lunge DMG adjusted from 4-8 to 5-8
- Lunge+ DMG adjusted from 6-11 to 7-11
- Lunge now applies a Knockback of 2 on CRIT
- Lunge+ now applies a Knockback of 3 on CRIT
- Pick to the Face CRIT increased from 10% to 15%
- Pick to the Face+ CRIT increased from 15% to 20%
- Pick to the Face+ DMG adjusted from 4-10 to 5-9
- Pick to the Face+ now removes all Block from the target on a successful CRIT
- Pirouette no longer grants Dodge
- Pirouette+ no longer grants Dodge+
- Pirouette and Pirouette+ cooldown reduced from 2 to 1
- Pirouette and Pirouette+ now also apply 1 Weak to the Grave Robber. This cannot be resisted.
- Pirouette does not apply the Daze or Weak if the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Pirouette+ instead applies the Daze and Weak to the targets if the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Pirouette+ DMG increased from 6-8 to 6-9
- Repartee+ CRIT buff has been moved to Deadeye Path
- Repartee+ now applies a 3 round buff that grants a 50% chance of adding a Dodge token whenever attacks miss the Grave Robber. This is only applied if Repartee is used while the Grave Robber has Stealth.
- Shadow Fade+ now grants a Strength token instead of a Speed token
- Thrown Dagger DMG increased from 3-5 to 3-6
- Thrown Dagger+ DMG increased from 4-7 to 4-8
Deadeye
The Deadeye Path has been updated to provide better tools for a back-rank-to-back-rank destroyer with a heavy emphasis on CRIT capabilities.
- Path Seal description and details have been updated
- Melee skills are no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- Movement RES is no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- Absinthe Dodge tokens reduced from 3 to 2
- Absinthe+ Dodge+ tokens reduced from 3 to 2
- Absinthe and Absinthe+ no longer grant a Speed token
- Absinthe and Absinthe+ healing threshold raised from 25% to 33%
- Absinthe now grants a +4% CRIT bonus for the remainder of the current combat, stacking to a maximum bonus of +12%
- Absinthe+ now grant a +6% CRIT bonus for the remainder of the current combat, stacking to a maximum bonus of +18%
- Flashing Daggers and Flashing Daggers+ launch ranks changed from 2 3 4 to 3 4
- Flashing Daggers and Flashing Daggers+ target ranks changed from 2+3 to 3+4
- Flashing Daggers DMG increased from 2-4 to 3-5
- Flashing Daggers CRIT increased from 10% to 20%
- Flashing Daggers+ DMG increased from 4-6 to 4-7
- Flashing Daggers+ CRIT increased from 15% to 30%
- Thrown Dagger and Thrown Dagger+ launch ranks changed from 2 3 4 to 3 4
- Thrown Dagger and Thrown Dagger+ no longer ignore Guard
- Thrown Dagger DMG increased from 4-6 to 4-7
- Thrown Dagger+ DMG increased from 5-8 to 5-9
- Thrown Dagger+ CRIT reduced from 35% from 30%
- Thrown Dagger+ now grants +2 SPD for 3 turns on CRIT
- The version of Repartee+ that grants a CRIT buff when dodging is now exclusive to this Path
Nightsworn
The Nightsworn Path has been updated to provide a variety of Stealth-driven offense and counter-defense options.
- Path Seal description and details have been updated
- Maximum Health is no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- Stealth no longer grants a blanket +50% DMG passive buff on this Path
- Flashing Daggers DMG increased from 2-3 to 3-5
- Flashing Daggers+ DMG increased from 3-5 to 4-6
- Flashing Daggers and Flashing Daggers+ target ranks changed from 2+3 to 2+3+4
- Flashing Daggers and Flashing Daggers+ now have a cooldown of 1
- Flashing Daggers and Flashing Daggers+ can now only be used while the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Flashing Daggers now has a 50% chance to remove the Grave Robber's remaining Stealth when used
- Lunge DMG reduced from 5-11 to 5-9
- Lunge+ DMG reduced from 7-13 to 7-11
- Lunge+ no longer ignores Block while Stealth
- Lunge+ now has Execution 1
- Lunge and Lunge+ receive +50% DMG while the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Pirouette and Pirouette+ have no inherent penalties on this Path
- Pirouette+ ignores Block if the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Pirouette and Pirouette+ cooldown reduced from 2 to 1
- Repartee has a new version that is exclusive to this Path
- Repartee and Repartee+ now have a 3 turn cooldown
- Repartee now grants 2 Taunt to a target ally. This Taunt cannot be resisted.
- Repartee now applies a buff for 2 turns that grants the Grave Robber 1 Stealth on Turn Start
- Repartee+ now grants 3 Taunt to a target ally. This Taunt cannot be resisted.
- Repartee+ now applies a buff for 3 turns that grants the Grave Robber 1 Stealth on Turn Start
- Repartee and Repartee+ will remove any remaining Stealth at the end of the Grave Robber's turn for the duration of the buff
- Thrown Dagger and Thrown Dagger+ no longer ignore Guard
- Thrown Dagger and Thrown Dagger+ now ignore Riposte if the Grave Robber has Stealth
Venomdrop
The Venomdrop Path has been updated to better emphasize Blight-oriented interactions without significantly hampering ranged combat options.
- Path Seal description and details have been updated
- Ranged skills are no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- Speed is no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- Stealth no longer grants a blanket +2 Blight dealt passive buff on this Path
- Absinthe no longer grants Dodge
- Absinthe+ no longer grants Dodge+
- Absinthe now removes all Blight
- Absinthe+ now removes all DOTs
- Absinthe and Absinthe+ healing threshold raised from 25% to 50%
- Absinthe and Absinthe+ now provide 30% Blight RES for 3 rounds
- Flashing Daggers DMG increased from 1-2 to 2-3
- Flashing Daggers CRIT increased from 5% to 10%
- Flashing Daggers now deals +2 Blight while the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Flashing Daggers+ DMG increased from 2-4 to 3-4
- Flashing Daggers+ CRIT increased from 10% to 20%
- Flashing Daggers+ Blight reduced from 4 to 3
- Flashing Daggers+ now deals +2 Blight while the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Poison Dart and Poison Dart+ no longer benefit from Combo
- Poison Dart Blight increased from 2 to 3
- Poison Dart now deals +2 Blight while the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Poison Dart+ now deals +3 Blight while the Grave Robber has Stealth
- Shadow Fade and Shadow Fade+ Blight RES piercing reduced from 30% to 20%
- Shadow Fade+ duration of Blight RES piercing increased from 1 turn to 2
- Thrown Dagger and Thrown Dagger+ no longer ignore Guard
- Thrown Dagger DMG increased from 2-4 to 3-5
- Thrown Dagger+ DMG increased from 3-5 to 4-7
- Thrown Dagger+ now applies Weak to targets with Blight
Trinkets
- Foreclosure Notice: Removed applies Combo on hit while in rank 4 and removed gain Stealth on hit with Flashing Daggers. Added +20% DMG while in Stealth and added Shadow Fade effect to remove all negative tokens
- His Rings: Complete rework. Now applies Combo to attackers when they miss, Pick To The Face Skills have +10% CRIT, Death of Night skills gain +2 Relic, +1 Bauble, and When hit: +1 Stress (15%)
- Stiff Drink: Complete rework. Now applies Blight 1 on crit, +1 Blight Dealt while in Stealth, and Absinthe skills apply Blight 1
Highwayman
All Highwayman Paths have been updated to align with the style & philosophies used by more recent Hero Paths such as those seen on Vestal, Flagellant, Duelist, and Crusader.
Wanderer
Wanderer remains mostly the same with some needed value adjustments to strengthen its identity as a flexible damage dealer.
- Double Cross and Double Cross+ now ignore Block
- Double Cross and Double Cross+ no longer apply Vulnerable
- Double Cross and Double Cross+ now clear all Block and Block+ on the target
- Double Cross+ now prevents the target from gaining Block and Block+ for 2 rounds
- Double Cross+ CRIT increased from 5% to 10%
- Double Tap+ CRIT increased from 5% to 10%
- Grapeshot Blast launch ranks changed from 2 3 4 to 1 2 3 4
- Grapeshot Blast DMG increased from 2-4 to 3-5
- Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ now have a 5% CRIT chance
- Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ now applies a -5% CRIT chance debuff to the target for 3 turns
- Highway Robbery+ now grants +5% CRIT to the Highwayman for 3 turns
- As Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ can now apply a debuff, they no longer require that the target have positive tokens
- As Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ can now apply a debuff, they no longer ignore CRIT tokens
- Pistol Shot+ DMG increased from 4-8 to 5-8
- Point Blank Shot DMG decreased from 6-12 to 6-10
- Take Aim and Take Aim+ no longer grant Dodge
- Take Aim cooldown increased from 1 to 2
- Take Aim+ cooldown increased from 1 to 2
Rogue
The Rogue Path has been updated to reflect its identity as a front rank brawler.
- Path Seal description and details have been updated
- DMG is no longer affected by the Highwayman's current rank
- Duelist's Advance and Duelist's Advance+ forward move increased from 1 to 2
- Duelist's Advance now grants 1 Block
- Duelist's Advance+ now grants 1 Block+ instead of Dodge
- Duelist’s Advance+ Riposte reduced from 3 to 2
- Grapeshot Blast and Grapeshot Blast+ launch ranks changed from 1 2 3 to 1
- Grapeshot Blast and Grapeshot Blast+ target ranks changed from 1+2 to 1+2+3
- Grapeshot Blast and Grapeshot Blast+ now move the Highwayman back 1 on use
- Grapeshot Blast DMG increased from 2-4 to 3-5
- Point Blank Shot and Point Blank Shot+ no longer apply Combo
- Point Blank Shot and Point Blank Shot+ no longer grant Riposte
- Point Blank Shot and Point Blank Shot+ knockback increased from 1 to 2
- Take Aim and Take Aim+ launch ranks changed from 1 2 3 4 to 1 2 3
- Take Aim and Take Aim+ no longer grant CRIT or Dodge
- Take Aim and Take Aim+ no longer remove Blind
- Take Aim and Take Aim+ now grant 2 Riposte
- Take Aim and Take Aim+ now grant 1 Riposte on Round Start for 3 turns
- Take Aim+ now increases Riposte DMG by 25% for 4 turns
- Wicked Slice and Wicked Slice+ launch ranks changed from 1 2 3 to 1 2
- Wicked Slice+ Execution increased from 1 to 2
Sharpshot
The Sharpshot Path has been updated to provide better support for back line assaults.
- Path Seal description and details have been updated
- Ranged skills are no longer positively impacted by this Path
- Melee skills are no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- This Path no longer receives a SPD buff
- Double Tap DMG decreased from 4-8 to 2-4
- Double Tap+ DMG decreased from 6-9 to 3-5
- Double Tap+ CRIT increased from 5% to 10%
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ can no longer target corpses
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ launch ranks changed from 2 3 to 2 3 4
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ target ranks changed from 2 3 to 1 2 3
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ no longer gain bonus DMG if the target has low health
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ now have a cooldown of 1
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ now move the Highwayman back 1
- Double Tap and Double Tap+ now grant an extra action to use the Second Shot skill on the same target if it survives the initial attack
- Mastering Double Tap will also master Second Shot
- Second Shot and Second Shot+ match the base DMG and CRIT values of Double Tap and Double Tap+ respectively
- Second Shot and Second Shot+ launch and target ranks are 1 2 3 4
- Second Shot and Second Shot+ will not activate if the original target is slain by Double Tap
- Second Shot+ has the same Execution 1 value as Double Tap+
- Second Shot+ applies Combo
- Grapeshot Blast and Grapeshot Blast+ launch ranks changed from 2 3 4 to 3 4
- Grapeshot Blast and Grapeshot Blast+ target ranks changed from 1+2 to 3+4
- Grapeshot Blast and Grapeshot Blast+ no longer grant Strength
- Grapeshot Blast DMG increased from 2-4 to 3-6
- Grapeshot Blast CRIT increased from 5% to 10%
- Grapeshot Blast+ DMG increased from 4-6 to 5-7
- Grapeshot Blast+ CRIT increased from 10% to 15%
- Pistol Shot and Pistol Shot+ launch ranks changed from 2 3 4 to 3 4
- Pistol Shot DMG increased from 3-6 to 4-8
- Pistol Shot+ DMG increased from 4-8 to 7-10
- Point Blank Shot and Point Blank Shot+ no longer apply Combo
- Point Blank Shot and Point Blank Shot+ now move the Highwayman back 2
- Point Blank Shot+ now grants 1 Block
Yellowhand
The Yellowhand Path has been updated to better reflect its role as flexible offensive support.
- Path Seal description and details have been updated
- This Path no longer increases HP
- Ranged skills are no longer negatively impacted by this Path
- Melee skills no longer debuff Bleed RES
- Double Cross and Double Cross+ removal of Block/Block+ before applying Vulnerable now exists on the skill directly instead of as a Path buff
- Double Cross and Double Cross+ now ignore Block
- Double Cross+ CRIT increased from 5% to 10%
- Grapeshot Blast now applies a -10% Bleed RES debuff to all targets for 3 turns
- Grapeshot Blast+ now applies a -15% Bleed RES debuff to all targets for 3 turns
- Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ launch ranks changed from 2 3 4 to 1 2 3
- Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ no longer steal an additional Positive token
- Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ now have a 5% CRIT chance
- Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ now apply -10% Bleed/Blight/Burn RES for 3 turns
- Highway Robbery+ now provides the Highwayman with +10% Bleed/Blight/Burn RES for 3 turns
- As Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ can now apply a debuff, they no longer require that the target have positive tokens
- As Highway Robbery and Highway Robbery+ can now apply a debuff, they no longer ignore CRIT tokens
- Wicked Slice and Wicked Slice+ target ranks changed from 1 2 to 1 2 3
- Wicked Slice and Wicked Slice+ no longer have Execution 1
- Wicked Slice DMG reduced from 4-8 to 4-6
- Wicked Slice CRIT reduced from 15% to 10%
- Wicked Slice+ DMG reduced from 6-9 to 5-8
- Wicked Slice+ CRIT reduced from 20% to 15%
- Wicked Slice+ ignores Guard
- Wicked Slice and Wicked Slice+ now have a 33% chance to apply Combo
- Wicked Slice+ has a 100% chance to apply Combo on CRIT
Trinkets
- Cursed Coin: Highway Robbery skill effect changed from Gain 2 Riposte Tokens (50%) to Steal Regen. If Relics less than 100: -15% CRIT changed to If Relics less than 50: -10% CRIT
- Rat Skull: Chance to gain Crit Token when first in turn order reduced from 66% to 33%. Removed Duelist’s Advance effect. Added Take Aim effect that provides a self buff where Skills Ignore Blind for 3 turns. Added Tracking Shot effect that applies a -10 Stun RES Debuff for 3 turns
- Tormenting Locket: Removed Melee Skills +15% CRIT. Added +10% CRIT while in Rank 1 or 4. Open Vein skills Bleed Dealt reduced from +2 to +1. Stress chance on Ranged Skill hits reduced from 25% to 15%
COMBAT
Update to CRIT on Non-damaging Skills
- Non-damaging skills can now naturally CRIT without the aid of a CRIT token, based on their CRIT chance
- Non-damaging skills with CRIT values now benefit from CRIT bonuses gained from sources such as quirks and trinkets
- Non-damaging skills that CRIT bypass 20% of a target's relevant resistances, just as they would with a CRIT token
- Non-damaging skills that CRIT can trigger stress healing in party members, just as damaging CRIT skills do. This does not apply when hitting corpses.
The following non-damaging Hero skills now have CRIT values:
- Bounty Hunter: Mark for Death 5%
- Bounty Hunter: Flashbang 5%
- Bounty Hunter: Staredown 5%
- Hellion: Barbaric YAWP 5%
- Hellion: Barbaric YAWP+ 10%
- Jester: Echoing March 5%
- Jester: Echoing March+ 10%
- Man-at-Arms: Bellow 5%
- Man-at-Arms: Bellow+ 5%
- Occultist: Weakening Curse 5%
- Occultist: Weakening Curse+ 10%
- Occultist: Vulnerability Hex 5%
- Occultist: Vulnerability Hex+ 10%
- Occultist: Malediction 10%
- Occultist: Malediction+ 15%
- Plague Doctor: Blinding Gas 5%
- Plague Doctor: Blinding Gas+ 10%
- Plague Doctor: Disorienting Blast 5%
- Plague Doctor: Disorienting Blast+ 10%
- Plague Doctor: Magnesium Rain 5%
- Plague Doctor: Magnesium Rain+ 5%
- Runaway: Smokescreen 5%
- Runaway: Smokescreen+ 10%
- Runaway: Controlled Burn 5%
- Runaway: Controlled Burn+ 5%
The following non-damaging monster skills now have CRIT values:
- Cultist Cherub: Enfeebling Miasma 5%
- Cultist Cherub: Sightless Miasma 5%
- Fanatic Whipper: Fiery Haze 15%
- The following non-damaging Miniboss skills now have CRIT values:
- Antiquarian: Flashpowder 10%
- Gaunt Chirurgeon: Bloodletting 5%
- Warlord: Paro 5%
The following non-damaging Lair Boss skills now have CRIT values:
- Fanatic Librarian: Smokestack 20%
- Leviathan: Breath of the Sea 5%
The following non-damaging Confession Boss skills now have CRIT values:
- Obsession: Behold 30%
- Cowardice: Catabolism 10%
HEROES
Occultist
- Malediction no longer deals DMG
- Malediction+ no longer deals DMG
- Malediction CRIT rate increased from 5% to 10%
- Malediction+ CRIT rate increased from 5% to 15%
-
Plague Doctor
- Magnesium Rain cooldown increased from 1 to 2 turns
- Magnesium Rain+ cooldown increased from 1 to 2 turns
MONSTERS
Creature Den
- Carrion Eater: Munch CRIT rate increased from 0% to 5%
- Carrion Devourer: Munch CRIT rate increased from 0% to 5%
- Carrion Devourer: Pulverize CRIT rate increased from 0% to 5%
Gaunts
- Ghoul: Howl can no longer CRIT via CRIT token use
Lost Battalion
- Drummer: Focus Fire no longer deals DMG
- Drummer: Focus Fire CRIT rate increased from 5% to 10%
Plague Eaters
- Maid: Backsplash CRIT rate increased from 0% to 5%
Confession 3
- Behold: No longer has a guaranteed chance to copy positive tokens
- Confession 3 Flame level effects had their Healing Given modifiers changed to Healing Given from Skills
Other Enemies
- Swordsman: Gash skills no longer move them forward 1
- Spearman: Jab skills no longer move them forward 1
- Spike Barricade: Now applies a “When Moving: Remove Guard” debuff to allies it guards at the start of the round
- Fixed issue preventing Warlord from being Ordained
- Warlord now has an increased chance to appear in Region 1
- Spiked Barricade and Weapon Rack can no longer be Ordained
GAMEPLAY
- Disabled Stress damage penalty for stalling for the time being
- Several items had their Healing Given modifiers changed to Healing Given from Skills; Minor Protectorate, Protectorate, Greater Protectorate, Ghastly Gruel, Scalded Skull, Shambler’s Eye, Annotated Textbook, Storage Room Key, Dark Impulse (Healing Given Variant), Appalling Apron, and Physician’s Guild Seal, The Hateful Pyre
- The General’s Dream: Neutral Immobilize token is now removed after 5 Rounds
- The Bumper Crop: Replaced +50% Max HP with +50% Healing Received. Reduced Deathblow RES debuff from -50% to -25%
- Trephine Bur: Updated item description for better clarity
- The Corpse Light: Carrion Eaters spawned this way no longer leave a corpse. Reduced enemy Bleed, Blight, and Burn RES buffs at various flame levels. Enemy bonus on successful Bleed, Blight, or Burn resist now enabled at each flame level.
- Inns have increased shop selection for trinkets
- Infernal and Radiant Flames found at the Valley Inn Provisioner under All Items tab have been moved to the bottom. They can still be quickly found under the Flames tab
- Removed Face your Failure! battle modifier from all Confession bosses
- Updated Radiant and Infernal Flame icons
- New Infernal Flames VFX colors have been added
FIXES
- Many heroes have had their VFX polished and improved
- Ghoul now has proper spawn in vfx timelines hooked up
- Thing in the Corner story art is now correctly positioned
- Gamepad improvements and polish as well as helping Steamdeck to prefer using the gamepad instead of mouse and keyboard
- Fixed a bug in the main menu where you can navigate while the profile screen is active
- Updates gamepad cosmetic controls in the Crossroads to use the d-pad
- Combat items equip one at a time with gamepad
- Fixed a bug where user can't deselect their name with a gamepad on new profile creation
- Fixed a bug where a user wasn't able to cancel slot selection in the Crossroads
- Fixed some issues with Grave Robber's daggers and bottle swapping textures when a palette is equipped
- Fixed Faceless Visage combat start shuffle not being prevented by The General's Dream Immobilize
- Fixed issue resulting in Focused Fault skipping its turn in specific conditions
- Fixed an issue where Feed The Hunger failed to enforce use if the Harvest Child itself had Taunt
- Fix to instanced buffs ( infernal / radiant torches ) not instancing buffs till you mouse over them.
- Fixed an issue where new skills at same Shrine of Reflection could be obtained more than once
- Fix to incorrect dmg calculation on skills after AOE skills where targets had block and block+
- Calculate crit on miss to fix hit spoiling in damage preview
- Removed torch highlights on dodge / guard tokens when killing to avoid kill spoiling.
KNOWN ISSUES
- The Radiant Flame will incorrectly display the blue Infernal Flame colour upon equip. This visual issue only occurs on this screen.