Some very large reworks to improve performance in this build. Should hopefully help on lower-spec systems when lots of enemies are on screen.
Balance Changes
- Reduced the number of enemies in squadrons by 1/3.
- Increased XP from defeating enemies by 50%.
- Increased hull / shield / DPS of all enemies by 25%.
- Reduced Elite bonus to hull / shield / DPS by 25%.
- Reduced Boss bonus to hull / shield / DPS by 25%.
- Launchers can now modify their projectile life increasing range without velocity.
- Encounters from Novus Prime should now almost always be level 2 instead of 4.
- Gatling Gun projectile life increased 33%.
- Proton Torpedo projectile life increased 50%.
- Mines now last 5 minutes instead of 60 seconds.
- Reduced the number of drones deployed by enemy ships, but increased their damage.
- Enemy projectile velocity reduced by 33%.
- Enemy beam weapon damage reduced by 33% to balance projectile velocity change.
- Secondary launchers on enemy ships reload time time reduced by 33%.
- Doubled sensor range and patrol speed of enemies to make them feel more hostile.
- Reduced charge time, reduced heat generated, and increased ROF of Acid Gun.
- Halved hull of drones to make them easier to deal with.
Quality of Life / Accessibility
- Players now start with an equipped Deflector Shield, removed from Novus Prime mission.
- Thruster and shield are now hidden when selecting ship for a new player.
- Player selection now shows the player's current location.
- Sector name is now displayed in the navigation panel.
- Launcher weapons now display their projectile life in seconds.
- Improved smoke artwork that trail behind ships and frost bolts.
Bug Fixes
- Tooltip cursor will no longer display over UI elements that do not have tooltips enabled.
- Fixed issue where piercing projectiles would teleport forward when hitting enemies.
- Elite encounters no longer display the icon for Rescue encounters.