Dear Metas,
Every month, we implement new balance adjustments to improve Once Human's combat experience. In the August 28 update, our main focus is optimizing the Frost Vortex keyword effect. We'll also adjust the strength of some weapon blueprints, while buffing the Deviations: Polar Jelly and Lonewolf's Whisper.
I. Frost Vortex Optimizations and Blueprint Effect Adjustments
We've noticed that the Frost Vortex keyword effect isn't performing as intended in some situations for the following reasons:
1. It doesn't generate vortexes in optimal locations.
2. The damage is delayed and has slow damage build-up, requiring multiple vortexes to deal maximum damage.
To resolve these issues, we are optimizing the Frost Vortex keyword effect as follows:
1. Optimize the locations where vortexes are generated so they're more likely to hit enemies or Deviants.
2. Reduce the damage delay, shortening the interval between generation and dealing damage.
3. Increase the damage of a single vortex. A single vortex will be able to deal more damage than three vortexes did previously. To compensate, we will slightly reduce the chance of triggering a vortex with Frost Vortex weapons. This change will enhance Frost Vortex's overall damage and damage build-up speed.
We will also adjust Frost weapons and gear to improve the experience of using Frost builds.
The changes are as follows:
| Previous | Now |
Frost Vortex - Keyword | Creates a trap with a radius of 4.5 meters. Enemies inside the trap take 30% Psi Intensity as Status DMG every 1s for 4s. Up to 2 vortexes can exist simultaneously. | Creates a trap with a radius of 4.5 meters. Enemies inside the trap take 50% Psi Intensity as Status DMG every 0.5s for 4s. Up to 1 vortex can exist simultaneously. Optimized the locations where Frost Vortexes can be generated. Frost Vortexes can now be generated in mid-air. Optimized Frost Vortex's damage delay. Frost Vortex now deals damage instantly upon generation. |
Abyss Glance | Triggers Frost Vortex after 14 hits. Hitting a Weakspot counts as 2 hits. The closer to the Frost Vortex center, the higher the Frost Vortex DMG, up to +250%. Frost DMG +30%. | Hitting enemies triggers Frost Vortex. Cooldown: 7s. Each hit reduces the cooldown by 0.5s. (Frost Vortexes triggered against Meta-Humans deal 30% DMG.) Frost Vortex DMG frequency +100%. Upon hitting a non-Meta-Human unit within a Frost Vortex, the final DMG of Frost Vortexes you create is increased by 5%, up to 10 stacks. Frost DMG +30%. |
Silent Anabasis | 15% chance to trigger Frost Vortex on hit. | 12% chance to trigger Frost Vortex on hit. |
Icy Rain | 40% chance to trigger Frost Vortex on a crit hit. After triggering a Frost Vortex, automatically reload 15% bullets. Max number of Frost Vortexes +1. | 30% chance to trigger Frost Vortex on a crit hit. After triggering a Frost Vortex, automatically reload 20% bullets. Frost Vortex DMG +30%. |
Frost Tactical Vest | Frost Vortex generates Ice Spikes that deal 100% Psi Intensity as Frost DMG. | Frost Vortex generates Ice Spikes that deal 120% Psi Intensity as Frost Status DMG. |
Cryo Blast | Frost Vortex applies Frostbite. When Frostbite is active, Vulnerability +4% and Movement Speed -10%. | After triggering a Frost Vortex, Frost Vortex DMG +4% for 4s. Up to 5 stacks. |
Vortex Multiplier | Max number of Frost Vortexes +1, Frost Vortex DMG +10%. | Renamed: Cryo Catalyst Frost Vortex DMG +10%. After triggering a frost construct (Ice Spike, Ice Missile, or Ice Crystal), Frost Vortex DMG +5% for 6s. |
Obliteration | Frost Vortex Final DMG +15%; each additional enemy within the vortex adds +15%, up to +45%. | Renamed: Frostwave Wither Frost Vortex's final DMG +30%, decreasing by 8% per second over time. |
Polar Jelly | Attacks deal 640% Psi Intensity as Frost Status DMG and inflict 36% Frost Vulnerability on the target. If a Frost Vortex is generated within range, generate additional Ice Spikes that deal 215% Psi Intensity as Frost Status DMG. | Attacks deal 800% Psi Intensity as Frost Status DMG and inflict 39.2% Frost Vulnerability on the target. If a Frost Vortex is generated within range, generate additional Ice Spikes that deal 250% Psi Intensity as Frost Status DMG. |
Claymore Mine: Frost Trap - Memetic Specialization | Improved Formula: Claymore Mine Generates 2 Frost Vortexes when triggered. | Improved Formula: Claymore Mine Generates 1 Frost Vortex when triggered. |
II. Other Weapon Effect Adjustments
Raining Cash | Reloading triggers Fortress Warfare, 10s cooldown. For every 0.5s in Fortress Warfare status, Attack +5%, up to 8 stacks; after losing Fortress Warfare, 1 stack is lost every 1s. In Fortress Warfare status, Crit Rate +30%. In Fortress Warfare status, DMG Reduction +30%. | The first hit after reloading or switching weapons triggers Fortress Warfare. Cooldown: 10s. Each bolt-pull action triggers auto-load of 1 bullet on next reload, up to a maximum of 10 bullets. The more bullets you load when reloading, the higher the final DMG bonus you receive, up to a maximum of 80%. (Switching weapons counts as reloading from empty.) In Fortress Warfare status, Crit Rate +30% and DMG Reduction +30%. |
Doombringer | 30% chance to trigger The Bull's Eye on hit; 80% chance when within 8 meters. After hitting a non-Meta-Human unit with all pellets from a single shot, Attack +12% for 15s, up to 3 stacks. After triggering The Bull's Eye, DMG Reduction +5% for 8s, up to 4 stacks. Gain Crit Rate +30% against marked targets. | 30% chance to trigger The Bull's Eye on hit; 80% chance when within 8 meters. After hitting a non-Meta-Human unit with all pellets from a single shot, Attack +12% and Reload Efficiency +8% for 15s, up to 3 stacks. After triggering The Bull's Eye, DMG Reduction +5% for 8s, up to 4 stacks. Gain Crit Rate +30% against marked targets. |
Corrosion | 80% chance to trigger Power Surge on hit, but no longer inflicts the Power Surge status on non-Meta-Human units. Power Surge can deal Crit Hits. Power Surge Crit Rate +25%. After triggering Power Surge, Power Surge Crit DMG +40% for 8s, up to 5 stacks. Power Surge DMG +15%. | 80% chance to trigger Power Surge on hit, but no longer inflicts the Power Surge status on non-Meta-Human units. Power Surge can deal Crit Hits. Power Surge Crit Rate +25%. After triggering Power Surge against a non-Meta-Human unit, Power Surge Crit DMG +40% for 8s, up to 5 stacks. Power Surge DMG +15%. |
Lonewolf's Whisper | Attacks deal 1015% Psi Intensity as Status DMG and inflict 43.2% Weapon Vulnerability on the target. | Attacks deal 1500% Psi Intensity as Status DMG and inflict 50% Weapon Vulnerability on the target. |
We will continue monitoring each build's effectiveness and usage rates to assess whether further adjustments are necessary.
III. Polar Jelly and Lonewolf's Whisper Buffs
We've noticed that Pyro Dino tends to outperform than other Deviations, causing balance issues. These adjustments will buff Polar Jelly and Lonewolf's Whisper. In subsequent updates, we will enhance the other Deviations in batches, based on priority, to ensure they meet player expectations.
To ensure a smooth transition, we will issue 3 Blueprint Conversion Attempts to all players after this update.
That's the end of our developer update on upcoming balance adjustments. If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact us via the Co-Dev Feedback Platform or our community channels. Thank you for your understanding and support!
Once Human Development Team