Hello again, Wardens! Update 0.5.4 is here, and we’ve got some exciting new features, balance tweaks, and a sprinkle of polish to enhance your journey through Valor of Man. Let’s dive in!
Key Features in 0.5.4
Ancient Artifacts: A New Power Awaits
Introducing Ancient Artifacts, a powerful new tier of equipment exclusively available through the Antique Trader. These artifacts boast unique effects, such as:
- Immunity to Trample or Poison Damage.
- Health regeneration.
- Massive buffs on the first turn.
Dev Comment: These artifacts are a gold-exclusive way to supercharge your heroes. Since the Antique Trader only shows up once per Chapter, deciding when and where to spend your gold becomes even more strategic.
Expanded Artifact Pools
We’ve added more common and rare artifacts to the default pool, unlocking new playstyles from the start of your adventure.
Dev Comment: Previously, many artifacts required unlocking, which limited early-game variety. This change ensures a more consistent and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Split Buttons for Buffs and Debuffs
Buff and Debuff abilities now have separate buttons in the Action Bar, making them easier to identify and manage.
Dev Comment: Heroes gain a lot of abilities over time, and grouping buffs and debuffs together caused confusion. This small but impactful change keeps things smooth and intuitive.
Improved Tutorials
We’ve overhauled how the enemy screen is introduced to new players, using delays, animations, and effects for a gradual reveal.
Dev Comment: The Enemy UI can feel overwhelming for first-timers. This update ensures a more seamless learning curve.
Balance Changes
- Normal and Elite Fights: Normal fights now reward more XP, while Elite fights give slightly less. Comment: Elite-less runs are now a viable, more relaxed option while keeping multiple-elite runs just as rewarding.
- Hard Fights, Big Rewards: Hard fights (available later in the Chapter) now have a higher chance of dropping items. Comment: This ensures you have enough gold and gear to make those tough decisions at the new specialty shops.
- Tormentor Boss Reaction – Huff & Puff: A new reaction allows the Tormentor to move more dynamically.
Comment: This balances the difficulty and keeps the fight engaging.
- Ogre Chieftain Adjustments: Reduced scaling of Enrage and tweaked his multi-action deck.
Comment: He’s a little too powerful for Chapter 1. These changes keep him challenging but fair.
- Starting Fight Positioning: Improved hero placement in the Dragon fight so everyone can contribute from the start. Comment: No more awkward moments where Elara can’t reach the Dragon on turn one!
- Lance Update: Lances now have the Pierce effect. Comment: This makes lances feel more impactful without being overpowered.
- Goblin Nerf: Lowered Goblin health. Comment: They’re tricky enough as it is—time to tone them down a little.
Bugs & Stability
Here’s a quick rundown of the fixes and optimisations in this patch:
- Performance: Visual FX now load faster and reuse assets where possible.
- Animation: Smoothed out animations for mages, multi-hit attacks, and sword/shield abilities.
- Projectiles: Staff projectiles now fire from the weapon tip.
- Tutorial Fixes: Fixed issues with tooltips not triggering correctly.
- Level Design: Resolved blocked tiles in scorpion and bug levels.
- UI Improvements: Fixed enemy outlines briefly appearing when they shouldn’t.
And That’s All for 0.5.4!
This update brings a fresh layer of strategy with Ancient Artifacts, clearer UI, and better balance across the board. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts—check out the new in-game feedback form to share your experience!
Happy adventuring, Wardens! 💪
— Legacy Forge