Hello, Gladiators!
The time has come! Later today at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST / 10 AM China, the Age of Magic DLC will officially launch. We know some of you were eagerly awaiting it two hours earlier, and we appreciate your patience as we made final adjustments to bring you the best experience possible.
With this new DLC, you’ll be able to harness ancient magic, face mythic creatures, and elevate your champions in ways that will change the arena forever. We’re excited to see the unique strategies you’ll unleash with these new powers!
We've got a new Age of Magic DLC trailer as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LLAuLp4EVc
Alongside the DLC launch, we’re also releasing our v2.2a Update Patch, packed with new content, important fixes, and balancing adjustments to make the game even more immersive.
We owe a big thanks to each of you for your honest reviews and the feedback you’ve shared in our Discord community. Your insights help us keep improving and creating a better experience for everyone.
Blackthorn Arena: Reforged v2.2a Update Patch Notes
New Content
- Five new belts, balanced across all ranks.
- Two powerful new Freeman champions.
- More types of Ventationes added.
- New suffixes and unique growth paths for NPC gladiators.
Bug Fixes
System
- Fixed crashes caused by AI triggers and enemy detection.
- Resolved rare gladiator information error preventing save file loading.
- Fixed import/export of character appearance data.
- Resolved an issue where triggering evasion during "flow slash" could cause the character to get stuck.
- Fixed issue where Leif in the training arena couldn’t progress after losing to Asbjorn.
- Corrected the cancel tournament button availability on the scheduled start day.
- Fixed issues with captured beasts in tournaments.
- Addressed various trigger-related issues, improving functionality.
- Fixed skill description inaccuracies in the shortcut bar.
Equipment
- Resolved display issue with Ylwa's helmet.
- Fixed Asbjorn's armor duration for transformation.
- Corrected display for Xuefei's weapon, Cangfeng.
Skills
- Fixed monk's "Chi Shield" absorption rate.
- Corrected shapeshifter’s "grab attack" knockback distance.
- Adjusted attack speed bonus for berserker’s passive effect.
- Fixed the third attack of the dual wield "Whirlwind" skill and updated description.
Balancing
General
- NPC gladiators now select fighting styles suited to their weapons.
- Balanced rewards for Ventationes and adjusted Rare/Epic item market prices.
- Revised tournament appeal calculation based on reputation.
Character
- Adjusted Orc Master’s size to Large (immune to some controls) and reduced health by 100 points.
Equipment
- Rebalanced armor weight and defense for Asbjorn, Ylwa, and Leif.
- Adjusted defense and weight for all armor.
- Reduced hit penalty for dual weapons from 15 to 10.
- Reduced damage and increased stamina cost for all two-handed weapons.
Animations
- Increased animation speed of Chi Shield by 20%.
- Increased animation speed of Cohesion by 20%.
- Increased Shapeshifter’s transformation speed by 10%.
Skills
- Monk: Increased cooldown of landing attack from 20 to 30 seconds; raised stamina cost; reduced weapon damage.
- Unarmed: Increased stamina cost of Hug Smash; adjusted stun duration.
- One-Handed: Increased Gale Combo damage; extended cooldown.
- Two-Handed: Reduced Lethal strike’s critical bonus.
- Polearms: Increased cooldown and stamina cost for Cutdown.
- Dual Weapons: Increased damage for Feign attack and Serial jabs.
- Duelist: Increased damage of Precision Strike.
- Rogue: Adjusted evasion time; reduced unselectable duration.
- Shapeshifter: Updated Bear form size/controls and Wolf form attack; adjusted Shred damage.
Improvements
Overall
- Added automatic profile file backup to prevent archive corruption.
- Enhanced final boss of the Grand Game for a more challenging encounter.
UI
- Improved Role library’s point-adding interface.
Scenes
- Enhanced Blackthorn Arena environment with deadly steel thorns.
- Adjusted starting positions in the Battle of the Desolate Fort.
- Added boundary air walls to multiple outdoor scenes to indicate movement range.
Thank You for Your Feedback!
This update is a reflection of your support and insights, and we’re truly grateful for each review and comment. Please keep the feedback coming!
Leave us a review, and hop into our Discord server (https://discord.gg/bNnQtBUKXA) to share your thoughts directly. Your feedback helps us make the game the best it can be.
We’re thrilled to see how you’ll wield the new powers and face the challenges awaiting you in the Age of Magic.
See you in the arena!