While Update #49 launches with another boost to the ELDER foundation it also includes a huge pack of other balance improvements, tightening of rules and other new content. While there is still work to do on crew combat, we're moving our main focus forward now into the next major items with the awareness that crew combat balancing and expansion will be needed for months to come.
New Contacts and Recruits
Two new Contact types will now spawn into new maps and will be generated by the simulation during play -- the Retired Dueler and the Duke or Duchess. Both offer an interesting range of services -- a mix of permits, missions, black market access and edicts -- but both bring exciting new recruits to the table as well. The Retired Dueler, of course, can connect you with skilled Swordsman and the Duke or Duchess can recruit Pistoleers.
To round out the set, we've modified the Military Trait for Contacts to link to Soldier recruits instead of Military Officers. Now, when you're looking for grizzled combat troops, think first of your Contacts and not the spice hall.
ELDER Balances and Fixes
For those combat crews at the top of their game, plot a course to the nearest Military 9+ starport to install the Weapons Locker A5 which provides Goliath-class weaponry! High level enemies will be using the A5 gear now, so do not lag too far behind.
We've fixed some issues that were plaguing story crew combats -- they were generating overpowered crew and levels.
We've resolved two issues with automatic options costing Initiative. Sharp Counter's counter attacks no longer cost Initiative. Any Attack or Buff Talent that includes a retreat or advance no longer costs Initiative for the move.
The visual in crew combat for Initiative and Penalty are both improved to make it clear who has hit penalty and when someone is done for the turn.
As we return to the regularly scheduled updates, we've balanced a number of ship components, ship hull and ship combat Talents. Focus is starting to shift to the big ship combat changes coming down the pipe -- so stay tuned for more fun.
v2.2.23 - 4/5/2018
- New ship component: Weapons Locker A5 provides Goliath-class weaponry
- Rebalanced levels of story and mission crew combats to be more difficulty aware
- Initiative Penalty is now displayed actively in crew combat
- Fixed issue where Attack/Buff Talents that included advance or retreat were charging the character Initiative cost for the move
- Fixed issue where Sharp Counter was charging the character Initiative cost for the counter attack
- Re-classified Soldier's "Frontline Brave" +Initiative team buff to require Soldier rank 8
- New Contact Type "Retired Duelist" sells weaponry and offers Swordsman recruits
- New Contact Type "Duke"/"Duchess" offers missions, permits, pardons and Pistoleer recruits
- Contacts with Military Trait now hire Soldiers instead of Military Officers
- Improved display of Initiative Range in crew combat status
- Improved sound effects for some Talents
- Fixed bug that caused Stash icon to display erroneously in Star Atlas
- Balanced Scattershot Debuff to last 3 Combat Rounds instead of 4
- Increased base Shielding for 'Hammerhead Jammer' hull type
- Increased base Fuel tank for Vengeance Class, Warhammer Class
- Reduced Cautela Titan hull slightly
- Added 40 new Orbital specific Crew Barks
- Fixed issues where Alliances could cause Reputation loss
- Reduced Conscripted Crew starting Morale
- Increased conscripted Crew salary based on level, difficulty