Devlog #1 - Humble beginnings! 0.3.6 — Ranged Weapons, Elemental Damage, and a More Dynamic Demo

Hello, samurais!

This is our first Devlog and we will keep pushing updates from now on to keep everyone updated!

Since version 0.3.5, we’ve been working on expanding Ashikai’s combat system with more ways to approach every encounter. With version 0.3.6, ranged weapons, elemental damage and a new level 10 demo starting point will be released!

Take the fight at a distance

Bows have been added to the demo, giving you a new way to approach combat.

Each bow has its own arrow capacity, determined by its stats. Arrows are replenished every 10 seconds, so managing your shots and choosing the right moment to attack is important.

Bows also have two types of attacks:

• Normal attacks deal 1× damage.

• Charged attacks deal between 1.5× and 2.5× damage, depending on the charge.

Skills will be introduced in the next update.

Whether you want to weaken enemies before they reach you or create distance from dangerous targets, ranged weapons add another layer to combat.

Weapon coatings change the battle

Weapon coatings now allow you to deal elemental damage and apply different effects to enemies. Each coating encourages a different approach.

Wind

Wind adds stacks to enemies. Once the threshold is reached, a gust of wind erupts around the affected enemy and hits those nearby.

Wind is especially useful for crowd control and turning groups of enemies against each other.

Fire

Fire applies burning damage over time, making it especially effective in focused one-on-one encounters.

Use it to pressure a dangerous enemy while keeping your attention on the duel.

Thunder

Thunder calls down a lightning strike that also damages enemies surrounding the target.

It is a powerful choice when enemies are grouped together and you want your attack to reach beyond a single target.

Elemental materials and crafting

Each type of elemental damage has its own crafting materials and items used to apply weapon coatings. These resources can be discovered throughout the world, encouraging exploration and preparation before battle.
In the future, your workers will also be able to gather these materials for you, adding another layer to how you prepare your equipment and maintain your supply of coatings.

Read your enemies

Enemies now have elemental resistances that change according to their individual profiles. When a resistance is strong enough to significantly affect your attacks, it becomes visible through clear icons and text, helping you understand why certain coatings may be less effective against a particular enemy.

A new starting point in the demo

Player buffs and status effects are now displayed clearly above the HUD. This makes it easier to track active coatings, temporary bonuses, and negative effects while staying focused on the battle.

More accessible screens

We’ve also added more clearly marked buttons and shortcuts throughout the interface, making important screens easier to access. This includes the new Glossary and Locations screens, which can now be opened through dedicated on-screen controls.

Locations

The Locations screen gathers everything connected to a specific area in one place. You can find its NPCs, available services, map information, and quests related to that location.

Glossary

The Glossary records the items, materials, and enemies you have encountered so far.

Discovering enemies and crafting items also contributes to your progression, helping unlock Experience and Stat Points as you expand your knowledge of the world.

A new starting point in the demo

We’ve heard feedback from players that the normal game can take some time to get started.

That slower beginning is intentional. You are not supposed to be a superhero from the start. Ashikai is designed around gradually earning your power and learning how to survive.

At the same time, we want the demo to give players a taste of how the early game feels once more combat options become available. Because of that, the demo now provides a loadout that begins at level 10.

This should create more dynamic battles and give you more layers to experiment with from the beginning.

After defeating the boss, you can still leave the dungeon and explore the world outside it. Take your time, discover the surrounding areas, and experience our version of an old Japan.

Thank you, samurais

Thank you for being here with us and for continuing to share your feedback. We read it often, and it helps us understand what is working and where Ashikai can improve.

We’ll keep working to make the experience authentic, engaging, and fun for ARPG fans, souls-like fans, and everyone who enjoys both.

We hope you enjoy version 0.3.6. Try the bows, experiment with the coatings and let us know how you fight.

Version 0.3.6 wiil be available on August 14th.

-One Isometric Man