Based on feedback received, I've made some quick changes to the early game experience. The global save restriction has been lifted in most major dungeons and two new early game gearsets have been added to rival the DLC sets. This gear cannot be purchased and has been added directly to the loot pool of dozens of early game enemies - mostly neutral, Scarlet, and HG.
These new sets can be disassembled for at least 1 reagent and sell based on a 20 point set.
Merc Set includes one of each armor type for each slot, 3 rings & 2 shields - 22 total. 1 slot except shields which have 2.
Adventurer's Set includes one of each armor slot as General Armor, 4 rings & 2 shields - 11 total, 1 of which is Uncommon (green) and 1 Rare (blue) quality. 2 slots except shields which have 4.
Fun facts...
1 - The Merc set was originally designed for the now defunct Battlefront area, meant for the recruited allies of those zones. Their data has been in the game since before Zodiac data was added.
2 - The Adventurer's set was created today based on the Merc Set, where each point in a stat was converted into 10 HP instead, creating CoA's first pure HP/MP no-defense/no-offense set.
3 - The release of these sets is due to how overpowering and one dimensional the Gift Pack DLC sets are. While the Ignis and Hardy's sets still offer better stats, the Adventurer's set offers a choice not previously available in CoA (bulk HP) and the Merc set offers an easily obtainable set for people who may not have yet found their way to the Veil, the first interaction having only been forced right before the end of the Orc War campaign.
4 - While both the Merc and Adventurer's sets appear on the loot tables of more enemies, they exist at the lowest possible drop rate of 1% each, whereas sets like Tattered and Tattered Gray exist at 2-10%.
5 - The only vendor for Merc gear appears in the currently inaccessible Snowdrift Area location, where either Leather Scraps or Metal Chips are required in addition to the gold cost. Players with save files still in this location from before its removal can access this vendor.
6 - The highest level enemy in Revan to drop either of these sets is the Crocodile Rogue. Once you pass this point, these items no longer appear on stronger enemies moving forward.
7.1.0.4 [Build #204-D, Release Date: December 12, 2025]
New:
- Added new custom General Armor set to the low level enemy loot pool - Adventurer's. This set is based on the 20-point merc set, converting each point into 10HP plus 12% HP for body, chest, and feet, plus 7% for back, plus 5-8% for fingers, and 20% for shields for a total of up to 91% additional HP for Shield users. Elemental bubbles have a chance to drop a ring worth 30% HP on its own.
7.1.0.3 [Build #204-C, Release Date: December 12, 2025]
Updates & Changes:
- Added Merc set armor to various battles throughout the world and Veil.
- Lifted save restriction in Scarlet Cavern.
- Added a save restriction locally to Frost Fortress.
- Added a save restriction locally to Encampment/Underground, formerly "Floor 2".
- Lifted save restriction in Nexus Waterway.
- Lifted save restriction in Alpha Ruins.
- Lifted save restriction in Hell's Gate.
7.1.0.2 [Build #204-B, Release Date: December 12, 2025]
Updates & Changes:
- Added conditional drops to the An'ura/Encampment enemies based on the legendary scythe discovery questline.
- Lifted the save restriction in Den An'ura due to an ever building 'desire to crash', as documented in previous patches.
7.1.0.1 [Build #204-A, Release Date: December 12, 2025]
Fixes:
- Fixed the pylon display in Auria/Market Town.
Updates & Changes:
- Added detail for Merc set, a previously unused 20 point early game set.