Cyber Knights: Flashpoint News

Update #167 is completely dedicated to fixing a few issues with Terminals and Lootboxes in the new Logistics Hub map and fixing Talent issues. Lots and lots of little Talent issues! With Update #167, we took the fight to the F10s reported around Talents and closed over 50% of them in this update. We're excited to slate the work to tackle the other 50% of reported issues and get the class trees in tip-top fighting shape!

If you're enjoying the steady stream of improvements, please take a moment to leave a review!


[h2]Logistics Hub Fixes[/h2]
There were two types of issues reported for Logistics Hub. First, in some cases terminals were reporting "this terminal is broken" and refusing to launch the matrix UI. And second, sometimes in the Steal 3 Files objective, some of the Files simply never made it into a lootbox.

Both class of bugs have been fixed - but only for future iterations of your missions. If you have a mission where you can only find 2/3 files, you'll need to just extract with that victory in hand and the next time the map draws, you'll be able to find 3/3.


[h2]Talent Burn![/h2]
We ripped into the F10 pile for Talents - hitting all the little and big things we could in a single blast. There are so many fixes - from typos to effects that were ignored - all bundled into this update, so we'll discuss the biggest ones but please check the full changelog below for the exhaustive set of changes.

All the Talents using Damage over Time - especially Tox-Cloud and BIo-Coat Bullet - were reported a lot to be inflating their damage per Turn. We've fixed the inflation issue and now the numbers show correctly, smaller. A fully upgraded Tox-Cloud was showing 100 but is really 75 HP / Turn.

In the same vein, we fixed the Vanguard's K-Protocol that was overreporting the Security Tally reduction and causing a lot of confusion.


We fixed the Knight's Ult-Pump +1 Turn Duration node so that it really works as well as their Interference Spike +1 Max Charge node which wasn't working either.

We fixed a number of cases where the text described an upgrade buff as a debuff or a debuff as a buff, such as in the Knight's Quantum Assault Talent.

We fixed other disconnected upprades that didn't do what they promised like EMP 4 and EMP 5 and Downed Shield's last upgrade node.

[h2]Nest Dropping[/h2]
We fixed an issue where Sniper's Nest Talent was being dropped if an attack missed.


[h2]Soldier's Run and Gun[/h2]
Also, we improved Soldier's Run and Gun Talent to add a generic ranged weapon accuracy after moving instead of only Assault Rifle (AR) accuracy which was very limited.

[h2]v1.8.47 - #167: Talent Burn - 11/3/2024[/h2]
- Fixed issues with new "Logistics Hub" map that could lead to Terminals being broken or Matrix SCU having no connected devices
- Fixed issues with Lootbox Hunt / Steal 3 Files where some of the files could not appear in Logistics Hub (and more rarely, in other maps as well)
- Fixed class tree bug where Talents healing or doing Damage / Turn were showing incorrectly high values once upgraded (Tox-Cloud showing 100 HP/Turn instead of 75 HP/Turn)
- Clarified description of Tox-Cloud Talent that the Damage / Turn does not affect Drones
- Fixed upgrade of Knight's Interference Spike Talent that had no description (+1 Max Charge)
- Fixed upgrade of Knight's Quantum Assault Talent that describes the upgraded debuff as if it will debuff the Knight
- Fixed upgrade of Knight's Ult-Pump Talent that claimed to add +1 Duration but then did not actually do anything
- Fixed upgrades of Vanguard's K-Protocol inflating the number of Sec Tally reduced - all trained it is -5 Tally
- Fixed 6th upgrade of Hacker's Downed Shields that broke the Talent's description
- Fixed Cybersword's EMP upgrades on the bottom row that had no description (+10% Dmg, -1 Recharge Turn)
- Fixed bug with Nest buff dropping after making successive attacks if they missed
- Improved Soldier's Talent Run and Gun to give +10% Ranged Accuracy instead of +10% AR Accuracy
- Fixed broken Contact Dr. Omatte strange appearances in future games
- Fixed bug preventing +/- Red or Gold cubes in Nano-Fab crafting UI
- Fixed issue where Wreckspire and Dusted Hover-Evac levels could use the same description and names
- Fixed some Cyberdeck programs having the wrong icon

Back in Update #164, we promised a new weekly map release schedule and Update #166 has arrived to delivery on that promise. This update includes a new mission map - Logistics Hub - that is playable on 7 proc-gen objectives, a big UI improvement with a Font Scale option, fixes for Biomimic movement warnings, more obvious Free Respec period and a ton of really important F10 fixes from the community.

We're excited to get rolling on this Weekly Release schedule for new maps and to see how often we can deliver on that goal to ensure the game has a huge pool of content for every heist team to hit. So thank you for your reviews to help us keep going!

[h2]New Map + 7 Proc-Gen Combos[/h2]

It is week one of our new "Map a Week Until Launch!" challenge and we are here to deliver. The Logistics Hub is an exciting new map. Build straddling a key road between two transport interchanges, the hub features both an interior building area and exterior power field. It has great pathing challenges, very different spaces and tons and tons of way to play it. This new map dropping into the proc-gen set pushes up to 57 total proc-gen combos and represents a 14% increase in map variety.

You will find the new Logistics Hub appearing in (1) Scavenger (2) Lootbox Hunt (steal 3 files), (3) Q-Gap Spike (spike a CPU), (4) Kill 3 Captains, (5) Bodyguard (6) Battle Striker and (7) Siege!

And, to follow up on our Weekly New Map release schedule, the next m1ap is in testing and polish phase to drop next week with a similar amount of proc-gen objective varieties!

Finally, in proc-gen land, we fixed a bug with Wreckspire where Kill 3 Captains objective had a broken terminal.

You won't see this ^^ anymore

And also we fixed a bug in Lootbox Hunt where multiple objective files could appear in the same lootbox, making this level type too easy.

[h2]Font Scale Option - up to +25%[/h2]

We have added a major UI option with Update #166 - a simple Font Scale slider in your options menu. This lets you slide the font size from -25% (why!?!) to +25%. We are starting with this range of font scale adjustments and getting live testing before we look at possibly expanding the limits further.

This is a HUGE update to the game's UI that touched every single screen and widget and UI blippy. So, if you see issues at 0% or 25% please report them.


You'll see with the Font Scaling that the UIs mostly hold to their shape except when they are built to dynamically scale (usually vertically, scrollbars, etc). By increasing font size, screen elements may be a bit more cramped feeling but that is a natural result of making the text bigger without making the screen bigger :D

And for Steam Deck we now default to +25% Font Scale!

[h2]More Obvious Free Respec[/h2]

In the cases when your Respec is free (at the beginning of the game or just after a recruit joins the team) the UI is now much louder to call attention to the Respec button and to make it clear it is FREE.

[h2]Biomimic + Prox-Mines and Pressure Plates[/h2]
Both Prox-Mines and Pressure Plates were incorrectly showing movement warnings if you had Biomimic running. This is now resolved, both will go quiet in that case, as your buffs let you skip over them safely without detection.

[h2]No More Tilting![/h2]

There were some issues with stairs, depending on the way the merc or enemy wanted to face at the end of their movement could result in odd tilts. This is now fixed, we stand up straight around here!

[h2]Weapon Unequip / Mod Equip[/h2]

We fixed two really important bugs in the stack of weapons and weapon mods with Update #166. Previously, there was no real weapon ordering - if you unequipped your primary weapon then the secondary would slide forward and take the primary slot. It wasn't great and makes it hard to really control what happens next or to really equip a weapon as primary without unequipping both. This is now fixed, you have 2 slots and they are maintained separately.

If you unequip primary weapon, then you'll be standing around without a weapon ^^

Also, we fixed some bugs that could result in some really odd weapon mod attachment situations. Some faulty code allowed a weapon mod to be attached to two weapons or attached twice to the same weapon accidentally. That's a mess obviously. It only happened rarely but we've fixed the bug and expect that this will address a number of issues that have been being reported in F10s that were just really confusing!

[h2]Fixed Unknown Relationships[/h2]

If a merc went into the Simstream Detox, Trainer, Treatment or Cyber Surgery, suddenly all of the relationship tags that link to them would start reporting them "Unknown". Like, haven't seen them in a few days maybe they are dead!?!? This is now fixed - the answer is "member of the team".

[h2]v1.8.45 - Update #166 - 11/1/2024[/h2]
- Added new proc-gen map "Logistics Hub": transportation connector that supports +7 new proc-gen combos (Siege, Battle Striker, Heist a CPU, Steal 3 Files, Scavenger, Kill 3 Captains, Bodyguard!)
- Added Font Size control to game Options - up to 25% larger or smaller
- Steam Deck defaults to +25% font size for much more readable text!
- Improved Respec button in training screen - says "Free Respec" in bold color when you can get a free Respec
- Improved clarity of weapon class specific Accuracy to read like +5% Pistol/SMG/Revolver Accuracy
- Fixed issue with Accuracy Log (top right) not ever showing weapon class specific bonuses (like +5% Pistols/SMG/Revolver)
- Fixed issue where 1+ objective file could end up in the same Lootbox in Steal 3 Files objective
- Fixed issue with Relationship Tags showing "status unknown" if other character was in Cyber Surgery or Treatment
- Fixed issue where warnings for Prox-Mines and Pressure Plates would incorrectly show while Scourge BioMimic is on
- Fixed issues with Slashslide meta-visual on raised areas or first time used could be invisible
- Fixed equipment issue where attempting to equip a secondary weapon if you have no primary would just equip your primary
- Fixed issue where a weapon mod equipment could result in odd attachments
- Fixed issue where characters or enemies could end up leaning at an impossible angle after moving
- Fixed broken terminal in Wreckspire in Kill 3 Captains objective for future missions
- Fixed widespread text formatting mistake where percentages (10%) were showing with a + sign (+10%) or (+-10%)
- Improved colliders with Truck to resolve issues with Slashslide and melee attacks near it

Knights, this is bug street - an update where we squish popular F10s and prep for the next big thing. Having just come off adding 5 new proc-gen combos for the Bodyguard objective, we're prepping some really big things (new map release this week, upcoming Gunslinger class, Steam Deck verification) and keeping up with the F10 train. This update is dedicated to bug fix and minor balance tweaks, so let's dig into what we've got.

A big thanks goes out to everyone playing, posting and sending in F10s with feedback, suggestions and of course, pesky bugs. We're continually polishing the game and tuning the experience based on your timely feedback, so thank you.

And, of course, as we are a really small team - every single review counts. Thank you to every Knight who has posted up a review!


[h2]Balance Tweaks[/h2]
We've improved Soldier's Covering Fire, increasing the debuff against enemy accuracy from -20% to -25% making it just a little better at suppressing return fire. As it debuffs whether it hits or miss, this can be a powerful move in a retreating gunfight or when storming an enemy position, as even those pesky targets that might be 15% to hit will be debuffed.

We've made some adjustments to make cybernetics that grant classes a little more similar. The Vanguard's Chameleon Sheathe, Agent EX Nano-Hive and Scourge Chem-Hive all have been reduced to a 12 day recovery time after the splicing surgery.

[h2]Power Slice Clarity[/h2]
We've adjusted the descriptions for Power Slice and Improved Power Slice to be more clear that they add a duration to the debuff if and only if the weapon has a debuff in its special Power Slice rule block. If the Power Slice bonus for the weapon is just extra damage, this doesn't get a duration.


[h2]Timeline Bumps[/h2]
We've fixed an issue in the timeline where a character who was recovering or in a Simstream Detox or Trainer might have their duration extended if a new mission or storyline appeared. Now, it will happen the other way around, the mission or story will get an extra Turn to avoid overlapping with your merc's recovery times. This is a nice boon to help things align, you basically win ties in the timeline :D

[h2]Respec Token Theft![/h2]
We fixed a bug where Respec'ing would steal a Simstream Trainer token even if the merc was a new recruit and the confirmation window explained that it wouldn't cost you a token. Then the sneaky sneak would steal a token anyway! Now fixed.


[h2]Movement AP Theft![/h2]
In some edge cases, but most commonly when using Talents like Lightfoot and Projection, you could be charged more AP for your move than you were shown when planning the move. AP theft! We've fixed the rule here to only calculate the cost of AP one time and then to charge that exact amount of AP to you if the move is executed.

[h2]Better Hiding Access Gates[/h2]
In the matrix, some sharp-eyed hackers realized you could spot Access Gates because even when they weren't scanned, their connection lines were marked as gray. We've fixed this issue with Gates, and the status of their connections is only revealed once they reach Scan 1/2 at least.

[h2]Floating Bullet Holes[/h2]
We had a rash of reports about magical bullets holes that were forming on the side of BioScan fields, in Laser Mesh wires, Linecrawler VFX and more. We've fixed the mistakes in the physics collision matrix that was allowing firing lines to hit those objects and register them as collisions. Bullets now find something more solid to slap into.


[h2]Cybersword Start[/h2]
For a long time, who knows how long (?), the Cybersword has started with a floating point in an upgraded to the Choppa Talent. It didn't help you or hurt you, but it was a wasted point until you Respec. New Cyberswords will gain a second charge of Slashslide instead (the power!). Veteran Cyberswords might want to check if they should respec.

And that's it - a mountain of bugs we will flow to thee!

[h2]v1.8.143 - #165: Bug Street - 10/30/2024[/h2]
- Improved debuff to Accuracy from -20% to -25% for Soldier's Covering Fire
- Reduced install time for Vanguard's Chameleon Sheathe, Agent EX Nano-Hive and Scourge Chem-Hive to 12 days
- Improved description of Improved Power Slice to be clearer that the debuff Turn bonus is used only if the weapon has a debuff
- Fixed issues where the timeline might move an Injured character or character in Simstream back 6 hours if a mission had same ending
- Fixed bug with Respec consuming Simstream Trainer token even when used on a new recruit
- Fixed issue where Access Gate nodes were visible in Matrix before being scanned due to grayed out lines
- Fixed issues with bullet holes appearing on laser wires, BioScan field and more silly things
- Fixed issue with special movement Talents like Lightfoot and Projection where sometimes the final AP cost was higher than previewed
- Fixed bug with Cybersword starting level points - random floating point was spent on Choppa without the Talent, now spent to for +1 Slashslide charge

Knights of New Boston, another update is hitting the streets hard. Today we're announcing a new ambitious goal for a weekly release schedule for a new map, dropping 5 new proc-gen combos for the Bodyguard objective type that vastly increase its map variety (even though they are not new maps), and fixing the meta-visual issue that was wreaking havoc on Mac OS, Linux and Steam Deck. We've also bumped the Sell action over to default submit (spacebar, (A)) in Cold Storage for better consistency with the market and inventory.

Thanks to everyone playing and especially to those leaving a review and helping us vault over 500 reviews last week! Here's to more updates, more maps and more reviews!


[h2]New Map Schedule[/h2]
We're excited to share that the map design, development and completion process has moved far enough forward that we're hitting the acceleration point now. We have major pile of maps ready for final dressing, objective assignment and testing and we're finalizing the process to fast track them into the game.

With this new process in place, our goal will be to release a new mission map every week from now until full launch. This is a goal and we are sure to miss it some weeks, but we are aiming to hit it as many weeks as we can, starting with the new map next week and rolling from there.

With the additional 5 new proc-gen combos for Bodyguard objective (see below) we've already crossed the 50 proc-gen combos (map X objective) and are very excited that this new map release schedule is going to blow that dinky little number out of the water. The first new release map is testing right now with 7 objective types linked so that is a big boost (7 / 50 = 15%).


[h2]+5 Bodyguard Proc-Gen Combos[/h2]
The Bodyguard objective has been one of the underserved objectives for a while with only 2 maps matching it. With Update #164 we've kicked Bodyguard into high-gear with its possible map matches, adding 5 new proc-gen combos. These maps matches, which are (from the top left, clockwise in the graphic) Wreckspire, District HQ, H-Interchange, Sewers and Req Site) are all pre-existing in the set, so there are no new maps here. But if you have to protect a data courier on the move, you're going to see a lot more variety in map type, shape and size. And, to ensure that Bodyguard stays spicey and fun, we've covered it better in our process for new map releases, ensuring it won't be left behind again.


[h2]Meta-Visuals & Sight Lines for Mac OS and LInux[/h2]
The major update last week to redo the meta-visuals for just about everything in the game had issues on some Linux and Mac OS machines, resulting in giant pink and purple boxes - looking like this -

It's cool enough that it made us think about how we could do special tactical overlays in the map for something weird or cool someday (thermo vision?) but also just totally broken and unplayable on Steam Deck, Mac OS and Linux.

In the end, due to the difficulty with fixing the prickly shader issue, we had to roll back these platforms to the October 17th release.

We're glad to roll out the Update #164 today that restores the functionality and all other features and content for these platforms to the latest.


[h2]Cold Storage - Sell with Space[/h2]
We've finally completed the upgrade to Cold Storage to match the other major inventory screens so that you can sell things with the spacebar or (A) by default. This allows very rapid selling with keyboard only if you want to try to move some items (before Bulk Sell feature finally arrives) and just increases consistency across screens.

Thanks to everyone who posted o-so-many F10s about this ːsteamhappyː we're happy to deliver!

[h2]Triage Clinic PL 4[/h2]
We've made a small but nice tweak to the final level of the Triage Clinic room, increasing the Wound Res to 30% from 25%. This room continues to be enduringly popular among early and late merc teams, so we know it becomes even more important as your enemies become harder and the risk of Wounds is even greater.

[h2]v1.8.141 - #164: Bodyguard Rising - 10/26/2024[/h2]
- Fixed issue with meta-visuals in Mac OS, Linux and Steam Deck creating huge pink and purple boxes under some GPUs
- Added 5 new proc-gen combos for Bodyguard mission objective (Wreckspire, District HQ, H Interchange, Sewers, Req Site)
- Now with 50 Proc-gen map X objective combos and new maps coming very soon!
- Announced new weekly map release schedule goal
- Cold Storage Sell now default action (Space, A) and Use File defaults to (C)
- Improved Triage Clinic Lvl 4 to 30% Wound Res from 25%
- Fixed issues with inconsistent application of HDR to all game cameras

Knights, a new update is filtering down from the top of the dome to the streets, to the shadows, seeping through the pavement. Surely it will reach your underground safehouse soon. With Update #163, we've added new options to the New Game Knight screen including weapons packages and your pick of starting cybernetic, further improved and tweaked the meta-visuals update, smoothed out the Safehouse timeline animation and provided a 3rd Fastest speed, and fixed a lot of bugs from your F10s!

We are hitting so many different angles of polish and improvement for the game and we're super excited for what is next. It goes something like (1) more mission maps (2) Gunslinger class and (3) more story! Check out the Gunslinger Preview thread that is ripping along on Steam right now with great ideas about how to make that class extra fun and cool.

We're 3 reviews short of 500 ːsteamhappyː! If you're enjoying the game or how we are running our Early Access (always improving!) please take a minute to leave a review.

[h2]Weapon and Cybernetic Packages for New Knight[/h2]
With Update #163, we've added 2 new sets of options to the New Game Knight screen. These allow your Knight to pick from a set of 4 starting weapon packages to better customize their starting load out. You can pick from a stealth pack (Sword and Silenced Pistol), a mid-range loud pack (Shotgun and Silenced SMG), a versatile pack (AR and Silenced Pistol) and the long range pack (Sniper Rifle and Silenced SMG).

On top of the new weapon choices, all Knights used to start with Dermal Plating installed. This was limiting and while it made you a tank it also reduced Move Speed. With all the new choices in the New Game V2 screen, and especially those that let you lean your Knight toward a Hacker, we needed to give you the freedom to pick your our starting implant. So, with Update #163, you can also pick one of 4 cybernetics - among Dermal Plating, Matrix Link, Display Link and Neural Accelerator.


One of the key cybernetic options available to your character is that of the Matrix Link which lets you start with your Cyber Knight multi-classed into the Hacker class. This goes along with some of the Hacking-focused Trait options you can pick above and gives a cool new angle to what your Cyber Knight brings to the team from the get go.

Along with this update, we've tweaked, tuned and improved a lot of starting cyberware progressions for the better. For example, Synth Muscle has been buffed with more Attribute bonuses and the first level no longer has a Wound Res penalty and we've removed the Stress Res penalty from Matrix Link. We've added more HP and Wound Res to the Dermal Armor progression while reducing its Move Speed debuff to 6% to 12% max and added more Accuracy bonus to Display Links.


[h2]Smoother Timeline + New Options[/h2]
We've done a really nice polishing pass on the animation for the Safehouse Timeline. It is smoother than ever before and we've cut out all the possible "jump back" that could happen where an event would scroll forward and then suddenly leap backwards. We still have work to do to improve the experience when new events appear on the timeline (it's a big jumpy and you might want to pause) but this is a really nice improvement on the smoothness of the main clock of the game.


We've also added a 3rd speed - Fastest - to the options for Timeline Speed. Accelerated is comfortable and plays rapidly, Standard is comfy and on the slower side and well, Fastest is just fast. It rips along and does very little attempt at making animation so much as moving turns forward.


[h2]Improving Meta-Visuals[/h2]
For the meta-visuals, we've made some nice upgrades to follow up on the big update and improve in some situations where things were not working as expected

First up, if an enemy was standing near a drop that was 4m or above, their sight lines were not displayed below. This is now resolved with the sight lines painting onto the lower geometry up to 6.2m below. The situation with enemies facing upwards elevation (such as stairs) is no better than it was in the old system and there is no visual aid except relying on movement alerts to know if you will be seen by an enemy in this position or not.


We've also adjusted and increased the opacity on the sight cones which is important to make them functional in areas with varied light - especially red and orange lighting conditions.


In addition, the new visualization for Talent ranges are very helpful for placing map area of effects like Lookahead or Tox-Cloud except that the range calculations on these areas was not updated to ignore height and effectively use a column instead of a sphere. This lead to the meta-visual range finder showing situations in which an enemy would be targeted - near the edge, as shown above - and yet they could still be missed. We've now updated the math to ensure that the visuals are unerring.

[h2]Bug Fixes![/h2]
Thanks for all the F10s. We had another round of high Power Level Cyberdecks escape the lab (how!? again!?!) and we've stuffed them back in the box. Unless you bought them lol. Also, when removing required programs from the deck, sometimes the names were wrong (you're removing Attack but it warns about Sleaze).

We fixed a long standing issue with a trio of fuel barrels that refused to ever show the cover shield, now resolved.

Some of the enemies in the new Blown Out Flat level could appear in inaccessible areas, trapped forever.

In the Hacking mission level - the Weigh Station - the camera bounds were flipped, allowing you to leave the leave but never get back in.

[h2]v1.8.139 - #163: New Knight Packages - 10/22/2024[/h2]
- New Game Knight - now select from 1 of 4 weapons sets for your starting Knight
- New Game Knight - now select from 1 of 4 cybernetic implants for your starting Knight, including MatrixLink to multi-class Hacker from start
- Improved smoothness of Safehouse timeline animation, expanded option for speed to be Standard, Accelerated or Fastest (less animation, more speed)
- Fixed issue with new meta-visuals for sight cones where they disappeared if there was a 4m or more drop
- Improve new meta-visuals for sight cone to be more visible in brighter / redder lighting environments
- Improved map area of effect rules (for Talents like Lookahead and Tox-Cloud) that were not following the new rules (these also still need new meta-visuals)
- Buffed Synth Muscle (more Strength/Speed, removed -Wound Res %) and Matrix Link (removed -Stress Res %), buffed Dermal Plating series (more HP, Wound Res, better Move Speed), added +1% Accuracy to Display Link
- Fixed issue with triple fuel barrel stacks not showing cover shield correctly
- Fixed issue with program names being swapped when uninstalling required programs
- Removed Cyberdecks in Power Level 8 and 9 that had leaked into market
- Fixed enemy starting in inaccessible area in Blown Out Flat level
- Fixed camera bounds issue in Hacking Weigh station level - you could pass through and never return