Cyber Knights: Flashpoint News

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Hello, Knights! It's time for another CKF Community Challenge. Our first one post full launch! I know we have a lot of new Knights who have joined us since our last challenge, so just a bit about these challenges. We don't score these; they aren't intended to be competitions. They are just a way to mix up your gameplay and do something together as a community. Sometimes they are silly, sometimes they are difficult, but most of all they should be fun![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This time we are asking your to build your roster with Specialists only. One merc per class and no multi-classing. This does have the impact of limiting your roster size somewhat as well, while providing a variety of playstyle options.[/p][p][/p][p]Here are the specific challenge requirements:[/p][p]- At most you may have one merc of each class[/p][p]- No merc can be multi-classed[/p][p]That's it. Pretty simple, but will make for some interesting decisions when tackling the streets of New Boston.[/p][p][/p][p]As always, most of the fun of community challenge is what you all share about how your handle them! Here are some ideas for what you could share:[/p][p]- Who you prioritize (what jobs, etc) when everyone is specialized[/p][p]- Your strategies for tackling missions, building teams, loud versus stealth[/p][p]- How your playstyle changed from your 'normal' to accommodate this challenge[/p][p]- Any other creative ways you want to share to tell us about your team: memes, interpretive dance, gifs, etc[/p][p]No matter what you choose to share, please share screenshots of your specialist roster![/p][p][/p][p]We’ve opened up a discussion here on Steam in the General Discussion forum for aIl of your posts. If you post in our Discord, head to #specialists_challenge to join in on the conversation![/p][p][/p][p]Look forward to seeing how you all tackle this challenge! As always at the end of the challenge, we'll be back with a wrap up and a few highlights![/p]

[p][/p][p]Knights and mercs, Update #17 is landing tonight on the streets of New Boston and its ready to hunt. This one focuses on a major expansion of enemy variety around McKellen Heavy Industries and Matsumoto Global Technologies megacorps, rebuilding each of their forces into something unique, powerful and scary with 10 new enemies. [/p][p]In addition, we've put some focused time on improving the balance and progression of mid-to-late game enemies (Power Level 5+). For teams in the early game (PL 1-5), this rebalance will have no effect as its focus is on keeping the challenge curve up in the late game and making sure their high-skill and high-level teams don't simply steamroll everything. [/p][p]We're eager to hear feedback on Update #17 as blow out the enemy variety and tighten up the game's balance and progression curve into the late-game. We hope that you are enjoying the game, and if so, please do leave a review! Our small indie team thanks you![/p][p][/p][h2]Late-Game Enemy Progression[/h2][p]The most significant progression change in Update #17 addresses missions starting at Power Level 5 and higher. As you range into these higher level missions, you will now find that the starting enemy mix is well ... mixed. Before Update #17, there was always a small chance that some non-basic Guard would be placed on a patrol path but 90% of the time, you'd have a set of standard guards and maybe 1 specialist mixed in. This leaves a very flat playing field, easy enough for a powerful squad to slice through without much resistance - whether they are killing from stealth or just going loud. [/p][p]The change in Update #17 is to adjust the weighting and possible results for the starting patrollers who appear in higher level missions. All the factions in the game now have additional options available for their starting patrollers, including shock troops, Fire COM, grenadier enemies, and even in some cases, mecha infantry at the highest Power Levels.[/p][p]All of the changes are tied directly to Power Level progression, so as your Mission Power Level ramps up from 5 to 6 to 7 and all the way up to 10, new options are introduced at each step and you'll see the percentage of standard, no-armor "guards" reducing and replaced with more dangerous specialists.[/p][p]For those below Power Level 5, nothing has changed.[/p][p][/p][h2]McKellen Private Army: Hardened and Slower[/h2][p]The McKellen megacorporate army has finally split from the "standard corp" banner and taken their own path. Of course, the Heavy Industries corporation has gone tank and heavy - high Hit Point totals, heavy armor, slow moving, heavy weaponry. The entire force is stylized to fit their green and gold camo style, and brings a unique set of capabilities to the table.[/p][p]McKellen Captains (MEK Leads) can use Priority Dispatch to spike the Sec Tally, while their Hardened Target military leaders (MEK Suits) carry E-Rifles, Vita-Shields for temporarily invulnerability and high Stun Break. Other unique enemies like the MK HeavyLift are shock troopers, rushing the front line with roaring E-Rifles. Their specialists have extra concussion grenade options and some of their higher-tier soldier can Overwatch Break and continue through heavy reaction fire.[/p][p]Bring your high DPS to put McKellen forces down quickly, or bring your fast feet to outrun them.[/p][p][/p][h2]Matsumoto Private Army: Technic and Fast[/h2][p][/p][p]The Matsumoto megacorporate army has also split ranks from the "standard corp" banner and is doing their own thing as well. Known to always be on the bleeding edge of technological research, the MATS forces deliver with specialist tech and high-speed soldiery. Their entire force is stylized with unique outfits bearing their corporate insignia and brings some terrifying abilities to the table.[/p][p]Both the Matsumoto Hardened Target and military elites, the Jade Spears and their standard infantry captains, "Field Sgt" have all been implanted with the infamous Red Shift Cybernetic, allowing them to cloak themselves temporarily. Cloaking makes it impossible to target an enemy with direct fire (firearms, full auto or blade attacks) but they are still vulnerable to Grenades, Shock Mines, and debuffing Talents like Marker Sights, Atomic Stutter or items like Dazzlers. If a cloaked enemy takes damage or makes an attack, they drop their cloak. Still - be sure to bring some abilities to cope with this dangerous MATs technic.[/p][p]In addition, the MATS boast speed enemies who can close very rapidly. They are harder to escape because of their speed, which they traded for lighter armor and lower HP totals. Watch out for their Silk Snipers who are equipped with MATS issue Railguns - Pure Damage at that long range can really put a merc down. And MATS is also joining the ranks of factions that deploy mecha infrantry to the field on the regular with their proprietary M-Class Infra drones who are integrated with an E-Rifle weapons platform - yikes.[/p][p][/p][h2]Stun Break and Overwatch Break[/h2][p]With Update #17, enemies have received 2 new buff types - Stun Break and Overwatch Break. [/p][p]Stun Break has existed before (and is a % chance at the start of any given turn to cancel a Stunning debuff), but it was previously limited to 75% for Head Hunters and 50% for VIP targets in assassination. Now, it is a generic buff effect that any enemy can possibly get and it also appears nicely in the status pop up for enemies like Head Hunters and anyone else who has it, so the rule is clearer. You will also find that certain Captains and Hardened Targets now have some Stun Break %.[/p][p]Overwatch Break is new and is a % chance whenever hit by an Overwatch reaction shot to ignore that and just keep going. Where getting hit by Overwatch usually steals an enemy's Turn, if their Overwatch Break % rolls successful, their Turn is not stole and they continue to move or attack as they had planned, even though they take the damage from the OW shot. Like Stun Break, this is used judiciously today with only a few enemies carrying it and it will show up on their status pop up.[/p][p][/p][h2]Deck Armor can help Reduce Stress[/h2][p][/p][p]With Update #17, we've added a new rule that if your HP Damage in the Matrix is less than 4, you are protected from taking Stress roll from it. This can give some extra emphasis and benefit to packing on the Deck Armor, which is only 50% effective against physical HP loss.[/p][p][/p][h2]Loading Performance & Game Size[/h2][p]With Update #17, we've made some improvements to the packing of lighting data for levels that should help improve both the load times on a number of missions and reduce the overall build size of the game. We're always trying to squeeze a little more out of it, so glad that we found another good vector for improvement here.[/p][p][/p][h2]Fixed Some Contacts "Held" by Casting Director[/h2][p]We've fixed an issue with Update #17 where some Contacts might be left being "held" by the Casting Director for a role that expired. This would leave them stuck - unable to Co-Conspire or be picked for another storyline either, as the Casting Director considered them already active in a storyline. This issue has been immediately fixed for all games and all future games.[/p][p]A big thanks to everyone sending in F10s, giving us enough data to find and fix sneaky issues like this![/p][p][/p][h2]v2.1.13 - #17: The Megacorp Strikes Back - 7/11/2025[/h2][p] - Rebalanced all enemy factions with new rules about initial enemy spawns - kicks in around Power Level 5 and up[/p][p] - Added 10 new/unique Matsumoto enemy types - MATS corporate army is light, fast and high-tech[/p][p] - MATS corporate army uniques include Snipers using Railguns, fielding M-Class Infra mecha infantry, Field Sgt and Jade Spears becoming temporarily cloaked (cannot be directly targeted)[/p][p] - Added 10 new/unique McKellen enemy types - McKellen Heavy Industries corporate army is armored, slow and heavily armed[/p][p] - McKellen corporate army uniques include HeavyLift's using E-Rifles, best in class HP and Armor, extra grenade options for soldiery, and some ability to break Overwatch[/p][p] - Upgraded Stun Break rules - now any enemy can have any amount of Stun Break (Head Hunters 75%, VIPs 75%, Hardened Targets 50%)[/p][p] - Added new Overwatch Break rules - some heavy enemies can plow right through, taking the hit and continuing their action (attack, movement, etc)[/p][p] - Added new 14 Talents (move buffs, healing clouds, buffing clouds, Vita-Tech shields, Overwatch break) and 32 new Talent groups for enemies[/p][p] - Deck Armor can now reduce Stress if HP Damage is reduced to 4 or below[/p][p] - Improved AI targeting for healing grenades, now more likely to throw them [/p][p] - Filters now remembered inside a screen (Inventory) even after you leave[/p][p] - Improved Font performance[/p][p] - Improved scene performance, reduced loading times for missions[/p][p] - Fixed issues with grenade physics and "flat bounces" that could sometimes go *really* far[/p][p] - Fixed issue where the proc-gen Kill 3 mission could "hold on" to a contact for too long[/p][p] - Fixed VIP / Headhunter AI Interactions that could result in locked up enemy AI[/p]

[p][/p][p]Knights and mercs, we've got Update #16 arriving with its claws out and ready to fight. Update #16 adjusts the starting implant service to make some of the Warmachine's cyber upgrades more directly available, rebalances the second upgrade line for Burn Surge Talent, fixes issues with Optical Lasers and Pulse Generators with the display and processing of their HP reduction rules, improves the chances of the new V-Chips dropping, enables viewing your Blueprints inline with Market and Inventory for easy compare and sell, remembers sorting decisions across screens and more - but let's focus on the big hits tonight with Update #16![/p][p]If you are enjoying the pace of updates and improvements to the game, we hope you'll take a minute to leave a review. Our small team thanks you![/p][p][/p][h2]Warmachine Cyber Upgrades[/h2][p]Warmachine is an advanced class that requires cyberware as well as everything else to for their upgrade path. To make that path more readily available in the starting state of the game, we've migrated 6 more cybernetic implants down from the higher tier services into the starting cybernetic services. These 6 are now available across the standard Implants service as well as Street Wetware.[/p][p]The implants include an upgraded Delta Wire, a savage new Pulse Gen option, 2 new claws and 2 new optical lasers: Metal Scream Pulse, Delta Wire 2, Lumen Spear, Brightshot Optic, Hand Blades and Hand Razors.[/p][p][/p][h2]Class Tree Balance & Fix[/h2][p][/p][p]With the first full update since Warmachine launched last week, we've fixed a number of important issues with the class tree, improved a lot of small display issues and rebalanced the upgrades for Burn Surge Talent.[/p][p]First up - we've resolved bugs with both Pulse Gen Master and Laser Master that were not correctly display or applying the reduction of HP loss. You'd still get shown the wrong HP loss for your cybernetic Talents and get charged for them as well. This is now resolved and a lot of the upgrade nodes read more clearly and with the right training, you get some of these cybernetic Talents down 0 HP.[/p][p][/p][p]For Burn Surge, we took some time to apply an additional balancing pass. The Talent's second row of upgrades had been a bit jumbled in the last release, not helped by some bad text formatting. Now, the first node increases the damage you'll take for using the Talent and immediately increases Initiative (opening up different options for Delaying). The second two nodes - gated behind the increased Damage - grant extra +1 MP and +1 AP respectively. Hopefully the text helps make the Talent's progression more clear for everyone and we'll see if the new meta fits.[/p][p][/p][h2]Market/Inventory Compare and Sell Blueprints[/h2][p][/p][p]Update #16 adds a new filter in the Market and Inventory under the availability group - allow you to show the Blueprints you have in your inventory in addition to either screens existing content.[/p][p]This lets you show your existing inventory weapons, weapon mods, armor and items next to Blueprints for comparison. If you find the Blueprint isn't something you want, you can sell it from that screen. In addition, you can turn the same filter on in the market to be able to check your Blueprints against what your Contacts are selling.[/p][p]This one is a big one, especially in the late game, and can help you make faster decisions about your Blueprint trove without having to switch screens at all. We're working toward stacking Blueprints as well, which will make this even more smooth.[/p][p][/p][h2]Remembering Sorting[/h2][p][/p][p]With Update #16, your sorting decision is now remembered across screens (Market, Inventory, Cold Storage, NanoFab, etc) as long as it is within context. So! If you drop in to your Market > Weapons tab and set the Sort to be by expensive, later when you drop into your NanoFab weapno bench, you'll find it sorted by Expensive. In some cases this may mean you need to apply a new sort but mostly this has been saving our team tons of clicks.[/p][p]The ALL tabs in the market, Cold Storage and inventory are considered their own context, so changing the sorting there will be remembered in the other ALL tab, but not in any sub-tabs.[/p][p][/p][h2]V-Chip Drop Rates[/h2][p]With Update #16, we've improved the drop rate chances for the new V-Chips that were released with Warmachine. A mistake on our end left them with very low drop-rates for most of the game's Team Power Level progression.[/p][p][/p][h2]VIP - Stuck in a Couch![/h2][p]We've fixed a class of issues where enemies were not being given the right details when a level was loaded to search for a viable place they could stand. Human enemies could end up in places that only flying drones should (like in/over a couch!) and therefore get stuck.[/p][p]We've also resolved a number of other map issues where enemies might start in view of your starting location or the location of a boosted VIP.[/p][p][/p][h2]Hotfixed Talent Fixes[/h2][p]A hotfix over the weekend fixed issues with Slashslide and Crimson Vector charging 2 charges per use and become hard to recharge. This update also fixes a bug with your Knight's use of Downer or other debuffing Talents with Full Auto at the same time.[/p][p][/p][h2]v2.1.7 - #16: Claws Out - 7/8/2025[/h2][p] - Adjusted 'Implants' and 'Street Wetware' services to make 6 Implants easier to obtain: Metal Scream Pulse, Delta Wire 2, Lumen Spear, Brightshot Optic, Hand Blades, Hand Razors[/p][p] - Rebalanced second line of Warmachine's Burn Surge upgrade nodes - first node has extra HP cost, nodes 2-3 add more MP/AP[/p][p] - Fixed bug with Pulse Gen and Optical Laser around reduction of HP - training nodes now reduce correctly[/p][p] - Fixed display bug with Optical Lasers not highlighting +Cyberweapon Accuracy change in green for Cyber Talent[/p][p] - Fixed bug with Cyber Lasers and Claw attack Talents refusing to enable if primary held weapon was out of ammo[/p][p] - Fixed lock up after Knight uses Full Auto to kill multiple targets and Downer attempts to activate[/p][p] - Fixed bug where VIP (or other enemies) could get stuck in a couch and reloading would not pop them out[/p][p] - Added filter to Inventory & Market to show Blueprints inline for easy comparisons and sell (Filters > Blueprints)[/p][p] - Sorting is now remembered across screens (Market => Inventory) within context (Weapons Tab)[/p][p] - Improved drop rate for Contact V-Chips appearing in loot boxes[/p][p] - Improved drop rate for new Contact V-Chips in safehouse tokens[/p][p] - Improved drop rate for new Contact V-Chips in syndicate and corp matrix hosts[/p][p] - Improved loot balance for Blueprints and physical items[/p][p] - Improved hover tip for Team Power Level to specify that as it increases, so does story/mission challenge[/p][p] - Improved use of "Street" as a Contact type, clarifying "Street (Gang/Indie)"[/p][p] - Fixed bug with enemy debuff "Intruder Detected" actually reducing your vulnerability to Critical Hits[/p][p] - Fixed map issues and situations where you might be spotted at start[/p][p] - Fixed bug where Matrix Tutorial would increase Team Power Level fractionally[/p]

[p][/p][p]Today's the star of our Summer Sale update series! We're excited to release the Warmachine class, bringing us to over 40 potential multiclass combinations! AND we've added a major wave of over 100 new cybernetic implants, a new Power Play storyline, and more-more-more! Get it while its hot (and 20% off)![/p][p]With the signature Delta Wire implant threaded down their entire spinal cord, the Warmachine becomes a living integrated weapons platform, capable of mastering a staggering array of cybernetic armaments. A walking arsenal of war, a Warmachine can use all of the infantry weaponry your other squad members can, while adding to their lethality with cybernetic claws, optical lasers, or powerful cybernetic pulse generators.[/p][p]It's one of our first big post-launch content releases. If you're enjoying the pace of progress, new content and updates please leave a review for our team![/p][p][/p][h2]Warmachine's Class Tree[/h2][p]This is a combat-focused and cybernetic-dependent class, with 15 talents offering a wide range of build possibilities and totally new synergies with other classes. Unlike all the classes that came before it, the Warmachine's class tree is dedicated to 3 types of cybernetic weapons - Claws, Optical Lasers and Pulse Generators. To get into a Warmachine class you need to first install a Delta Wire cybernetic; then to really use their class tree, you'll need at least one of these other cybernetic weapons installed.[/p][p]So look out for or use Co-Conspire to generate missions from your doctor contacts! Increasing their influence so you can upgrade their cybernetic services is key for any squad member that wants to take advantage of these new weapons and other cybernetics added in this update.[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Cyber claws create extremely rapid, close-in killing machines. [/p]
• [p]Optical Lasers provide utility and debuffing attacks and abilities. [/p]
• [p]Pulse Generators give you a wide range of different capabilities against enemies when you are in their midst. [/p]

[p]Note that Warmachine is a point-hungry, cybernetic-needy class. Multi-classing in to Warmachine is only worth it if you are also planning to install at least one the cybernetic weapons their talents revolve around.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Warmachines have 3 unique Master Talents that apply improvements and buffs to the use of any cybernetic weapon of that class - the Claw Master, Laser Master and Pulse Gen Master. While any merc can have Cybernetic Claws, Optical Lasers and Pulse Generators installed as a cybernetic, only a Warmachine can truly master them.[/p][p][/p][p]Cyber Claws turn Warmachines in melee killers. Sneak in, slash and dash, and finish off wounded enemies quickly. Tied to Talents that can recroup AP and cybernetic Talent charges, these Talents can let a Warmachine combo multiple kills back-to-back.[/p][p][/p][p]Optical Lasers provide a ranged option for your cybernetic weaponry. These are not competitive with firearms, but provide options for finishing attacks (as they can be fired with 1 AP), guaranteed hits (they always Glance), debuff enemies (each class delivers a different debuff) and some are perfect for canceling Overwatch (Helios Lasers do not trigger Overwatch - great for any merc!). In addition to using them as a weapon, Optical Lasers are the utility set of the Warmachine, capable of disable some types security devices or even detonating Prox-Mines![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Pulse Generators are a wild card, dangerous as they are powerful. Pulse Generators always center their effect on the user, emanating from the cybernetic installation in your chest. Pulse Generators can provide utility - like helping you disappear - or combat effectiveness - like you are the grenade. As with all of the new cybernetic weapons, these can be installed by any mercenary and provide a lot of new utility options for everyone on the field of battle.[/p][p]That is a lot - so get busy![/p][p](We are still working on finalizing the balance for the Warmachine's Optical Laser Ash Protocol talent, which will get a rebalance in the coming days - but that isn't enough to keep the Warmachine from ripping out of this lab and hitting the streets.)[/p][p][/p][h2]100+ New Cybernetics[/h2][p]The Warmachine Update #15 also blows up the cybernetics catalog. This update adds over 100 new cybernetics, many with exciting Talents and abilities never before scene on the street. You can examine the full list of cybernetics now in the game on the cybernetics wiki page.[/p][p]First, there are the Warmachine weapons which any merc can install, but then there are also tons of other exciting things[/p]

• [p]Cyber Claws[/p]
• [p]Optical Lasers[/p]
• [p]Pulse Generators[/p]
• [p]High-level HeadMem[/p]
• [p]High-Level Neural Toners and Matrix-Link[/p]
• [p]Improved Grafts and Lacing[/p]
• [p]Wired Nerves and Chipped Reflexes up to 4 with some Talents[/p]
• [p]Dermal Sheathe with Talents[/p]

[p]Some of the new cybernetics will drop into the existing services you already have access to - standard Implants, Street Wetware and Imported Cybernetics. Many of the other higher-level implants require either a new service or new Contact.[/p][p][/p][h2]New Power Play & Contact V-Chips[/h2][p]The first cybernetics-focused Power Play has been added with Update #15, the Heavy K-177 Spec implants. Also, 6 new V-Chip File Sets are now roaming the NBZ and if you collect them all you can get access to additional splicers such as Dr. Optical, Paula Law, Vanta Drip, Dr. Keros or Mina Von Sha.[/p][p]The new Power Play has some really exciting new things in it as well and we are excited to see more of those coming soon to further expand options to access these high level implants.[/p][p][/p][h2]How to get a Warmachine[/h2][p][/p]

• [p]A new Warmachine, Molly, has been added to the Specialist columns (5 and 6) in the Advanced Start option for New Game, so you can swap her with any of the other 5 starting Specialists.[/p]
• [p]A second Warmachine option has been added to the Underworld Hub for immediate recruitment by existing merc squads.[/p]
• [p]You can also multi-class your other characters into the Warmachine class if they haven't taken a class yet (or just Respec). Multiclassing into Warmachine requires cyber surgery to install the feared Delta Wire spinal implant. The only class that can't be multiclassed with Warmachine (due to their required cybernetic occupying the same slot) is Gunslinger.[/p]

[p][/p][p]There is a lot to explore here, new multi-class combinations to build and the sound of those claws coming out is oh so pleasing. So we'll let you get to it, Warmachines![/p][p][/p][h2]Shifting Metas[/h2][p]This is exciting to see what meta shifts are going to hit with the new class and the huge wave of new cyberware. We know it will take a few days to digest, but we can't wait to see what you all are cooking up the safehouse lab![/p][p][/p][h2]VIP Hunters[/h2][p]For a long time, there has been a rare bug that could cause VIP Hunters to sit still even as a VIP sneaks across a map. We have now resolved the issue. If VIP Hunters arrive, they will inexorably hunt your VIP. Hunter have a way to track your VIP's location and they will be running toward that VIP with guns hot. They are here for one thing and one thing only, and it ain't cookies. But if you have cookies, I'd take one.[/p][p][/p][h2]Hacker Deck in Mission Deploy[/h2][p][/p][p]If you're deploying a hacker, you certainly want to know about what cyberdeck they're carrying and you might even want to swap it rapidly. Now you can do so from the mission deployment screen![/p][p][/p][h2]Color Palette Icon[/h2][p][/p][p]Now once you've selected a cosmetic, we've switched out the old "Options" text with a paint palette icon to better indicate you can click again to customize the color or other options related to that element of your character's appearance. We're sorry the old design was leaving some players unsure if you could change colors at all.[/p][p][/p][h2]Power Play and Compromised Tag and Filter[/h2][p][/p][p]We've added a tag to the contact list and a filter for both Power Play and Compromised. This is a nice start, and will be working toward Co-Conspire ready tag and filter to help you rapidly find those Contacts that are ready to wheel-and-deal.[/p][p][/p][h2]Quit to Desktop[/h2][p][/p][p]We've heard from a number of players (and we know too!) the desire to have a fast, single click quit to desktop. It is now available in the Safehouse and during tactical missions.[/p][p][/p][h2]v2.1.1 - #15: New Class WARMACHINE - 7/4/2025[/h2][p] - Added new class: Warmachine, augmented with the fearsome Delta Wire to become walking weapons platform (claws, lasers, energy fields!) [/p][p] - Added new Warmachine to the Underworld Hub for recruitment[/p][p] - Added new Warmachine to the specialist options of Advanced Start in New Game[/p][p] - Added over 100 new cybernetics (matrix, Warmachine, pulse generators, upgrades for everything)[/p][p] - Added new Power Play storyline for K-1777 Spec Wetware[/p][p] - Added 6 V-Chip File Sets that can unlock new cybernetic providers[/p][p] - Added new storyline chance to gain new Trait[/p][p] - Added hovers for Cyber-Surgery Stress (the stress for install) - all cybernetic installs cause +10% Stress (not a new rule, just displayed)[/p][p] - Added new merc Traits that can increase or decrease Stress for cybernetic installs [/p][p] - Added Hacker's Cyberdeck to mission deploy screen, one click to swap[/p][p] - Added new Power Play and Compromised Tag to Contact List, new Filter for both as well[/p][p] - Added display for Will attribute's Cybernetic Weapon Damage boost[/p][p] - Added 12 new icons for combat drugs to help differentiate your V-Caps from your Niktz, you don't want to mix those up![/p][p] - Reduced animation time of filtering slide out to nearly instant[/p][p] - Fixed bug with VIP Hunters not chasing the VIP - watch out, here they come![/p][p] - Fixed bug with Octane "Delay Legwork" option not always working[/p][p] - Fixed bugs preventing achievements All the Power, Mr. Freeze and All the Hard Ways from being achieved[/p][p] - Fixed bug where Projection or other movement Talents might charge 1 extra AP[/p][p] - Fixed bug with Medical Stretcher where it could get locked up when taking Overwatch fire and flying[/p][p] - Improved display in appearance to indicate when colors or options can be picked[/p][p] - Improved performance during Hacking[/p][p] - Improved camera panning by reducing time spent easing in at the end[/p][p] - Improved maps, fixing issues with "seen at start"[/p][p] - Improved loot tables at high Power Levels to be less repetitious[/p][p] - Added Quit to Desktop button to pause menu[/p][p] - New Wiki pages listing all weapons and cyberware created[/p]

[p][/p][p]Welcome all new Knights flooding into the New Boston zone. It's a hot Summer Sale kind of day with steamy jungle temperatures, nano-haze rating Orange-3 coming from the northwest, and a new hot update hitting the street.[/p][p]With Update #14, we've revamped the New Game system to help new players get into the game faster with a great mercenary group by adding the Quick Start options. For those players who pick Advanced Start, we've opened up the 5th and 6th slots - your Specialists - to allow you to freely pick from the widest possible set of characters in those slots (over 300 possible team combinations). We've also improved and polished across the game - improving the visuals of outlines when they overlap, fixing Rhino having too high HP, fixing issues in Eleventh Hour where the Red Key was not dropping from dead captains, fixing some issues with the camera losing focus on moving enemies, and more fixes form community F10s! Check the full release notes below for everything.[/p][p]If you are enjoying the game, please take a moment to thank our team by clicking "Review" ːsteamhappyː[/p][p][/p][h2]Love our deep systems & extreme replayability? The Best of Trese Brothers Bundle has more![/h2][p]If you're new to our games, our studio has a long history of making deep, highly-replayable RPGs. All of our previous titles are discounted right now for the Steam Summer Sale, with a bonus discount if you buy them through the Best of Trese Brothers bundle. [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p] You pay only for the games you don't already own, which might include: [/p]

• [p]Templar Battleforce, our previous squad-based tactics title. This game offers a sizable campaign with 55+ unique scenarios, building your squad of armored battle mechs, set in our original sci-fi universe.,[/p]
• [p]Star Traders: Frontiers, our sci-fi captain RPG players have called "Firefly meets Dune." Play as any kind of Captain and make your own story as you trade, recruit, hunt, spy, or more across the galaxy. Like Cyber Knights, there are discoverable storylines throughout the universe, including nearly 7 years of free content updates that have added entire new eras to the game. Build your crew from 30+ roles, choose from hundreds of components to build your ship to suit your playstyle, and master both ship and crew combat.,[/p]
• [p]Heroes of Steel, our party-based fantasy RPG. This old-school RPG contains the most extensive narrative we've put into a video game, in a time of warring gods and dark powers, set in the immense post-apocalyptic world of Steel. Each potential party member has a wide set of powers that combine with hundreds of weapons, armor, and magical accessories to support clever tactics against a huge variety of enemies.,[/p]

[p] Looking back you'll see that with every game we make, we're able to bring higher production-value while staying centered around fun, replayable, in-depth systems and player-driven stories. Your support helps us make more of the games you love, and continue to make them better and better. Hope you'll take advantage of the deep discounts to check our older titles out![/p][p][/p][h2]Our Saved Games Promise: Updates Never Invalidate Existing Saves[/h2][p]With lots of new players seeing our rapid update pace, we want to repeat our saved game policy so everyone understands our commitment to your games: no saved game will ever be invalidated by an update. You never have to restart if you don't want to; all new content (with the reasonable exception of New Game options) and features simply become available within your saved games. This is a studio commitment that we have made and kept for many years and games. We stand by it. [/p][p]We like to keep expanding our games beyond their original scope and keep improving them based on your suggestions, because that's what good devs should do! So heist on my good heisters; no need to stress about your saves. [/p][p][/p][h2]New Game: Quick Start Squads[/h2][p]For all new playthroughs, we are excited to offer the Quick Start option where you can select between two nicely put together squads - the Quiet Killers or the Run and Gun squad. These squads have specific starting characters selected along with a preset Knight to lean into either of these distinct playstyles. [/p][p]Overall, using Quick Start can help you jump into the game faster without needing to make so many numbers-heavy choices about stats you may not understand yet. Especially for players familiar with the genre, touching down on that rooftop and starting to run and gun your way to the exit is hopefully more inviting than trying to weigh Attribute choices.[/p][p]You'll still be able to rename and visually customize your Knight before starting the game, and as soon as you reach the safehouse you can do the same for any of your squad members (or take advantage of the first-10-days free respec to make build alterations to a starting team's talents).[/p][p]Once you have some heists under your belt with a better understanding of the game and how the different Talents, abilities and weapons all function, you can always start a new playthrough with the Advanced Start option to dive into all of the starting character selection & custom Knight creation options.[/p][p][/p][h2]Free Pick Squad Slots for Advanced Start [/h2][p]All of the previous options - full custom Cyber Knight creation (attributes, traits, backstory, starting equipment) and being able to hand pick, name and customize your entire team from the beginning - are still available through the Advanced Start option.[/p][p]Even better, we've unlocked the 5th and 6th slots - your "Specialists" - so that you can now pick any combination of characters who qualify for those positions - currently Aaron, Aitana, August, Liat, Sid and Zasha. Advanced players can now create all sorts of exciting new setups that were never possible before like dual soldiers (Aaron and Aitana) or in-your-face Zasha and August.

Not counting your Knight, this brings the number of distinct starting character combinations from 108 to almost twice that at 180, and it will only grow as new classes and starting characters are added. Looking forward to seeing what clever combinations and starting strategies you all come up with![/p][p][/p][h2]Default to Advanced Start[/h2][p][/p][p]If you are an advanced player who wants to skip the Quick Start screen altogether, you can do that by picking the option from the Quick Start or changing it from the Gameplay Options menu (Options > Gameplay > New Game Options).[/p][p][/p][h2]Barracks Size Increase[/h2][p]With Update #14, we've bumped the size of the barracks. it's capacity to house mercenaries has been increased by +1 at every level. Also, we've added a new level at the top which now raises the cap for mercenaries on your teams to 18![/p][p][/p][h2]Improved Outline Overlap[/h2][p]We've completed some work here with the special outline feature in the game (available if you hit "H" by default) to ensure that overlapping objects look great. Previously, the bottom object sometimes took precedence and made the entire thing look strange. This could also lead to some enemies or characters disappearing into larger floor objects like Pressure Plates. [/p][p][/p][h2]Story Improvements & Tweaks[/h2][p]With Update #14, we've widened the net of characters who can work with the ex-Los Zagales recruits - the Soldier and the Vanguard to help ensure everyone has a chance to pick these two up if you're looking to expand your squad.[/p][p]We've also re-adjusted the starting Team Power Level target for the Daedalus Bloc Retirement story arc, moving it down to 6 Team Power Level. Our original analysis after 2 weeks of launch indicated it should be moved up to 7, but we've heard enough feedback from players now to shift it back to TPL 6.[/p][p]In another story fix, we've also resolved the issue where Rhino could start with extremely large HP totals. If you have already recruited her, you will find her back to regular HP when loading the game as well.[/p][p]And we also fixed an issue with max level characters who went on Legwork who could be docked a large amount of negative XP in a terrible surprise reward! ːsteamfacepalmː[/p][p][/p][h2]Missing Red Key Eleventh Hour[/h2][p][/p][p]In the Eleventh Hour mission, some players were finding that due to the method of kill (usually Grenade or Bio-Poison) the captains there could fail to drop the Red Key you need to advance (unless you have a Hacker along). We have fixed the underlying issue - which was a nasty timing bug - so that the keys always drop.[/p][p][/p][h2]Camera Follow and Enemy Tilt[/h2][p]While rare, we've cleaned up a few more bugs in the mission map. Sometimes enemies would tilt unexpectedly toward the sky. Other times during an enemy's movement the camera might give up following them. Both of these have been put to rest.[/p][p][/p][h2]Appreciate all help spreading the word![/h2][p]Cyber Knights is 20%-off for the Steam Summer Sale! If you're loving the game and all the dedication we continue to put into it, hope you'll help spread the word! Every social media post, reddit comment, suggestion to a streamer or YouTuber, and especially your Steam reviews help a ton! Thanks all for the support![/p][p][/p][h2]v2.0.39 - #14: Quick Starts and Free Picks - 6/26/2025[/h2][p] - Added Quick Start option for new game - pick a pre-built team, customize your Knight's look and get heisting faster[/p][p] - New Game Advanced Start offers the existing experience to customize everything, use option to default to Advanced Start[/p][p] - Advanced Start allows "free pick" in the specialists columns - many new team combinations now available[/p][p]- Increased barracks capacity to house mercs by +1 at all levels, new barracks level for 18 mercs[/p][p] - Fixed visual issue with overlapping outlines not looking great - now always on top & distinct from each other[/p][p] - Fixed issue where camera might stop following enemy while they are moving[/p][p] - Fixed issue where enemy or player might tilt upwards oddly at the end of a movement or being shot[/p][p] - Fixed issue where Talent HUD bar could be re-ordered after opening character status[/p][p] - Face gets a chance to receive some Hype for every mission completed with Knight on it[/p][p] - Expanded options for Casting Director to work with more characters to hire ex-Los Zagales Soldier/Vanguard[/p][p] - Adjusted Retirement storyline requirement back to Power Level 6[/p][p] - Improved Loadout UI handling if a weapon/armor is lost or sold[/p][p] - Fixed issues with enemy captains not dropping keys on Wreckspire if killed by Grenade or DOT[/p][p] - Improved flying routine for medical stretcher[/p][p] - Fixed bug with Rhino having extremely high HP for new and old games[/p][p] - Fixed bug where you could get negative XP for completing Legwork at max level[/p][p] - Fixed bug where you could not hover over weapons in new game for all their details[/p][p] - Fixed bug where you could not open the Leverages screen from inside the Matrix after a retry turn or reload[/p][p] - Fixed rare cases that could cause the Safehouse to lock on load[/p]