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Dungeon Defenders: Awakened News

DDA EPISODE 2 PART 2 PTR IS NOW AVAIABLE FOR TESTING!

DEFENDERS,

The Episode 2 Part 2 update is ready for PTR testing! This update brings a brand new hero to the Dungeon Defenders Universe, The Guardian! As well as 2 new maps, one of which will be the Boss Map, and lastly more Runes. This will wrap up the Episode 2 update as a whole as we prepare to look at what’s next for Dungeon Defenders: Awakened!

[h2]How to Join[/h2]
We want you to join the PTR! If you own Dungeon Defenders: Awakened on PC/Steam, check out our forum post that shows you exactly how to join!

[h2]PTR Reward[/h2]
You’ll be given the choice of reward in the survey including a new set of wings!. This includes the following rewards:
  • [New!] Egyptian Eagle Wings
  • Forest Ally’s Wings
  • Eagle’s Wings
  • Crystalline Corgi
  • RGB Pumpkin Mask
  • A Giveaway entry for a Golden Corgi Pet Transmog

[h2]New Hero, The Guardian![/h2]

The Guardian is a protector of many ancient tombs around the world of Etheria. With the Old One’s army rising up across Etheria, the Guardian has decided to join the heroes in their battle!

[h3]General Features[/h3]
The Guardian is a melee hero that will use a Sword and Shield in combat. She will offer both defensive and support capabilities with her kit. With that said let's get into the abilities.

[h3]Abilities[/h3]
Primary - Basic Attack
  • Her primary attack is a melee attack with her sword similar to that of the Squire.
Secondary - Shield Slam
  • This attack can be charged up by holding the input and released at any point. The longer the ability is held the more damage that will be dealt up to a limit. Once released the ability will release a cone of damage in front the guardian hitting all enemies within range.
Active Ability - Divine Judgement
  • Divine Judgement is a powerful ability that will summon energy from above and come crashing down onto enemies dealing massive damage.
Buff Ability - Divine Protection
  • While active nearby heroes will receive additional armor. Additionally a portion of any damage the Guardian will be used to heal all nearby heroes inside the radius.

[h3]Defenses[/h3]
Defense 1 - Holy Bulwark (1 DU): The Holy Bulwark is still a WIP, as such in the PTR will be just a simple blockade for now. That said, our goal here is to allow the Holy Bulwark to protect nearby defenses by taking any damage they receive instead of the tower being hit taking damage.

Defense 2 - Empowering Shrine (3 DU): This special shrine will offer nearby heroes additional damage and increased mana regeneration.

Defense 3 - Owl Perch (4 DU): The owl perch is the most trustworthy ally to the guardian, and will fly around the battlefield going from target to target dealing damage to all in its path. The Owl will not stay on one target and will not hit the same target until it returns to the perch.

Defense 4 - Holy Cannon (4 DU): The Holy cannon will shoot flaming cannonballs at targets dealing damage to a small AoE around the target but most importantly applying a stacking damage over time effect. 

Defense 5 - The Obelisk (5 DU): The Obelisk is the support defense of the Guardian’s kit, when an enemy is within range it will apply a AoE Debuff around the target slowing targets within range, additionally the primary target will take damage over time.

[h2]New Act 5 Maps![/h2]
[h3]The Forsaken Temple[/h3]
This long abandoned underground city was once a great shrine to the Night Owl.The Heroes should be wary of what secrets and evil lies ahead.

This will be the new Act 5 Boss map, during the PTR there will not be a boss at the end of the map. We want to leave something for surprise for the full release.
[h3]Castle Armory[/h3]
The Old One's forces have breached the Castle Armory, the Heroes must defend this area in order to keep the weapons from falling into the wrong hands!

This is a recreation of the original Dungeon Defenders map and will serve as the encore map for Act 5.

[h2]More Runes![/h2]
We are still in the process of making some of the new guardian runes but there are some additional runes that have been added for other defenses. Here’s the new ones and where to find them.

Reflective Screech - Siren Rune (Drops on The Forsaken Temple): This rune increases the range of the siren’s armor buff range per rank, additionally it adds a protective shield that will reflect projectiles from ranged enemies similar to reflect field.

Static Shock - EV Energy Cannon (Drops on Castle Armory): This rune will apply a slow to enemies hit by the Energy Cannon, each hit applies a new stack onto the enemy.

Empowering Ring - Warden Mushroom Circle (Drops on Castle Armory): This rune give heroes that walk into the mushroom circle a lingering damage and movement speed buff.

Raging Shrooms - Warden Shroomy Geyser (Drops on Lost Metropolis): This rune will give the Shroomy projectile a chance to enrage enemies upon being hit.

Paralyzing Smite - Guardian Divine Judgement(Drops on Forsaken Temple): This rune will make enemies hit by Divine Judgement stunned for a limited duration.

Deadly Gaze - Guardian Obelisk (Drops on Castle Armory): This rune will make The Obelisk apply a DoT to all enemies within the obelisk's debuff range dealing a % of tower damage per second.

[h3]Known Issues / Missing Features:[/h3]
Hopefully our goal is to add these into the PTR as we release various patches during the playtest.
  • The Guardian’s Balance is very much work in progress
  • Lots of placeholder images for Guardian, Items, etc
  • More Guardian Runes
  • New map pets
  • Boss Weapons drop but don’t do anything special currently
  • The Holy Bulwark currently doesn’t have a special ability and is just a blockade currently.

[h3]Hotfix Notes Location:[/h3]
EPISODE 2 PART 2 PTR HOTFIXES

[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]
The PTR will run for about a week or two as we collect data and make any adjustments needed before doing a full release. After this update is live we will likely be handling future updates differently, moving towards a smaller consistent update releasing features and content as ready.
[h2]Social Defenders[/h2]
To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Chromatic Games and the Dungeon Defenders franchise, follow us on all our social channels:
For Etheria!
Chromatic Games

3/20/2023 Early Game Hotfix

DEFNEDERS,

Wanted to get a small hotfix out for some of the early game issues we've gotten reports for as we are prepping for the Episode 2 Part 2 PTR with the Guardian, 2 new maps and more!

[h3]Game Version v2.1.0.34620 [/h3]

[h3]BUGFIXES:[/h3]
  • Fixed issue with issue with Nightmare & Massacre gear having higher level requirements than intended.
  • Potential fix for Rogue Djinns not being targetable on Royal Gardens.
  • Fixed issue with Map Select keeping Nightmare and Massacre locked until Summit was beat.
  • Fixed issue with Beaming Blossom rune losing damage stacks when in wrath mode.
  • Fixed issue with Deeper Well Loot chests missing items.
[h3]Misc:[/h3]
  • Removed difficulty selection slider on the summary screen as it was not a working feature.

[h3]Social Defenders[/h3]

To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Chromatic Games and the Dungeon Defenders franchise, follow us on all our social channels:
For Etheria!
Chromatic Games

Early Game + Twitch Integration Update + Upcoming Event News!

[h3]DEFENDERS,[/h3]

Today we have a small game update and a handful of other events to talk about! This update contains the Early Game changes to make things harder. As well as Twitch Integration which will allow streamers to connect their twitch account to the game and let viewers vote on events to take place in game!

Upcoming Events



[h2]Free Steam Weekend[/h2]
Have you been curious to try the game before buying? Got a friend you want to convince to play? Well now is their chance! We’ll be running a free weekend for Dungeon Defenders: Awakened on Steam! There will also be a sale for the game so if you decide to buy the game after giving it a try you can continue right where you left off in progression.

The Free Weekend will start March 9th at 10AM Pacific / 1PM EST and will run until March 13th at 10AM Pacific / 1PM EST.

[h2]Twitch Drops[/h2]
What better time to offer some free cosmetic rewards than during a free weekend. We’ll be running our first ever Twitch drop campaign. All you have to do is connect your twitch account on our website - https://drops.dungeondefenders.com/ then watch any twitch channel streaming Dungeon Defenders: Awakened with drops enabled.

The following rewards will become available at specific times:
  • Starting Mar 9th - Mar 30 Watch for 1 hour and claim the reward Squire Guardian Pet
  • Mar 10th - Mar 30 · Watch for 1 hour and claim the reward Huntress Guardian Pet
  • Mar 11th - Mar 30 · Watch for 1 hour and claim the reward Monk Guardian Pet
  • Mar 12th - Mar 30 · Watch for 1 hour and claim the reward Apprentice Guardian Pet
  • Mar 13th - Mar 30 · Watch for 1 hour and claim the reward Crystalline Pizza Wings

Note: You will have to redeem the rewards in order and watch the required hours per reward.

[h2]Galaxy Costume Bundle[/h2]
The Galaxy Costume Bundle will be releasing alongside the free weekend on March 9th at 10AM PST / 1PM EST! Explore the world of Etheria with these new cosmic themed hero costumes cosmetics. This DLC Bundle unlocks the above costumes through the Transmog UI accessible in the tavern through the Blacksmith or Escape Menu.

The Galaxy Costume Bundle applies to the following heroes:
  • Squire
  • Apprentice
  • Huntress
  • Monk
  • EV
  • Warden
  • Rogue
  • The Outcast Summoner
  • Guardian (once released in-game)

The bundle is currently only available on Steam and will cost $6.99 with a 15% launch discount bringing it down to $5.95 for the first week!

Game Update Patchnotes


[h2]Twitch Integration[/h2]
As many games have added, Twitch integration will allow streamers to link their Twitch account and have their chat vote on randomly chosen events to happen in-game. Events can be both negative and positive for the streamer and only happen in the combat phase.

Streamers will also be able to configure the amount of voting time, time between events, number of events per wave and whether they want to disable positive events entirely.

To use this feature, go to the Twitch tab on the options UI and fillout the info to link your Twitch account.

[h2]Early Game Changes[/h2]
We've heard a lot of player feedback about the early game and so one of the main goals for these changes is to increase the difficulty of the early game to help better match the power level of players and entertain players who want a harder experience. At the same time our goal is also not to make the early game too difficult as some players do want an easier experience.

That said here are the following changes
  • Hard is now unlocked from the beginning.
  • We’ve shifted all the difficulties down from Easy to Insane, What this means is the following:
    • Easy - The difficulty of what Medium used to be.
    • Medium - The difficulty of what Hard used to be.
    • Hard - The Difficulty of what Insane used to be and slightly harder.
    • Insane - Is what Insane used to be but with higher scaling to be a new middle ground between Hard and Nightmare.
  • We’ve changed how progression unlocks work, the way it works now is the following:
    • If a map is unlocked on any difficulty, you can play that map on a higher difficulty without having to play it on lower difficulties first.
      • Example: If you’ve beaten The Throne Room on medium, you can play Endless Spires on any difficulty you have unlocked (Insane, Nightmare or Massacre) assuming you meet the requirements.
  • Removed gear level requirements until nightmare to allow players to equip the gear they are getting as they progress.
  • Insane is now unlocked after beating Easy, Medium or Hard on Campaign Summit.
  • Decreased Nightmare Level requirement to 60 from 70
  • Decreased Massacre Level requirement to 80 from 83.
  • Added some new difficulty explanation popup for when you open the map select for the first time.
  • Maps are now hidden on the map select if you don’t have the difficulty unlocked and it explains why the difficulty is locked.
  • Increased IPWR on Swords and Polearms to help bring them in more in line with Staffs and Crossbows.
  • Greatly Reduced the amount of stats that item effects provide in the early game 
    • Ex: Armor giving +50 Fortify on a piece that only gives +10 Fortify.

[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]
This is just the tip of what’s to come for the Dungeon Defenders franchise as a whole! We got updates for all the games around the corner. In regards to Dungeon Defenders: Awakened we have Episode 2 Part 2 coming which will feature the Guardian a new hero, 2 new maps, one of which is a boss map. Our goal is to get this into PTR playtesting the week of March 20th.

[h2]Social Defenders[/h2]
To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Chromatic Games and the Dungeon Defenders franchise, follow us on all our social channels:

For Etheria!
Chromatic Games

Early Game Update PTR Testing is live!

[h3]DEFENDERS,[/h3]
This is going to be a bit of a different PTR, Instead of testing new features this PTR is aimed at testing out early game changes. What that means is that going into the PTR you will be given a new profile and not a copy of your live game. Obviously this PTR is not going to be for everyone and this is really aimed at people who enjoy providing feedback to try and help improve the game.

[h3]How to Join[/h3]
We want you to join the PTR! If you own Dungeon Defenders: Awakened on PC/Steam, check out our forum post that shows you exactly how to join!

[h3]PTR Reward[/h3]
Given this is a smaller PTR test and the different nature of it we won’t be offering a new reward, but you are able to earn any of the previous PTR rewards if you are missing any.

You’ll be given the choice of reward in the survey. This includes the following rewards:
  • Forest Ally’s Wings
  • Eagle’s Wings
  • Crystalline Corgi
  • RGB Pumpkin Mask
  • A Giveaway entry for a Golden Corgi Pet Transmog

[h3]Early Game Changes[/h3]
We've heard a lot of player feedback about the early game and so one of the main goals for these changes is to increase the difficulty of the early game to help better match the power level of players and entertain players who want a harder experience. At the same time our goal is also not to make the early game too difficult as some players do want an easier experience.

That said here are the following changes
  • Hard is now unlocked from the beginning.
  • We’ve shifted all the difficulties down from Easy to Insane, What this means is the following:
    • Easy - The difficulty of what Medium used to be.
    • Medium - The difficulty of what Hard used to be.
    • Hard - The Difficulty of what Insane used to be and slightly harder.
    • Insane - Is what Insane used to be but with higher scaling to be a new middle ground between Hard and Nightmare.
  • We’ve changed how progression unlocks work, the way it works now is the following:
    • If a map is unlocked on any difficulty, you can play that map on a higher difficulty without having to play it on lower difficulties first.
      • Example: If you’ve beaten The Throne Room on medium, you can play Endless Spires on any difficulty you have unlocked (Insane, Nightmare or Massacre) assuming you meet the requirements.
  • Removed gear level requirements until nightmare to allow players to equip the gear they are getting as they progress.
  • Insane is now unlocked after beating Easy, Medium or Hard on Campaign Summit.
  • Decreased Nightmare Level requirement to 60 from 70
  • Decreased Massacre Level requirement to 80 from 83.
  • Added some new difficulty explanation popup for when you open the map select for the first time.
  • Maps are now hidden on the map select if you don’t have the difficulty unlocked and it explains why the difficulty is locked.
  • Increased IPWR on Swords and Polearms to help bring them in more in line with Staffs and Crossbows.
  • Greatly Reduced the amount of stats that item effects provide in the early game 
    • Ex: Armor giving +50 Fortify on a piece that only gives +10 Fortify.
Known Issues:
  • Rift Bosses haven't received health or increased difficulty changes.

[h3]What’s Next?[/h3]
The PTR will run for over the weekend as this is a short playtest and doesn’t need long playtimes to test. After this we’ll look at the survey data and make any adjustments needed.

[h3]Social Defenders[/h3]
To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Chromatic Games and the Dungeon Defenders franchise, follow us on all our social channels:
For Etheria!
Chromatic Games

WINTER HOLIDAY UPDATE & LOGIN REWARD!


[h3]DEFENDERS,[/h3]

The holiday season is upon us and as such it’s time for some holiday fun! This update brings a brand new map to the Dungeon Defenders universe as well as some QoL features that have been requested.

[h2]Santa Hat Login Reward[/h2]

Starting between now and January 5th, 2023 if you login in on any platform you’ll be rewarded a Santa Hat transmog to help you celebrate the season! Go talk with the blacksmith to get your festive spirit going!

[h2]Yuletide Village[/h2]

It wouldn’t be the holidays without a festive new map to play. As such we’ve gone through and made a brand new never seen before map called Yuletide Village. This winter map should feel right at home for the holidays. 

It can be played in Campaign, Survival and Mixed mode with Rifted & Bonus Difficulties if you want an additional challenge. It also features a festive pet reward when played on Survival or Mixed, and does have a fusion variant to go along with it. The map will be unlocked if you have completed Throne Room on campaign.

[h2]Hero Selection Filtering[/h2]

Are you someone who likes to have lots of different heroes? Do you have issues finding the right hero in the hero list? Well now you have the ability to filter to a specific hero type. This should help players more quickly find the hero they want and should serve as a nice little QoL.

[h2]Tower Targeting Priority Presets[/h2]
One big feature request we’ve gotten over the years is being able to select what kind of targeting priorities your towers have. That said we’ve added the ability for users to switch what kind of targeting towers have. This is done in the spellbook by selecting the defense that you wish to change. 

Currently we only offer the user the ability to switch between Fodder, Special, Air and Strong. Fodder and Special should work how they currently do in the game. Air works how the Plasma Defense System works and targets Air enemies first then follows a special priority. Strong works by targeting enemies that have larger health pools first, Such as Ogres, Sirens, Lycans, Djinn, etc.

Our end goal is to expand this system to allow users to eventually make their own presets so they can really fine tune things to their liking, but this will come at a later date as it requires more UI and backend work.

[h2]Miscellaneous[/h2]
  • Fusion gear and the Arcanist helmet no longer have guaranteed stats.
  • Electric, Ensnare, Healing, and Strength Drain can all be overlapped with each other but provide no benefit for doing so. This should be a small QoL for smaller maps at the endgame.

[h2]Bugfixes[/h2]
  • Fixed issue with Bonus Difficulty display not showing on clients on the pause menu.
  • Summoner Minions now unlock at proper levels (1, 2, 7, 11, and 15)
  • Fixed issue with EV Rune damage applying to the hero and not just the decoy.
  • Fixed issue with movement speed item effects not stacking properly.
[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]
Well with this update out, this wraps up all the updates we’ll be doing in 2022. It’s now time to look towards the new year in which we have some great stuff planned. We are continuing to work on Episode 2 Part 2 which will have the Boss Map & Boss, a bonus encore map and a new hero. Besides that update we plan to continue to be more frequent in our updating providing smaller content updates along the way to keep things fresh.

Lastly I’ll leave you with the first look at the new hero The Guardian, coming to the game next year!

[h2]Social Defenders[/h2]
To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Chromatic Games and the Dungeon Defenders franchise, follow us on all our social channels:

For Etheria!

Chromatic Games