Astatos News

To the Crown Mages,

This update includes some minor tweaks and this month’s Hero Skin. While the majority of the content for the next major patch has been finalised, we need some more time to complete the gameplay tutorial and bug-test the build.

For the detailed list of changes implemented with Astatos v0.6.6, please read on below.

- From the team at Studio Klondike

[h2]Story Progress Update[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
Following on from last month’s update, we have now finished development on all gameplay scenarios within Chapter I including a bunch of new mechanics and 8 new Hero Cards for the side characters during the story.



With the general gameplay settled, we're able to move on to designing the tutorial in the prologue. We'll need a little bit more time to complete this along with some extra polish and bug-testing, but we hope you'll all look forward to the update when it's done.

[h2]Game Changes[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
Store: A "Skin Preview" button has been added to the in-game store. This allows you to preview the full artwork of a Hero Skin as it appears during gameplay.

[h2]Game Content[/h2]
[hr][/hr]

• Season III of the Takeover Trial leaderboard has concluded. The top 100 players will receive their player title upon the release of Astatos v0.7. We apologise for this delay!
  
• A new Hero Skin has been made available as the monthly reward. The previous month’s Hero Skin has been added to the in-game store.
  
• Timaios - Seeker of Solitude
  
  

To the Crown Mages,

This update includes some minor tweaks and this month’s Hero Skin. While the majority of the content for the next major patch has been finalised, we need a little more time to bring it all together!

For the detailed list of changes implemented with Astatos v0.6.5, please read on below.

- From the team at Studio Klondike

[h2]Upcoming Content Update[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
Following on from last month’s update, our team has been working on a variety of changes to the story mode of Astatos.

Currently, all major revisions to Chapter I of the story are content complete including new sprites, music, and backgrounds! However, we’re still hard at work on the story trial gameplay which is needed before release.



While a work in progress we’re working on implementing a brand new game mode for the story. This mode was originally slated to be implemented after the release of Chapter II as separate PvE content, but we moved it forward to improve the story gameplay experience. We hope to be able to share more details soon!

[h2]Game Changes[/h2]
[hr][/hr]


Friend Requests: Pending friend invites sent by yourself can now be cancelled. Previously, you could only decline friend requests received from others.

Audio: The audio balance of the game has been adjusted. The volume of music has been lowered, and the game should be quieter in general. Please remember to update your volume settings if you had changed them previously.

[h2]Game Content[/h2]
[hr][/hr]

• A new Hero Skin has been made available as the monthly reward. The previous month’s Hero Skin has been added to the in-game store.
  
• Caelius - Fury of the Night
  
  

To the Crown Mages,

This update includes some minor balance tweaks, bug fixes, and this month’s new Hero Skin. While this patch is light on content, we’re currently working on revisions for Chapter I of the story, including the addition of Story Trials.

After discussing with the community on Discord, most felt it was better to wait until everything is complete rather than release many small patches. We hope that our players will be ok waiting a little longer! For now, you can find a brief preview of the changes below.

For the detailed list of changes implemented with Astatos v0.6.4, please read on below.

- From the team at Studio Klondike

[h2]Upcoming Changes[/h2]
[hr][/hr]

Coming soon is a variety of changes to the story mode of Astatos including:

• Story Trial gameplay, featuring nearly 2,000 additional lines of dialogue.
  
• Additional story scenes for Chapter I.
  
• Sprites for all named side characters.
  
• Additional backgrounds.
  
• Additional music.
  

While the artwork, music, and the majority of text is complete, we’ve still got lots of scripting work to do. We’ll be doing our best to get this out by the end of the month, but we’ll keep everyone updated on our progress!

[h2]New Features[/h2]
[hr][/hr]

• Astatos now supports Steam Rich Presence, allowing your friends to see if you’re in a multiplayer room, participating in the Trial, or reading the story from the Steam friends list.
  

[h2]Change Log[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
[h3]Balance Changes[/h3]

• [Conquest Trial] Exchange can only be performed when you begin the Hero Stage with 0 Energy.
  
• [Takeover Trial] Exchange can only be performed when you begin the Hero Stage with less than 2 Energy.
  

[h3]Game Changes[/h3]

• Improved mouse scrolling speed on Windows.
  
• Any player in a Quick Play/Matchmaking room can now invite friends.
  
• Improved notifications for Lysander’s, Regulus’, Caelius’ and Kyros’ Hero Abilities.
  
• Varius’ Hero Ability will now automatically advance when there is only one player to pick from.
  
• Additional sound effects on the Story Trial UI.
  

[h3]Trial Fixes[/h3]

• Fixed the display of players on Mukaki’s side when using Varius’ Hero Ability.
  
• Fixed an issue preventing card counts from displaying on A.I. players during the Tutorial.
  
• Fixed a rare soft lock when someone disconnects during Alkaios' Hero ability.
  
• Fixed an issue when a Hero too close to your turn in the Hero Stage ending could cause a desync.
  
• Fixed an exploit that allowed you to bypass the Energy restrictions on the Exchange mechanic.
  
• Gaios’ Passive Ability will now take effect if they’re summoned mid-Exchange.
  

[h3]Game Fixes[/h3]

• You can now purchase things from the store when you have exactly enough Monera.
  
• Fixed some display issues on the lobby UI when players leave during Hero drafting.
  

[h3]Known Issues[/h3]

• Occasionally players may be able to pick/ban more Heroes than intended.
  

[h3]Game Content[/h3]

• New Hero Skins have been made available as a monthly reward. The previous month’s Hero Skin has also been added to the in-game store.
  
• Alkaios - Grandmaster
  
  
• Nikos - The Flourishing Chevalier
  
  
• Sulpicius - The Way of The Warrior
  
  

To the Crown Mages,

This update features a new mechanic to Trials, balance tweaks, rewards tweaks, and stability improvements.

Along with this update, we’re pleased to confirm that Hero Pack III, our collaboration with Echo Project’s Adastra, is in the final stages of testing.



For an early look behind the scenes at the development and upcoming abilities of Hero Pack III, we’ve released a new blog on our Patreon. Be sure to join if you’re interested in seeing more behind the scenes posts! patreon.com/StudioKlondike

For the detailed list of changes implemented with Astatos v0.6.1, please read on below.

- From the team at Studio Klondike

[h2]New Features[/h2]
[hr][/hr]


Exchange: This new mechanic allows players to convert their Cards into Energy once per round during the Hero Stage. This takes the concept behind the commonly used Hero Card, Gaios, and incorporates it as a standard part of the game.

Exchange opens up new opportunities for opening moves, summoning Heroes, and getting out of tricky situations— just be careful not to waste important Cards and fail the Trial Stage!

Note: This mechanic will be introduced in the in-game tutorial at a later patch after some UI adjustments. Gaios’ Hero Ability has also been modified along with this update, see below for more information.



Random Hero Drafting: A randomise picks button has been added to the drafting UI. If you want to have a bit of chaotic fun, or simply don’t have a preference, use this button to make your drafting picks automatically!

[h2]Change Log[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
[h3]Game Features[/h3]

• The Exchange mechanic has been added to the Trial. Exchange allows you to convert your own Cards into Energy once per round during the Hero Stage.
  
• A randomise picks button has been added to the drafting UI.
  

[h3]Balance Changes[/h3]

• [Takeover Trial] Makari-Hari’s Ability has been changed. The new Ability description reads:
  When Makari-Hari’s side uses a Spell Card, they draw one additional Card. (Passive)
  (5 Cooldown) Lose one Influence, and obtain one Energy per Card held by Mukaki’s side.
• [Conquest & Takeover Trial] Gaios’ Ability has been changed. The new Ability description reads:
  The cost to perform an Exchange is reduced to two Cards for Makari-Hari/Mukaki's side. (Passive) (Once per round)

[h3]Rewards Changes[/h3]

• Rewards given for Training Trials have increased from 70% to 80%.
  
• Reward Points given have been increased by 25% on average per match.
  
• The per match cap for Reward Points has been increased from 90 to 120 for Conquest Trials.
  
• All rewards have been increased by 50% when playing a Conquest Trial with 5 or more players.
  
• The EXP cap has been increased when playing a Conquest Trial with 5 or more players.
  

[h3]Matchmaking Changes[/h3]

• [Conquest Trial] When in quick play/matchmaking, active rooms will be merged with waiting rooms upon rematch if there is enough room to combine them. This means that matchmaking rooms can pick up additional players upon rematch.
  

[h3]Game Changes[/h3]

• Sound effects have been finalised for Hero Card Drafting.
  
• Sound effects have been finalised for the sticker system.
  
• Improved the handling of multiple sounds playing simultaneously.
  

[h3]Game Content[/h3]

• New Hero Skins have been added to the store and/or made available as monthly rewards.
  
• Drusus - Lifesaver
  
  
• Gaios - Culinarian
  
  

[h3]Game Fixes[/h3]

• Toast pop-ups resulting from Hero Abilities would show "[Spell]" instead of "[Ability]".
  
• The Friends menu wouldn't close automatically when Hero Card Drafting begins in a room.
  
• Sometimes the Trials menu would remain open at the same time as the room UI when accepting an invite to a room.
  
• If the Trials menu is opened and closed rapidly it could lead to no menu opening, soft-locking the game.
  
• When creating a new account, the Hero Pack unlock animation would play a second time if you immediately enter the Trials menu and click "yes please" to view the tutorials.
  
• Being invited to a room while in the Deck Menu could cause the incorrect music to play during the Trial.
  
• You can no longer drag the Hero Card list while the artwork viewer is open in the Deck Menu.
  
• Added rollback code, improved stability, and error handling during Hero Drafting.
  

[h3]Trial Fixes[/h3]

• In cases where the game is syncing player Energy and Card counts, players could erroneously receive additional Cards.
  
• Players on Mukaki's side could occasionally appear with the opposite side’s profile image when first joining the Trial.
  
• When your side has the maximum number of Heroes, rapidly clicking an opponent's Hero Card to unsummon them would result in excess Energy being lost.
  
• Improved stability and error handling during the Hero Stage when activating Heroes close to the stage ending.
  

To the Crown Mages,

This update features a rework to Hero Pack selection, sending stickers during Trials, updates to the Rank system, and the addition of Takeover Trial leaderboards.

Additionally, this update marks the 1 Year Anniversary of Astatos entering Early Access on Steam. Since launch over 6000 Crown Mages have joined the Trials, and we couldn’t be happier with all the feedback and support we’ve received over the past year.



Since launch we’ve released over 14 updates and 6 major versions— tweaking balance, gameplay, releasing new skins, and adding the most commonly requested features such as PvE and Playable Tutorials.

Unfortunately, Part 3 of the PvE update could not be completed in time for this occasion, but we’re still hard at work on it. We hope the changes featured in this update will create a fresh experience for players over the holiday season!



If you’re interested in supporting our work and getting a look at features and artwork in production, we really appreciate support on our Patreon. www.patreon.com/StudioKlondike

For the detailed list of changes implemented with Astatos v0.6, please read on below.

- From the team at Studio Klondike

[h2]New Features[/h2]
[hr][/hr]


Hero Card Drafting: This new feature replaces the Hero Pack Preferences settings in Conquest and Takeover Trials.

Hero Card Drafting determines which additional Heroes show up in the Hero Summon. The drafting process begins in the room prior to the commencement of a Trial.



Players will be asked to BAN and PICK Hero Cards depending on the game mode. Banned Hero Cards cannot be picked by any player.

If you do not own a given Hero, you will borrow it from another player in the room. If nobody owns a given Hero, it will not be selectable. (Hero Cards you borrow and do not own will not display Hero Skins.)

We hope Hero Card Drafting will simplify the selection of Hero Cards, as well as open up new combinations and strategies as we prepare for additional Hero Packs to be added to the game.

Note: Hero Pack Selection remains in place for Training Trials. Additionally, the sound design for this feature is still a work in progress and may be changed in an upcoming patch.



Stickers: Communicate with your fellow Crown Mages using Stickers!



Stickers can be used while waiting in Rooms, during Multiplayer Trials, and on the Victory Screen. Look for the Sticker Button wherever you can send them.



Additional Stickers can also be purchased from the Store for Monera.

Note: the sound design for this feature is still a work in progress and may be changed in an upcoming patch.



Takeover Trial Leaderboard: The Rank menu has been expanded to include a Leaderboard allowing you to compare your Rank and ELO values against the top Crown Mages.

Along with this addition, a new Season will occur every 3 months. With Season I concluding at the end of December.

Upon the conclusion of the current Season, your Rank will be soft reset and the previous Season’s rankings will be finalised. Players within the top 100 will unlock a hidden Title each season.

The Takeover Leaderboard is accessible from: Main Menu > Trials > Takeover Trial > Ranking

[h2]Change Log[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
[h3]Game Features[/h3]

• Hero Pack Preferences have been replaced with Hero Card Drafting for Conquest and Takeover Trials.
  
• Stickers have been added, allowing better communication between players in multiplayer rooms, during Trials, and on the victory screen.
  
• The Takeover Rank menu has been expanded with a Leaderboard displaying Ranks and ELO ratings.
  

[h3]Game Content[/h3]

• A new category has been added to the Store for Sticker Packs. Additionally, Sticker Pack I and II have been added to the Store, featuring artwork by HAPS.
  
• New content added to the in-game manual to cover changes made in this update.
  
• The Title ‘First Among Equals’ has been added.
  
• A hidden Title for Season I of Takeover Trials has been added.
  
• New Hero Skins have been added to the Store and/or made available as monthly rewards.
  
• Kyros - On Cloud Nine
  
  
• Herclaus - Strength of the Heavens
  
  

[h3]Game Changes[/h3]

• The Story Mode save file format has been updated. Your save file will be automatically converted upon entering Story Mode.
  
• Viewed scene detection has been improved in Story Mode. Allowing you to skip text you’ve seen down to the specific line.
  
• When entering a Tutorial Trial (and future Story Trials) the game will pause when “The Trial Begins” message is displayed— allowing players to take their time reading the objective.
  
• The UI design of the Takeover and Conquest Trials menus have been revised.
  
• The UI when playing on Makari-Hari’s Side during a Trial has been revised.
  
• There is now a delay between a player joining a Takeover Trial room and the game starting.
  
• Players will now be kicked from a Trial if their ping is too high due to an unstable connection.
  
• A notice light will be displayed on the Rewards menu if you have unclaimed rewards, or the monthly reward has changed.
  

[h3]Game Fixes[/h3]

• Resolved cases where the Trials menu would appear multiple times.
  
• The game will no longer soft lock when joining a full room.
  
• You can now join rooms containing Hero Packs you do not own.
  
• You can no longer click the button to attempt to claim the daily reward multiple times in the same day.
  

[h3]Known Issues[/h3]

• Playing a card at the same time as the Trial Card changes elements can sometimes result in you being unable to play any more cards when you should be able to.
  
• Occasionally players on Mukaki's side can appear with a Makari-Hari side profile image when first joining the Trial. This will fix if the player flips sides. This issue is visual only and has no effect on gameplay.
  
• In cases where the game tries to correct the number of cards a player has received when syncing player energy and card counts, they can erroneously receive additional cards.