Hotfix Update #8

[p]In our Superior Firepower update, we made many balance updates for both the GDF and Dynasty factions, while also introducing the Veti into the mix in the Veti Multiplayer Test.[/p][p]Early data has shown that these balance changes have given the GDF faction the short end of the stick. With this hotfix, we are aiming to give them a boost in the early game against the other two factions.

Additionally, some Veti units and systems have been overperforming, making them somewhat too oppressive to play against. These changes should course-correct the GDF and Veti for the duration of the Multiplayer Test.
[/p][h2]General[/h2]

• [p]Neutral Structures are now displayed on the minimap for all factions when ‘Restricted Radar’ mode is enabled 
  [/p]

[h2]Global Defense Force (GDF)

[/h2][h3]Grenadier[/h3][p]Grenadiers are important for Garrison-breaking, but otherwise aren’t a go-to unit due to their shorter range. Increasing their projectile velocity makes their damage harder to dodge/mitigate and should make them feel more consistent.[/p]

• [p]Projectile Speed increased to 5200 (from 4500)
  [/p]

[h3]Sentinel[/h3][p]Given how potent Tier 1 units can be for the Veti and Dynasty, we are making slight adjustments to the Sentinel’s performance, particularly with its Scanner Rounds weapon, providing a bit more early game survivability and versatility for GDF anti-infantry and scouting.[/p]

• [p]Health increased to 260 (from 250)[/p]
• [p]Scanner Rounds Damage increased to 5 (from 4)[/p]
• [p]Scanner Rounds Attack Speed increased to 1.2-second intervals (from 1.5)
  [/p]

[h3]Combat Drone[/h3][p]Anti-air has been improved for all factions recently. Given the importance of ‘swarm tanking’ for the GDF, we’re taking a cautious step forward in improving the Combat Drone’s performance.[/p]

• [p]Health increased to 110 (from 100)
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[h3]Drone Operator[/h3][p]A minor change to the Drone Operator’s damage output, independent of its Drone.[/p]

• [p]Damage increased to 20 (from 15)
  [/p]

[h3]Skycrane Carrier[/h3][p]Skycranes continue to have low win rates and are rarely chosen as early-game harassment tools due to their high cost. We are hoping to encourage more Skycrane play and make it easier to integrate into a broader combat strategy.[/p]

• [p]Cost decreased to 1700 (from 1800)
  [/p]

[h3]Drone Control Unit (DCU)[/h3][p]The DCU overhaul in the latest update was a big change, and we are continuing to monitor its performance. These tweaks should help make it more cost-effective in its new role.[/p]

• [p]Attack Range increased to 4000 (from 3800)[/p]
• [p]Spy Drones ability Activation Range increased to 3100 (from 2800)[/p]
• [p]Spy Drones ability Drone count increased to 4 (from 2)[/p]
• [p]Spy Drones ability Cooldown decreased to 70 (from 80)
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[h3]Comms Officer[/h3][p]Comms Officer usage has dropped off after the latest improvements were made to other Specialists. Area Marking also returns additional Intel generation potential to the GDF.[/p]

• [p]Attack can now target Aerial units[/p]
• [p]Weapon now has a 200 AoE radius (from point damage)
  [/p]

[h3]Brigand Drone (Drone Mauler)[/h3][p]GDF Marking has changed in recent patches, and being able to Mark enemies gives the Drone Mauler a very interesting niche in the GDF lineup.[/p]

• [p]Marking Perk added to weapons[/p]
• [p]Now affected by Boosted Comms Doctrine
  [/p]

[h3]Hunter Tank[/h3][p]These changes to the Hunter Tank should improve the GDF's early-game mobility, harassment potential, and their ability to keep up with enemy vehicles like Subjugators and Havocs.[/p]

• [p]Movement Speed increased to 800 (from 750)[/p]
• [p]Main Weapon Attack Speed increased to 2.7-second intervals (from 2.8)
  [/p]

[h3]Drone Strike Station[/h3][p]An Intel cost of 100 was prohibitively expensive, and the vision boost was not as useful as intended.[/p]

• [p]Intel Cost decreased to 50 (from 100)[/p]
• [p]Vision Radius increased to 23,000 (from 18,000)
  [/p]

[h2]Tempest Dynasty (DYN)

[/h2][h3]
Excavator Platform[/h3][p]After seeing the Dynasty Superweapon in the community’s hands for a week, we felt like deep-striking an army into enemy bases every 10 seconds was a little excessive. Slowing this ability down gives enemy players more breathing room and time to prepare, and makes the use of the Drill Pod more strategic.[/p]

• [p]Deploy Drill Pod Cooldown increased to 40 seconds (from 10)
  [/p]

[h2]Veti (Multiplayer Test Branch)[/h2][p]


While players are still getting used to the Veti, we’ve made some quick adjustments to their Arcing Perk and the effectiveness of some early-game units to improve the overall gameplay experience during the Veti Multiplayer Test.
[/p][h3]Arcing Perk[/h3][p]Players have reported that Arcing units feel like they are overperforming, and we are toning the Perk down substantially in order to make its damage fill more of a supporting role, rather than something that’s killing armies on its own.[/p]

• [p]Damage decreased to 20 Omni (from 50)[/p]
• [p]Range on all sources decreased to 1700 (from 2000)
  [/p]

[h3]Warden[/h3][p]We’re receiving feedback from players that Wardens feel oppressive to play against and are difficult to counter. We aim to increase the skill and tactical nature of using Wardens.[/p]

• [p]Movement Speed decreased to 550 (from 650)[/p]
• [p]Damage decreased to 70 (from 80)
  [/p]

[h3]Acolyte[/h3][p]The Acolyte’s main source of damage is intended to be its Tempest Affinity, which deals bonus damage to enemies with Tempest Charge. We are decreasing both its damage and fire rate to encourage the use of this synergy and create more opportunities for other Veti anti-tank units to shine.[/p]

• [p]Damage decreased to 40 (from 50)[/p]
• [p]Attack Speed decreased to 2-second intervals (from 1.5)
  [/p]

[h3]Sanctifier[/h3][p]Players in the late game have reported that Sanctifiers are unsatisfying due to how quickly enemy AA can bring them down. By increasing some of its resistances and health, we hope to make this Superweapon feel more “super” when used.[/p]

• [p]Rifle and Rocket Resistances increased to 50% (from 0)[/p]
• [p]Health increased to 8000 (from 7000)
  [/p]

[h3]Tempest Ward[/h3][p]This has become a go-to ability for players to use in combat. We hope that increasing its cooldown will cause usage of the Tempest Ward to be more tactical, as more battles will happen while it is on cooldown.[/p]

• [p]Cooldown increased to 180 seconds (from 120)
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[h3]Luminary[/h3][p]Luminaries were intended to spawn Repair Servitors when subjected to Consecration. This has been corrected.[/p]

• [p]Now has Consecrated Repair Servitors Perk
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[h2]Multiplayer/Skirmish[/h2]

• [p]Fixed an issue where the Dynasty Excavator Platform model would disappear in the Fog of War if its owner sold it or it was destroyed [/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the Drone Strike Station’s ability could be used in any location, even without vision[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where some units would stay visible in the Fog of War after a fight[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where units in the Production Queue would be spawned on the map after the player lost a match[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where a Spectator could see buildings and units in the Fog of War while following another player’s camera
  [/p]

[h2]UI [/h2]

• [p]Fixed an issue where the Multiplayer tab could be displayed behind the Player Profile when opened from Leaderboards[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the word “Credits” was translated incorrectly in some languages
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[h2]Veti Multiplayer Test Branch Fixes[/h2]

• [p]Fixed an issue where the War Ender’s “Barrage” ability couldn’t be cancelled once activated[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where The War Ender couldn’t be rebuilt after being destroyed in Multiplayer[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where re-linking an Ascension Anchor to the Resurrection Gate or Corral caused Enlightened to be spawned immediately from it[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the description of the “Consecrated Restocking” Perk didn’t correspond to its actual functionality[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the Veti Sanctifier’s “Subjugation Aura” ability didn’t apply to enemy Infantry correctly when the Sanctifier was moving[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the visual effect of Repair was displayed on full-HP buildings and Vehicle units when the Caretaker was in Facilitation mode with the “Caretaker Empowerment” Doctrine researched[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the “Relocate” Support Power effect would sometimes be visible to other players in the Fog of War[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where Veti walls sometimes couldn’t be placed correctly in Multiplayer matches[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the game could crash if the player tried to use the Vet’s “Relocate” Support Power while more than two buildings were selected[/p]