Update 17: Hacking Androids, Draining Morale, and Revising Deals
Update 17 carries a particular weight—not from any single headline, but from how the pieces fit together. Hacked androids, anti-morale weapons, propaganda circuits, sprinting units that cover twenty times their range, and revisions to a variety of the Deals you can make around the city.
The systems are getting denser. More reactive. Deals now carry proper thematic force, not just stat boosts. Android types receive long-overdue recognition in the upgrade matrix. Even minor StreetSense events lead to unusual loadouts and strange discoveries, if you’re paying attention.
You'll also find a rocket launcher designed by the community, sprinting distance upgrades, and multiple deal reworks that tie flavor more closely to function. And scattered throughout: minor tweaks, major augments, and a reminder that the Machine is always learning.
[h3]Steam Reviews[/h3][hr][/hr]If you've been playing and feel like sharing thoughts, Steam reviews are always appreciated. It's part of how these patches are formed and it also brings more attention to Heart of the Machine on Steam.
[expand][h3]Major Additions[/h3]
[h3]New Anti-Morale Weapons and Augments[/h3]
[h3]Unit and Classification Updates[/h3]
[h3]Deal Reworks and Thematic Adjustments[/h3]
[h3]Other Changes[/h3]
[h3]Bugfixes[/h3]
[/expand]
[h3]Connect with the Machine[/h3][hr][/hr]Want to stay in the loop or share your thoughts? Join the conversation across these platforms:
💬 Discord – Best place to share feedback, get direct responses, and to talk about Heart of the Machine.
📜 Reddit – Discuss strategies, share ideas, and exchange tips with the community.
The systems are getting denser. More reactive. Deals now carry proper thematic force, not just stat boosts. Android types receive long-overdue recognition in the upgrade matrix. Even minor StreetSense events lead to unusual loadouts and strange discoveries, if you’re paying attention.
You'll also find a rocket launcher designed by the community, sprinting distance upgrades, and multiple deal reworks that tie flavor more closely to function. And scattered throughout: minor tweaks, major augments, and a reminder that the Machine is always learning.
"We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell."
—Oscar Wilde, quoted in I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison
[h3]Steam Reviews[/h3][hr][/hr]If you've been playing and feel like sharing thoughts, Steam reviews are always appreciated. It's part of how these patches are formed and it also brings more attention to Heart of the Machine on Steam.
[expand][h3]Major Additions[/h3]
- Hacking Enemy Androids: Players can now hack enemy androids and convert them to their side. This feature has been frequently requested since before launch.
- AS-201 Rebellion Launcher: A new anti-armor rocket launcher, unlocked at Intelligence Class 6. Designed and balanced with input from community member Pingcode.
- Sprint Range Expansion: Units can now sprint up to 20x their movement range (increased from 10x). Especially helpful on newer map types.
[h3]New Anti-Morale Weapons and Augments[/h3]
- Book of Rhetoric: Gained via the Religious Study minor StreetSense event in Chapter 1. A new fear-based secondary weapon.
- Spooky Nonsense Generator: Gained via the Occult Participation minor StreetSense event in Chapter 1. A fear-based secondary weapon that reduces Intelligence.
- Propaganda Circuit: Gained via the Political Rally minor StreetSense event in Chapter 1. An augment that boosts both fear and argument attack power.
- Morale Weapon Buff: The Oath of Pacifism is now twice as effective.
- Morale Weapon Effectiveness Upgrade: Available via the Martial Expansion upgrade group. Affects all morale-based weapons and augments, including the Oath.
[h3]Unit and Classification Updates[/h3]
- Souldroid Classification for Technicians: Technicians now qualify as Souldroids, unlocking several upgrades previously limited to Ravens, Mindrunners, and Harbingers.
[h3]Deal Reworks and Thematic Adjustments[/h3]
- Greens For The Underclass: Now benefits Souldroids instead of Technicians.
- Meat For The Underclass: Now grants a small HP bonus for all combat androids, replacing the former Oxdroid-specific argument bonus.
- Canned Protein For The Underclass: Now grants a larger intimidation bonus.
- Meals For Fugitives: Now provides triple the attack boost. No longer applies once you're in the post-apocalypse.
- Donut Deals: Now provide strength bonuses to Oxdroids, replacing their previous engineering bonuses.
[h3]Other Changes[/h3]
- Vorsiber DRM Clarification: Vorsiber’s midsize microbuilder fab now explicitly notes its DRM restrictions, clarifying that it can’t be reverse-engineered or upgraded. Players suggested this thematic explanation, based on observed mechanics, and I thought it was hilarious.
[h3]Bugfixes[/h3]
- Firing While Over Android Cap: Fixed a longstanding issue where if you were over android cap, you could still give them attack orders, even though you couldn't otherwise make them move.
- Issue During First Hack Of Mech: Fixed a regression added in the recent hotfixes, which was preventing you from progressing through the tutorial hacking session, but only about 50% of the time. And only if you did the full hack, not the quick-hack.
[/expand]
[h3]Connect with the Machine[/h3][hr][/hr]Want to stay in the loop or share your thoughts? Join the conversation across these platforms:
💬 Discord – Best place to share feedback, get direct responses, and to talk about Heart of the Machine.
📜 Reddit – Discuss strategies, share ideas, and exchange tips with the community.