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Rivals of Aether II News

Rivals of Aether and VRChat Collide!

[p]We're excited to announce today that we're releasing 5 official Rivals avatars on the VRChat marketplace! Absa, Clairen, Fleet, Kragg, and Zetterburn are all available now. Check out the announcement trailer here: [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Lots of love went into these to make them premium avatars. They're packed with features like custom colors, custom emotes with gesture controls, togglable accessories, dynamic eyes, viseme lip sync, and more! We had a ton of fun playing with these to make the trailer and we hope you will too. [/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]VRChat is free to play on Steam, and you can even play the game without VR. You can view the new avatars in their avatar marketplace available through the main menu. [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

Patch 1.5.3 - Primal Dawn

[p]Did you hear that? The ferocious roars in the distance… It’s the Primal Dawn event! Last February featured the more traditional Love Struck event, but this year things are decidedly less lovey-dovey. Check out the brand new trailer here: [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Trailer Correction: The currency and rarities in-game are correct, but this trailer accidentally shows the standard bundle Aether Buck & Coin amounts in the endcard. The Primal Dawn bundle in game includes 10,000 AC and 100 AB, as it contains 2 rare and 1 epic level skins this month, instead of 3 rares as usual. Primal Maypul is an epic skin that includes custom SFX, music, VFX, and model changes.[/p][p][/p][p]Players equipping any of the new event skins, or any of the following skins will receive 20% Bonus XP on the event track: Primal Etalus, Aardwolf Forsburn, Primal Forsburn, Primal Orcane, Primal Loxodont, Primal Kragg, Civet Maypul, and Arctic Fleet.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The free event track includes the Primal Olympia Skin and Icon, Bedrock platform, Primal Maypul emote, and Cataclysplosion death effect. The paid bundle includes 3 new Primal skins - Primal Wrastor, Primal La Reina, and Primal Maypul with their own prehistoric icons to match, plus coins and bucks. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]New Shop Items[/h2][p]Here's the new palettes, icons, and emotes included in this patch:[/p]
  • [p]Midnight Abyss Galvan Palette[/p]
  • [p]Arctic Orange Fleet Palette[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Orange Primal Kragg Palette[/p]
  • [p]Black Skink Galvan[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Ferrosaur Icon 1[/p]
  • [p]Ferrosaur Icon 2[/p]
  • [p]Ferrosaur Icon 3[/p]
  • [p]Just Parry Emote[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]New Ranked Shop Items[/h2][p]Champion Olympia has been added to the Ranked Shop! This includes a skin, two emotes, and two icons for the Amethyst Fist.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Audio Updates[/h2]
  • [p]Etalus[/p]
    • [p]Etalus Dash Attack now has a new custom SFX.[/p]
  • [p]Fleet[/p]
    • [p]Bug Fix: Fleet special and strong sound effects now correctly tune in to the key of the currently playing music track again.[/p]
  • [p]Maypul[/p]
    • [p]Terry, Poppy and Lily voices were playing a bit too late and were moved to play earlier.[/p]
    • [p]We mentioned previously that Maypul was scheduled to receive new voice-lines for both default and skins this patch, but these lines need a bit more time in the oven so we're delaying them for the next patch.[/p]
  • [p]Primal Maypul[/p]
    • [p]Primal Maypul has new sounds for Terry, Poppy and Lily, as well as some custom bone hits in some of her moves and a new win jingle.[/p]
  • [p]Primal Wrastor[/p]
    • [p]Primal Wrastor has a custom Up Special Sweetspot Hit SFX. The eagle is now a dinosaur![/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][h2]Gameplay Changes[/h2][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Bug Fix: Fixed a bug that caused shield drops to be delayed by 2 frames when your Roll Setting prevents rolling with the left stick.[/p]
  • [p]Bug Fix: Fixed a bug that allowed characters to grab ledge 1 frame after grabbing an opponent, canceling the grab.[/p]
    • [p]This was most notable with La Reina, since her recovery moves are grabs.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Bug Fix: Fixed a bug that caused Wrastor to gain 2 jumps back when thrown after being cubed by Kragg's Neutral Special.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Slow Fall joystick threshold: 0.75 > 0.7[/p]
    • [p]This was intended to go live with 1.5.0 but was unintentionally excluded.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Forward Strong sourspot radius: 70 > 80, moved 10cm backward and 5cm downward.[/p]
    • [p]After the latest change to this move's hitboxes, Maypul was whiffing in situations where the opponent was right next to her, so we're increasing the backward range of the move by 20cm and the downward range by 15cm to prevent that.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Up Special multihits hitstun multiplier: x1 > x0.75[/p]
    • [p]This makes it less punishing to get clipped by a single hit of Clairen Up Special, especially offstage.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p]

Menu Makeover - Patch 1.5.2 Notes

[p]Today we've got an exciting patch that's been in the works behind the scenes for a while - a big menu update featuring reskins for the Main Menu, Local Modes Menu, Online Modes, the entire In-Game Store, the Leaderboards, plus other areas like the top bar and popup menus. [/p][p][/p]
[p][/p][p]Our aim with this update is to make these screens nicer to use and set the foundation for a new UI art style we can expand on going forward. We’re super excited to get this update out, and bring improvements to more menus in the future with the same look.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p][/p][p]If you've got any feedback on the new menus, be sure to leave your suggestions and upvote others you agree with on our nolt board. We review these every week so it's the best way to get your feedback heard. We hope you've been enjoying the patches this year so far![/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][p][/p][h2]Other Changes in this Patch[/h2][p][/p]
  • [p]Wavedash assist will now only airdodge if your joystick is pointed sideways or down.[/p]
    • [p]This prevents it from messing up non-wavedash out-of-shield options.[/p]
[p]
[/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Bug fix: Rock getting grabbed and hit on the same frame will now cause the grab to fail.[/p]
    • [p]This was causing newly created articles to be stuck to the grabbing player.[/p]
  • [p]Bug fix: Wavedash assist will no longer allow Kragg to wavedash while holding a rock.[/p]
[p]
[/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Bug fix: Fixed a bug that caused ice armor to be instantly removed on hit after the first time it was used.[/p]
[p]
[/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Bug fix: Chair will now go on cooldown when it gets grabbed by anyone other than its owner[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p]

Patch 1.5.1.0 and January Mid-Month Update

[p]It's time for our January mid-midmonth update! On top of the usual mid-month bundle this patch has a few more balance changes than usual, as we make sure changes from the HUGE 1/6 patch are dialed in for Genesis X3. [/p][p][/p][h2]Luchador Etalus Epic Mid-Month Skin[/h2][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Luchador Etalus comes in from the top ropes! Our latest bundle includes a brand new Etalus skin, emote, icon, and the new “Fuera” critical hit effect! The bundle also includes 25,000 coins and 250 Aether bucks.  This Epic tier skin also features a custom win jingle, two new victory lines, plus custom sfx on his Armor spawn/break, Down Strong, Forward Tilt, Getup Special, Neutral Special, Special Pummel, Up Special, and Up Strong![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]New Shop Items[/h2][p]New color palettes and icons added this midmonth![/p]
  • [p]Orange Lucha La Reina[/p]
  • [p]White La Reina[/p]
[p][/p]
  • [p]Midnight Abyss Absa[/p]
[p][/p]
  • [p]Avatar Olympia Icon[/p]
  • [p]Avatar Guadua Icon[/p]
  • [p]Avatar Scorhawk Icon[/p]
[p][/p]
  • [p]Winner La Reina Icon[/p]
  • [p]Awatsu Icon[/p]
  • [p]Helios Icon[/p]
  • [p]Bhadra Icon[/p]
  • [p]Yono Icon[/p]
[p][/p][p]Icons of the runners up from our Workshop Contest (seen above) have been added to the game. They’ll appear in the coinshop for 8000 coins or available in the bucks shop for 80 Aether Bucks. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Twitch Rivals of Aether II (part 2!)[/h2][p]Don't forget to tune into our second official Twitch Rivals event later today! Twenty-four creators will be duking it out to determine the best crew at 2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET. You can tune into the main stream at twitch.tv/TwitchRivals or any player PoVs. Check out the article here for how to watch and also earn the new Challenger La Reina palette in honor of the competition: [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Final R2CS Regular Season Events [/h2][p]2026 is here and we’re in crunch time before the big finale at Genesis X3! We have 3 more North American events coming up between now and then, so let’s take a look: [/p][p]Rep Let’s Make Big Moves with the all new LMBM Hockey Loxodont palette, available now in the Featured Shop:[/p][p][/p][p]Similar to the previous Hungrybox Qualifier Events, entrants will receive the HungryBox Baseball Clairen palette for free as long as they participate.[/p][p] [/p][p][/p][p]
Finally, the Frosty Faustings Sunbear Etalus palette is here to celebrate the tournament’s first ever circuit inclusion![/p][p][/p][p]If you purchase any event bundles but already own the base skins, you’ll receive an Aether Bucks refund to make it even just like with our other bundles. These palettes are FREE for all players attending the respective events. [/p][p]
You can check out upcoming & past events and the region leaderboards on our official league page.[/p][p][/p][h2]Audio Updates[/h2][p]This patch contains a sizeable change to Demigod Orcane's skin VO:[/p]
  • [p]Demigod Orcane's custom VO was lasting a bit too long compared to his normal VO so we've added a much more aggressive fade-out to make sure they're in line with each other.[/p]
[p][/p][h2]Balance Changes[/h2][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Parry intangibility frames: 90 > 75[/p]
    • [p]The intangibility duration felt a bit too long, leading to scenarios where the intangible player would whiff a slow attack for their parry punish and still have enough intangibility to try again.[/p]
  • [p]Getting thrown will now only restore a single double jump instead of all of them.[/p]
    • [p]This makes it less punishing to land a grab while edgeguarding Wrastor.[/p]
  • [p]While grabbed, all of your resources will be restored if the grabbing player is grounded at any point during the throw.[/p]
    • [p]This includes resources like Kragg pillar that only refresh if you touch ground.[/p]
  • [p]New control setting: No Airdodge In Tumble[/p]
    • [p]Normally, if you release the shield button while in tumble, you will airdodge. This setting disables that functionality, allowing you to tap the shield button to tech instead of needing to hold it. When this setting is enabled, you will need to flick your joystick to exit tumble if you want to airdodge, or set either AirGrab or AirParry to airdodge.[/p]
  • [p]New control setting: Suppress Dash Attack[/p]
    • [p]This setting will prevent you from dash attacking if you aren't holding forward, and will store the attack input until your dash ends.[/p]
  • [p]New control setting: Roll Setting[/p]
    • [p]You can choose between four options: Default, Left Stick Only, Right Stick Only, and Double Shield Lock (holding two shield buttons prevents both sticks from rolling). This applies to rolls, spot dodges, and jumping out of shield with the right stick.[/p]
  • [p]New control setting: Wavedash Assist[/p]
    • [p]This makes you wavedash if you're holding shield at the end of jumpsquat, allowing you to wavedash out of shield without releasing the shield button.[/p]
  • [p]Pressing up on ledge to ledge jump now uses a 3 frame buffer instead of the full 6 frames.[/p]
    • [p]This makes it less likely to get unintended ledge jumps when recovering, especially after using Up Special.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Forward Tilt hit 2's hitboxes now start interpolated.[/p]
    • [p]This makes them reach as high upward as hit 1, reducing the number of scenarios where hit 2 would whiff after hit 1 connected.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]While dashing, the right stick will now perform tilts instead of dash attacks when set to Attack.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Forward Air multihit knockback: 3.5 + 0 > 4.5 + 0[/p]
    • [p]This makes it techable at the wall.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Wrapped opponents will now be prioritized before Terry and marked/wrapped teammates when tethering.[/p]
  • [p]Getup Special will now lose all vertical momentum if the diving active window ends in the air.[/p]
    • [p]This can only happen in extremely specific scenarios, but Maypul would just plummet into the bottom blastzone before this change.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Up Special multihits now have 3 distinct knockback angles and force tumble.[/p]
    • [p]The inner hitbox has the highest priority and still sends at 70. The middle hitbox has the next highest priority and sends at 90. The outer hitbox sends at 105. This makes it less likely for opponents to fall out before the finisher hits, making it overall a bit safer to use.[/p]
  • [p]Up Special late multihit knockback: 7 + 0 > 8 + 0[/p]
    • [p]This makes it launch opponents slightly higher so that the finisher doesn't whiff.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Up Throw's bubbles will now be spawned in a wider area for thin characters and a thinner area for wide characters.[/p]
    • [p]This makes it more effective against the characters that naturally get out of it easily while making it less effective against the characters that struggle to get out even with the correct counterplay. The range is expanded by +/-20cm on both sides for the thinnest/thickest characters respectively.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Dash Attack's jump cancel can now airdodge if it hits any object, not just a player.[/p]
    • [p]This does not include hitting shields.[/p]
  • [p]Ice armor will now be removed at the end of hitpause instead of immediately when Etalus is hit[/p]
    • [p]This makes him retain his armored weight for the hit that removes armor. If he gets hit again during hitpause, it will immediately remove the armor.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Bug fix: Clouds will no longer display a hitbox on the first frame they're kicked by Absa. Functionality is unchanged.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We're increasing the damage on some of her attacks, since the values ended up being a little low for their use cases.[/p]
  • [p]Chair will now climb walls faster when being recalled with Neutral Special[/p]
    • [p]This lets her get her chair back much quicker when recalling it from offstage.[/p]
  • [p]Up Special's arm is now intangible during the active frames and the first 5 recovery frames[/p]
    • [p]This allows it to challenge other attacks from below more effectively.[/p]
[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
  • [p]Up Air, Forward Strong, Up Special, and Forward Special will all have 40 armor when grabbing an opponent until releasing them.[/p]
    • [p]This is mostly important for doubles, where La Reina was often putting herself in danger just by landing her finishers.[/p]
  • [p]Forward Strong damage: 11 > 13[/p]
  • [p]Up Strong damage: 11 > 13[/p]
  • [p]Back Air damage: 7 > 8[/p]
  • [p]Up Air damage: 6 > 11[/p]
  • [p]Up Air knockback: 6 + 0.95 > 6 + 1.0[/p]
    • [p]Slight increase to the scaling so that it kills a bit earlier.[/p]
  • [p]Down Air knockback angle: 75 > 78[/p]
    • [p]This leaves the opponent slightly closer to La Reina on DI away.[/p]
  • [p]Forward Special damage: 10 > 12[/p]
  • [p]Forward Special spike damage: 7 > 10[/p]
  • [p]Default taunt can now be canceled after 30 frames.[/p]
  • [p]Performing her default taunt on an offstage platform will reset its duration on the first pose, giving her enough time to jump off afterward.[/p]

Registration Now Open for The Cashbox: GX3 Last Chance Qualifier

[p]Our final online event for R2CS Season 1 takes place at the end of this month! Unfortunately this event couldn't be hosted on a weekend (which we'll avoid next season), but this gives one more path to Genesis for those who can make it. Here's all the event details and how to sign up:[/p][p][/p][p]Event Type: Online Free-to-Enter Tournament
Registration: The Cashbox: GX3 Qualifier Date: Tuesday, January 27th at 4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET

Prizing: [/p]
  • [p]$1,000 Travel Voucher to Genesis X3 for eligible 1st place finisher. [/p]
  • [p]All players who participate will receive the Hungrybox Baseball Clairen palette (last chance!)[/p]
[p] This event is region locked to North America. [/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]How to Watch[/h3][p]You can catch the stream on Hungrybox's Twitch channel the same time as the event starts on Tuesday, January 27th at 4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET. [/p]