Update 0.8 Conquest

[p]Hello everyone, [/p][p][/p][h2]Update 0.8 Conquest has arrived![/h2][p]This is our second big update of Vanguard Galaxy's early access period. Introducing the Conquest mechanic, raising the max level to 60 and an expansion of the Galaxy. We highlight some of the bigger features of this update below and will give you a brief look into the future development. [/p][p]If you want to dig down into all the patch notes that have led to this update since the previous live version 0.7.5.10, we listed them at the bottom of this update. And if you are still on the beta branch, feel free to stay there, this update, and upcoming fixes, will come to public and beta. We want to thank all of you that have been checking out the new features on the beta branch, you're input is greatly appreciated and very valuable to us. [/p][p][/p][h2]The changes[/h2][p]Conquest[/p][p]War between the factions is heating up in this sector of the galaxy. As it becomes clear that great value can be gained by obtaining control over this galaxy. Pick your faction (not just the big ones) and help them succeed. They will reward you greatly for your efforts. The story also continues and introduces some interesting new mechanics for more covert gameplay. [/p][p]If you worry about ruining your hard earned reputation with one of the factions, no need. We added embassies for all the factions where you can always dock and get a bonus to reputation gained with that faction. You also have the choice to not engage in combat and support the factions through industrial activities.[/p][p][/p][p]Level 60 and new skills[/p][p]You can now level up to the new cap of 60 and gain more skills to further increase your abilities. We also added the start of the economy skill tree. Your skill point total can now go up to 120.[/p][p][/p][p]Destroyers and their industrial variants (Size 5 ships)[/p][p]Ships get larger with this update too, you can now get your hands on several different destroyers. With the large ships we introduce large equipment and new weapons like the Torpedo bay, big cannons and large variants of some existing weapons.[/p][p][/p][p]Quality of life[/p][p]Do you have an armory full of stuff you never really look at anymore? Now you can use the new filter to find specific items you're looking for. Or use it to filter out the stuff you don't need anymore and mass sell it with one click (well ok, two with the confirm :)). Performance has been greatly improved for inventories stuffed with lots of loot too.[/p][p][/p][p]You can also favorite most items to prevent them from being sold when using the mass sell options. And you can filter for them. These items will also be ignored when using the mass transfer buttons from cargo to armory and the like.[/p][p]And if you're tired of having to refund skills and reselect them for a different job, now you can create loadouts for your skillsets. This will allow you to easily switch between different activities.[/p][p]We also started work on a new map, but it's a little rough around the edges still and lacks a background. So its currently an experimental feature that can be enabled in the options. [/p][p][/p][p]Modular Space Stations[/p][p]The space stations have been revamped and we started with a more modular approach that can will expand on in the future. In conquest areas you can blown them up too. :) Destroyed stations will be rebuild when the hourly conquest 'tick' happens.[/p][p]They also support docking tunnels for the larger ships.[/p][p][/p][p]Legendary Equipment[/p][p]You can now find and loot equipment of legendary rarity.[/p][p][/p][p]New Ships;[/p][p]- Gryp-Class Salvage Reclaimer (Utixon Corp)[/p][p]- Axcetor-Class Salvage Reclaimer (Utixon Corp)[/p][p]- Rypper-Class Destroyer (Marade Wharf)[/p][p]- Paktar-Class Cargo Carrack (Marade Wharf)
- Sledge-Class Mining Harvester (Mindus Holdings)
- Maul-Class Mining Harvester (Mindus Holdings)[/p][p]- Hurricane-Class Destroyer (Akai Armory)[/p][p]- Typhoon-Class Destroyer (Akai Armory)[/p][p]- Ramose-Class Frigate (Obrix)
- Sparta-Class Destroyer (Stellar Industries)
- Varyag + Varyag-R-Class Size 5 Destroyers (RedStar Forge)
- Inquisitor-Class Size 5 Destroyers (Spirit Design)
- And more...

New NPC ships to encounter[/p][p]- Carkalon-Class Destroyer (???)
- Meriavex-Class Destroyer (Obrix)[/p][p]- Enforcer-Class Frigate (Custos Arms)[/p][p]- Meriavex-Class Destroyer (Obrix)[/p][p]- And some more smaller ships...
[/p][p]Other noteworthy improvements
There are many but to keep it somewhat short:[/p]

• [p]Crafting has been worked on to be more beneficial. Refinery speeds have been boosted (and added skills to boost it) to make sure it can keep up with all the materials coming in. [/p]
• [p]Looking for that last enemy in a combat mission? It's direction is now indicated on the edge of the screen.[/p]
• [p]Ship classifications have been revamped, they are now known by their Size (numeric) and have more appropriate names (Small Miner is now known as Skiff for example)[/p]
• [p]Mining claims for more specific materials can now be purchased. If you're looking for more of a specific material this will surely help you out.[/p]
• [p]Flying to a POI and unsure which mission you need to track? No need, this is now automatically done for you.[/p]
• [p]Overhauled the ship classification system to better support size tiers[/p]
• [p]Extracting materials from the refinery is now improved. These materials can also be found as loot now.[/p]
• [p]Added a new "Reclaim Salvage Rights" dynamic mission type[/p]
• [p]Added an option to disable damage numbers[/p]
• [p]Economy has received a rework
  [/p]

[p][/p][h2]The Future of Vanguard Galaxy[/h2][p]With war now openly breaking out between factions you will need more tools in the future to make sure you can keep the upper hand. We're looking into more customization options for your ships to further enhance their specific role by ways of upgrading them. Smaller ships will also get some attention to stay relevant in the late game.[/p][p]Crew will get attention too, crew as you know it now are actually officers. So crew will be added as an extra feature of the ships. Plus it will allow us to do some more fun stuff that will be revealed later. Such as boarding! Ok I revealed a little.[/p][p]We want to make deployable turrets relevant in the later stages of the game too, so we have some ideas for that.[/p][p]More interesting mission types will be added, as well as taking a look at Aspects, Boosters and other items.

Looking a little bit farther up the road the update after the above will focus on Empire content. This is where we will properly switch our focus on fleet management and exploiting your own faction through stations and fleets.[/p][p]We hope you're looking forward to all this as much as we are. :) We know we're having a lot of fun just thinking of what Vanguard Galaxy will become.[/p][p][/p][h2]Thank you[/h2][p]First of all, a special thanks to all the beta players who have been giving us feedback! It has been very helpful, and we are very happy with your input and positivity.[/p][p]We thank everyone of you who enjoyed Vanguard Galaxy so far. We hope you will all enjoy this update.[/p][p]If you find anything that should not happen or just want to give your feedback/opinion. Let us know. :)

You can best reach out to us on Discord and we will of course keep an eye on the Steam forums.[/p][p]Join the Vanguard Galaxy Discord[/p][p][/p][p]Cheers, [/p][p]Bat Roost Games[/p][p][/p][h2]Older patch notes in order[/h2][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p]