v1.0.6 - More Corals & Companions, Starfish SP Buff!

[p][/p][p]This marks the fifth day in a row of daily updates.[/p][p]First of all thank you everyone for playing Siegeturtle. I've been reading your feedback and am happy to announce two progression improvements in this update! :)[/p][p][/p][h2]Bonus Corals for everyone![/h2][p][/p][p]To make the first ascension feel more rewarding, everyone will now get 3 free corals upon reaching the ascension screen. This is to make the first ascension feel better and improve progression. I understand it feels bad to ascend and only get 1 coral so I've added this bonus.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Although the text implies first ascension, this reward is retroactive so everyone gets it regardless of progress or ascension count, as long as you reach the ascension screen again.[/p][p][/p][p]More coral bonuses will be coming in the upcoming Challenges Update, info at the end.[/p][p][/p][h2]Bonus Companion Buff![/h2][p][/p][p]You now always get double companions at 50m and 100m on all ascensions![/p][p]Additionally, the 'Never Alone' ascension skill level 1 now starts at 150m.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This change is also retroactive. If you update, you will get two new companions to pick after your first ascension if you are past 100m.[/p][p][/p][p]This change was made to make subsequent ascensions more fun and to also improve the early game pacing. I am open to improving this further if needed.[/p][p][/p][p]History on the design philosophy on bonus companions for those interested:[/p][p][c]Some context: There was no such thing as x2 companions initially. But I noticed that when people started out, they often picked companions based on what the game gave them. Sometimes, certain companions were weaker than others, or even only made to excel at end-game. As the game grew, the disparity of power between each companion also grew.[/c][/p][p][c]To combat the randomness, rerolls were introduced, but it was impossible for a new, inexperienced player to tell what companions were 'better'. So ultimately I settled on just letting the game give you bonus companions on the first ascension, which is fair as you are still figuring the game out. That way you don't get locked by poor choices or bad luck, the former being more common in the first adventure.[/c][/p][p][/p][h2]Starfish SP rewards increased![/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Starfish SP reward was a little low compared to how rare they were, and higher rarity Starfish were even rarer. To make them feel rewarding, their SP has been greatly increased at higher rarities.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We have @Putokrack to thank for this change. I added a direct quote from @Putokrack into my code comments to remember the source of this change :)[/p][p][/p][p]The same applies for high rarity fishes' gold reward.[/p][p][/p][h2]Save backup upon ascension[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]I noticed that some people regretted ascending immediately at 500m and only getting one coral. But it was impossible to go back if one did not manually create a backup save, so the game will do so for you and create a '_BeforeAscensionBackup.st' savefile before every ascension![/p][p][/p][h2]Insufficient Mana warnings[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]I've noticed several reports of skills not casting and it usually turns out that people just don't have enough mana. Previously, I greyed out the icon in the cooldown tray at the bottom right but it still happens. Thus, I've added warnings when a skill is leveled to cost more mana than you have. (The warning icon animates and flashes, which should attract attention.)[/p][p][/p][h2]End game changes[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]With the Coral Bonuses and Companion changes, it is easier to progress now. Hidden Power requirements has been increased to match the new update, and also as preparation for the challenges update which adds new content and coral rewards.[/p][p][/p][p]\[Work In Progress - Content subject to change][/p][p][/p][p]I will be sharing more about the Challenges Update in a subsequent post, which is the next major content planned to be released sometime next week if all goes well. It will contain a new type of mid to end-game content, more coral rewards, and new ascension upgrades that are unlocked through the new Challenge System.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Until then, I will of course continue to still put out regular/daily updates or so to address feedback where available. I received a suggestion to show additional currencies to check them easily. So the next v1.0.7 regular update will contain a toggle to enable more currency displays. Work in progress:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Full changelog:[/h2]

• [p]Add 3 Corals as reward for first ascension! (retroactive when you enter ascension screen again for everyone who has ascended)[/p]
• [p]Bonus companions are now always awarded at 50m and 100m![/p]
• [p]'Never Alone' ascension skill level 1 now starts at 150m[/p]
• [p]Starfish SP rewards greatly increased at higher rarities[/p]
• [p]Fish gold rewards increased at higher rarities[/p]
• [p]A backup of your save is now created before each ascension[/p]
• [p]Increase Hidden Power requirement: 30 -> 80[/p]
• [p]All card bonuses are now granted automatically after 5th ascension[/p]
• [p]Add Dolphin Blessing cooldown to sync with other buffs[/p]
• [p]Add Total Crit Rate in crit rate breakdown tooltip[/p]
• [p]Fix menu shortcut keys sometimes disappearing upon ascending[/p]

[p][/p][p]Thank you for playing and to those of you who left me feedback on Discord :)[/p][p]If you want to hang out with other people in the community, discuss strategies, or simply to chat and leave me your ideas and feedback, feel free to hop on over to Discord~[/p][p][/p][p]As always I am continuing to listen and make changes where I can! Have a good weekend everybody! :D[/p][p][/p][p]-YYZ[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]