Forts News

Congratulations once again to EtaN, winner of Season 34. EtaN's vast array of accomplishments are well known, and far too large to accommodate within the margins of this announcement. Taking 2nd for their first time is Nils after a previous best 8th place finish in Season 33. And I am myself in 3rd adds another bronze to their collection, matching their Season 31 performance.

While the top 3 places receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze, every player finishing within the top 20 will receive a Season 30 Medal. Congratulations to all medalists as well!

For season 34 Trivia, see Ranked Integrity Progress below

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[h2]1v1 Leaderboard[/h2]

1. EtaN
   
2. Nils
   
3. I am myself
   
4. klaualles
   
5. Kriegsseule
   
6. Buzzsaw-Bär
   
7. Kriegskeule
   
8. aurip
   
9. Snipper Sniffer
   
10. Doriepixar
    
11. Julian
    
12. butterdog
    
13. Domy
    
14. [BOG]#Kriegeule
    
15. 打帅币
    
16. Александр
    
17. Cloud
    
18. Susser
    
19. Nerf Buster
    
20. Probably Poolboy
    

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[h3]Ranked Integrity Progress[/h3]
We have made updates to the ranked play by rolling out a new analytics system. This allows us to collect match data, diagnose problems, and identify suspicious activity. Further work is ongoing as we progress towards a fully integrated arbitration server. Here a few data points taken throughout the season:

- German players accounted for 52.8% of all ranked match participants.
- Firebird was the most popular commander, with a 14.3% pick rate, just narrowly beating out Spook (14.2%) by .1% in the waning hours of the season
- Firebird had the highest winrate at 56%
- For factions, The Iron Bear Alliance was the most popular, followed by the Dragon Army
- The overall match completion rate* is now +95%

And as ever, we continue to apply bans and remove players from the rankings as our investigations warrant.

Commanders listed in order of popularity. Winrate percentages shown on the Y scale, and below each commander
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*Match completion rate defined as the percentage of matches that successfully reach an in-game conclusion via core elimination or forfeit.

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[h2]Season 35[/h2]

[h3]Important Season 35 Announcement:[/h3]
The Season 35 leaderboard was reset on the 9th of April due to two discovered and now patched exploits that were brought to our attention by several players. This is to ensure a fair and balanced competition for the entire season. We sincerely apologise for the loss of scores.

This season's map pool consists of the following battlefields:

• Abyss
  
• Crevice
  
• Desert Ruins
  
• Elephants
  
• Moorings
  
• Stalactites
  

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[h2]Join Our Discord![/h2]

If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.

Cheers,
EWG

As always we've been working hard to improve your Forts experience. We think this update brings some exciting changes.

Firstly, the game's start up time has been optimised. In most cases it should take much less time to reach the main menu. Your mileage will vary depending on your hardware. There's also a new user constant, Game.SkipIntro = true, that will skip the EarthWork Games splash screen if you restart frequently.

Then there's the new in-game version information screen. Click on the version button under the title in the main menu to open it up. You can then select the updates of interest. Using the bar at the top, search the changes by keyword. Filters can be applied to the types of changes you see. Over 2 years worth of update history is included.

Inspect detailed change logs going back years.[hr][/hr]
In the lobby, you'll now see the total file size of a map or mod before subscribing to it. While downloading, you and the other players in the lobby can see its progress.

Check the Workshop file size before downloading.[hr][/hr]
For the last update we introduced a minimum scrap time to avoid rapid disappearance of deleted upgrades. We received some feedback about this, and decided to remove it. Instead, when you delete a device in the process of upgrading, the upgrade is cancelled and it reverts to the original.

Firebird has been tweaked a little, removing Flak from the active and reducing the incendiary mortar radius. Overdrive's upgrade boost now only applies to those requiring the Upgrade Centre so he can't build Deck Guns and Orbital lasers much faster than other commanders in High Seas.

Finally, anti-air has been improved, trying harder to avoid shooting at allies.

These are the highlights, but there are other minor changes and bug fixes. See the full list below.

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[h2]Change List dlc2 38 r18687[/h2]

Add: Change lists can be viewed in-game by clicking on the version in the main menu
Add: Game.SkipIntro = true can be set in constants_user.lua to optionally speed start up
Add: Show item size when requested to download mods and maps in the lobby
Add: GetProjectileAntiAirHitpoints script function to retrieve the current amount of anti air hitpoints

Balance: (Overdrive) Upgrade speed boost only applies to devices requiring the Upgrade Centre
Balance: (Firebird active) Flak shrapnel is not incendiary
Balance: (Firebird) Incendiary mortar incendiary radius reduced from 70 to 50 (-29%)
Balance: (Pinchfist) Remove 5% collection boost from Propellers and Smokestacks

Fix: Player returns to incorrect screen after ranked forfeit
Fix: Crash when using DestroyProjectile script function
Fix: Ground scale is not serialised
Fix: Device health is saved in map editor
Fix: Ground devices are gained and lost while moving a structure
Fix: AA doesn't fire if allied structure is in path
Fix: Players can enter lobbies with the incorrect password
Fix: (Moonshine) Backbracing limit can be exceeded by placing shield over device
Fix: Eagle Eye's reload banking is lost when a weapon is moved
Fix: OnProjectileDestroyed passes incorrect destroy type when colliding with devices
Fix: Commander name shows up as 'Drill Instructor' in the lobby
Fix: GetWaterDepthAt script function is limited by PhysicsManager::mMaxWaterDepth
Fix: Upgrade icon is not used if an upgrade can be built directly
Fix: SetNamedScreen* documentation typos preventing links from working

Improve: Observer HUD quality of life
Improve: When DestroyProjectile and DestroyStructure is used, new DESTROYTYPE_SCRIPT is passed as destroyType parameter for clarity
Improve: Documentation for MuteAllSounds script function
Improve: Add national flag icons in front of each language option
Improve: Deletion during upgrading cancels instead of scraps, with full refund

Optimise: Game start up time

Remove: Minimum device scrap time

[h2]Change List dlc2 38b r18770[/h2]

Fix: Corrupt dynamic pack files cause exit at main menu
Fix: Crash when a teamId without resources is passed to some script functions
Fix: Crash when DestroyProjectile is used on structural nodes
Fix: Cursor device state icons are incorrect in some cases
Fix: Deleting many foundations gains additional metal
Fix: GetProjectileAntiAirHitpoints only returns the initial value
Fix: Polish flag is inverted
Fix: Reload progress is not restored when an upgrade is cancelled
Fix: Upgrade cost is avoided when downgrade is cancelled and there are insufficient resources
Fix: Upgrade icon sometimes shows when cancelling scrap
Fix: Weapon overheating can be circumvented by upgrading and then cancelling

[h2]Change List dlc2 38b r18803[/h2]

Fix: Crash when GetRayHitMaterialSaveName is used after the previously hit device has been destroyed
Fix: Crash when an invalid teamId is passed to script functions which use GetDeviceType
Fix: Crash when using the lobby context menu on a disconnected client
Fix: Device selection is lost when cancelling upgrade
Fix: Workshop maps are sometimes inaccessible to the fort select screen, causing desyncs

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[h2]Make Sure To Join Our Discord[/h2]

If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.

Cheers,
EWG

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Congratulations to team 974, winners of Tournament XXX!

Julian, Nils, and butterdog constructed gigantic shared bases to deliver precision attacks on their way to winning Tournament XXX. Taking full advantage of co-op on elimination, removing cores only made them stronger and allowed their fort to grow. Then they employed focused firepower to hammer away at weak spots.

974 finding a fatal weakness in Die Kupferstecher's base
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In 2nd, Alesio, I am myself, and klaualles on team Die Kupferstecher put on a dazzling display of map control and weapon variety. With ever present snipers, and a dizzying mix of cannons, lasers, mortars, missiles, and magnabeams they applied constant pressure from every angle.

Die Kupferstecher circumventing the defenses of team Pizza
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And in 3rd, EtaN, Der Benzinpreisvergleicher, and Taichu showcased superb base designs and individual prowess.

Everything is on fire courtesy of team Pizza
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[h3]1st Place - $150 in Steam Gift cards[/h3]

974

• Julian
  
• Nils
  
• butterdog
  

[h3]2nd Place - $75 in Steam Gift cards[/h3]

Die Kupferstecher

• Alesio
  
• I am myself
  
• klaualles
  

[h3]3rd Place - $30 in Steam Gift cards[/h3]

Pizza

• EtaN
  
• Der Benzinpreisvergleicher
  
• Taichu
  

Prizes split equally between teammates

[h2]Challengermode Bracket[/h2]
Tournament XXX Bracket

[h2]Replays & VODs[/h2]

Thank you to hosts and casters Project Incursus and Salzwerk

Tournament replays are available in the Featured tab of the Replays menu in-game, and tournament videos are available below.

English cast with Project Incursus
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


German cast with Salzwerk
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]Make Sure To Join Our Discord[/h2]

If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.


Cheers,
EWG

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Congratulations to Poolboy, winner of Season 33. Having thrice finished second and countless top 20 appearances, this marks their first time topping the rankings. Finishing in 2nd is EtaN, perennial winner and reigning FPL champion with partner Dranistian. And in 3rd taking Bronze is klaualles, ending their 2 season winning streak but retaining a spot on the podium.


While the top 3 places receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze, every player finishing within the top 20 will receive a Season 30 Medal. Congratulations to all medalists as well!

Season 33 trivia:

• Balls had both the longest and shortest matches of the season (and for the same reason)
  
• Shockenaugh came into their own with the expansion friendly map pool
  
• Missiles also made a comeback as a result of all the available real estate
  
• The evolution of core swings has continued unabated, some of which even work

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[h2]1v1 Leaderboard[/h2]

1. Poolboy
   
2. EtaN
   
3. klaualles
   
4. Not Poolboy
   
5. [WTF] Domy
   
6. Hallrassy
   
7. Nainibrok
   
8. 9tr
   
9. Nils
   
10. margarinedog
    
11. budderdo
    
12. I am myself
    
13. greatwo
    
14. brainboomxs
    
15. salty snekko
    
16. Julian
    
17. Snipper Sniffer
    
18. Cloud
    
19. ニャミ•キメラ
    
20. BaumstaenderTTV
    

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[h2]Season 32[/h2]
Season 34 is already underway and will run through March 31st. This season's map pool consists of the following battlefields:

• Balls
  
• Elephants
  
• Hillfort
  
• Pillars
  
• Split
  
• Vanilla
  

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[h2]Make Sure To Join Our Discord[/h2]

If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.


[hr][/hr]

Cheers,
EWG

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Are you ready for Season 5 of the Forts Pro League? Now with massively increased prizes! Everyone can sign up for the FPL group stage and registration opens on February 8th! Register your team on Challengermode and Discord following the instructions below.

Teams will be seeded into groups of 8 where they will face each other in a round robin format, with one match being played per week. Teams may schedule their match at any time during the week, but if they have not played by Sunday at 8pm utc that given week they must contact a league official on Discord and make themselves available to play their match at this time. Any team not present will forfeit that match. At the end of this stage, the teams with the most points in each group will qualify for the playoffs, where the ultimate winners will be decided.

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When is it going to happen?

Signups for the FPL begin on February 8th and end on March 8th at 8pm utc. Opening day is March 15th at 8pm utc. The playoffs (tentatively scheduled for May 10th 8pm utc) will be held once the round robin stage has concluded.
If you want to participate, make sure you are free on May 10th as well as the two weekends afterwards.

How to participate?

Everyone is eligible to sign up for the group stage of the FPL!

First, see the Forts Pro League Official Rules

Then form your team of two and meet the following requirements. Player names must be clearly readable and match on Discord, Steam and Challengermode. The maximum length is 16 characters for teams. Players are expected to use this name when playing all of their matches. Offensive player or team names and profile images will result in disqualification from the league. Players currently under ranked or multiplayer bans are also ineligible to compete.

Team tags must be 3 characters or less.

Team logos should be 128x128 pixels. Offensive images will result in disqualification.

How to join the Forts Pro League:

• Make sure you have created your team on Challengermode;
  
• Message @42scientist or @taichuz on the Forts Official Discord with your Team name, composition, team tag and logo. Also include the Discord and Steam ID's of you and your teammate.;
  
• You will then receive an invitation for your team to join the League event;
  
• Accept the invitation on Challengermode;
  
• You are now officially registered in the Forts Pro League!
  
  

Team Capacitor
(Link to the challengermode team)
[CAP] Fred
(Link to Fred's Steam profile)
[CAP] Max
(Link to Max's Steam profile)

Sample entry with Team and Logo



What are the prizes for Pro League?

• 1st place: $500
  
  
• 2nd place: $250
  
  
• 3rd place: $100
  

Prizes will be split equally between team members and distributed as a Steam gift card.

[h2]Where?[/h2]

• FPL Season 5 at Challengermode
  
  
• The Official Forts Discord

[h2]Rules[/h2]

For more information on rules and match scheduling please read the Forts Pro League Official Rules

Earthwork Games reserves the right to make changes to this event as needed

[h2]Streamers[/h2]

Project Incursus

Salzwerk

Communauté Forts FR (Gusteagle & Pile Rouillée)

Cheers,
EWG