Cross of Auria News

I had a couple dozen hours free over the last few days, so progress is coming a little quicker than usual.

tldr build notes: new playable character is available for everyone doing the 5.0 alpha tests. Opt in instructions at the bottom. Find him through the Veil in Ruby's House at any point in the game. Quest designed for level 1 new save files.

Like main party characters, Eurus is not currently permitted in the Battlefront area.

0.05 [5.0 Alpha Build #5, Test Date: August 05, 2021] What's In This Version:
- Preparation for day 2 tie in is under way. Elena Katali will prompt Ruby to visit Officer Rose, who sends her home. If you enter Ruby's Room, you will be stuck there until the patch which adds Day 2.

What To Look For: Look for these and other bugs and report them on Discord!
- Eurus properly joins the party after his quest is completed.
- Music properly changes between Ruby's House, The Veil, Raphael's Tower Area, and Raphael's Tower.
- Lighting returns to normal after leaving Raphael's Tower Area.

New:
- Debug Unit has been added to Lvell to remove Quest #8, which was previously "Nightmare of Lvell". This quest had no further details than a title and should be removed from all active save files.
- Elena Katali of the Phoenix Ash now prompts Ruby to return to Officer Rose after her questline is complete.
- The Veil now connects to the Raphael's Tower Area. Visit this location to help Eurus.

Changes:
- The store page listing for the Cross of Auria demo has been delisted. This demo may be safely uninstalled.


Character Highlight: Eurus
Elemental Affinity: Wind
Weapon Type: Scythe. Adds "Scythe" battle commands.
Armor Type: Leather
Learned by level up:
1: Singlehand Stance
1: Doublehand Stance
3: Arcane Shock
3: Swing
6: Airblade
8: Airslash
10: Arcane Shock II
16: Airslash II
18: Airblade II
20: Reave
30: Airslash III
36: Airblade III
Attack State: Air Current (5%) [Air Current increases the chance of Wind-Weak applying to the afflicted target by 300% and may be applied by any skill which adds the Normal-Attack state, which is most non-elemental physical skills.]
Resist State: Wind-Weak (100% Resistance)

About Singlehand Stance
Singlehand Stance...
- Applies "Singlehand Scythe" to Eurus, which increases MP cost by 20% and increases magic damage by 20%.
- Removes "Doublehand Scythe" and allows access to Magic, but prevents the use of Skills.
- Starts with a 2 turn warm-up and has a 2 turn cool-down.
- Is a Scythe-type ability.
- Has a chance to freecast various magic in a single turn depending on Eurus's level.
Under level 10: Airblade + Arcane Shock
Level 10 to Level 20: Airblade x2 or Airblade + Arcane Shock
Level 20 to Level 30: Airblade x2 or Airblade + Arcane Shock or Airblade + Wind Buffet
Level 30 to Level 40: Airblade + Wind Buffet or Airblade x2 or Wind Buffet + Gust
Level 40 to Level 50: Airblade + Wind Buffet or Wind Buffet x2 or Wind Buffet + Gust
Level 50 to Level 99: Airblade + Wind Buffet or Wind Buffet x2 or Wind Buffet + Gust or Gust x2 or Gust x3.

About Doublehand Stance
Doublehand Stance...
- Will always cast Attack + Swing regardless of level.
- Applies "Doublehand Scythe" to Eurus, which increases Physical damage by 25%.
- Removes "Singlehand Scythe" and allows access to Skills, but prevents the use of Magic.
- Starts with a 3 turn warm-up and has a 3 turn cool-down.
- Is a Scythe-type ability.


Alpha Opt-In Instructions
1. With the Steam client open, right click Cross of Auria and select Properties
2. In the new window, navigate to the Betas tab
3. Enter the following beta access code: version5alpha
4. Press the "opt-in" button and make sure the branch listed is "alpha5 - 5.0 Alpha Branch" in the drop down menu. Then, it is safe to exit this menu.
To switch back to the retail version of the game, select "None" in the drop down menu instead.

The below patch notes are kind of big this time, so let me sum up with: I removed old confusing poisons, burns, and bleeds and replaced them with a more streamlined version. Because of that, I had to go through the entire database and pair everything back up. In doing so, I caught some enemies who should have elemental type advantages but did not. So, for I think the second time ever, I'm sharing with you all a link to an excel sheet with information about the game. This sheet contains information regarding type matchups within CoA. The link is just below in the 'what's in this version' section of the notes.

There are still a handful of things I need to do to finish up the first day, including fix the "nightmare" quest log information to reflect the changes in the quest. As of right now, it will not progress past a certain point regardless of having completed the steps. When the quest details are filled out, a debug NPC will be added to Lvell until 5.0 merges with the default retail branch of the game. If you do not debug the quest log information before then, it will never update to be accurate unless you start a new save file. Keep in mind, the Quest Log is purely visual and has absolutely no effect on anything inside the game. It merely exists as a resource for extra reading or help if you've put down the game for a while and have forgotten where you left off.

This build includes the next day 1 quest - the Phoenix Ash introduction. This quest should progress from start to finish without errors. I just spent the last four or so hours testing it, so I very much hope this is the case. As always, if you find any issues, please report them on Discord or as a reply to this post!

This build does not include major additions or changes to the Battlefront arena.

Over the next few updates, my goal are the following:
• Add the new party member Eurus for players who purchased CoA before it became F2P. This exclusivity will be temporary and last no longer than six months after the release of 5.0, after which point his addition will be permanent for everyone.
• Add a thank-you box in the Alpha build to be carried over in the merged retail build later for those of you who participated.
• Tie together the current point in the story up until the end of Hell's Gate. Sadly, this is the next roadblock as Historian Ewynn needs to be completely rebuilt, as he has entanglement which does not function correctly spread out across multiple quests. I don't estimate his repair to take very long, but it isn't possible to merge the retail build until he's fixed.


0.04 [5.0 Alpha Build #4, Test Date: August 04, 2021] What's In This Version:
- Major overhaul to the States system. Completely removed extended turn and variable states and replaced with streamlined states listed below. Due to this change, every actor, class, item, enemy, armor, and weapon had to be looked at to remove the previous state and apply the new one in its place where applicable. Example: If a weapon would apply one of the previous types of poison, its reference position in the database was changed to the new one.
- Enemies who visibly have an elemental type now share those type weaknesses - see the elemental resistance chart here: : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AxJJBGunGnyzHuWEemJvEQRHmEkEtSi7HaNkJJGtCSI/edit?usp=sharing

What To Look For: Look for these and other bugs and report them on Discord!
- When KO'd, Battlefront teammates should drop all gear, revert to level 1 with 0 EXP, and leave the party.
- Battlefront characters should leave the party when Ruby leaves the area, then return when Ruby comes back, keeping all of their gear and EXP intact.
- If any area returning to the World Map instead crashes the game on Day 1.
- Actors or enemies apply a buff or debuff that does not make sense relative to who or what they are.
- Weapons or armor do not protect against statuses which their flavor text says they do.

DLC Changes:
- Armor from the Founder's Pack V set now increases resistances to the new Poison, Burn, and Bleed. Previously, this set only added resistances to Poison and Burn.

New States:
- Some skill may override the reset turn function and add turns instead.
- There are no longer multiple variations of common damage over time effects. However, some special case variations remain - such as Devastating Poison, which will replace Poison on the afflicted target.

• Poison
-- DoT Formula - (a.mat * 2) + (a.luk / 16)
-- DoT Variance - 33%
-- Resets turns when reapplied.
-- Duration: 2-5 turns.
• Devastating Poison
-- DoT Formula - (a.mat * 4) + (a.luk / 8)
-- DoT Variance: 33%
-- Resets turns when reapplied.
-- Duration: 3-5 turns.
-- Added Effect: Immunity to regular Poison state.

• Burn
-- DoT Formula - (a.mat * 2)
-- DoT Variance - 33%
-- Added Effect: Reduces Attack by 33%
-- Resets turns when reapplied.
-- Duration: 2-5 turns.

• Bleed
-- DoT Formula - (a.atk * 2)
-- DoT Variance - 50%
-- Resets turns when reapplied.
-- Duration: 2-5 turns.

• Frostbite
-- DoT Formula - (a.mat * 1.15)
-- DoT Variance - 18%
-- Adds turns when reapplied.
-- Duration: 2-5 turns.

• Heal
-- HoT Formula - (a.mat * 2)
-- HoT Variance - 25%
-- Resets turns when reapplied.
-- Duration: 2-5 turns.

Fixes:
- Resolved an issue where the player could Game Over is Ruby was KO'd after the Spheria battle.

Changes:
- Phoenix Ash opened after water spirit quest & questline adjusted to reflect new states.
- Day 1 Shoreline box now contains a Minor Revive.
- Removed the 'Day 1 Revan' map.
- Spheria (Lv. 7) now conforms to Water-type defenses.
- 1st Den An'ura units now correctly apply the new Poison state.
- Scarlet Lava Spawn now has a 10% chance to cause Burn.
- Scarlet Cavern enemies now conform to Fire-type defenses. Drahkin, Egg, & Golem have custom type defenses instead.
- 2nd Den An'ura units now conform to Poison-type defenses.
- Updated all skills to conform to New States.
- Expose Weakness now reduces target defense by 33%, up from 30%.
- Instability now applies all three debuffs in one as opposed to three separate chances to apply a single debuff. Chance for Instability to be applied reduced from 75% to 50%.
- Molgoroth now follows Poison defense types with the addition of full immunity to Poison attacks.
- Frostbrood Minions now follow Poison defense types with the addition of 50% resistance to Ice. Normally, Poison types have no resistance or weakness to ice.
- Elementals which were previously immune to their own primary element now follow type defenses instead, which universally have a 50% resistance to their own element. The chart for elemental resistances can be found at the top of these notes.
- Frostbrood Titan now follows Ice-type defenses and is additionally 50% resistant to Poison-type attacks. Normally, Ice types have no resistance or weakness to poison.
- Flame Titan now follows Fire-type defenses but retains his story-based 200% weakness to Ice. Electric weakness reduced from 175% to standard fire-type defense which is 133%.
- An'rim Operant now has a 25% chance to apply Burn or Bleed and a 10% chance to apply Poison on attacks. An'rim units are not considered fire-type, but are immune to Burn.
- Agartha Rift units now follow Soul-type defenses.
- All mechs are considered immune to Bleed.
- Eldritch Wretch is now Dark-type.
- Frost Fortress units are immune to Freeze.
- Scorpio's Pupil is now Water-type, but retains his immunity to Water.

Alpha Opt-In Instructions
1. With the Steam client open, right click Cross of Auria and select Properties
2. In the new window, navigate to the Betas tab
3. Enter the following beta access code: version5alpha
4. Press the "opt-in" button and make sure the branch listed is "alpha5 - 5.0 Alpha Branch" in the drop down menu. Then, it is safe to exit this menu.
To switch back to the retail version of the game, select "None" in the drop down menu instead.

Opt-in instructions at the very bottom of this post.

I'm not sure if I posted patch notes for the 0.02, so they are also included in this one. Short version: day 1 questline expanded. Extra detail added to the Battlefront area.

0.03 [5.0 Alpha Build #3, Test Date: August 01, 2021] What To Look For: Look for these and other bugs and report them on Discord!
- Quest with Rose progresses to a conclusion in the forest after the boss.
- Progress prevented after Jack leaves.
- Able to interact with Veil - Colosseum, Founder's Pack DLCs, etc.
- Should not be possible to enter the Phoenix Ash even after the water spirit quest is complete.

New:
- Intro quest extends from Ruby wake up to mid day 1.

Changes:
- Battlefront Gazer (Lv. 1) now has an additional 20% chance to drop a Silver Piece.
- Removed the detonation mechanic from Battlefront III.
- Removed percent-based and turn-based states. Added more streamlined hot/dot states in their place.
- Phoenix Ash questline adjusted to reflect new states.
- Removed all Deprecated skills.

Known Issues:
- In game version still reads "4.1.4.5 [Build #94-C]" - the only way to know you're on the correct version is to start a new game and see if the beginning has Hephaes and Ullr right away.
- The day 1 questline does not appear in the Quest Log.

Emergency Changes After Deployment:
- Blocked entrance to Phoenix Ash.
(The Phoenix Ash questline was not yet updated to include information regarding the new HoT/DoT system, but was left in my notepad as a 'to do' not 'is finished')


0.02 [5.0 Alpha Build #2, Test Date: July 24, 2021] What's In This Version:
- Expands beginning of game to end of water spirit quest. Adds zones and functionality to Battlefront. Ability to leave Lvell after water spirit.

What To Look For: Look for these and other bugs and report them on Discord!
- Battlefront teammates are removed from team the turn after they are KO'd or after a full party wipe.
- Game Over is prevented when Ruby is KO'd but then leaves Battlefront area.
- Water Spirit quest is functional.

New:
- Day 1 event added to Lvell.
- Added 2 zones to Battlefront event.

Changes:
- Removed the following items from the game data: Apple, Orange, Carrot, Grapes
- Accidentally removed Quest Log data for Search For the Strongest - the details of this quest may change when this build advances to that point.



Alpha Opt-In Instructions
1. With the Steam client open, right click Cross of Auria and select Properties
2. In the new window, navigate to the Betas tab
3. Enter the following beta access code: version5alpha
4. Press the "opt-in" button and make sure the branch listed is "alpha5 - 5.0 Alpha Branch" in the drop down menu. Then, it is safe to exit this menu.
To switch back to the retail version of the game, select "None" in the drop down menu instead.

Let's talk for a few minutes about what to expect and what I'm looking for.
- I will be pushing updates to this branch of the game, not always with patch notes, in order to test the 5.0 format before it merges with the retail version of the game.
- Save files made in the 5.0 branch should not be loaded on a 4.X version, and vice versa. Only load your 5.0 save while 5.0 is installed, or else you will experience problems!
- I'm looking for bugs and oddities - specifically the ability to access content that should not be accessible yet. The short explanation is - I've inserted an entire "day" in between Ruby waking up and her meeting up with Jack. If you are able to escape this loop and see dialogue from any of the other party members or story content, please document how you were able to escape and report it here or on Discord (https://discord.gg/bMS9ktw).
- At this point, I am confident that save files made here in the Alpha #1 build will be able to be carried over all the way to the merged 5.0 retail build, so long as we don't find something game shattering in between now and then. That being said, I am also confident that all save files made on the 4.X builds will not be compatible with 5.0 and future builds. For clarification: the current default branch of the game is a 4.X build. A New Game file is required to participate in this test. If you do not participate in the test, a New Game file will be required once 5.0 is the default live branch.
- Expected play time of the default build: ~8 hours.
- Expected play time of the 0.01 build: ~15 minutes.
- Try to break it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Expectations for the 0.02 build:
- Expanded minigame area.
- First major Day 1 quest.
- Activation of Phoenix Ash and the first Shoreline quest.


Alpha Opt-In Instructions
1. With the Steam client open, right click Cross of Auria and select Properties
2. In the new window, navigate to the Betas tab
3. Enter the following beta access code: version5alpha
4. Press the "opt-in" button and make sure the branch listed is "alpha5 - 5.0 Alpha Branch" in the drop down menu. Then, it is safe to exit this menu.
To switch back to the retail version of the game, select "None" in the drop down menu instead.

Changelog (This is from the "x. Patch Notes" file found inside the game folder)
0.01 [5.0 Alpha Build #1, Test Date: June 23, 2021]
- Some zones are save restricted.
- Do not play your regular file while 5.0 alpha builds are installed. Also, do not play your 5.0 save file while the regular build is installed.

What's In This Version:
- Expanded intro up to Day 1 Lvell. Progression past this point is blocked. The upcoming Day 1 events take place in between waking up from the Veil scene and meeting Jack on Day 2.
- Access to DLC is available starting at Ruby's House. Activate the statue next to the teleport pad.
-- The events in Lvell are not yet placed.
- Lvell Guards prevent progress toward Jack, Scarlet Cavern, Auria.
- The Colosseum basement events, The Pit, and DLC are accessible from the new room in Ruby's house.
- Framework for a new area (Battleground #) has been placed in the area north of Lvell.
-- Ability to recruit allies.
-- Function for dismissing hired allies when Ruby leaves the area, returns party members.
-- Function for dismissing party members when Ruby enters the area, returned hired Allies.
-- Progression is not currently set up.
-- Wood, Food, Leather, Oil, Iron, Coal, Steel, Stone, Silver Piece, and Gold Piece have been added to the item database as currency for this area.

What To Look For: Look for these and other bugs and report them on Discord!
- The orc war world map should not be accessible.
- There should be no soldier or vendor NPCs in Lvell.
- Only Lvell, Shoreline, Battleground, and Veil zones should be accessible.
- If you found everything in the Veil, the first torch should light up in the trophy hall.
- Dialogue with characters who are not yet in the party should not happen.

New:
- Intro slightly expanded.
- Battleground area under construction.
- Day 1 version of Lvell (currently restricted).

Fixes:
- Removed unused dialogue for the Moderate HP Potion Recipe in Ruby's house.
- The dialogue for pickups in the Elcott Mansion now matches the item received. Players who have already looted this location before 4.1.4.4 will be able to return and loot it again.

Changes:
- The Founder's Pack DLC, Headless Horseman DLC, Colosseum, and Hall of Challengers now have warp-in entrances from the Veil. This new Veil location will be accessible consistently throughout the game and from various interconnected points throughout the world.
- Ruby's Basement has been sealed off. DLC is no longer contained in that location.
- The Trophy Hall has been moved from Ruby's House to the Veil.
- Rift Beasts are now Soul type. Soul enemies have the following resistance changes (higher # = more weakness | 0 = immune)
-- Arcane (*167), Ghost (*133), Poison (*67), Soul (*50), Holy (*33), Psychic (*0)
- Details changed for the Poison ring from Den An'ura.
- It is not possible to engage the Frost Titan until the Old Junk is delivered if it is picked up. Moving forward is still possible if the item is never picked up or if the quest is completed.
- Minor terrain changes to the North and East sides of The Four Kingdoms Area.

Notes:
- Left blockers off map in Lvell. They will block the exit when the events of the day 1 morning are in place. For now, the path is open for testing functionality of the event.

Over the last few weeks, I've received some questions regarding the game as it is right now and specifically what to expect when 5.0 releases. Let this post serve as the final resting place for all updates 5.0 related. If you have any questions that aren't listed here, please feel free to comment your question. I'll do my best to answer it and include the update in the section below.

Section 1: The game as it is right now.

Q: Will achievements be coming to Cross of Auria?
A: No. For the time being, it isn't possible to implement achievements. At some point in time, the plugin which connects the engine (RPG Maker MV) to Steamworks stopped working. I've tried on multiple occasion to fix it, you can even see some of the files leftover in the game folder. However, it appears to not be possible to re-establish the connection between client and Steam. In the place of achievements, I made a room in Ruby's house dedicated to trophies. They will be functional when 5.0 releases and will offer in-game rewards. At first, the room will be much larger than is necessary as to accommodate future trophies. If you happen to know how to code in Java or Ruby and are interested in making a plugin to make actual achievements work, feel free to let me know & join the Discord @ https://discord.gg/bMS9ktw.

Q: Where can I find herbs?
A: The "Herbs for Clarence" quest is unfinished and will not function as expected. Originally, details and a conclusion were planned but ultimately put on the back-burner in favor of preparing the 5.0 update.

Q: How do I get into the dojo?
A: The newer section of Lvell (main city area) is not yet finished. Some buildings, like the Dojo, are inaccessible.

Section 2: Updating to 5.0

Q: Will the Founder's Pack DLC still be available?
A: Yes. The FP DLC will be moved to a new location in the Veil which will be accessible at multiple points in the game. Additionally, the Challenge of the Headless will also remain accessible in a similar manner.

Q: Will I be able to keep my current save file?
A: No. Once the new version of the game is released, a group of save file replacements will be launched to erase all currently held save files for all players. Playing the game in a 4.0 zone on the 5.0 framework will lead to crashes and other undesirable effects.

Q: Will all the blocked off cities open up in 5.0?
A: Not right away. When 5.0 launches, Ruby will be confined to the Lvell area for a short while. The beginning of the game is being expanded, so expect to spend more time in Lvell than you did before. Other unfinished or blocked off cities will open up at the rest of the game is opened up in the time following 5.0's release.

Q: Which areas will be included in the initial 5.0 release?
A: The Veil, Lvell, The Colosseum, The Pit, & Shoreline. The Agartha activities will be temporarily moved to a regularly accessible place within the Veil until Agartha is reopened later.

Q: After 5.0, what can I expect to be released next?
A: Originally, Ruby wakes up on the second or third day with the timeframe being unclear. With 5.0's release, Ruby will wake up from the Veil on the first day and the events of day one will be more clear. The events which take place during the current game will still happen, but the when of it all will be more ironed out. 5.0 basically encompasses the day one. After the initial release, the meetup with Jack and progression through Den An'ura and Scarlet Cavern up to Hell's Gate will be added, then Auria with the Rabbit's Foot and Frost Forest and the rest of the current game. I'm adding some time between launches in order to untangle the Rabbit's Foot from progression throughout Revan and to fix some incomplete or otherwise unintuitive questlines. For instance, Ewynn is completely broken and needs to be fixed from the ground up. I can't release Auria with Lvell at the same time without completely fixing the Rabbit's Foot questlines.

Q: When is 5.0 coming out?
A: I wish I could answer this, but making a promise before I'm sure would only lead to disappointment. As of right now, I'm entirely sure how much work needs to be done to untangle Lvell from other parts of the world. I also need to add worthwhile things to do for day one.


Whenever I come with another Q/A that needs to be posted, I'll edit it in. If you have any questions, let me know!