Phoenix Point News

To date, we’ve talked about the new enemies and missions, alongside the new Interception minigame and the Behemoth that ravages the Geoscape in Festering Skies… but there’s one more update to discuss: our next free content update which will introduce some new quality-of-life improvements and game balance optimizations for all players of Phoenix Point.



All Phoenix Point owners will receive our latest free update on May 25. The v.1.11 “Behemoth” (yes, named after the star of our Festering Skies DLC) content update, includes many upgrades and balance changes for key systems -- and it’s available to you whether you own DLC 3: Festering Skies or not. More details on the changes in the free update below:

Quality of Life Improvements

To start, we’ve made multiple improvements and rebalanced the toughness of all destructible objects like walls, doors, windows, etc. The toughness of objects should take into account a better calculation of the size and material type (metal, concrete, wood, etc.) when determining if a shot is able to destroy it.

We also know understanding enemy awareness was important for players trying stealthy maneuvers, and we wanted to help players know when they might be in jeopardy. Enemy perception range is now visualized when hovering over a selected enemy, so you can see which of your soldiers may be at risk. You can also get an understanding of the trigger range of Eggs and Sentinels by hovering over them as well. 

We also included a few other QOL updates that include:

• The cone radius of the Overwatch ability will have a maximum size based on weapon type.
  
• Change of the rule for the Supportive Faction Havens. When the player discovers a site that is a Haven of a Supportive Faction, it is revealed.
  
• Improved information in free aim when mousing over body parts. 
  

Game Balancing

We’re continually optimizing the game for all our players, thanks to the feedback we gather from our community. While DLC 3 took a large part of the team’s focus over the past few months, we were able to look at a few abilities and weapons in the core Phoenix Point game, and tweak them to align better with our vision for the game for this update.

Specifically, we’re making changes to the Technician’s Remote Control and Infiltrator’s Vanish to increase their AP costs and make them less exploitable. We’re also adjusting the Infiltrator’s Sneak Attack damage so that it now only provides 50% damage dealt when not spotted, versus 100%. Additionally, the Scorcher will get a rebalanced Ammo capacity and burst.

We’ll be keeping an eye on the reception of these changes and have other areas we’ll be addressing in future updates.



Last but not least, we’ll also be releasing a new cosmetic skin on May 25th for those looking to add some more style to their Snipers. We’re not making the code available just yet, but be sure to follow our social media or subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to receive!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1357372/Phoenix_Point_Year_One_Edition_Festering_Skies_DLC/

Previously, we shared details around the Behemoth’s reign of terror on the Geoscape in the new Festering Skies DLC. We also discussed the flying threats you’ll need to stop through a new minigame, Interception. This time, we’ve got info on the fearsome foes you’ll find in tactical missions, alongside an all-new mission type, both part of Festering Skies, coming this May 25th. Wishlist now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1357372/Phoenix_Point_Year_One_Edition_Festering_Skies_DLC/



As some of you figured out, the Behemoth isn’t just a mindless beast, only rendering havens into piles of rubble; it also hungers for the havens themselves. When the Behemoth or its flying cohorts reach a haven, it can transform it into an Infested Haven, contaminating the settlement and covering them in organic material that affects the buildings and people within. Left unchecked, these havens will send forth Infected Aircraft to hamper Phoenix efforts.

Infested Havens offer a new mission type that will emerge as long as the Behemoth and its ilk walk the Earth. Infested Havens reduce the global population, making the Human Population Census (HPC) fall, and putting pressure on Phoenix, but you can reclaim these havens for humanity by succeeding at Infested Haven missions. These new missions take place within a faction’s haven, where you’ll find that faction’s former defenders under control of mindfraggers, twisted into defending the interests of a darker power. Thankfully, you can rescue faction soldiers and bring them back into the fold -- and you’ll need them!



Hidden inside one of these buildings is a true terror, a highly evolved form of the Pandoravirus that attaches to structures and machinery to completely overtake the haven: the Corruption Node. Immune to mind control and resistant to blast damage, the Corruption Node acts as the key to saving Infested Havens and requires operatives to get up-close and personal to take it down. But be warned, it will defend itself with a powerful Viral Pulse which radiates damage to all that would do it harm. It will take coordination, but destroying the Corruption Node will cleanse the haven, restoring the Human Population Census and severing the telepathic link to any Infested aircraft in the skies. There are also rewards for Phoenix, including mutagens and resources; but doing a good deed is its own reward, right?

Infested Havens may sound terrifying as it is, but adding to the challenge is a new seemingly simple enemy, the Myrmidon. Myrmidons appear as squashable bugs, but these creepy crawlies can take a beating and easily catch operatives off-guard. Their wings allow them to effectively secure strategic locations, spring into action from far away while using swarm tactics to overwhelm players. Stopping Myrmidons is tougher than it looks, and with their own set of Pandoran evolutions, the Myrmidon will continue to challenge players throughout the game when they appear in Infested Havens, special missions, and haven defense missions.



Of course, that’s not all. We don’t want to reveal everything, but you’ll be able to discover more for yourselves when the new DLC arrives on May 25th.

Next week: Festering Skies comes alongside our free “Behemoth” content update, offering some quality-of-life improvements and some balancing considerations for operative skills which we’ll share with you! For now... watch the skies!

The skies darken with alien vessels and Phoenix Point must rise to the challenge in the new downloadable expansion: FESTERING SKIES - coming May 25th.



In Festering Skies, Phoenix forces will encounter a new threat on the Geoscape: the Behemoth, our biggest enemy yet, complete with its share of surprises. The Behemoth is a horrific, lumbering force of nature that appears early in a campaign, introducing new gameplay mechanics, creatures to fight, and missions.

Larger than anything Phoenix has seen to date, the Behemoth seems unstoppable at the outset. But rest assured, all-new story missions and research projects will reveal the secret to overcoming the threat — if Phoenix can survive that long. Time is of the essence as the Behemoth targets nearby havens, and it doesn’t come alone.

Nesting on the back of this gigantic monstrosity is a swarm of Pandoran flyers; frightening creatures that terrorize the countryside and create new problems for Phoenix. Acting as a mobile Pandoran colony, the Behemoth launches aerial raids against nearby havens, exploration sites, and even Phoenix bases as it seeks out resources, bombs colonies into oblivion or converts them into something worse. After its reign of destruction, the Behemoth withdraws to the ocean where it lies dormant until hungry once more.



Thankfully, Phoenix can now leverage its own air power to fight back against these flying foes through an all-new aerial minigame: Interception. A throwback to creator Julian Gollop’s original UFO, Festering Skies transforms your transport aircraft into air-to-air combat machines. Through a new story mission, players will receive their first armed Manticore, with which they can take on Pandoran fliers in the skies above havens, POIs, and Phoenix bases. Later, players can unlock the ability to research and manufacture new weapons and modules for their air force.

Interception combat consists of a quick, automated duel between two aircraft, each firing weapons and using abilities continuously. Players gain the advantage by upgrading to faster, more powerful, or longer-range weapons. Players can also equip defensive modules to avoid incoming attacks, and at any time a player can choose to disengage; don’t forget: your operatives are on board your fighting aircraft! Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. Of course, if you’d prefer to focus on other areas of Festering Skies’ new content, auto-battle is also available.



Winning the Interception is key, not just for stopping the Pandoran raids but in pushing back the Behemoth’s rampage. Kill enough flying Pandorans and the Behemoth will have no choice but to retreat beneath the sea. But if left unchecked, the Behemoth and its infesting flyers can change the last refuges on the planet into something truly terrifying...

Next #FesteringFriday: Learn about the new enemies and missions you’ll encounter in Festering Skies!

More details soon on our next DLC, Festering Skies, but this art was too cool not to share. As previously mentioned, Festering Skies will feature new missions and enemies, alongside an air combat mini-game we call INTERCEPTION, which has its own armory of aircraft weapons and modules you can research and manufacture. Combine that with the big bad Behemoth wreaking havoc on the Geoscape, and it's going to be tough times for Phoenix and humanity!

We’ve also permanently lowered the Year One Edition price on Steam for any aspiring Phoenix Point fans looking to check out the game! We continue to update the game beyond DLC expansions, so hope you play and let us know what you think.

Have a lovely #FesteringFriday!

Attention Phoenix Operatives! We know you’ve been awaiting news about what’s next with Phoenix Point, and we’re excited to be able to share some details! Here’s what we have planned for Phoenix Point for the rest of 2021:



Right now, we’re playtesting and optimizing our next DLC, FESTERING SKIES, which features new missions and enemies, alongside an air combat interception mini-game that hearkens back to the original X-COM. FESTERING SKIES releases on May 25th. We can’t wait to see how the Behemoth, our largest enemy ever, shakes up your campaigns! We’ll have more to share on FESTERING SKIES soon; be sure to sign up for our Newsletter to be the first to know and get regular alerts.

We also are in the midst of designing and developing another DLC to release later this Summer. CORRUPTED HORIZONS, introduces a new class, enemy, and an even more dangerous threat. DLC 5, which is still in the early stages, will be more focused on vehicles and will release before the end of the year.

We also had to make the tough decision to move our console release to early Q4 2021, so that we can ensure we deliver the best possible experience for console players. We know many of you are eagerly awaiting console release, but the truth is: we just weren’t happy with the state of the ports at this time, and we know it’s going to take some more work to get them where we need them. The good news is that the console versions will include all of our available DLC prior to its release.

Please share your feedback with us as to how we can improve the game, and consider leaving us a review on Steam to share your experiences with Phoenix Point so far!

Thank you again for your continued support!