New game releases.
Generation Zero is Now Available for Pre-Purchase on Steam!
Experience an explosive game of cat and mouse set in a vast open world. In this reimagining of 1980’s Sweden, hostile machines have invaded the serene countryside. Go it alone, or team-up with up to three of your friends in seamless co-op multiplayer. Utilize guerilla tactics and fight back!
Play Endless Space 2, Endless Legend, and Dungeon of the Endless for FREE starting now through Monday at 7AM Pacific Time. Save 10 to 90% on all Endless Franchise titles too!*
If you already have Steam installed, you can click the following links to start playing now! Endless Space 2, and Endless Legend, Dungeon of the Endless. If you don’t have Steam, you can download it here.
The iconic Alien franchise has, like the Xenomorphs themselves, taken several forms over the years. Whether it’s scared the living daylights out of moviegoers in theaters or forced gamers to keep a fresh pair of underwear handy, it’s a fluid, ever-changing franchise that’s constantly evolving, whether we like it or not. The video games inspired by Alien have consistently grown in quality over the years (except Aliens: Colonial Marines. We don’t talk about that.) and peaked with the fantastic Alien: Isolation.
So imagine Alien fans’ surprise when Alien: Blackout was announced. Murmurs surrounding a sequel to Alien: Isolation bubbled to the surface, and the community was awash with theories on what it could entail – more tense, pulse-pounding encounters with an alien? More gory kills and meaty Alien lore? More importantly, what consoles would it come to? When the hard truth was revealed, and Alien: Blackout was not the bombastic console experience fans were looking for but a mobile installment, fans were understandably miffed. It also doesn’t that, really, it’s just not that good.
Despite the fact that this isn’t the game Alien fans were expecting, it’s still connected to the franchise. In terms of canonicity, it takes place after Isolation and before the Aliens film takes place, though this is a standalone game and shouldn’t be considered a sequel. Heroine Amanda Ripley is back as well, the same character players took on in Isolation. This time, however, she’s taken on more of a “security guy at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza” role.
As Ripley, trapped on a space station teeming with xenomorphs, you send out a warning to other ships in the area to stay away, lest they succumb to razor-sharp teeth and claws of the aliens aboard. Of course, a ship from the infamous Weyland-Yutani Corporation shows up with a four-person team aboard that couldn’t leave well enough alone. When they board, Ripley takes it upon herself to guide them throughout the station to find supplies and complete bite-sized missions in a bid to escape their alien-riddled prison.
On paper, this sounds like an exciting way to explore the Alien series beyond first-person shooters and adventure games. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. As Ripley, you constantly remain stationary in a makeshift command center with access to a map of the space station’s levels. There are several cameras placed throughout the station that you can swap between at will while you watch and guide the crew NPCs throughout the winding corridors.
You spend most of your time watching the map screen instead of the camera, though, because you can only truly see what paths the crew is taking from there. Ripley can issue orders like “Stop,” “Hide,” or “Sneak” and recall said orders as she sees fit, which is done via simple interface. On smaller phone screens, tapping the correct command can feel like a bit of a challenge, and I routinely had issues closing the command selection screen because of this.
If one character happens to die, you’ve lost them for the entirety of the game. If you’re not careful, Ripley can die, too, which is game over, man, game over. Ripley’s death is usually the easiest to prevent if you’re vigilant enough about swapping from the map back to your command center quickly enough to tap the doors to close them, thus sealing the alien out. But it can happen so often while you feel you’re doing well enough outside the command center that it feels cheap.
Different NPCs are proficient at certain tasks, which you’ll get a handle for early on, so you’ll be encouraged to make decisions on your feet about who’s better suited to search bodies for an ID badge or who’s better at scouting the area for the next step.
When an alien is near, you’ll be alerted with a red halo around a crew member if danger is imminent. But you can’t always rely on that alone. You need to listen to audio cues and pay attention to where they’re coming from around the ship. For this reason, it’s suggested that you use headphones, since if you’re playing this with your phone’s speakers on, you won’t really interpret the sounds as coming from any specific direction, which makes things especially frustrating.
If you spot the alien or hear it coming, you can try and throw the alien off by tapping parts of the map to open and close doors to lure it away, tell your teammates to hide, hurry up, keep moving, or stop what they’re doing entirely. The alien can strike anywhere and anytime, and this changes with each level since there is no set pattern, which means you’ll have to stay on your toes.
There’s one huge problem with all this, though. Instead of feeling tense or scary in any way, it’s extremely boring. Most of your time is spent watching a map screen and empty corridors, and static screens with the occasional flickering lights. When an alien does show up to claim its human prize, there’s zero impact for the player or the crew. Okay, it ate a member of your crew, but who cares? You can soldier on, and your group doesn’t even comment on the loss. Obviously, they need to do whatever they can to complete their mission, but it’s a bit strange that no one misses a beat or bats an eye that they’ve just lost a teammate.
When it comes down to it, constantly checking cameras and map screens work in games like Five Nights at Freddy‘s because there’s a heightened sense of tension and dread that permeates the entire game. In Alien: Blackout, that’s all gone. Instead, you’re just waiting for people to get to certain areas, nearly drumming your fingers while they travel there. Sometimes, if you’re not quick enough, they can die. Lather, rinse, repeat. You must complete seven levels of this, but there’s just no real drive to do so.
It’s difficult to say that the production values are even here. While the voice work is fine, Ripley’s being a standout, that’s about all that’s up to par. The environments look fine, and the pseudo-3D movement in Ripley’s command posts (which she moves around to different areas) are serviceable. However, the character models are stiff and wooden, and their animations hardly believable at that. Beyond that, the story just isn’t there – this isn’t a tale I want to see play out all the way, no matter how much of a hardcore Alien player I am.
There’s far too little interaction and even less payoff, and it all combines to make Alien: Blackout feel like it should have been a quick, free companion to a game like Alien: Isolation instead of the $4.99 mobile translation that isn’t quite sure what it wants to be. If you’re looking to get your Alien fix, you’d be better off marathoning the films – but you can skip Alien: Covenant. Trust us on this.
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Let’s gloss over the promiscuous ruminant themed pun of the title as quickly as possible, same goes for the “Will you sheep with me?” tagline. Pocket Tactics has a bit of a sheep theme this month, which is weird since sheep and strategy make uneasy bedfellows. Indeed, a sheep’s one and only strategy seems to involve following other sheep, which as far as cunning plans go is up there with Baldrick’s finest. However, it is self-evident that the subject provides a rich vein for sheep-based puns and, of course, our woolly friends are easy to depict on screen, being basically just clouds on legs.
Sheeping Around is the age-old story of loyal sheepdog verses cunning fox. Shepherdess Hazel Woof is going about her business grazing her sheep when poacher Alex McCunning appears on the scene and immediately makes plans to steal them away. Both players begin the game with a deck of cards and must compete to claim ownership of the three sheep displayed in the centre of the screen. The first player to claim ownership of two sheep wins the game. To actually take control of a sheep Hazel must play graze cards and when the total reaches four, she can use a whistle card to call that sheep home. Meanwhile, Alex must use lure cards, upon reaching a sum of four he can then play a steal card to nab the unfortunate animal.
Turns are simple; you play a card on one of the remaining sheep and then draw a new card. To add a little more flexibility there are also some additional blue bonus cards and you can play up to three of these each turn. The lucky charm, for instance, allows you to immediately draw two extra cards, whilst the sprint card lets you play an additional action card. Some of these cards will have a direct negative effect on your opponent. The trick bonus card lets you steal a card, whilst petrify will force your opponent to skip a turn.
Initially, it sounds like Sheeping Around is going to be a neat asymmetric card game in which the opposing players get to make use of their own set of differing powers. Disappointingly, it turns out that the cards only differ in name. Whilst Hazel can use a guard card to prevent her opponent from playing a card on a sheep for two turns, Alex can initiate exactly the same effect by using a trap card. Hazel can use an affection card to switch two lure points to graze points, but conversely, Alex can use a sneak card to change two graze points to lure points. It’s a pity that the opposing sides do not offer their own unique powers, as this would have significantly enhanced the game’s replay value.
Winning a match earns both experience points and gold coins. Coins can be spent at the market place to buy new cards, which will increase the overall power of your deck. You begin with fifty basic cards, and can never increase or decrease this number. This means that in order to add new cards you will have to remove old ones, remembering to ensure that you maintain your deck’s overall balance. New cards will unlock as your experience level increases, but most of these new cards tend to be variations on a similar theme, being just more powerful versions of the basic cards. For example, when you reach level 43 you unlock a guard/trap card that increases the duration from two to four turns. When you unlock a new card you can add the first copy for free, further copies will cost you coins. Need more coins? Well, extra supplies can be brought for real-world cash, a feature that is sure to irk many gamers, especially in a paid app. Sure, you still have to earn experience points to unlock new cards by actually playing, but the option to throw extra money at the game to improve your deck creates an uneven playing field.
The sole focus of Sheeping Around is to battle your way to the top of the online leader board. Games are played out in real time; you have three minutes to complete your first turn and one minute thirty seconds for future turns. Currently, the matching system is patchy. Sometimes it works fine, whilst at others, a prospective opponent will unmatch you before a contest begins. It is especially frustrating to end up waiting for an entire three minutes for your opponent to complete their turn, only to be told that you have been disconnected. If all of these hitches prove too frustrating then you can also challenge a friend to an online game. The biggest omission is that there is no option to take part in a solo game or a two-player pass-and-play duel. With the online issues, the lack of any offline options is particularly telling and limits the game’s appeal.
Sheeping Around certainly looks the part, with its polished presentation and tidy interface. Graphics are colourful and distinctive, even if the anthropomorphic adversaries lean more toward the creepy rather than the cute. The cards are nicely animated and have a variety of neat sound effects. Games are short and snappy, taking only five to ten minutes to complete. Unfortunately, they are also too shallow to warrant playing over and over again. The decision-making process is neither immersive nor involved. The whole experience feels very one-dimensional and rapidly devolves into a dull game of tug-of-war, without much in the way of surprise or any real scope for clever card play.
With its stylish cartoon graphics and easy to grasp rules, Sheeping Around might serve as a good introduction to deckbuilding card games for casual players. However, for the rest of us the gameplay is too predictable and soon becomes a more effective cure for insomnia than counting sheep.
7.21:
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GENERAL
* Melee creeps average gold bounty reduced by 3
* Range creeps upgrade cycle gold bounty increased from +3 to +6
* Replaced the primary jungles’ ancient camps with big camps
* Heroes no longer gain 25% more benefit from their primary attributes (affects attributes from both items and the hero)
* All heroes’ primary attribute growth values increased by 15%
* Health per strength increased from 18 to 20
* XP required to reach level 7->12 changed from 640/660/680/800/820/840 to 720/750/780/810/840/870 (the difference is +80/90/100/10/20/30 XP)
* The following melee heroes now have +5 movement speed: Naga Siren, Underlord, Monkey King, Nyx Assassin, Bloodseeker, Riki
* The following melee heroes now have +10 movement speed: Alchemist, Dragon Knight, Meepo
* The following melee heroes now have +15 movement speed: Legion Commander, Lifestealer, Lycan, Sven, Ursa, Wraith King
* Ranged heroes with 295 movement speed and above now have 5 less movement speed
* Tier 2 tower armor increased from 14 to 15
* Tier 3 tower armor increased from 14 to 16
* Melee Barracks armor increased from 13 to 15
* Tower Protection armor bonus for Tier 2/3/4 increased from 3 to 4
ITEMS
* Animal Courier: Flying movement speed increased from 460 to 470
* Aeon Disk: Active status resistance increased from 50% to 75%
* Aeon Disk: Recipe cost reduced from 1350 to 1250
* Battle Fury: Percentage damage bonus against non-hero units changed to be a fixed amount matching Quelling Blade
* Bloodstone: Bloodpact changed from 60% of current mana to 30% of max mana
* Bloodthorn: Cooldown reduced from 18 to 15
* Boots of Travel: Level 2 movement speed increased from +32% to +35%
* Buckler: Activated armor bonus duration on heroes reduced from 25 to 15 (carries through to Mek)
* Crimson Guard: Recipe cost increased from 600 to 750
* Drum of Endurance: Passive changed from a 6% movement speed aura to +20 movement speed to yourself only
* Ethereal Blade: Enemy debuff duration increased from 3 to 4 (matching duration when cast on allies)
* Eul’s Scepter of Divinity: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Holy Locket: Now uses Energy Booster instead of a Void Stone (provides +325 Mana)
* Iron Branch: Cast range increased from 200 to 400
* Manta Style: Movement speed bonus reduced from +25 to +20
* Mask of Madness: Lifesteal increased from 15% to 20%
* Mekansm: Stack limit is now tied to cooldown on cast (like Greaves and Crimson stack mechanics)
* Meteor Hammer: Radius increased from 300 to 315
* Necronomicon: Last Will damage increased from 550/675/800 to 600/700/800
* Nullifier: Duration increased from 5 to 6
* Phase Boots: Recipe changed from Gloves of Haste to Blades of Attack
* Phase Boots: Armor bonus increased from 5 to 6
* Phase Boots: Now gives +18 damage on melee (and +12 on range) instead of +20 attack speed
* Phase Boots: Melee active speed increased from 20% to 22%
* Power Treads: Recipe changed from Blades of Attack to Gloves of Haste
* Power Treads: Attribute bonus reduced from 14 to 10
* Power Treads: Now gives +20 attack speed instead of +12 damage
* Sange and Yasha: Movement speed bonus reduced from +35 to +30
* Solar Crest: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Spirit Vessel: Damage as a percentage of current health increased from 4.5% to 5%
* Spirit Vessel: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Tranquil Boots: Active form movement speed increased from 24% to 26%
* Tranquil Boots: Disabled form movement speed reduced from 20% to 18%
* Vladmir’s Offering: No longer uses Headdress nor provides its hp regen/stats
* Vladmir’s Offering: Now requires a 525 gold recipe
* Wind Lace: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Yasha: Movement speed bonus reduced from +25 to +20
* Yasha and Kaya: Movement speed bonus reduced from +35 to +30
HEROES
* Abaddon: Curse of Avernus curse duration increased from 4 to 4.5
* Abaddon: Aphotic Shield manacost reduced from 115 to 100/105/110/115
* Alchemist: Base movement speed increased by 10
* Alchemist: Base agility increased from 16 to 22
* Alchemist: Chemical Rage base attack time improved from 1.3/1.15/1.0 to 1.2/1.1/1.0
* Alchemist: Level 10 Talent reduced from -8s Unstable Concoction to -7s
* Alchemist: Level 20 Talent Concoction talent now adds the damage to the max instead of the base
* Ancient Apparition: Chilling Touch damage increased from 50/85/120/155 to 50/90/130/170
* Ancient Apparition: Ice Vortex manacost reduced from 65/80/95/110 to 50/70/90/110
* Ancient Apparition: Level 25 Talent reduced from 900 AoE Cold Feet to 700
* Ancient Apparition: Level 25 Talent increased from +4% Ice Blast Kill Threshold to +5%
* Anti-Mage: Fixed Counterspell providing double magic resistance when the shield is active
* Arc Warden: Spark Wraith damage increased from 100/160/220/280 to 100/170/240/310
* Arc Warden: Tempest Double duration increased from 14/16/18 to 16/18/20
* Arc Warden: Level 10 Talent increased from +25 Attack Speed to +30
* Bane: Enfeeble attack speed slow increased from 40/60/80/100 to 50/75/100/125
* Bane: Enfeeble manacost reduced from 70/90/110/130 to 50/75/100/125
* Bane: Level 10 Talent increased from +6 Armor to +7
* Bane: Fiend’s Grip duration increased from 5 to 6
* Batrider: Firefly now grants a 4/7/10/13% movement speed bonus
* Batrider: Firefly duration reduced from 18 to 15
* Batrider: Firefly cooldown reduced from 40 to 34
* Beastmaster: Inner Beast attack speed reduced from 15/25/35/45 to 10/20/30/40
* Beastmaster: Hawk health reduced from 300/450/600/750 to 150/200/250/300
* Beastmaster: Level 15 Talent changed from +40 Boar Damage to +65 Wild Axes Damage
* Beastmaster: Level 20 Talent changed from +80 Wild Axes Damage to +50 Boar Damage
* Beastmaster: Level 25 Talent increased from -15s Hawks Cooldown to -20s
* Beastmaster: Level 25 Talent reduced from +30 Inner Beast Attack Speed to +25
* Bloodseeker: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Bounty Hunter: Shuriken Toss cooldown reduced from 10 to 9
* Bounty Hunter: Jinada gold steal increased from 12/18/24/30 to 12/20/28/36
* Bounty Hunter: Track critical strike damage increased from 140/160/180% to 140/170/200%
* Brewmaster: Drunken Brawler critical strike reduced from 170/200/230/260% to 140/180/220/260%
* Brewmaster: Cinder Brew duration reduced from 7 to 5
* Brewmaster: Cinder Brew duration is refreshed on ignition
* Brewmaster: Cinder Brew ignite DPS increased from 20/25/30/35 to 20/30/40/50
* Brewmaster: Level 10 Talent reduced from +20 Damage to +15
* Bristleback: Viscous Nasal Goo manacost reduced from 25 to 12/16/20/24
* Broodmother: Level 10 Talent increased from +75 Spawn Spiderlings Damage to +125
* Broodmother: Level 15 Talent changed from +35% XP Gain to +15 Agility
* Broodmother: Level 20 Talent increased from +20 Spiders Attack Damage to +30
* Broodmother: Level 25 Talent increased from +350 Spiders Health to +450
* Centaur Warrunner: Retaliate no longer gains charges while it is active
* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike cooldown reduced from 7/6/5/4 to 4
* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike lifesteal reduced from 50/55/60/65% to 40/50/60/70%
* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike max damage increased from 160/190/220/250% to 160/195/230/265%
* Chaos Knight: Reality Rift slow duration increased from 2 to 3
* Chaos Knight: Reality Rift slow reduced from 15/25/35/45% to 10/20/30/40%
* Chen: Divine Favor bonus damage reduced from 10/20/40/80 to 12/24/36/48
* Chen: Divine Favor now provides double bonus damage on non-hero units
* Chen: Divine Favor duration increased from 12 to 14
* Chen: Divine Favor manacost reduced from 110 to 70/80/90/100
* Chen: Hand of God heal increased from 250/400/550 to 300/450/600
* Chen: Level 15 Talent reduced from -10s Divine Favor Cooldown to -7s
* Chen: Level 25 Talent reduced from +400 Hand of God Heal to +350
* Chen: Level 25 Talent increased from +4 Holy Persuasion Max Units to +5
* Clinkz: Level 15 Talent changed from +20% Evasion to +15 Strength
* Clockwerk: Battery Assault cast point removed
* Clockwerk: Rocket Flare manacost reduced from 50 to 35/40/45/50
* Clockwerk: Level 20 Talent changed from +20% Magic Resistance to Rocket Flare True Sight
* Clockwerk: Level 25 Talent changed from Rocket Flare True Sight to +50% Magic Resistance
* Crystal Maiden: Freezing Field now grants you 10 bonus armor while channeling
* Crystal Maiden: Arcane Aura allied mana regen reduced from 1.2/1.7/2.2/2.7 to 1/1.5/2/2.5
* Crystal Maiden: Arcane Aura self mana regen increased from 2.4/4.4/6.4/8.4 to 2.5/4.5/6.5/8.5
* Dark Willow: Bramble Maze manacost reduced from 140/150/160/170 to 100/120/140/160
* Dark Willow: Bramble Maze cooldown reduced from 34/31/28/25 to 25
* Dazzle: Poison Touch mancost increased from 95/110/125/140 to 110/120/130/140
* Dazzle: Shadow Wave cast range reduced from 900 to 800
* Death Prophet: Base damage increased by 3
* Disruptor: Base armor increased by 1
* Doom: Scorched Earth cooldown reduced from 55/50/45/40 to 50/45/40/35
* Doom: Devour health regen from 4/8/13/18 to 3/8/13/18
* Dragon Knight: Base movement speed increased by 10
* Dragon Knight: Dragon Blood health regen increased from 4/7/10/13 to 4/8/12/16
* Dragon Knight: Elder Dragon Form frost attack slow increased from -20 to -30
* Dragon Knight: Level 20 Talent changed from 2x Dragon Blood to +25 Strength
* Dragon Knight: Level 25 Talent changed from +40 Strength to 2x Dragon Blood
* Drow Ranger: Level 15 Talent changed from +25 Attack Speed to +10 Agility
* Earthshaker: Fissure manacost reduced from 125/140/155/170 to 110/130/150/170
* Earth Spirit: Rolling Boulder damage reduced from 100 to 70/80/90/100
* Earth Spirit: Boulder Smash slow reduced from 80% to 60%
* Earth Spirit: Level 15 Talent reduced from +200 Rolling Boulder Damage to +150
* Elder Titan: Level 10 Talent reduced from +25 Movement Speed to +20
* Ember Spirit: Sleight of Fist cooldown reduced from 30/22/14/6 to 18/14/10/6
* Ember Spirit: Base damage increased by 3
* Enchantress: Enchant cooldown reduced from 55/40/25/10 to 22/18/14/10
* Enchantress: Enchant creep duration reduced from 50/60/70/80 to 26/44/62/80
* Enchantress: Enchant manacost reduced from 65 to 40/50/60/70
* Enigma: Midnight Pulse manacost rescaled from 75/95/115/135 to 50/80/110/140
* Faceless Void: Time Dilation AoE increased from 725 to 775
* Faceless Void: Level 10 Talent increased from +8 Strength to +10
* Faceless Void: Level 15 Talent changed from +300 Health to -1s Time Walk Cooldown
* Grimstroke: Phantom’s Embrace rend damage reduced from 120/200/280/360 to 75/150/225/300
* Grimstroke: Ink Swell manacost increased from 90/100/110/120 to 120/130/140/150
* Grimstroke: Ink Swell movement speed reduced from 18% to 12/14/16/18%
* Gyrocopter: Base strength increased from 19 to 22
* Huskar: Attack point reduced from 0.4 to 0.3
* Huskar: Berserker’s Blood max attack speed reduced from 220/260/300/340 to 160/220/280/340
* Huskar: Life Break damage and cost reduced from 34/39/44% to 32/38/44%
* Huskar: Level 15 Talent reduced from +15 Burning Spears DPS to +10
* Invoker: Base damage increased by 3
* Invoker: Exort bonus damage reduced from 4->28 to 3->27 per instance
* Invoker: Level 10 Talent changed from +1.25s Tornado Lift Time to -30s Ghost Walk Cooldown
* Io: Temporarily removed from Captains Mode
* Io: Tether now transfers health and mana even when Io is at max hp/mp
* Io: Overcharge now has an 18 second cooldown and an 8 second duration. No longer has a 2 second toggle.
* Io: Overcharge now costs 40/60/80/100 mana to cast. No longer cost 6% of health and mana per second.
* Io: Overcharge attack speed bonus increased from 40/50/60/70 to 50/80/110/140
* Io: Overcharge damage reduction increased from 5/10/15/20% to 15/20/25/30%
* Io: Relocate delay increased from 2.7/2.35/2 to 3.5/3.25/3
* Io: Relocate cooldown reduced from 130/110/90 to 90/75/60
* Io: Relocate is now cast delay again instead of channeling (being interrupted, silenced, rooted, etc will cancel the ability)
* Io: Level 25 Talent changed from -60s Relocate Cooldown to -30s
* Jakiro: Level 10 Talent changed from +30% XP Gain to +300 Attack Range
* Jakiro: Level 15 Talent changed from +300 Attack Range to +40% XP Gain
* Juggernaut: Base armor reduced by 1
* Juggernaut: Omnislash no longer allows you to teleport while using it
* Juggernaut: Healing Ward movement speed reduced from 420 to 400
* Juggernaut: Omnislash cooldown increased from 130/120/110 to 130
* Juggernaut: Level 15 Talent changed from +1s Blade Fury to +50 Blade Fury Movement Speed
* Keeper of the Light: Level 10 Talent changed from 8% Spell Lifesteal to +30% XP Gain
* Keeper of the Light: Level 15 Talent changed from +30% XP Gain to +1 Will-O-Wisp Health Count
* Kunkka: Level 25 Talent changed from -1.5s Tidebringer Cooldown to +60% Tidebringer Cleave
* Legion Commander: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Legion Commander: Level 20 Talent reduced from +40 Movement Speed to +35
* Legion Commander: Level 25 Talent changed from -10s Press The Attack Cooldown to 350 AoE Press The Attack
* Leshrac: Diabolic Edict increased from 9/18/27/36 to 11/22/33/44
* Leshrac: Level 25 Talent reduced from +50 Diabolic Edict Explosions to +40
* Lich: Frost Shield slow reduced from 35% to 20/25/30/35%
* Lich: Chain Frost damage reduced from 300/400/500 to 250/375/500
* Lich: Level 25 Talent increased from +40% slow to +50%
* Lifestealer: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Lifestealer: Base armor increased by 2
* Lifestealer: Level 15 Talent reduced from +30 Movement Speed to +25
* Lina: Base damage increased by 3
* Lion: Level 10 Talent increased from +75 Cast Range to +100
* Lion: Level 15 Talent increased from +120 Gold/Min to +150
* Lone Druid: Spirit Bear movement speed increased from 340/355/370/385 to 340/360/380/400
* Lone Druid: Spirit Bear attack damage increased from 35/50/65/80 to 35/55/75/95
* Lone Druid: Level 20 Talent changed from -0.3 Spirit Bear Attack Time to 0 Entangle Cooldown
* Lone Druid: Level 25 Talent changed from 0 Entangle Cooldown to -0.5s Spirit Bear Attack Time
* Luna: Level 10 Talent increased from +200 Cast Range to +300
* Lycan: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Lycan: Wolves armor reduced from 1 to 0
* Lycan: Wolves magic resistance reduced from 80% to 70%
* Lycan: Wolves health increased from 230/260/290/320 to 300/350/400/450
* Lycan: Howl health regen increased from 4/6/8/10 to 4/8/12/16
* Medusa: Fixed Mystic Snake bouncing to Spell Immune enemies
* Medusa: Level 10 Talent reduced from +20 Damage to +15
* Medusa: Level 15 Talent reduced from +35% Mystic Snake Mana Steal to +30%
* Medusa: Level 20 Talent changed from +700 Mana to -4s Mystic Snake Cooldown
* Medusa: Level 25 Talent changed from +7 Split Shot Targets to +1000 Mana
* Meepo: Base movement speed increased by 10
* Mirana: Sacred Arrow movement speed increased from 857 to 950
* Monkey King: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Monkey King: Wukong’s Command attack rate improved from 1.3 to 1.2
* Morphling: Strength gain increased from 2.3 to 2.6
* Morphling: Level 15 Talent increased from +15s Morph Duration to +20s
* Naga Siren: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Naga Siren: Mirror Image duration from 24 to 26
* Naga Siren: Mirror Image damage taken reduced from 475/450/425/400% to 400%
* Naga Siren: Level 20 Talent increased from -5s Ensnare Cooldown to -7s
* Nature’s Prophet: Using tango on a sprout tree will 2x regen (like eating a branch tree)
* Nature’s Prophet: Level 20 Talent changed from -4s Sprout Cooldown to +25% Cooldown Reduction
* Necrophos: Death Pulse damage increased from 100/140/180/220 to 100/150/200/250
* Necrophos: Level 15 Talent increased from +20% Ghost Shroud Slow to +30%
* Night Stalker: Hunter in the Night movement speed bonus increased from 20/25/30/35 to 22/28/34/40%
* Night Stalker: Removed Scepter
* Night Stalker: Dark Ascension now provides full unobstructed vision, instead of only 900 range
* Night Stalker: Level 15 Talent changed from +150 Cast Range to +15% Lifesteal
* Nyx Assassin: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Nyx Assassin: Strength gain increased from 2.3 to 2.5
* Nyx Assassin: Level 10 Talent increased from +60 GPM to +90
* Nyx Assassin: Level 10 Talent increased from +6% Spell Amp to +8%
* Ogre Magi: Fireblast cooldown reduced from 12/11/10/9 to 11/10/9/8
* Ogre Magi: Multicast 2x chance increased from 60% to 70%
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace status resistance reduced from 50/60/70/80% to 50%
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace duration increased from 8 to 10
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace now provides 7/14/21/28 bonus strength
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace manacost increased from 75 to 80/90/100/110
* Outworld Devourer: Sanity’s Eclipse multiplier from 9/10/11 to 8/9/10
* Outworld Devourer: Level 15 Talent reduced from +30 Movement Speed to +25
* Pangolier: Base damage increased by 4
* Pangolier: Level 10 Talent changed from +20 Movement Speed to +300 Swashbuckle Slash Range
* Phantom Assassin: Rearranged Level 15 Talents – +25% Cleave vs +15% Lifesteal
* Phantom Assassin: Rearranged Level 20 Talents – +20% Blur Evasion vs -4 Armor Corruption
* Phantom Assassin: Rearranged Level 25 Talents – +5% Coup de Grace vs Triple Strike Stifling Dagger
* Phantom Lancer: Level 10 Talent increased from +10% Evasion to +15%
* Phantom Lancer: Level 20 Talent increased from +4 Max Juxtapose Illusions to +5
* Phoenix: Sunray can no longer move forward while rooted
* Pudge: Base damage increased by 6
* Queen of Pain: Scream of Pain manacost reduced from 95/110/125/140 to 80/100/120/140
* Queen of Pain: Shadow Strike damage per tick increased from 30/45/60/75 to 30/50/70/90
* Razor: Attack backswing reduced from 0.7 to 0.4
* Razor: Level 10 Talent increased from +200 Health to +225
* Riki: Base damage increased by 4
* Riki: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Riki: Level 20 Talent increased from +0.2 Backstab Multiplier to +0.3
* Rubick: Telekinesis lift duration reduced from 1/1.4/1.8/2.2 to 0.8/1.2/1.6/2.0
* Rubick: Level 15 Talent increased from -45 Fade Bolt Hero Attack to -60
* Sand King: Burrowstrike damage increased from 85/150/215/280 to 100/160/220/280
* Sand King: Sand Storm AoE increased from 350/450/550/650 to 425/500/575/650
* Shadow Demon: Soul Catcher manacost reduced from 110 to 50/70/90/110
* Shadow Demon: Shadow Poison manacost reduced from 50 to 35/40/45/50
* Shadow Fiend: Presence of the Dark Lord armor reduction increased from 3/4/5/6 to 4/5/6/7
* Shadow Shaman: Level 20 Talent reduced from +3s Shackles Duration to +2.5s
* Silencer: Last Word cooldown reduced from 28/22/16/10 to 22/18/14/10
* Silencer: Level 10 Talent increased from +5 Armor to +6
* Skywrath Mage: Mystic Flare deals damage to creeps if no heroes are around
* Slardar: Level 25 Talent reduced from +1.5s Slithereen Crush Stun to 1.25s
* Slark: Pounce no longer does 30/60/90/120 damage
* Sniper: Headshot now has a back knockback of 10
* Sniper: Level 15 Talent changed from +35 Shrapnel DPS to +15% Shrapnel Slow
* Spectre: Strength gain increased from 2.3 to 2.5
* Spectre: Spectral Dagger movement speed increased from 8/12/16/20% to 10/14/18/22%
* Spectre: Level 20 Talent reduced from +20% Spectral Dagger to +18%
* Storm Spirit: Electric Vortex manacost reduced from 85 to 60/70/80/90
* Storm Spirit: Level 10 Talent changed from +20 Damage to +30 Overload Damage
* Sven: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Sven: Warcry shield health changed from 110/220/330/440 to 80/110/140/170 + 1/1.5/2/2.5x your strength
* Sven: Storm Hammer cooldown increased from 13 to 16/15/14/13
* Sven: Storm Hammer damage reduced from 100/175/250/325 to 80/160/240/320
* Techies: Remote Mines manacost reduced from 200/240/300 to 120/180/240
* Templar Assassin: Meld debuff is now applied before the attack damage is reduced by armor
* Templar Assassin: Fixed meld bonus damage being increased by Spell Amplification
* Templar Assassin: Level 10 Talent changed from +3 Psionic Traps to +15% Evasion
* Templar Assassin: Level 15 Talent changed from +7 Armor to +25 Movement Speed
* Terrorblade: Strength reduced from 16 + 1.7 to 15 + 1.5
* Tidehunter: Anchor Smash damage reduction from -45/50/55/60 to -30/40/50/60%
* Timbersaw: Reactive Armor bonus armor reduced from 1.3/1.4/1.5/1.6 to 1/1.1/1.2/1.3
* Timbersaw: Reactive Armor bonus health regen reduced from 1/1.2/1.4/1.6 to 1/1.1/1.2/1.3
* Timbersaw: Reactive Armor max stacks increased from 5/10/15/20 to 6/12/18/24
* Timbersaw: Whirling Death tree bonus damage increased from 10/15/20/25 to 12/18/24/30
* Timbersaw: Level 20 Talent increased from +10% Cooldown Reduction to +15%
* Tiny: Avalanche AoE reduced from 400 to 325/350/375/400
* Tiny: Avalanche cooldown increased from 23/20/17/14 to 26/22/18/14
* Tiny: Level 15 Talent reduced from +125 Avalanche Damage to +100
* Tiny: Level 15 Talent increased from +350 Health to +400
* Treant Protector: Living Armor damage block increased from 20/40/60/80 to 25/50/75/100
* Treant Protector: Scepter now causes Treant’s Overgrowth to deal damage instead of only Enchanted Trees
* Treant Protector: Overgrowth duration increased from 3/3.75/4.5 to 3.25/4/4.75
* Treant Protector: Level 20 Talent increased from +40 Leech Seed Damage/Heal to +50
* Troll Warlord: Level 15 Talent increased from +75 Whirling Axes Damage to +90
* Troll Warlord: Level 20 Talent increased from +20% Evasion to +25%
* Tusk: Tag Team slow duration reduced from 0.5 to 0.4
* Tusk: Tag Team manacost increased from 40/50/60/70 to 70
* Tusk: Tag Team cooldown increased from 15 to 24/21/18/15
* Underlord: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Undying: Level 15 Talent changed from Tombstone On Death to +30 Tombstone Zombie Damage
* Undying: Level 20 Talent changed from +30 Tombstone Zombie Damage to Tombstone On Death
* Ursa: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Ursa: Fury Swipes damage reduced from 10/16/22/28 to 7/14/21/28
* Vengeful Spirit: Level 20 Talent increased from -5s Magic Missle Cooldown to -6s
* Venomancer: Strength gain increased from 1.9 to 2.1
* Viper: Nethertoxin AoE increased from 350 to 380
* Viper: Nethertoxin damage increased from 20/35/50/65 to 30/45/60/75
* Visage: Level 10 Talent reduced from +125 Cast Range to +100
* Visage: Level 20 Talent reduced from +60 Familiars Movement Speed to +50
* Visage: Level 20 Talent increased from +15 Soul Assumption Damage Per Charge to +20
* Warlock: Base strength increased by 2
* Warlock: Chaotic Offering attack damage increased from 75/125/175 to 100/150/200
* Warlock: Golem attack backswing reduced from 0.74 to 0.57
* Weaver: Level 10 Talent changed from +7 Strength to +75 Shukuchi Damage
* Weaver: Level 15 Talent changed from +75 Shukuchi Damage to +14 Strength
* Windranger: Level 15 Talent increased from +100 Attack Range to +125
* Windranger: Level 15 Talent increased from +100 Powershot Damage to +125
* Winter Wyvern: Cold Embrace base health regen increased from 15 to 14/18/22/26
* Winter Wyvern: Cold Embrace manacost changed from 75 to 50/60/70/80
* Witch Doctor: Maledict cooldown reduced from 50/40/30/20 to 30/26/22/18
* Witch Doctor: Level 10 Talent increased from +5 Armor to +6
* Wraith King: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Zeus: Reworked Static Field. Now affects enemies directly affected by your abilities. No longer has a range.
CHAOS;CHILD is Now Available on Steam!
From the creators of the critically acclaimed STEINS;GATE comes a sensational new visual novel: CHAOS;CHILD. Set in Shibuya in 2015, a group of high school students who survived an earthquake six years ago find themselves at the center of a new series of bizarre murders in the city.
In a new indie highlights video filled with turn-based, role-playing and platforming action, Nintendo showcased many of the new and upcoming independent games coming to the Nintendo Switch system. The video revealed a Feb. 1 launch date for the turn-based strategy game Wargroove (Chucklefish), the announcement of the next game in the acclaimed SteamWorld universe, SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech (Image & Form Games / Thunderful Publishing) and more indie news.
In Wargroove, now available for pre-purchase, players choose their Commander and wield their army’s units in a war between battling factions. Up to four players* can strategically sway the battle in their favor as they progress through the campaign, challenge each other in local and online multiplayer modes** or design battlefields and stories with the easy-to-use in-game editor and customization tools.
SteamWorld Quest is a team-based card collecting role-playing game set to an epic story around what it means to be a hero. With billions of potential decks to build, tongue-in-cheek humor, a storybook-inspired art style and memorable characters, the game is a unique addition to the SteamWorld franchise.
The video also revealed many other indie games coming to Nintendo Switch, including retro-inspired action-RPG CrossCode (Deck13 Interactive / Radical Fish Games), explosive metal rhythm game Double Kick Heroes (Plug in Digital / Headbang Club), story-driven puzzle-platformer Inmost (Chucklefish / Hidden Layer Games) and 2D open-world game Forager (Humble Bundle / HopFrog). In a surprise announcement, it was also revealed that indie games Goat Simulator: The GOATY (Coffee Stain Studios), When Ski Lifts Go Wrong (Curve Digital / Hugecalf Studios) and Unruly Heroes (Magic Design Studios) are available to purchase in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch right now!
To view the jam-packed video in its entirety, visit https://youtu.be/B8eRT4HVT1U.
To help keep up with all of the recent indie news, here are some additional updates about indie games on the way, games that recently launched and fun news about the world of independent game development you might have missed.
In Other Indie News…
Indie Extras
For more information about all the great indie games on or coming to Nintendo Switch, visit https://www.nintendo.com/games/nintendo-switch-nindies-hits.
*Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.
**Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online play. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online
7.21:
===
GENERAL
* Melee creeps average gold bounty reduced by 3
* Range creeps upgrade cycle gold bounty increased from +3 to +6
* Replaced the primary jungles’ ancient camps with big camps
* Heroes no longer gain 25% more benefit from their primary attributes (affects attributes from both items and the hero)
* All heroes’ primary attribute growth values increased by 15%
* Health per strength increased from 18 to 20
* XP required to reach level 7->12 changed from 640/660/680/800/820/840 to 720/750/780/810/840/870 (the difference is +80/90/100/10/20/30 XP)
* The following melee heroes now have +5 movement speed: Naga Siren, Underlord, Monkey King, Nyx Assassin, Bloodseeker, Riki
* The following melee heroes now have +10 movement speed: Alchemist, Dragon Knight, Meepo
* The following melee heroes now have +15 movement speed: Legion Commander, Lifestealer, Lycan, Sven, Ursa, Wraith King
* Ranged heroes with 295 movement speed and above now have 5 less movement speed
* Tier 2 tower armor increased from 14 to 15
* Tier 3 tower armor increased from 14 to 16
* Melee Barracks armor increased from 13 to 15
* Tower Protection armor bonus for Tier 2/3/4 increased from 3 to 4
ITEMS
* Animal Courier: Flying movement speed increased from 460 to 470
* Aeon Disk: Active status resistance increased from 50% to 75%
* Aeon Disk: Recipe cost reduced from 1350 to 1250
* Battle Fury: Percentage damage bonus against non-hero units changed to be a fixed amount matching Quelling Blade
* Bloodstone: Bloodpact changed from 60% of current mana to 30% of max mana
* Bloodthorn: Cooldown reduced from 18 to 15
* Boots of Travel: Level 2 movement speed increased from +32% to +35%
* Buckler: Activated armor bonus duration on heroes reduced from 25 to 15 (carries through to Mek)
* Crimson Guard: Recipe cost increased from 600 to 750
* Drum of Endurance: Passive changed from a 6% movement speed aura to +20 movement speed to yourself only
* Ethereal Blade: Enemy debuff duration increased from 3 to 4 (matching duration when cast on allies)
* Eul’s Scepter of Divinity: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Holy Locket: Now uses Energy Booster instead of a Void Stone (provides +325 Mana)
* Iron Branch: Cast range increased from 200 to 400
* Manta Style: Movement speed bonus reduced from +25 to +20
* Mask of Madness: Lifesteal increased from 15% to 20%
* Mekansm: Stack limit is now tied to cooldown on cast (like Greaves and Crimson stack mechanics)
* Meteor Hammer: Radius increased from 300 to 315
* Necronomicon: Last Will damage increased from 550/675/800 to 600/700/800
* Nullifier: Duration increased from 5 to 6
* Phase Boots: Recipe changed from Gloves of Haste to Blades of Attack
* Phase Boots: Armor bonus increased from 5 to 6
* Phase Boots: Now gives +18 damage on melee (and +12 on range) instead of +20 attack speed
* Phase Boots: Melee active speed increased from 20% to 22%
* Power Treads: Recipe changed from Blades of Attack to Gloves of Haste
* Power Treads: Attribute bonus reduced from 14 to 10
* Power Treads: Now gives +20 attack speed instead of +12 damage
* Sange and Yasha: Movement speed bonus reduced from +35 to +30
* Solar Crest: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Spirit Vessel: Damage as a percentage of current health increased from 4.5% to 5%
* Spirit Vessel: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Tranquil Boots: Active form movement speed increased from 24% to 26%
* Tranquil Boots: Disabled form movement speed reduced from 20% to 18%
* Vladmir’s Offering: No longer uses Headdress nor provides its hp regen/stats
* Vladmir’s Offering: Now requires a 525 gold recipe
* Wind Lace: Movement speed bonus changed from +6% percentage to +20 flat
* Yasha: Movement speed bonus reduced from +25 to +20
* Yasha and Kaya: Movement speed bonus reduced from +35 to +30
HEROES
* Abaddon: Curse of Avernus curse duration increased from 4 to 4.5
* Abaddon: Aphotic Shield manacost reduced from 115 to 100/105/110/115
* Alchemist: Base movement speed increased by 10
* Alchemist: Base agility increased from 16 to 22
* Alchemist: Chemical Rage base attack time improved from 1.3/1.15/1.0 to 1.2/1.1/1.0
* Alchemist: Level 10 Talent reduced from -8s Unstable Concoction to -7s
* Alchemist: Level 20 Talent Concoction talent now adds the damage to the max instead of the base
* Ancient Apparition: Chilling Touch damage increased from 50/85/120/155 to 50/90/130/170
* Ancient Apparition: Ice Vortex manacost reduced from 65/80/95/110 to 50/70/90/110
* Ancient Apparition: Level 25 Talent reduced from 900 AoE Cold Feet to 700
* Ancient Apparition: Level 25 Talent increased from +4% Ice Blast Kill Threshold to +5%
* Anti-Mage: Fixed Counterspell providing double magic resistance when the shield is active
* Arc Warden: Spark Wraith damage increased from 100/160/220/280 to 100/170/240/310
* Arc Warden: Tempest Double duration increased from 14/16/18 to 16/18/20
* Arc Warden: Level 10 Talent increased from +25 Attack Speed to +30
* Bane: Enfeeble attack speed slow increased from 40/60/80/100 to 50/75/100/125
* Bane: Enfeeble manacost reduced from 70/90/110/130 to 50/75/100/125
* Bane: Level 10 Talent increased from +6 Armor to +7
* Bane: Fiend’s Grip duration increased from 5 to 6
* Batrider: Firefly now grants a 4/7/10/13% movement speed bonus
* Batrider: Firefly duration reduced from 18 to 15
* Batrider: Firefly cooldown reduced from 40 to 34
* Beastmaster: Inner Beast attack speed reduced from 15/25/35/45 to 10/20/30/40
* Beastmaster: Hawk health reduced from 300/450/600/750 to 150/200/250/300
* Beastmaster: Level 15 Talent changed from +40 Boar Damage to +65 Wild Axes Damage
* Beastmaster: Level 20 Talent changed from +80 Wild Axes Damage to +50 Boar Damage
* Beastmaster: Level 25 Talent increased from -15s Hawks Cooldown to -20s
* Beastmaster: Level 25 Talent reduced from +30 Inner Beast Attack Speed to +25
* Bloodseeker: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Bounty Hunter: Shuriken Toss cooldown reduced from 10 to 9
* Bounty Hunter: Jinada gold steal increased from 12/18/24/30 to 12/20/28/36
* Bounty Hunter: Track critical strike damage increased from 140/160/180% to 140/170/200%
* Brewmaster: Drunken Brawler critical strike reduced from 170/200/230/260% to 140/180/220/260%
* Brewmaster: Cinder Brew duration reduced from 7 to 5
* Brewmaster: Cinder Brew duration is refreshed on ignition
* Brewmaster: Cinder Brew ignite DPS increased from 20/25/30/35 to 20/30/40/50
* Brewmaster: Level 10 Talent reduced from +20 Damage to +15
* Bristleback: Viscous Nasal Goo manacost reduced from 25 to 12/16/20/24
* Broodmother: Level 10 Talent increased from +75 Spawn Spiderlings Damage to +125
* Broodmother: Level 15 Talent changed from +35% XP Gain to +15 Agility
* Broodmother: Level 20 Talent increased from +20 Spiders Attack Damage to +30
* Broodmother: Level 25 Talent increased from +350 Spiders Health to +450
* Centaur Warrunner: Retaliate no longer gains charges while it is active
* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike cooldown reduced from 7/6/5/4 to 4
* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike lifesteal reduced from 50/55/60/65% to 40/50/60/70%
* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike max damage increased from 160/190/220/250% to 160/195/230/265%
* Chaos Knight: Reality Rift slow duration increased from 2 to 3
* Chaos Knight: Reality Rift slow reduced from 15/25/35/45% to 10/20/30/40%
* Chen: Divine Favor bonus damage reduced from 10/20/40/80 to 12/24/36/48
* Chen: Divine Favor now provides double bonus damage on non-hero units
* Chen: Divine Favor duration increased from 12 to 14
* Chen: Divine Favor manacost reduced from 110 to 70/80/90/100
* Chen: Hand of God heal increased from 250/400/550 to 300/450/600
* Chen: Level 15 Talent reduced from -10s Divine Favor Cooldown to -7s
* Chen: Level 25 Talent reduced from +400 Hand of God Heal to +350
* Chen: Level 25 Talent increased from +4 Holy Persuasion Max Units to +5
* Clinkz: Level 15 Talent changed from +20% Evasion to +15 Strength
* Clockwerk: Battery Assault cast point removed
* Clockwerk: Rocket Flare manacost reduced from 50 to 35/40/45/50
* Clockwerk: Level 20 Talent changed from +20% Magic Resistance to Rocket Flare True Sight
* Clockwerk: Level 25 Talent changed from Rocket Flare True Sight to +50% Magic Resistance
* Crystal Maiden: Freezing Field now grants you 10 bonus armor while channeling
* Crystal Maiden: Arcane Aura allied mana regen reduced from 1.2/1.7/2.2/2.7 to 1/1.5/2/2.5
* Crystal Maiden: Arcane Aura self mana regen increased from 2.4/4.4/6.4/8.4 to 2.5/4.5/6.5/8.5
* Dark Willow: Bramble Maze manacost reduced from 140/150/160/170 to 100/120/140/160
* Dark Willow: Bramble Maze cooldown reduced from 34/31/28/25 to 25
* Dazzle: Poison Touch mancost increased from 95/110/125/140 to 110/120/130/140
* Dazzle: Shadow Wave cast range reduced from 900 to 800
* Death Prophet: Base damage increased by 3
* Disruptor: Base armor increased by 1
* Doom: Scorched Earth cooldown reduced from 55/50/45/40 to 50/45/40/35
* Doom: Devour health regen from 4/8/13/18 to 3/8/13/18
* Dragon Knight: Base movement speed increased by 10
* Dragon Knight: Dragon Blood health regen increased from 4/7/10/13 to 4/8/12/16
* Dragon Knight: Elder Dragon Form frost attack slow increased from -20 to -30
* Dragon Knight: Level 20 Talent changed from 2x Dragon Blood to +25 Strength
* Dragon Knight: Level 25 Talent changed from +40 Strength to 2x Dragon Blood
* Drow Ranger: Level 15 Talent changed from +25 Attack Speed to +10 Agility
* Earthshaker: Fissure manacost reduced from 125/140/155/170 to 110/130/150/170
* Earth Spirit: Rolling Boulder damage reduced from 100 to 70/80/90/100
* Earth Spirit: Boulder Smash slow reduced from 80% to 60%
* Earth Spirit: Level 15 Talent reduced from +200 Rolling Boulder Damage to +150
* Elder Titan: Level 10 Talent reduced from +25 Movement Speed to +20
* Ember Spirit: Sleight of Fist cooldown reduced from 30/22/14/6 to 18/14/10/6
* Ember Spirit: Base damage increased by 3
* Enchantress: Enchant cooldown reduced from 55/40/25/10 to 22/18/14/10
* Enchantress: Enchant creep duration reduced from 50/60/70/80 to 26/44/62/80
* Enchantress: Enchant manacost reduced from 65 to 40/50/60/70
* Enigma: Midnight Pulse manacost rescaled from 75/95/115/135 to 50/80/110/140
* Faceless Void: Time Dilation AoE increased from 725 to 775
* Faceless Void: Level 10 Talent increased from +8 Strength to +10
* Faceless Void: Level 15 Talent changed from +300 Health to -1s Time Walk Cooldown
* Grimstroke: Phantom’s Embrace rend damage reduced from 120/200/280/360 to 75/150/225/300
* Grimstroke: Ink Swell manacost increased from 90/100/110/120 to 120/130/140/150
* Grimstroke: Ink Swell movement speed reduced from 18% to 12/14/16/18%
* Gyrocopter: Base strength increased from 19 to 22
* Huskar: Attack point reduced from 0.4 to 0.3
* Huskar: Berserker’s Blood max attack speed reduced from 220/260/300/340 to 160/220/280/340
* Huskar: Life Break damage and cost reduced from 34/39/44% to 32/38/44%
* Huskar: Level 15 Talent reduced from +15 Burning Spears DPS to +10
* Invoker: Base damage increased by 3
* Invoker: Exort bonus damage reduced from 4->28 to 3->27 per instance
* Invoker: Level 10 Talent changed from +1.25s Tornado Lift Time to -30s Ghost Walk Cooldown
* Io: Temporarily removed from Captains Mode
* Io: Tether now transfers health and mana even when Io is at max hp/mp
* Io: Overcharge now has an 18 second cooldown and an 8 second duration. No longer has a 2 second toggle.
* Io: Overcharge now costs 40/60/80/100 mana to cast. No longer cost 6% of health and mana per second.
* Io: Overcharge attack speed bonus increased from 40/50/60/70 to 50/80/110/140
* Io: Overcharge damage reduction increased from 5/10/15/20% to 15/20/25/30%
* Io: Relocate delay increased from 2.7/2.35/2 to 3.5/3.25/3
* Io: Relocate cooldown reduced from 130/110/90 to 90/75/60
* Io: Relocate is now cast delay again instead of channeling (being interrupted, silenced, rooted, etc will cancel the ability)
* Io: Level 25 Talent changed from -60s Relocate Cooldown to -30s
* Jakiro: Level 10 Talent changed from +30% XP Gain to +300 Attack Range
* Jakiro: Level 15 Talent changed from +300 Attack Range to +40% XP Gain
* Juggernaut: Base armor reduced by 1
* Juggernaut: Omnislash no longer allows you to teleport while using it
* Juggernaut: Healing Ward movement speed reduced from 420 to 400
* Juggernaut: Omnislash cooldown increased from 130/120/110 to 130
* Juggernaut: Level 15 Talent changed from +1s Blade Fury to +50 Blade Fury Movement Speed
* Keeper of the Light: Level 10 Talent changed from 8% Spell Lifesteal to +30% XP Gain
* Keeper of the Light: Level 15 Talent changed from +30% XP Gain to +1 Will-O-Wisp Health Count
* Kunkka: Level 25 Talent changed from -1.5s Tidebringer Cooldown to +60% Tidebringer Cleave
* Legion Commander: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Legion Commander: Level 20 Talent reduced from +40 Movement Speed to +35
* Legion Commander: Level 25 Talent changed from -10s Press The Attack Cooldown to 350 AoE Press The Attack
* Leshrac: Diabolic Edict increased from 9/18/27/36 to 11/22/33/44
* Leshrac: Level 25 Talent reduced from +50 Diabolic Edict Explosions to +40
* Lich: Frost Shield slow reduced from 35% to 20/25/30/35%
* Lich: Chain Frost damage reduced from 300/400/500 to 250/375/500
* Lich: Level 25 Talent increased from +40% slow to +50%
* Lifestealer: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Lifestealer: Base armor increased by 2
* Lifestealer: Level 15 Talent reduced from +30 Movement Speed to +25
* Lina: Base damage increased by 3
* Lion: Level 10 Talent increased from +75 Cast Range to +100
* Lion: Level 15 Talent increased from +120 Gold/Min to +150
* Lone Druid: Spirit Bear movement speed increased from 340/355/370/385 to 340/360/380/400
* Lone Druid: Spirit Bear attack damage increased from 35/50/65/80 to 35/55/75/95
* Lone Druid: Level 20 Talent changed from -0.3 Spirit Bear Attack Time to 0 Entangle Cooldown
* Lone Druid: Level 25 Talent changed from 0 Entangle Cooldown to -0.5s Spirit Bear Attack Time
* Luna: Level 10 Talent increased from +200 Cast Range to +300
* Lycan: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Lycan: Wolves armor reduced from 1 to 0
* Lycan: Wolves magic resistance reduced from 80% to 70%
* Lycan: Wolves health increased from 230/260/290/320 to 300/350/400/450
* Lycan: Howl health regen increased from 4/6/8/10 to 4/8/12/16
* Medusa: Fixed Mystic Snake bouncing to Spell Immune enemies
* Medusa: Level 10 Talent reduced from +20 Damage to +15
* Medusa: Level 15 Talent reduced from +35% Mystic Snake Mana Steal to +30%
* Medusa: Level 20 Talent changed from +700 Mana to -4s Mystic Snake Cooldown
* Medusa: Level 25 Talent changed from +7 Split Shot Targets to +1000 Mana
* Meepo: Base movement speed increased by 10
* Mirana: Sacred Arrow movement speed increased from 857 to 950
* Monkey King: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Monkey King: Wukong’s Command attack rate improved from 1.3 to 1.2
* Morphling: Strength gain increased from 2.3 to 2.6
* Morphling: Level 15 Talent increased from +15s Morph Duration to +20s
* Naga Siren: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Naga Siren: Mirror Image duration from 24 to 26
* Naga Siren: Mirror Image damage taken reduced from 475/450/425/400% to 400%
* Naga Siren: Level 20 Talent increased from -5s Ensnare Cooldown to -7s
* Nature’s Prophet: Using tango on a sprout tree will 2x regen (like eating a branch tree)
* Nature’s Prophet: Level 20 Talent changed from -4s Sprout Cooldown to +25% Cooldown Reduction
* Necrophos: Death Pulse damage increased from 100/140/180/220 to 100/150/200/250
* Necrophos: Level 15 Talent increased from +20% Ghost Shroud Slow to +30%
* Night Stalker: Hunter in the Night movement speed bonus increased from 20/25/30/35 to 22/28/34/40%
* Night Stalker: Removed Scepter
* Night Stalker: Dark Ascension now provides full unobstructed vision, instead of only 900 range
* Night Stalker: Level 15 Talent changed from +150 Cast Range to +15% Lifesteal
* Nyx Assassin: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Nyx Assassin: Strength gain increased from 2.3 to 2.5
* Nyx Assassin: Level 10 Talent increased from +60 GPM to +90
* Nyx Assassin: Level 10 Talent increased from +6% Spell Amp to +8%
* Ogre Magi: Fireblast cooldown reduced from 12/11/10/9 to 11/10/9/8
* Ogre Magi: Multicast 2x chance increased from 60% to 70%
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace status resistance reduced from 50/60/70/80% to 50%
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace duration increased from 8 to 10
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace now provides 7/14/21/28 bonus strength
* Omniknight: Heavenly Grace manacost increased from 75 to 80/90/100/110
* Outworld Devourer: Sanity’s Eclipse multiplier from 9/10/11 to 8/9/10
* Outworld Devourer: Level 15 Talent reduced from +30 Movement Speed to +25
* Pangolier: Base damage increased by 4
* Pangolier: Level 10 Talent changed from +20 Movement Speed to +300 Swashbuckle Slash Range
* Phantom Assassin: Rearranged Level 15 Talents – +25% Cleave vs +15% Lifesteal
* Phantom Assassin: Rearranged Level 20 Talents – +20% Blur Evasion vs -4 Armor Corruption
* Phantom Assassin: Rearranged Level 25 Talents – +5% Coup de Grace vs Triple Strike Stifling Dagger
* Phantom Lancer: Level 10 Talent increased from +10% Evasion to +15%
* Phantom Lancer: Level 20 Talent increased from +4 Max Juxtapose Illusions to +5
* Phoenix: Sunray can no longer move forward while rooted
* Pudge: Base damage increased by 6
* Queen of Pain: Scream of Pain manacost reduced from 95/110/125/140 to 80/100/120/140
* Queen of Pain: Shadow Strike damage per tick increased from 30/45/60/75 to 30/50/70/90
* Razor: Attack backswing reduced from 0.7 to 0.4
* Razor: Level 10 Talent increased from +200 Health to +225
* Riki: Base damage increased by 4
* Riki: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Riki: Level 20 Talent increased from +0.2 Backstab Multiplier to +0.3
* Rubick: Telekinesis lift duration reduced from 1/1.4/1.8/2.2 to 0.8/1.2/1.6/2.0
* Rubick: Level 15 Talent increased from -45 Fade Bolt Hero Attack to -60
* Sand King: Burrowstrike damage increased from 85/150/215/280 to 100/160/220/280
* Sand King: Sand Storm AoE increased from 350/450/550/650 to 425/500/575/650
* Shadow Demon: Soul Catcher manacost reduced from 110 to 50/70/90/110
* Shadow Demon: Shadow Poison manacost reduced from 50 to 35/40/45/50
* Shadow Fiend: Presence of the Dark Lord armor reduction increased from 3/4/5/6 to 4/5/6/7
* Shadow Shaman: Level 20 Talent reduced from +3s Shackles Duration to +2.5s
* Silencer: Last Word cooldown reduced from 28/22/16/10 to 22/18/14/10
* Silencer: Level 10 Talent increased from +5 Armor to +6
* Skywrath Mage: Mystic Flare deals damage to creeps if no heroes are around
* Slardar: Level 25 Talent reduced from +1.5s Slithereen Crush Stun to 1.25s
* Slark: Pounce no longer does 30/60/90/120 damage
* Sniper: Headshot now has a back knockback of 10
* Sniper: Level 15 Talent changed from +35 Shrapnel DPS to +15% Shrapnel Slow
* Spectre: Strength gain increased from 2.3 to 2.5
* Spectre: Spectral Dagger movement speed increased from 8/12/16/20% to 10/14/18/22%
* Spectre: Level 20 Talent reduced from +20% Spectral Dagger to +18%
* Storm Spirit: Electric Vortex manacost reduced from 85 to 60/70/80/90
* Storm Spirit: Level 10 Talent changed from +20 Damage to +30 Overload Damage
* Sven: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Sven: Warcry shield health changed from 110/220/330/440 to 80/110/140/170 + 1/1.5/2/2.5x your strength
* Sven: Storm Hammer cooldown increased from 13 to 16/15/14/13
* Sven: Storm Hammer damage reduced from 100/175/250/325 to 80/160/240/320
* Techies: Remote Mines manacost reduced from 200/240/300 to 120/180/240
* Templar Assassin: Meld debuff is now applied before the attack damage is reduced by armor
* Templar Assassin: Fixed meld bonus damage being increased by Spell Amplification
* Templar Assassin: Level 10 Talent changed from +3 Psionic Traps to +15% Evasion
* Templar Assassin: Level 15 Talent changed from +7 Armor to +25 Movement Speed
* Terrorblade: Strength reduced from 16 + 1.7 to 15 + 1.5
* Tidehunter: Anchor Smash damage reduction from -45/50/55/60 to -30/40/50/60%
* Timbersaw: Reactive Armor bonus armor reduced from 1.3/1.4/1.5/1.6 to 1/1.1/1.2/1.3
* Timbersaw: Reactive Armor bonus health regen reduced from 1/1.2/1.4/1.6 to 1/1.1/1.2/1.3
* Timbersaw: Reactive Armor max stacks increased from 5/10/15/20 to 6/12/18/24
* Timbersaw: Whirling Death tree bonus damage increased from 10/15/20/25 to 12/18/24/30
* Timbersaw: Level 20 Talent increased from +10% Cooldown Reduction to +15%
* Tiny: Avalanche AoE reduced from 400 to 325/350/375/400
* Tiny: Avalanche cooldown increased from 23/20/17/14 to 26/22/18/14
* Tiny: Level 15 Talent reduced from +125 Avalanche Damage to +100
* Tiny: Level 15 Talent increased from +350 Health to +400
* Treant Protector: Living Armor damage block increased from 20/40/60/80 to 25/50/75/100
* Treant Protector: Scepter now causes Treant’s Overgrowth to deal damage instead of only Enchanted Trees
* Treant Protector: Overgrowth duration increased from 3/3.75/4.5 to 3.25/4/4.75
* Treant Protector: Level 20 Talent increased from +40 Leech Seed Damage/Heal to +50
* Troll Warlord: Level 15 Talent increased from +75 Whirling Axes Damage to +90
* Troll Warlord: Level 20 Talent increased from +20% Evasion to +25%
* Tusk: Tag Team slow duration reduced from 0.5 to 0.4
* Tusk: Tag Team manacost increased from 40/50/60/70 to 70
* Tusk: Tag Team cooldown increased from 15 to 24/21/18/15
* Underlord: Base movement speed increased by 5
* Undying: Level 15 Talent changed from Tombstone On Death to +30 Tombstone Zombie Damage
* Undying: Level 20 Talent changed from +30 Tombstone Zombie Damage to Tombstone On Death
* Ursa: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Ursa: Fury Swipes damage reduced from 10/16/22/28 to 7/14/21/28
* Vengeful Spirit: Level 20 Talent increased from -5s Magic Missle Cooldown to -6s
* Venomancer: Strength gain increased from 1.9 to 2.1
* Viper: Nethertoxin AoE increased from 350 to 380
* Viper: Nethertoxin damage increased from 20/35/50/65 to 30/45/60/75
* Visage: Level 10 Talent reduced from +125 Cast Range to +100
* Visage: Level 20 Talent reduced from +60 Familiars Movement Speed to +50
* Visage: Level 20 Talent increased from +15 Soul Assumption Damage Per Charge to +20
* Warlock: Base strength increased by 2
* Warlock: Chaotic Offering attack damage increased from 75/125/175 to 100/150/200
* Warlock: Golem attack backswing reduced from 0.74 to 0.57
* Weaver: Level 10 Talent changed from +7 Strength to +75 Shukuchi Damage
* Weaver: Level 15 Talent changed from +75 Shukuchi Damage to +14 Strength
* Windranger: Level 15 Talent increased from +100 Attack Range to +125
* Windranger: Level 15 Talent increased from +100 Powershot Damage to +125
* Winter Wyvern: Cold Embrace base health regen increased from 15 to 14/18/22/26
* Winter Wyvern: Cold Embrace manacost changed from 75 to 50/60/70/80
* Witch Doctor: Maledict cooldown reduced from 50/40/30/20 to 30/26/22/18
* Witch Doctor: Level 10 Talent increased from +5 Armor to +6
* Wraith King: Base movement speed increased by 15
* Zeus: Reworked Static Field. Now affects enemies directly affected by your abilities. No longer has a range.
AT SUNDOWN: Shots in the Dark is Now Available on Steam and is 10% off!*
A hide-and-seek shooter where the maps are covered in darkness and light is your enemy, as 4 players compete in a deathmatch to be the best!
*Offer ends January 29 at 10AM Pacific Time
