Based on feedback, we are making several changes that will affect Crafting and Upkeep, since itemization is an important progression pillar within the System. A few examples of changes:

— Per Event vs. 6 Months: Items expire upon the 3rd attended Event instead of 6 months plus ensuring that Period 3 crafting isn’t overly penalized.

— Fortified Items: After an item has been Upkept several times, it can be Fortified: this means that its Upkeep henceforth waives its CMP cost. So instead of “renting” an item, you’re “renting to own”.

— Expiration: Siege Casters and Warbanners now have basic-quality versions instead of collapsing upon expiration. Ammo Packs are not destroyed upon expiration either, simply deteriorating to their basic versions.

We’re not seeking to a complete rework the game’s system. But we are moving away from (but not removing) a lot of perceived “fun taxes” (spend CMP or be non-viable). Instead of being rent or tax fodder, CMP becomes another accrued progression resource. Here are a few examples of these changes:

— Magic Costs: Adept Attunements can be activated without expending CMP, though they take up 2 ATNs instead of 1 ATN.

— Quality Requirements: Skills have item quality requirements removed (e.g. to use this skill or get this bonus, you need an advanced item). Instead, these bonuses have been changed or, in rare cases, removed.

These changes are far smaller in scope but seek to make the early game less brutal and the mid to late game more convenient without lowering the difficulty of encounters. These are primarily name changes or smaller rules changes.

— Step Effects renamed as Aftereffects

— Defenses no longer require 2 Steps away -- their requirements shift to the same “Step and Grunt” expect of being hit: the safe halting of forward momentum and/or 1 step away

Some underperforming Skills and Items saw upgrades or adjustments to make them more suitable.

— Added Functions: Certain Disciplines were given additional functionality because their focus was too niche. For example, a Crafting Discipline might now have things that they could do beyond their specialty.

— Class Upgrades: Every class received over a dozen upgrades but Builders and Counselors in particular are seeing some abilities to aid them in their roles and their flexibility.

— Upgrade to Stigmata: Every Stigmata is seeing a minor upgrade in a few of their Traits. Some of this is primarily the removal of Self-inflict effects on certain Traits. Others have their drawbacks scaled back, such as Abyssal Tether only taking 1 ATN.

— Periodic Skills: Some Periodic Erudite skills now ignore penalties to imbuing Resolve/Healing.

The change to Item quality requirements and to Skill Kits, a rebalancing of abilities was necessary.

— Aspect Skills and several other Skills have higher ATN requirements.

— Some Skills that had bonus functions based on higher quality items lost that functionality.

— Not a true downgrade, but some abilities will seem slightly lackluster when their contemporaries or cousin Skills receive upgrades.

Patience, primarily! We are excited to roll out this update but we have to take the necessary time to go through it carefully. Even then, there may be some minor mistakes or typographical errors here and there.

If you are interested in such things, we listen to feedback. It may often seem that we are silent when it comes to such things, but we feel that listening to Player voices is more important than any kind of reaction/argument on our part.

You can reach us through the Game Staff email, through our Facebook page/group page, and our Discord! Don’t forget, we also have a Tiktok and an Instagram!