https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1147560/view/3324233322398276841
Due to Status Effect and Inscription system reform, a lot of items went through reform as well and a lot of new items have been added.
In particular, we focused on the reformation of less popular items and tried to build up synergy with new Inscriptions.
For this change to happen, every item’s Inscriptions changed accordingly.
Our direction for change was to boost the performance of items. Items which need to be bought from the Grave Robber with Dark Quartz received a higher degree of enhancement.
In addition, items that were difficult to use before should be easier for you to use now.

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Ring of Wind

• Changed the amount of increase in speed: 10% → 15%

Discolored Dark Quartz Shard

• Changed the amount of increase in HP: 40 → 25

Standard-issue Carleon Sword

• Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack: 25% → 30%

Standard-issue Carleon Bow

• Changed the amount of increase in Crit Rate: 6% → 8%

Hate Stone

• Changed the duration of buff: 3 sec → 4 sec

Rejuvenating Root

• Changed the effect: Taking damage restores 1 HP. (cooldown: 1 second)
  (Before the change: When HP drops below 20, restores 40 HP. This item disappears after its effect is activated.)

Prayer of Grace

• Changed the amount of increase in skill cooldown speed: 25% → 40%

Assassin Dagger

• Changed the amount of increase in Crit Rate: 10% → 15%
  
• Changed the amount of increase in movement speed: 15% → 20%

Execution Axe

• Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack: 40% → 50%

Gold Incense Burner

• Changed the amount of increase in Gold gain: 20% → 25%

Wind Armor

• Changed the effect: Dashing within 0.4 second after a previous dash engulfs you in a cutting wind, dealing Magic damage to a nearby enemy.
  (Before the change: Increases dashing distance by 40%. Dashing has a 30% chance of resetting Dash Cooldown.)

Thorny Pauldrons

• Changed the effect: Increases dash attack damage by 80%. Dash attacks gain 10% chance to inflict Wound.
  (Before the change: Increases Dash Damages by 100%. Decreases Incoming Damage by 10%)

Thorny Boots

• Changed the effect: Increases Physical attack by 40% while in midair. Normal attacks performed in midair have 15% chance to inflict Wound.
  (Before the change: Inflicts Physical damage to enemies that you land on after jumping. Increases Physical attack by 25%.)

Brawler’s Knuckle

• Changed Item Name: ‘Distorted Curved Sword’

Vampire Fang

• Changed the effect: Defeating 5 enemies restores 1 HP and causes a vampire’s stake to extend and inflict Wound to nearby enemies.
  (Before the change: Restores 1 HP every 3 kills.)

Grudge Stone

• Changed the chance of effect being inflicted: 20% → 30%
  
• Changed the type of additional attack damage: Physical → Magic
  
• Increased additional attack damage

Eleventh Finger of Lightning

• Increased additional attack damage

Hidden Dagger

• Changed the amount of increase in Crit Rate: 7% → 10%
  
• Increased additional attack damage

Magic Bead of Darkness

• Changed the effect: Swapping for the third time stuns nearby enemies.
  (Before the change: When swapping, inflict stun on nearby enemies.)

Giant's Ax

• Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack: 35% → 40%
  
• Decreased additional attack damage

Coward's Cape

• Changed the effect: Jumping within 0.1 second after dashing increases Movement Speed by 300% for 1 second.
  (Before the effect: Increases Dash Cooldown Speed by 100% and dashing distance by 80% if there are 4 or more enemies around you.)

Iron Shoes of Bitter Cold

• Changed the effect: Increases Magic attack by 40% while in midair. Normal attacks performed in midair have 5% chance to inflict Freeze.
  (Before the change: Creates a 20% chance of Freezing enemies that you land on after jumping. Increases Magic attack by 35%.)

Rake of Fury

• Changed the duration of buff: 3 sec → 5 sec
  
• Changed the amount of increase in Attack Speed: 55% → 50%

Broken Mana Engine

• Changed the amount of increase in skill cooldown speed: 30% → 40%
  
• Increased additional attack damage

Ancient Incense Burner

• Changed the amount of increase in Quintessence cooldown speed: 50% → 65%

Ice Scale Spaulders

• Changed the effect: Increases dash attack damage by 30%. Dash attacks have a 10% chance to inflict Freeze.
  (Before the change: Upon attacking with dash attack, there is a 30% chance to inflict freeze on affected enemies. Decreases incoming damage by 10%.)

Ceremonial Dagger

• Changed the duration of buff: 3 sec → 4 sec

Wind Spirit Sylphid

• Changed the grade of the item: Unique → Rare
  
• Increased additional attack damage
  
• Changed the cooldown of additional attack: 4 sec → 10 sec
  
• Deleted the effect Bleed by the additional attack

Earth Spirit Gnome

• Changed the grade of the item: Unique → Rare
  
• Decreased additional attack damage
  
• Changed the cooldown of additional attack: 7 sec → 12 sec
  
• Deleted the effect Stun by the additional attack

Warrior's Gloves

• Increased additional attack damage

Hunter's Boots

• Increased additional attack damage

Thief Armor

• Decreased the ninja star’s damage

Mage's Necklace

• Decreased additional attack damage

Priestess's Veil

• Changed the duration of buff: 7 sec → 10 sec
  
• Changed the cooldown of buff: 15 sec → 20 sec
  
• Changed the amount of increase in the effect of buff
  
  • Increase in Physical attack and Magic attack: 40% → 60%
    
  • Decrease incoming damage: 50% → 40%
    
  • Increase in Attack Speed and Movement Speed: 65% & 45% → 55% & 60%

Bone Hourglass

• Changed Item Name: ‘Bone of Time’

Trainee’s Necklace

• Added the effect: Increases Magic attack by 35%.

Luxurious Tea Cup

• Added the effect: At the end of concentration, Crit Rate is increased by 15% for 1 second.

Offensive Wheel

• Added the effect: Increases Physical attack by 45%
  
• Changed the number of skill use required to prepare a wagon wheel: 5 times → 4 times
  
• Increased the duration of wagon wheel

Abyssal Virus

• Added the effect: Changed to deal damage to adventurers and bosses by summoning tendrils (For adventurers and bosses, damaging 5% of their Max HP activates the effect)
  
• Added cooldown (1 sec)
  
• Increased additional attack damage

Solar Sword

• Changed the effect: Increases Physical attack by 40%.

Lunar Ring

• Changed the effect: Increases Magic attack by 40%.

Fighter's Belt

• Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack for each enemy nearby: 6% → 9%
  
• Changed the Max increase in Physical attack: 102% → 90%

Prince's Box

• Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack for each skill having a cooldown: 15% → 25%

Inner Flame

• Added the effect: Swapping draws out inner flames that deal Magic damage and inflict Burn.
  
• Changed the duration of buff: 4 sec → 12 sec

Inner Malice

• Added the effect: Swapping brings out your inner malice, dealing Physical damage and poisoning nearby enemies.
  
• Changed the duration of buff: 4 sec → 12 sec
  
• Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack: 50% → 60%

Jagamon Thorn

• Changed Item Grade: Unique → Rare
  
• Changed the effect: Normal attacks against enemies inflicted with Wound deal an additional 7 Fixed damage and increase your Attack Speed and Movement Speed by 3% for 5 seconds. (Stacks up to 30%)
  (Before the change: Normal Attacks inflict 10 additional true damage.)

Naias's Heart

• Changed the effect: Taking damage Freezes nearby enemies. (Cooldown: 10 seconds). Frozen enemies receive Magic damage at the end of Freeze duration.
  (Before the change: Increases Max HP by 35. Incoming damage hurts and freezes surrounding enemies. (Cooldown: 1 sec.))

Bone of Swiftness

• Changed the effect: When normal attack is dealt, depending on the higher stat between Physical attack and Magic attack, an enemy gets additional damage. Based on the number of Speed Skulls owned, the amount of additional damage amplifies by (20%/60%)..
  (Before the change: Critical Attacks inflict a fixed amount of additional damage. This item's damage bonus increases by 30% or 100%, depending on how many Speed Skulls you have. (Cooldown: 0.5 sec.))

Bone of Courage

• Changed the effect: Every 5 seconds, your physical attacks amplify Physical damage by 20% for 1 second. Based on the number of Power Skulls owned, the amount of damage amplified increases to (40%/80%).
  (Before the change: Amplifies the damage of the next Physical attack by 20% every 3 seconds. Based on the number of power skulls owned, the damage amplification can be increased to (40%/80%))
  
• Changed to show a specific effect when the effect is ready to be activated

Bone of Mana

• Changed the amount of amplification based on the number of balance type skulls owned: (30%/100%) → (20%/60%)
  
• Increased additional attack damage

Mana Eater

• Changed the effect: After using a skill, use Mana Eater to stab an enemy in front of you by performing a normal attack, dealing Physical damage.
  (Before the change: After using a skill, the next normal attack deals an additional Physical damage.)

Explosive Arrow

• Change in explosion effect
  
• Increase in explosion range and damage
  
• Change in explosion damage type: Fixed damage → Physical damage
  
• Change in explosion cooldown: 0.5 seconds → 2 seconds

Gunpowder Sword

• Change in explosion effect
  
• Increase in explosion range
  
• Decrease in explosion damage

Cowardly Bowmaster's Bow

• Change in projectile damage amplification: 50% → 40%
  
• Decrease in enemy detect range

Master Brawler

• Change in effect: Physical attack and Magic attack increase by 25%. If there are 4 or more enemies nearby they increase by 45%.
  (Before change: If there are 4 or more enemies nearby, Physical attack and Magic attack increase by 70%)

Master Fighter

• Changed the effect: Increases Physical attack and Magic attack by 25%. This is further increased by 45% when you are near 2 or fewer enemies.
  (Before the change: Increases Physical/Magic attack by 70% if there are 2 or less enemies around you.)

Ninja Mask

• Changed Item Name: ‘Silence Sword’
  
• Changed the amount of amplification when damage is dealt from behind: 40% → 25%

Manatech Dagger

• Changed Item Name: ‘Manatech Cudgel’
  
• Changed the effect: Normal attacks turn into Critical hits for 3 seconds after 3 skills are used.
  (Before the change: Makes subsequent Normal Attacks inflict Critical damage every 3 seconds.)

Water Spirit Undine

• Changed Item Rarity: Rare → Unique
  
• Changed additional attack
  
• Changed it so that an additional attack sometimes inflicts burn
  
• Changed additional attack’s cooldown time: 5sec → 20sec
  
• Increased damage and range of additional attack

Fire Spirit Salamander

• Changed Item Rarity: Rare → Unique
  
• Changed additional attack
  
• Changed it so that an additional attack sometimes inflicts burn
  
• Changed additional attack’s cooldown time: 5sec → 20sec
  
• Increased damage and range of additional attack

Diorite Circlet

• Changed buff duration: 5sec → 8sec
  
• Changed amount Magic Attack Power is increased: 100% → 90%

Rear Blast

• Changed amount Physical Attack Power is increased: 80% → 90%

Hero’s Holy Sword

• Changed buff duration: 1sec → 2sec

Warrior’s Steel Mace

• Changed Effect: Stunning an enemy deals an additional physical damage and increases Physical attack by 40% for 10 seconds.
  (Before Change: Stunning an enemy deals an additional 60 damage. Enemies are stunned every 10 seconds)

Hunter’s Boots

• Changed increase in Crit Damage: 50% → 35%

Thief’s Black Steel Dagger

• Changed buff duration: 3sec → 2sec

Mage’s Mana Bracelet

• Changed number of skill usages needed to activate buff: 8 times → 6 times

Medal Box

• Changed amount Physical Attack Power is increased: 15% → 25%
  
• Set max amount of increase for Physical Attack Power (150%)

Stone of the Heir

• Changed amount Magic Attack Power is increased: 25% → 30%
  
• Set max amount of increase for Magic Attack Power (150%)

Growing Volition

• Changed Effect: Concentrating grants 10 HP barrier and taking damage to the barrier increases Crit Rate by 50% for 2 seconds.
  (Before Change: Concentrating grants 10 HP barrier and disappears after done concentrating)

Magic Pocket Watch

• Added Effect: Skill Cooldown Speed increased by 70%
  
• Changed buff duration: 5sec → 12sec
  
• Changed amount concentration speed is increased: 60% → 100%

Mithril Armor

• Changed Item Name: ‘Mithril Gear’
  
• Added Effect: Damage is reduced by 20% when this item’s effect is maxed out
  
• Changed buff duration: 2sec → 6sec
  
• Changed amount Physical Damages is increased by successful Dask Attack: 4% → 8%

Cretan Bull

• Changed Item Grade: Rare → Unique
  
• Changed Effect: After using a Power Skull skill, dash to transform into a bull and deal Physical damage with increased dash distance
  (Before Change: After dashing with a Power Skull, transform into a bull and deal Physical damage with increased dash distance(Cooldown Time: 20sec))

Sylphid Wings

• Changed Effect: When in mid-air, dash distance and cooldown speed are increased by 50%. If you dash 10 times in mid-air, blades of wind are projected and deal Magic Damage.
  (Before Change When in mid-air, Attack Speed is 70%, Movement Speed is 100% and you can jump once more.)

Raven Lord

• Increased damage of additional attacks

Evil Sword: Kirion

• Reduced additional damage for Basic Attack

Voodoo Doll

• Removed buff that increases Magic Attack Power when item is activated
  
• Changed it so that ‘Ragged Doll’ increases Magic Attack Power by 60% when item is activated

Hope Slasher

• Changed duration of buff: 3sec → 5sec
  
• Changed amount the buff increases Physical Attack Power: 70% → 60%

Nether Mana Suppressor

• Changed the amount of increase in Magic attack for every 10% increase in skill cooldown speed: 4% → 6%
  
• Changed the Max amount of additional increase in Magic attack: 80% → 60%

Pain & Despair

• Changed max stacks for increases in Attack Speed and Movement Speed: 30 → 20

Doomsday

• Added Effect: Every skill’s cooldown time is reduced by 5 seconds when Apocalypse goes into effect
  
• Changed cooldown time for Apocalypse: 30sec → 44sec
  
• Changed duration of Apocalypse: 10sec → 11sec
  
• Increased expolosion’s damage and range
  
• Changed effect of Apocalypse

Pot of Greed

• Added Effect: Gain one random Legendary grade item when maxing out the effect of this item
  
• Changed amount increased for Physical and Magical Attack Power: 15% → 30%
  
• Set max amount of increase for Physical and Magical Attack Power(120%)

Shadow Spirit Death

• Changed extra attack
  
• Changed way item is acquired

World Tree Seed

• Changed it so that the World Tree Seed spawns when Swapping after the Cooldown is done
  
• Increased affect range of World Tree Seed

Elder Ent’s Gratitude

• Changed amount Physical and Magical Attack Power are increased: 30% → 40%

Gold Mane Rapier

• Reduced damage for additional attacks

Proof of Fellowship

• Changed max stacks for increases in attack speed and crit chance: 10 → 5
  
• Changed max amount of increase for attack speed: 60% → 50%

Contaminated Core

• Changed max increase in damage taken: 35% → 40%
  
• Changed max amount of increase for Physical Attack: 100% → 150%

Chimera’s Poison Fang

• Changed proportion of HP needed when effect is activated: 10% → 20%
  
• Changed it so that it affects Adventurers and bosses too (Is activated when current HP is below 10%)

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Common

• Toxic Pendant
  
• Broken Dagger
  
• Manatech Cogwheel
  
• Abandoned Wedding Ring
  
• Old Cross
  
• Shadow Spirit Death
  
• Kendo Stick

Rare

• Attendant’s Pauldrons
  
• Disposable Syringe
  
• Fragments of Sun Wagon
  
• Justice Served
  
• Decayed Heart
  
• Burning Scripture
  
• Relatability Generator
  
• Mysterious Apparatus
  
• Cavalry Decoration
  
• Sphere of Sniping
  
• Manatech Booster
  
• Magical Choker
  
• Rapid Sword of the Subconscious
  
• Passed-Down Scabbard
  
• Beak of Raptor
  
• Acceleration Sword
  
• Invisible Sword
  
• Golden Whip
  
• Glowstone
  
• Health Screening Machine
  
• Manatech Gravity Generator
  
• Bone of Madness
  
• Afterimage
  
• Ancestral Bracelet
  
• Symbol of Toughness
  
• Golden Sword
  
• Jenny’s Chain Sickle

Unique

• Authentic Stone of Plague
  
• Fatal Sword
  
• Blood-Drinking Sword
  
• Terrible Blade Shards
  
• Chest of Flames
  
• Charred Jamadhar
  
• Frost Giant’s Leather
  
• Aftershocks
  
• Victory Baton
  
• Wing Armor
  
• Mana Gauntlets
  
• Architect’s Breastplate
  
• Heart of the Ascetic
  
• Wood Statue
  
• Hand of Glory
  
• Holy Footsteps
  
• Witches’ Brew
  
• Stone Mask
  
• Stigma Leg
  
• Manatech Staff
  
• Rosary

Legendary

• Approaching Death
  
• Miracle Grail
  
• Cursed Live Embers
  
• Glacial Breaker
  
• Armor of Fear
  
• Crown of Thorns
  
• Veiled Mask
  
• Mane of the Beast King
  
• The Ring
  
• Multidimensional Prism
  
• Light Spirit Lou
  
• Fulgent Dawn
  

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• Draft Stone
  
• Magic Mirror
  
• Bottled Embers
  
• Explosive Ointment
  
• Clown’s Surprise Box
  
• Emergency Bomb
  
• Ruby Heart

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Slime

• Removed poison effect and increased damage when untransforming

Yeti

• Changed chance of freeze for [Snow Cannon]: 100% → 20%

Medusa

• Reduced Damage of [Gaze]

Ifrit

• Added burn effect and reduced damage for [Snow Cannon]

Naias

• Reduced explosion damage of [Ice Flowers]

Hydra

• Changed chance of poison for [Regeneration]: 100% → 10%
  
• Changed color of acidic breath

Centauros

• Reduced damage of [Javelin]

Harpy

• Changed chance of wound infliction for [Gust of the Canyon]: 100% → 10%

Imp

• Changed it so the chance of inflicting burn is 50% when attacking with a fireball

Fire Dragon

• Removed burn effect and increased damage of [Hellfire Breath]

Balrog

• Removed burn effect from every attack and changed it to Physical type damage

Suonisio

• Suonisio’s damage is no longer fixed but is now influenced by the higher stat between Physical attack and Magic attack

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• Changed the amount of increase by level in Physical attack of Witch’s trait ‘Thick Bone’: 4% → 6%
  
• Changed the effects of some of the foods
  
  • Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack of a Piece of DC: 30% → 35%
    
  • Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack and Magic attack of Molten DC Cake: 25% → 30%
    
  • Changed the amount of increase in Physical attack and Magic attack of DC Cake: 30% → 35%
    
  • Changed the possibility of bad smell of Poison Flower Stew inflicting Poison: 100% → 20%
    
  • Changed the color of the Poison Flower Stew’s bad smell
    
  • Changed the fixed damage of Boiled Jagamon Egg: 5 → 20
• Changed the timing of NPC Mist Wolf’s buff script appearance
  
• Changed the effect when NPC Halfling Girl hands the herbs
  
• Changed the pattern of damage of traps from the special map ‘Dangerous Chests’
  
• Increased the distance between light pillars that are created by Leiana Sisters, the boss of Chapter 2
  
• Changed the effects’ expression ‘Increase’ to ‘Amplify’ that are calculated as amplification in damage
  
• Changed arrangement of the Chapter 5 map decoration

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• Fixed the bug where occasionally the quintessence ‘King Dwarf’ drops constantly
  
• Fixed the bug where occasionally the veteran adventurer Wizard flies too high and gets out of the frame
  
• Fixed the bug where skull ‘Great Warlock’, ‘Abyssal Monarch’ were not in an invulnerable state when dashing during the concentration
  
• Fixed the bug where skull ‘Ninja Master’ was not in an invulnerable state while using the swap skill in midair.
  
• Fixed the bug where the actual value of physical damage increase effect of skull ‘Guardian Commander’ skill [Shield Rush] was different to the script
  
• Fixed the bug where NPC Mist Wolf’s buff was not maintained after continuing the mid-run save
  
• Fixed the bug where the number of ‘Curse of the light’, the debuff that increases the incoming damage, which is inflicted by the enemies of Chapter 4, being stacked was not maintained after continuing the mid-run save.

This is it for now!
We have so many more things to share about our 1.5 update, but didn’t want to make you all bored with this super long patch note. Other interesting changes can be found in the game, so hope you all enjoy this upcoming update!
Thanks again for your unbelievable love towards Skul and please keep supporting us!

On the 7th of June (PT), there will be some huge changes for the items in Skul.

Greetings, Skul Squad!

This Dev Blog will be about the content we’re working on for our next update that’s planned for early June (Release 1.5).

SouthPAW’s top priority for this year is definitely the Hard Mode update.
We don’t want to just make the game difficult and say it’s a ‘Hard Mode’, but actually want to design content that is both challenging and entertaining. To do so, the existing main content needed some improvements.
The first step for this was the ‘Skul Balance Adjustment’.
And now it is time for us to improve the items and inscription system along with the status effects that received a lot of feedback.


Intention: To allow various combinations of items by making some changes in the items that were somewhat useless.

There are many reasons why the players try to avoid or discard specific items.
It may be the low spec or the fact that it requires too much effort to use it.



Cretan Bull, for instance, is a rare item that can be acquired from the Grave Robber in the Black Market. Its effect is activated by summoning an image of a bull with an enhanced dash when a Power Skull dashes.
For the Power Skulls with this item, it’s as if the players have an additional charge skill since the enhanced dash increases the distance of the dash and gives physical damage to the enemies.
We wanted this item to have a dramatic effect for fun and because of its powerful effect, it needed to have a long cooldown.
This, however, turned out to be not the best decision we had made.

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

What the?!?

There were occasions where the effect of Cretan Bull would be activated in the wrong timing.
Cretan Bull has a long cooldown and the only way to check this was to look at the status icon below which is not the easiest way when one is in the middle of the chaotic combat.
Many players were also frustrated by this since the effect was suddenly activated by a ‘dash’ resulting in an unexpected movement during the battle.
Thus, despite its rarity, Cretan Bull became one of the unwanted items.



So we decided to change the condition of activating Cretan Bull’s effect to ‘dashing after using a skill’.
By this, we expect the players to activate the enhanced dash when they actually want.
This is one example of how we are planning to change the unused items.
And through this update, you will experience the improved items along with the new ones.


Intention: To make gathering inscriptions less stressful.

This is what we’re planning.



Unlike now, players will be able to feel the effects whenever 2~3 inscriptions are gathered and the overall number of inscriptions required to have the maximum effect will be reduced.

In the case of ‘Courage’ inscription, players needed to gather 8 inscriptions to have the maximum effect.
And because the effect was increased by every inscription collected, the more it was gathered, it quickly became overvalued.
This was quite a stressful process at one point, since the players had to focus on finding the same type of the inscription.

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

Choices, choices...

Such situations like giving up the legendary item for common ones to maintain the inscription are frequently seen.
We expect this update will give some flexibility for players by reducing the required inscriptions.



Also, like the other contents, we will improve the inscriptions that weren’t very useful.
As a result, some inscriptions are changed, gone, or added.
Hopefully, inscriptions like ‘Courage’, ‘Tactics’, and the others will now be considered as a top on the player's list.


Intention: Making the status effect useful in every way.

Initially, we designed the status effect as a device to show the concept rather than as the means of attack.
The status effect had no relation to actual attack stats and wasn’t really practical when it comes to fighting against the boss.
In the ‘Hard Mode’ contents, every moment will be challenging and we want to give as many options as possible to the players.
We’d love to see the players strategizing the attack with our new status effect system.



Players will be able to inflict the status effect on most enemies including the boss and strategically use it to clear the stage.
But of course some enemies will always find their way to avoid this effect and won’t be frozen or stunned.



New status effects will have unique characteristics based on their type. In the case of Burn, enemies in the surrounding area will take even more damage than the burned character. For this reason, this can be a very powerful status effect to have when in big group battles. Other status effects will also have their own unique traits.

Now damage inflicted by status effects will affect the stats of Physical and Magic Attacks.You’ll get more powerful just like the enemies, and the status effects are no exception. Like detailed above, the reformation should have a tangible effect on some skulls, items and Quintessence that use status effects.





New items will be added to support the updated inscription and status effect system.
We will also have Status UI for players to check their power in specific numbers when using these items.


Just like the “Skul Balancing Adjustment” and the upcoming Hard Mode, this reformation is just a part of the process. It goes without saying that your feedback will have a big impact on Hard Mode’s development and will help us to make it as fun as possible.
Please look forward to future updates and we’ll keep doing the best we can!

Thanks as always for the support!

Please find the 1.4.4 patch notes below.

• Fixed a bug where the minions did not inherit the player's Crit Rate normally
  
• Fixed a bug where Carleon Recruit's basic attack concentration motion for each grade was affected by attack speed instead of concentration speed.

Greetings, Skul Squad!

We have performed additional balance adjustments to the improved skulls. Thanks to all your feedback we were able to quickly identify and address parts that turned out differently than intended. All your support is greatly appreciated.

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• Fixed a bug where when using Gene’s swap per grade, invincibility is removed after exiting the lamp
  
• Fixed a bug where the amount of bones dropped when Yaksha is destroyed was abnormally high
  
• Fixed a bug where the effect of turning to darkness blocked the 2nd phase’s Leonia Grand Priest when Yaksha takes the form of Rakshasa
  
• Fixed a bug where some Quintessences that use the installation and summoning method did not activate the Diorite Circlet’s effect even if it damage enemies
  
• Fixed a bug where the status icon for Bone of Courage was not shown

---

• Ninja Master: fixed a translation error with the skill name “Transform: Phantom Wheel Shuriken” (Simplified Chinese)
  
• Champion: fixed a translation error with the dash type (Simplified Chinese)
  
• Gladiator, Warlord: fixed an unnatural part within the sentence for the passive effect (Korean)
  
• Gladiator, Warlord: fixed a translation error with the passive effect (English, Simplified Chinese)
  
• Bronze Gargoyle, Golden Gargoyle: fixed a translation error with swapping (Simplified Chinese)
  
• Ghoooul, Ghoooooul: fixed a translation error with the passive effect and swapping (Simplified Chinese)

---

• Changed basic attack damage type: Physical → Magic
  
• Reduced damage of basic attack
  
• Increased chances of a Spirit being created when enemy is defeated
  
• Reduced cooldown of the enhanced [Harvest]: 60s → 44s
  

  #Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

  💡 Developer Comment
  We previously overestimated the potential of the Grim Reaper. The idea was that it would provide incomparable power if obtained early on, and be sufficiently utilized if acquired in the latter half of the game.
  
  The Grim Reaper is supposed to be a character that relies on skills more than basic attack, which is why the skill’s power was enhanced and the basic attack type changed to Physical. However because the Grim Reaper’s powerful attacks had comparably long cooldowns, more time was spent using basic attacks. Unlike our intentions, this generated a lot of stress.
  
  Hence as part of improving the Grim Reaper, we have changed the basic attack type back to magic, and in exchange for maintaining skill damage, have slightly reduced the damage of basic attack.

• Added effect that pushes back and slows down enemies when entering the area
  
• Increase area range
  
• [Yaksha Fist] Reduced cooldown: 16s → 12s
  
• [Yaksha Fist] Increased amount of power stacks gained
  
• [Iron Strike] Reduced cooldown: 12s → 8s
  
• [Iron Strike] Increased amount of power stacks gained
  
• [Yaksha of Iron Will] Reduced cooldown: 9s → 7s
  
• [Yaksha of Iron Will] Increased amount of power stacks gained
  
• [Demonic Massacre] Reduced cooldown: 14s → 10s
  
• [Demonic Massacre] Increased amount of power stacks gained
  
• [Demonic Massacre] Increased repeated attack’s Attack Speed

• Increased basic attack damage
  
• Increased duration of stomping feet’s effect that slowed down enemies. This effect is activated when skill is used.
  
• [Rakshasa's Punch] Increased attack damage after concentration is complete
  
• [Rakshasa's Punch] Increased attack range for before and after concentration is complete
  
• [Iron Strike] Increased damage
  
• [Rakshasa of Iron Will] Increased damage of downward slash attack
  
• [Demonic Massacre] Increased damage of repeated attacks
  
• [Demonic Massacre] Increased range of repeated and finishing attacks
  

  #Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

  💡 **Developer comment**
  Thanks to your feedback we were able to confirm that the difficulty in managing Yaksha’s was higher than expected. In order to ease the issue, we have added and enhanced convenience related factors. To balance the management difficulty, an overall increase has been applied to all of Rakshasa’s skills.

• Increased amount of energy acquired when the attack that occurs if you are hit during dash is successful: 10 → 15
  
• [Combo] Reduced energy consumption: 70 → 50
  
• [Dirty Smash] Increased damage

• Reduced the time it takes to completely charge the gauge required to use [Deathtrap]: 60s → 50s

• Reduced cooldown of [Beast Leap] per grade: 12s → 9s
  
• Reduced damage [Beast Leap] per grade (Damage is still higher than before version 1.4.0)
  
• Increased damage of [Hunt] for Elder Werewolf, Alpha Werewolf, Eternal Werewolf(Damage is the same as before version 1.4.0)

• Previously minion attacks would not activate the effects of certain items. It has been changed so that they will activate the effects of such items again.

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

💡 **Developer comment**
Along with the 1.4.0 update, changes to the minion system were also made. However we apologize as this was left out of the 1.4.0 patch notes.

It was an unfortunate accident where some of the text was left out while editing the patch notes due to its unprecedented length.

Previously, attacks made by minions were in the same method as those by the player. This was not an issue when there weren’t many skulls or Quintessences that used minions, however with the introduction of the Grave Digger and Quintessences that had various installation and summoning methods, an assortment of issues were introduced to such a system.

We hope that the minions can provide a new experience as an individual entity instead of simply being an extension of the player’s attacks. As such, preparations for the new minion system are already complete. However we had to rollback the new system and continue with the existing system because supporting content is still being worked on.

Along with the upcoming item reformation, we’ll review the implementation of the new minions system once all related content is ready so that minions can exert power as an independent entity.

Please find the 1.4.2 patch notes below.

• Fixed a bug where Ninja Master’s Full Blooming Blade skill was stackable
  
• Fixed a bug with the invincibility judgment of Ninja Master’s Transform: Phantom Wheel Shuriken skill
  
• Fixed a bug with the invincibility judgment of Grim Reaper’s swapping and Harvest skill
  
• Fixed a bug where if the Skeleton-Bomber‘s Kaboom! skill is used, the swapped skull’s skill must be used
  
• Fixed a bug where The King’s skill was not saved normally
  
• Fixed a bug where the Poseidon skill cannot cancel the Power Bomb post-delay with dash
  
• Fixed a bug where if the player has 2 Voodoo Doll items upon death, two effects are activated at once

We are currently reviewing all the feedback received through various channels, and are making additional balance adjustments accordingly. Thank you for all your feedback, and we’ll continue doing our best to create an enjoyable balance for the game.

Greetings, Skul Squad!

First of all, thank you for your patience with our update.
In this patch, we’ve finally brought out the ‘Skul Balance Adjustment’!

Old skulls newer,
Dumb skulls funnier,
Weak skulls stronger,

Let me introduce our brand new skulls!

---

• Fixed bug where the inscription ‘Piercing Wind’ would have ‘Rear Blast’ not properly work
  
• Fixed bug where ‘Gunpowder Sword’ would not work properly when dash attack deals a critical hit
  
• Fixed bug where Mage and Warrior would not appear in Chapter 4
  
• Fixed bug where Priest would not deal with some of the attacks
  
• Fixed bug where Magical Slime would occasionally duplicate an item in a specific column of inventory
  
• Fixed bug where Prisoner would not show Legendary awaken animation
  
• Fixed bug where Dark Paladin’s enhanced normal attack would have a smaller range than the VFX
  
• Fixed bug where Dark Paladin’s ‘Dark Rush’ would have a smaller attack range than the VFX
  
• Fixed bug where Dark Avenger would not form a magic field when using Dark Cross
  
• Fixed bug where dark orb traps would deal much higher damage to enemies than usual

---

• Polished the animation when attacking enemies get stiffened
  
• Reduced and polished each skull’s hit VFX

• Reduced HP of the energy source in each chapter’s Mystical Ruin map
  
• Added SFX when interacting with Magical Silme
  
• Added SFX when interacting with Halfling Girl

<Skul>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Skull Throw]
• Adjusted the amount of skill to 1 in the air
  
• Reduced the range of the projectile

<Overall>

Passive
• Increased chance of enemy bleeding when attacked
  
• Increased bleeding duration
  
• Increased bleeding damage
Swap Skill
• Reduced bleeding duration
  
• Increased bleeding damage
  
• Increased damage of swap skill when Royal Guard or Royal Guard Captain
Skills
[Rusty Piercer]
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
  
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 12s
  
• Increased skill damage
[Triple Pierce]
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 6s → 5s
  
• Increased skill damage of Skeleton-Sword and Skeleton Guard
  
• Reduced skill damage when Royal Guard or Royal Guard Captain
[Sawblade Slash]
• Reduced cooldown time: 12s → 8s
  
• Reduced skill damage
[Tetanus]
• Reduced cooldown time: 25s → 20s
  
• Increased Poison duration
  
• Increased Poison damage of Guard, and Royal Guard
  
• Increased Royal Guard Captain’s buff damage duration: 10s → 15s

<Overall>

Swap Skill
• Increased Guardian and Guardian Commander swap skill damage
Skills
[Shield Smash]
• Reduced cooldown time: 13s → 10s
  
• Reduced skill damage
[Shield Bash]
• Reduced skill damage
[Shield Charge]
• Increased cooldown time: 11s → 13s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits by projectile for the Guardian Commander from multiple hits → 1 hit
[Shield Rush]
• Reduced cooldown time: 30s → 25s
  
• Changed Guardian Commander’s damage type: Magic → Physical
  
• Increased Guardian Commander’s skill damage

<Guardian Commander>

Passive
• Increase damage dealt to enemies in front when blocking damage while concentrating

<Overall>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Charge!]
• Reduced cooldown time: 8s → 7s
  
• Increased skill damage for Skeleton-Spear
[Ready to Charge!]
• Reduced skill damage

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Reduced jump attack damage for Elder Werewolf, Alpha Werewolf and Eternal Werewolf

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

Developer comment
Except for the common grade Werewolf, all other werewolves have a 2-hit jump attack. However, each of those hits counted as one separate hit, so double the damage was being done. This was our mistake and it took a long time for us to recognize the issue.

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Rip Apart]
• Increased skill damage
  
• Increased bleeding damage for Elder Werewolf, Alpha Werewolf and Eternal Werewolf
[Beast Leap]
• Increased cooldown time: 7s → 12s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
• Increased bleeding damage for Elder Werewolf, Alpha Werewolf and Eternal Werewolf
[Predation]
• Increased skill damage
  
• In case of the Elder Werewolf, Alpha Werewolf and Eternal Werewolf, the stats increase for each enemy killed by the Scratch attack: 1% → 4%
[Hunt]
• Increased cooldown time: 6s → 9s
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Overall>

Passive
• Reduced amount of gold that falls from enemies: 3 Gold → 2 Gold
  
• Reduced amount of gold that falls when using the Wanderer or Outlaw’s Normal Attack: 20% → 15%
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Rip Pocket]
• Increased skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 2 hits → 1 hit
  
• Increased amount of gold that falls from enemies
[Throw Gold]
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Fixed issue where the attack range was wider than the actual effect for the Wanderer
  
• Increased explosion range for Outlaw
[Backstab]
• Increased skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 2 hits → 1 hit
  
• Increased amount of gold that falls from enemies

<Petty Thief>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Back Roll]
• Increased cooldown time: 7s → 10s
  
• Increased skill damage

<Thief>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
  
• Reduced the amount of Gold obtained from enemies: 5 Gold → 3 Gold
Skills
[Back Roll]
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
  
• Increased cooldown time: 7s → 10s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
• Increased bleeding damage

<Wanderer>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
  
• Reduced the amount of Gold obtained from enemies: 5 Gold → 3 Gold
Skills
[Back Roll]
• Increased cooldown time: 7s → 10s
  
• Increased skill damage

<Outlaw>

Swap Skill
• Reduced damage of swap skill
  
• Changed the number of hits made by the attack involving swinging a dagger after movement: 2 hits → 1 hits
  
• Reduced debuff duration debuff: 5s → 3s
Skills
[Back Roll]
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Reduced Smoke Screen duration

Since both Carleon Recruit and Grave Digger fight by summoning minions, something was needed to set them apart.



The new Carleon Recruit will now only perform the minion’s special attacks once the minions appear to inflict great damage at the desired time. The timing and direction of the summons allows the new Carleon Recruit to lead the battle more advantageously. Passives of the Carleon Recruit, which now feature additionally enhanced active combat, were also modified to better emphasize its characteristics.




Depending on the Carleon Recruit’s grade, they can have a passive buff that amplifies the physical attacks of minions. The attack power of the minions can be greatly improved for a certain period of time by using the gauge. A passive buff like this will allow you to concentrate the full force of the Carleon Recruit’s power.

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Increased distance moved forward when attacking after concentrating
  
• Decreased damage dealt when attacking after concentrating
Passive
• Improved passive for Carleon Sergeant, Carleon Officer and Carleon Commander
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill when using Carleon Recruit, Carleon Sergeant and the Carleon Officer
  
• Reduced number of squad members called when using Carleon Commander: 5 → 3
Skills
• Improved skill [Comrade System- Recruit]
  
• Improved skill [Comrade System- Archer]
  
• Improved skill [Comrade System- Armored Soldier]
  
• New skill [Comrade System- Assassin] added
  
• Deleted skill [Perfect Slash]
  
• Improved visual effect when minions come and go

No matter the grade of skull, we want the Ent skulls to have a unified concept and playstyle.





Based on its grade, the new Ent skull will receive reduced cooldown times, stat bonuses and stronger skills when standing on grass.
In order to plant grass, the Ent skull requires a special resource called “Seed”, so if you time it right it can make a positive impact in battle.

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Increased attack range for combo attack
  
• Improved hit box for combo attack
  
• Increased forward movement speed when using combo attack
Passive
• Improved passive
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill for Ent Skull
  
• Reformed skul swap for Old Ent Skul, Huge Ent and Elder Ent Skul
Skills
• Improved skill [Rapid Growth]
  
• New skill [Nature’s Grip] added
  
• New skill [Deep Roots] added
  
• New skill [Nature’s Fury] added
  
• Deleted skill [Tree Charge]
  
• Deleted skill [Thorny Vines]
  
• Deleted skill [Tree Buddy]

<Overall>

Skills
[Rapid Thrust]
• Increased skill damage

<Stone Monkey>

Skills
[Heaven-Earth Slam]
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Buddha Cyclone]
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Striking Staff Technique]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 8s → 14s
  
• Increased skill damage

<Monkey King>

Skills
[Heaven-Earth Slam]
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Buddha Cyclone]
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Striking Staff Technique]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 8s → 14s
  
• Increased skill damage

<Immortal King>

Skills
[Heaven-Earth Slam]
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Occult Arts: Magic Staff]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 14s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 23 hits → 12 hits

<Overlord>

Passive
• Increased damage of clone’s skill attack
  
• Increased skill attack damage to the nearby enemies when concentrating
Swap Skill
• Reduced damage of swap skill
Skills
[Heaven-Earth Slam]
• Reduced damage of attack without concentration
  
• Increased damage of attack with concentration
[Buddha Cyclone]
• Increased damage of attack with concentration
[Occult Arts: Magic Staff]
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 14s
  
• Reduced damage of attack without concentration
  
• Increased damage of attack with concentration
  
• Changed the number of hits: 23 hits → 12 hits

Comparing with the Carleon minions, the minions from Grave Digger will not be able to move around and hard to be summoned.
Therefore, by reducing the skill cooldown and duration of minions, we’ve decreased the stress caused when summoend to an improper position.
Also, those minions from the brand new Grave Digger can deal with magical damage so that Grave Digger will summon them based on its magical power.
<Overall>

Passive
• Increased the duration of spirits appearing automatically
  
• Increased damage of the explosion when defeating specters for Saviour
Skills
[All Skills]
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
  
• Reduced the duration of minions: 20s → 8.5s
  
  [Hamlet]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 20s → 15s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [King Lear]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 25s → 18s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Macbeth]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 33s → 24s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Increased Macbeth’s special attack speed for Soul Bearer and Saviour
  
  [Othello]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 28s → 21s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Increased Othello’s special attack speed for Soul Bearer and Saviour

<Saviour>

Swap Skill
• Increased the duration of spirits appearing automatically in Land of the Damned

We initially designed the Warrior as a slow but a skul of immense power. This is why every attack of Warrior has a delay and skills can be enhanced by concentration.
However, due to the game’s fast and dynamic pace, it was too risky and stressful to just stand in one place.
We were concerned that the Warrior may lose its colors if we just reduce the duration of concentration and delay of the attack.
We’d been constantly discussing how to deliver the strength and power of the Warrior to our squad and this is what we’ve thought of.




The new Warrior will continue to be slow and wait in place for enemies, but it now can withstand enemy advances and perform even more powerful attacks. When the new Warrior is carrying out the skill’s concentration completion attack it becomes invincible, and the relative attack is enhanced by the number of times you were hit while invincible according to grade.

<Overall>

Dash
• Changed dash type: Charging → Tackle
Passive
• Improved passive for Gladiator and Warlord
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
  
• Changed hit amount: 3 hits → 1 hit
  
• Increased buff time for Gladiator and Warlord: 5s → 8s
  
• Increased concentration speed for Gladiator and Warlord
Skills
All Skills Overall
• Added a delay to attack with concentration for Gladiator and Warlord
  
• Adjusted the direction after attack with concentration for Gladiator and Warlord
  
• Changed VFX of attack with every level of concentration for Gladiator and Warlord
  
• Improved delay for skill animation
  
• Polished VFX
  
  [Rising Slash]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 12s → 10s
  
  [Power Strike]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 14s → 11s
  
• Can adjust the leap distance
  
  [Dominate]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 10s → 8s
  
• Changed attacking process
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Final Strike]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 8s → 14s
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Warrior>

Skills
[Rising Slash]
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Power Strike]
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Gladiator>

Skills
[Rising Slash]
• Increased damage of attack without concentration
  
• Reduced damage of attack with concentration
  
  [Power Strike]
  
• Increased damage of attack without concentration
  
• Reduced damage of attack with concentration

<Warlord>

Skills
[Rising Slash]
• Increased damage of attack without concentration
  
• Reduced damage of attack with 1st level of concentration
  
• Reduced damage of attack with 2nd level of concentration
  
  [Power Strike]
  
• Increased damage of attack without concentration
  
• Reduced damage of attack with 1st level of concentration
  
• Reduced damage of attack with 2nd level of concentration

<Overall>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
• Reduced Bow Master and Sniper’s delay before concentration.
  
  [Piercing Shot]
  
• Changed damage type: Magical → Physical
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Multi-Shot]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 8s → 10s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Siege Shot]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 13s
  
  [Stationary Shot]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 12s → 16s

<Hunter>

Skills
[Siege Shot]
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Stationary Shot]
  
• Increased skill damage

<Bow Master>

Skills
[Siege Shot]
• Increased damage of attack without concentration
  [Stationary Shot]
  
• Increased skill damage

<Sniper>

Passive
• Increased the degree of concentration speed increase, when there are no enemies nearby
Skills
[Siege Shot]
• Increased the damage of concentration-completed attack
  
  [Stationary Shot]
  
• Decreased the damage of concentration-completed attack
  
• Fixed the issue of the effect not following the player during the concentration-completed attack

Everytime the hefty Minotaurus slams the ground, chunks of the rock and dirt go flying into the air. We designed the Minotaurus with size and power in mind, but the chaos caused by the countless fragments flying in the air wasn’t actually that cool. So we decided to get rid of the chunks of rock flying in the air and change Minotaurus into a close-range fighter.



The new and improved Minotaurus has a stronger passive than before. This effect is called “Earthquake” and it increases attack range and damage dealt. Depending on the skull’s grade, repeatedly targeting enemies could result in the powerful attack called “Ground Shatter”.


<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Changed number of hits for jump attack: 2 → 1
Passive
• Improved passive for Minotaurus II and Minotaurus III
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Body Smash]
• Reduced cooldown time: 10s → 8s
  
  [Stomp]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 20s → 12s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed it so that jump distance is adjustable
  
• Changed attack style of back attack for Minotaurus II and Minotaurus III
  
  [Plow Up]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 12s → 10s
  
• Increased skill damage

<Minotaurus>

Skill
[Body Smash]
• Reduced skill damage

<Minotaurus II>

Skill
[Body Smash]
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Improved effects

<Minotaurus III>

Skill
[Body Smash]
• Increased skill damage
  
• Changed attack style of back attack
  
• Improved effects
  
  [Bludgeon]
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Plow Up]
  
• Changed to one big boulder that penetrates the enemies instead of several small boulders

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1147560/view/3120434657829136207

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1147560/view/3120434024088084280

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

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<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Improved phenomenon where attacks would be interrupted when attacking continuously
Passive
• Increased chance that weapons drop after clearing enemies with Revived Mummy and Revived Ancient Mummy
  
• Improved weapon damage
  
• Increased ammo for some weapons
Skills
[Mummy Poison]
• Increased cooldown time: 6s → 8s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Mummy Bomb]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 12s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Mummy Ball]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 5s → 6s
  
• Reduced skill damage when using Revived Mummy
  
  [Scratch]
  
• Increased skill damage

<Revived Mummy>

Passive
• New weapon added, ‘Laser’
  
• New weapon added, ‘Homing Missle’
Swap Skill
• Changed so that a random weapon is received through a supply drop

<Revived Ancient Mummy>

Passive
• New weapon added, ‘Railgun’
  
• Reduced supply drop cooldown time: 60s → 40s

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

Developer comment
Originally, the text describing the cooldown time of supply deliveries was mistakenly listed as 30secs and it took us a long time to recognize the error. We think this is because the Swap Skill had to be relied on so heavily for this skull.

We tried to design Gargoyle to control the skies, but there were few opportunities to actually fight in mid-air.
The original Gargoyle had to be mid-flight in order to get bonuses, but the enemies weren’t in the air so the player always had to maintain an awkward altitude. This wasn’t what we hoped to achieve with this skull’s design. And since we can’t just increase the number of airborne enemies, we changed our way of thinking.




The new Gargoyle will still be a master of the sky and might even spend more time mid-flight.
When in mid-air, it can dash three times in whatever direction you want and the reformed skills should help to adjust its altitude.
.And most of the attacks will target enemies below and to the right, so it should boost your battle prowess.
Enemies will now be struck with fear when seeing the Gargoyle fly above them.

<Overall>

Passive
• Improved Passive
  
• Increased speed when falling to ground after performing a mid-air basic attack
Swap Skill
• Swap Skill Reformed
Skills
• [Wind Gust] skill reformed
  
• [Eye of the Gargoyle] skill reformed
  
• New skill [Storm] added
  
• [Stone Stomp] skill removed
  
  [Petrify]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 16s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
• Reduced amount of time enemies are slowed by Golden Gargoyle

<Gargoyle>

Normal Attack
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Improved feeling of control when attack speed is increased
Passive
• Reduced explosion range of marks
  
• Increased damage dealt by marks when using Pierrot and Joker
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Two in One Hand]
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Surprise Box]
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Clown>

Skills
[Peek-a-boo Knives]
• Increased skill damage

<Pierrot>

Skills
[Peek-a-boo Knives]
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Highlight]
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Joker>

Skills
[Peek-a-Boo Knives]
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Increased duration of stun inflicted by Peek-a-Boo Knives of normal explosion
  
  [Highlight]
  
• Reduced skill damage

Originally, the Water Skull’s unique point was its ability to knock back enemies. We intended for its design to sweep up enemies and carry them away on waves, but due to the high number of enemies moving around from side to side, this wasn’t very rewarding for players.



The new Water Skull will now allow you to push around enemies when and where you want. Along those lines, the Normal Attack has also been improved so that the Passive takes effect and that should create interesting synergies.

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
  
• Increased attack speed of combos
  
• Increased distance moved forward by combo attack
  
• Increased attack range of combos
  
• Improved hit boxes of combos
  
• Increased attack range of jump attacks
Passive
• Removed knock-back effect of waves
  
• Increased distance traveled by waves
  
• Increased duration of waves
  
• Increased damage dealt by waves
Swap Skill
• Changed swap skill name: Dive → Overflow
Skills
• New skill [Lake of the Spirit] added
  
• [Ebb Tide] skill removed
  
  [Rising Tide]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 8s → 6s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 5 hits → 1 hit
  
  [Dive]
  
• Changed name: Overflow → Dive
  
• Added invicibility frames to moving action before raising water pillar
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 12s → 10s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Tornado]
  
• Changed it so that water pillar will move the player when using Aqua Skull and Poseidon

<Water Skull>

Swap Skill
• Reduced damage of Swap Skill
Skills
[Tornado]
• Reduced skill damage

<Aqua Skull>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Tornado]
• Increased cooldown time: 14s → 18s
  
• Increased skill damage

<Poseidon>

Passive
• Icon will display the number of waves on the current map
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Rising Tide]
• Changed proportional effect of number of waves: Increased size → Reduced cooldown time
  
  [Tornado]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 14s → 18s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
• Increased amount that the duration of whirlpools is increased by each wave: Max 15s → Max 20s

The Ghoul’s main concept is eating up enemies and growing in size. This characteristic is quite unique and visually appealing. Also, growing in size and being able to attack whole groups of enemies in a large radius is a fun factor that can’t be found in other skulls.

However, due to the Skul being a Rogue-lite, it’s extremely important to manage your HP bar and having a huge body (and hit box) really increases the chances of being hit.
And since the act of “eating enemies” was such a large focus, the Passive only being activated by clearing enemies meant that it wasn’t really usable in boss battles.



The new Ghoul can now be commanded to “Digest” the flesh chunks it has and shrink to its normal size while recovering some health.
And now when taking damage from enemies, there is a certain chance that flesh chunks will drop. This should help boost your power in battles with Adventurers or bosses too.

We also changed [Hook Attack] to a basic skill to boost Ghoul’s mobility and usability rather than focusing on damage dealt.
We hope these changes will help you to slice and dice enemies with the huge butcher’s blade.

<Overall>

Passive
• Changed it so that there is a certain chance that flesh chunks drop when hitting enemies with normal attacks
  
• Increased duration of flesh chunk buff: 10s → 20s
  
• Increased max carrying amount of flesh chunks: 10 → 30
  
• Reduced amplification of physical attack damage per flesh chunk: 4% → 2%
  
• Reduced maximum size that the body can grow
  

  #Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

  Developer comment
  Now Ghoul can go anywhere, no matter how big it grows.

Skills
• New skill [Wide Slash] added
  
• [Hook Attack] Changed it to a basic skill
  
• Improved hit box of biting attack for Ghoooul and Ghoooooul
  
  [Inhale]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 10s → 13s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Body Bullet Tank]
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 8 hits → 1 hit
  
  [Deadly Crusher]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 12s → 13s
  
• Changed the number of hits: 2 hits → 3 hits
  
• Changed it so that jump distance is adjustable

<Ghoul>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill

<Ghoooul>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill

<Ghoooooul>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Inhale]
• Increased duration of stacks gained for biting attacks: 5s → 20s
  
• Reduced amplification of physical damage per stack for biting attacks: 10% → 4%
  
  [Body Bullet Tank]
  
• Increased duration of stacks gained for biting attacks: 5s → 20s
  
• Reduced amplification of physical damage per stack for biting attacks: 5% → 3%
  
  [Deadly Crusher]
  
• Increased duration of stacks gained for biting attacks: 5s → 20s
  
• Increased crit chance per stack for biting attacks: 3% → 5%

The original Ninja wasn’t bad, but it’s also hard to say that it was great. It wasn’t easy to control or maximize its potential, so some players didn’t prefer it.
So for this reformation we focused on making it easier and more fluid/agile.
When we first designed Ninja, we focused on the skills/attack done by the dagger rather than ninja arts, but this changed as we released ver1.0. For instance, during Early Access, the Swap Skill of Ninja used a dagger instead of the current ninja arts such as Fire/Water Style. This eventually weakened the color of Ninja and we decided to change the Swap Skill to using a dagger.

<Overall>

Passive
• Changed it so that you’re invincible when performing a Switcheroo
  
• Increased damage dealt by a Switcheroo
Swap Skill
• Changed Swap Skill: [Fire Style: Fire Dragon’s Breath] → [Light Speed]
Skills
[Flash Rampage]
• Reduced cooldown time: 8s → 6s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Reduced delay between charging forward and slashing
  
  [Full Blooming Blade]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 10s → 8s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Reduced amount that projectiles spread
  
  [Phantom Rampage]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 15s → 12s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 18 hits → 9 hits
  
• Increased skill speed
  
  [Wheel Shuriken]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 13s → 10s
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Ninja Master>

Passive
• Allows to use special jump attack up to 3 times in the direction player wants
  
• Increased special jump attack damage
  
• Reduced the charge distance when special jump attack is used in up, down
Skills
• [Phantom Wheel Shuriken] skill removed
  
• New Skill [Transform: Phantom Wheel Shuriken] added
  
  [Flash Rampage]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 8s → 10s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed it so that the skill can be charged 3 times, but you can only move forward once
  
  [Flash Phantom Slash]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 5s → 10s
  
• Increased skill speed
  
  [Full Blooming Blade]
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Reduced amount that projectiles spread
  
  [Exploding Shuriken]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 7s → 16s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
• Allows the player to cancel the later delay if the skills are used in a row
  
• Changed it so that the skull will temporarily maintain its elevation when using a skill
  
  [Phantom Rampage]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 25s → 12s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits: 14 hits → 7 hits
  
• Reduced the amount of clone groups that can be summoned: 4 → 3
  
  [Phantom Cross]
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Wheel Shuriken]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 18s → 14s
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Overall>

Skills
[Mad Rush]
• Increased skill speed

<Overall>

Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Single Slash]
• Reduced base damage of skill
  
• Increased damage per mark
  
  [Spinning Slash]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 10s → 9s
  
• Increased skill damage
  
  [Evading Slash]
  
• Increased skill damage

<Samurai>

Skills
[Quick Slash]
• Reduced amount that cutting wave is spread

<Neo Samurai>

Passive
• Increased amount gauge is filled by using skill attacks on enemies
Skills
[Full Moon Slash]
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Spinning Slash]
  
• Reduced max amount of spins: 4 times → 3 times
  
  [Evading Slash]
  
• Increased amount gauge is filled by successful counterattacks
  
  [Quick Slash]
  
• Increased skill damage

It was quite difficult for the previous Soul Knight to collect the spirit flames until it was in a stable stage.
Also, using the skill in a state of combustion would consume all soul flames and the skill tended to be restricted until it became stable, which was frustrating.
Therefore, we have increased the number of spirit flames for Living Armor, while Soul Knight will have fewer spirit flames for a stable stage and be able to deal with the strengthened skills more frequently.

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
Passive
• Increased the size of the gauge
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Soul Sword]
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Soul Burn]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 15s → 12s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Changed the number of hits of the blaze on the ground when used during combustion: 10 → 5
  
  [Soul Knuckle]
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [Soul Charge]
  
• Reduced cooldown time: 13s → 12s
  
• Reduced skill damage

<Soul Knight>

Passive
• Reduced the amount of flame spirit required from combustion to being stable
Skills
[Soul Sword]
• Increased skill speed when used in a stable state
  
  [Soul Burn]
  
• Changed the number of hits of the blaze on the ground when used in a stable state: 10 → 6
  
  [Soul Knuckle]
  
• Increased skill speed when used in a stable state
  
• Reduced number of consecutive explosions when using this skill in a stable state: 10 → 5
  
  [Soul Charge]
  
• Increased skill speed when using this skill in a stable state

<Overall>

Swap Skill
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical
Skills
• Changed it so that the amp is affected by gravity
  
  [Climax]
  
• Changed damage type: Physical → Magical

<Overall>

Normal Attack
• Improved hit VFX

The Grim Reaper was the very first Legendary skull, so its really simple mechanisms drove us to work on it some more. So we took this chance to completely overhaul the Grim Reaper and it has been reborn.



The new Grim Reaper can collect spirits each time an enemy is killed. And depending on how many spirits are collected, its Magic Attack Power can be increased and when certain thresholds are reached, every skill will grow stronger.
This type of Passive means that the Grim Reaper will be a little bit weaker than other Legendary skulls. However, if you pick it up in the beginning of the game, it should become a force worth reckoning with in the late game.

<Grim Reaper>

Character Animation
• Improved character animation
Normal Attack
• Changed damage type: Magical → Physical
Passive
• Improved passive
Swap Skill
• Reduced damage of swap skill
  
• When clearing enemies with the Swap Skill, receive the same effect as collecting spirits
Skills
• [Harvest] skill reformed
  
• [Sentence] skill reformed
  
• New skill [Guillotine] added
  
• New skill [Fissure of the Netherworld] added
  
• [Death by Fire] skill removed

Champion is a master of one-on-one matches with specialized skills. However, we don’t think Champion is a true champion just yet. We plan to make our Champion the utmost fighter and as a boss slayer through this update. The first step to this will be having all of Champion’s skills consist of skills that give damage to a single target.
<Champion>

Dash
• Changed Dash Type: Normal → Duck(Counterattack and deal physical damage when hit while dashing. Every action can be cancelled by dashing.)
Passive
• Improved effect of rage
  
• Reduced amount of energy gained with Normal Attacks
  
• Increased amount of energy gained with Skill Attacks
Swap Skill
• Swap Skill Changed: [Dragon Kick] → [Start Match]
Skills
• New Skill [Combination] added
  
• New Skill [Dirty Smash] added
  
• [Nuclear Punch] skill removed
  
• [Parry] skill removed
  
  [Quick Step]
  
• Reduced skill damage

The original concept of stomping the ground the attack wasn’t bad. However, being tied to the concept of stomping and requiring dull gameplay was.



The new Yaksha unfolds the Domain of the Wicked to take the form of Rakshasa, and stomp on enemies within the Domain.
<Yaksha>

Character Animation
• Improved character animation
Normal Attack
• Improved normal attack
Passive
• Improved passive
Swap Skill
• Reduced damage of Swap Skill
Skills
• [Yaksha Fist] Reformed skill
  
• New skill [Iron Strike] added
  
• New skill [Demonic Massacre] added
  
• New skill [Rakshasa of Iron Will] added
  
• [Yaksha March] skill removed
  
• [Sorcery: Goblin Stomp] skill removed

One unfortunate thing about Archlich was that the preference for Deathtrap was overwhelmingly low compared to other skills. One can only pray to meet the Dark Priests if they only had Archlich without Deathtrap. This got us to think, “if it’s a skill that you always want, let’s make it a skill you always have!”
<Archlich>

Passive
• Archlich can now input commands at specific intervals to use Deathtrap.
  
• Reduced damage of chains summoned to random enemies
Swap Skill
• Increased damage of swap skill
Skills
[Soul Steal]
• Reduced skill damage
  
  [March of Death]
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Increased the speed of summoning chains
  
  [Prison of the Damned]
  
• Increased cooldown time: 16s → 20s
  
• Reduced skill damage
  
• Reduced the effect of slowing down the time
  
  [Deathly Chill]
  
• Reduced skill damage

Depending on luck, the Gambler is a skull that can become stronger or weaker. Unfortunately, we felt that the previous Gambler was not worth the risk, which is a mistake in design. Hence we continued to contemplate ways of making the Gambler’s risk and return fun and appropriate. As a result, in addition to providing a new solution, the controls and visuals were also improved.

<Gambler>

Normal Attack
• Changed attack method of combo attacks
Passive
• Upon the skill’s great success, regains 100% of its cooldown
  
• Upon the skill’s failure, regains 50% of its cooldown
Swap Skill
• Changed the Slot Machine’s attacks
Skills
[Roulette of Destiny]
• Changed the Roulette’s attacks
  
• Increased skill casting speed
  
  [Russian Roulette]
  
• Changed success and great success’ attack method
  
• Reduced damage upon failure
  
• Reduced damage upon great success
  
• Increased skill casting speed
  
• Improved VFX
  
  [Black Jack]
  
• Changed so that projectiles pass through terrain
  
• Changed great success’ attack method
  
• Improved VFX
  
  [Rain of Darts]
  
• Changed great success’ attack method
  
• Improved VFX

---

Mana Bone

• Improved item effect’s effect

Look forward to the newly reformed skulls on February 10th.



Update Schedule :
PST : February 9th @ 4PM

Hey Skul Squad!
There are now more than 1,000,000 players, meaning that Skul is now a million seller! We are extremely delighted and honored to have more than 1 million players with us. Hence today, we’ll be looking back on our journey to becoming a million seller.

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Skul was first shown to our players on February 19, 2020. It was SouthPAW Games’ first game, created over a period of 2 years.



During Skul’s Early Access period, which featured 22 skulls, we were able to closely communicate with our players and worked towards fun changes.



We remember the June 2020 2.0 version as being an experimental yet successful update. Can you believe that before the update there were no map rewards or crossroads, and that the amount of items owned was limited to only 6? Not even half a year has passed since Early Access began when we decided to challenge the foundations of the game with a variety of changes through the 2.0 update.
It was then that many systems such as stage composition, rewards, stats, inventory limit etc. were changed to become the basis of Skul’s system today. Although we were certain that the game would become even more enjoyable with this update, some of those around us were doubtful, questioning if the update was too drastic and what if the game loses its enjoyment.
It was risky of course, since it was extremely experimental and brought changes to various systems. But, isn’t that what Early Access is for?



Another reason the 2.0 update was particularly memorable is because of the DeadCells collaboration, for which we had a lot of fun integrating the Prisoner to Skul. While maintaining true to the speed and characteristics of weapons in DeadCells, the detailed designs of weapons that only existed as icons were brought to life through character animation. We wanted to stay true to DeadCells while bringing a new feel and sense of enjoyment that could not be experienced in DeadCells.

---

After almost a year of Early Access, Skul was finally officially released on January 21, 2021.



Skul experienced many changes after graduating from Early Access. Among which, the most memorable was the “Awakening”. To be honest, originally there were no plans for an Awakening system. But, it ended up being a newly designed system to resolve issues discovered during Early Access.
At the time, whether the player had a powerful skull greatly affected the likelihood of finishing the game. Meaning even if they had a skull that they liked, it was recommended that higher grade skulls were used. Naturally this led to an increase in the importance of luck. Hence during Early Access, the Awakening system was created to resolve such issues. However due to the amount of work required for the Awakening system, it was clear that starting development so late would cause a delay to the official release schedule.
It was a hard decision, but we decided on moving forward with the Awakening system because at the end of the day, what really mattered was that our game was fun. In order to reduce the delay caused by developing the Awakening system on the official release timeline, our team members put forth their best efforts to speed up the development process. It sure was difficult, but we were able to reach our goal because we had a great time while working on the Awakening system.


In 2021 many updates such as the item unlock, event map, and Quintessence reform were carried out. Among these updates we think that the Quintessence reform was an especially meaningful one. The context of the Quintessence reform was also similar to the Awakening system.
Because the stats of each Quintessence varied greatly according to grade, the base stats of a high grade Quintessence was much more important than having a good combination of Quintessence, items, and skulls etc. This led to only a few high grade Quintessences being used constantly while the others were barely utilized.
As a result, we emphasized the unique effects of each Quintessence and reduced the performance difference of each tier to resolve the issue.



We also attempted to display each Quintessence in-game. It was already possible to see some of the Quintessences when used, however most of them were only expressed through text so players had to use their imagination.
Creating a physical form for the Quintessence by combining the concept designer’s imagination and the textual descriptions was an interesting and fun experience for our developers as well, which is why the Quintessence reform was such a memorable update.

---

We originally planned to provide updates such as a hard mode, and QoL improvements in 2021. But it unfortunately didn’t happen and it is true that recently updates have been infrequent. This is because there was a lot of trial and error while developing hard mode, which meant that we had to adjust the design and update plan.


In the midst of developing hard mode, we came to the conclusion that Skul's hard mode shouldn’t just be “a higher level of difficulty”. It was a difficult decision but we ended up redoing the previous design, and are currently working on developing a more daring approach. Hence other systems related to hard mode must also be reformed in order for the hard mode’s content to function as intended.


Therefore as you all know, plans were changed and it was decided that the reform of Skul be carried out first.
Old skulls will be renewed, boring skulls will be more fun, and it will become meaningful to use skulls that were weak.
Through the upcoming Skull reform update, we would like to bring forth a new sense of enjoyment and experiences while laying down the foundation for hard mode content.



In addition to skulls, items and Inscriptions will also be reformed, and adjustments to level design made along with the hard mode update. The direction of this reform is the same as the skull reform.
The goal is so that even more diverse combinations can be powerful and enjoyable to prevent certain items and combinations from becoming overused.
It is very unfortunate that content which should have been released in 2021 is delayed once more. But in addition to re-creating hard mode, many quests occurred in the process of expanding the size of the development team, which inevitably led to a longer update cycle.

#Discussions_QuoteBlock_Author

It's under construction!

One of our recent quests is to move our studio from a regional city to Seoul, the capital of Korea. Thanks to everyone's support we are now able to continue developing in an even better environment. In return, we'll continue to do our best for our games.

Even though it may be a bit slow, we’ll continue to provide updates for our players and stay true to SouthPAW Games’ philosophy of guaranteeing the fun in our games.

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Thank you for sticking with us while we looked back on Skul’s road to becoming a million seller. This was a lot of fun to write while reminiscing about our journey with our players.
Once again, we deeply thank all of Skul’s one million players for your wonderful support. We’ll continue striving towards creating fun in our games.