This is a small bugfix patch based on recent reports and feedback. Also, Steam Trading Cards and related community items are now available for TBC, for those who have been waiting for them!

• Rearranged singularity difficulties 6, 7, and 8 to increase encounter variety and difficulty a bit earlier
  
• Leon's (Knight) Joust skill animation now has a lance sprite
  
• Infuser items applied to Claire will now apply to the currently active form, instead of the base physicist form
  
• Act 1 Double Knight elite fight now has a Plague Doctor and Dominator instead of Avatar and Brute
  
• Reduced stun damage of Act 2 Frozen Blobs somewhat

• Fixed crash when putting both Gelatinous Goo and Hardened Stone relics on MU-21 (Med Bot)
  
• Fixed possible edge-case crash from certain distortions applied at certain times
  
• Fixed rare crash related to Jed's (Pioneer) Bear Trap skill activating
  
• Fixed some scenarios where Chuckles' (Clown) Honk skill would or would not activate as expected
  
• Fixed rare crash related to Sovras' (Necromancer) Death Shroud animation
  
• Fixed crash related to Venom Queen's Queens Bite skill targeting certain heroes

This is a small incremental bugfix and balance patch based on player feedback and bug reports.

• Reworked Onslaught and similiar distortions to add or subtract from skill levels, so skill books in Singularity mode still have a use when taking these
  
• Sadistic distortion now only applies to debuffs on enemies, and a new one called "Supportive" applies to debuffs on allies
  
• Removed frozen blob fight from early encounter list in Singularity mode, since their stun damage is hard to mitigate with only 2 characters
  
• Shake Off skill (Boxer, Lawbringer, Wrestler) levels reworked to be more useful
  
• Increased charge rate and duration of Sovras' (Necromancer) Death Shroud skill
  
• Reduced Zane's Passion relic chance to activate from 35% to 20%
  
• Reduced Mage's Crystal relic focus bonus from 100% to 65%
  
• Leon (Knight) skills reworked to be a bit more interesting
  
• Removed "Duplicate" option on relics menu in Singularity mode to avoid confusion for an option that is unavailable in that mode
  
• Increased base cost of Time Break techs by 25% in Singularity mode, since there is no reason to save particles like in Chronicle mode

• Frame-rate performance improved for mission map, including disabling some extra effects when set to "low" graphics
  
• Fixed soft-lock from Zane (Fire Mage) trying to use Combust while frozen by Living Snow boss
  
• Fixed Elgeon's (Ice Mage) Frostbite and Frigid Armor not interacting correctly
  
• Fixed possible crash related to Melt Armor skill combined with certain other effects
  
• Fixed rare crash related to Queen's Bite skill
  
• Fixed crash when trying to use an item when distortion choice menu is open
  
• Fixed tutorial granting unintended passive particles
  
• Fixed Gelatinous Goo and Hardened Stone relics granting 100% bonus instead of the listed 80%
  
• Fixed shader effect overlays appearing over the reward selection menus in Singularity Mode
  
• A few typo fixes

With version 0.2.21, we are happy to move the new Singularity Mode from the beta branch to the main branch. Thanks to everyone who downloaded the beta and provided feedback. You do not need to unsubscribe from the beta branch if you are currently using it, as both beta and stable branches have been updated.

Now, on to the details of the major changes we've been testing on the beta branch.

Singularity mode is aimed at players who would like a more traditional Rogue-like experience, without meta progression, or just something different. This new mode is separate from the original game mode, which we are calling Chronicle Mode, though you can earn loot for your Chronicle Mode save by playing it. So what's new in this mode?


Singularity Mode lets you play with a variety of heroes as your team leader. You'll start by choosing two heroes, and add more as you find them over the course of the run. Adding new heroes to your team will unlock them as possible starters for future runs.



Akin to a more classic Roguelike, there is no meta-progression in this mode outside of unlocking new difficulties and heroes. You'll find a multitude of skill training books, heroes, and relics as battle rewards. This mode is all about experimentation and making do with the choices given to you.



As you win runs in Singularity Mode, additional difficulty modifiers will open up, making for more challenging runs. Winning more challenging difficulties will provide more Chronicle Mode rewards, and of course there are achievements to be earned.



Playing Singularity Mode will award you Singularity Geodes, which can be cracked open in any Chronicle Mode temple to receive random loot. This can be books, relics, particles, or soul gems. Winning will grant you more geodes, but even if you lose your run, you'll still get at least one.


These are changes specifically from the last version of the beta.

• Ishikawa's (Ninja) Ninja Skills modified to improve his utility some
  
• Vikki's (Vul) Hunter Stance piercing modifier reduced
  
• Fixed Og's Spear relic not correctly granting damage bonus
  
• Fixed bug where Chronicle Mode party could be transferred into Singularity mode if both modes were mid-run
  
• Fixed bug in Singularity Mode allowing duplicates of reserve party members to be offered
  
• Fixed possible crash related to enemy Dark Bond skill
  
• Fixed Frozen Blob enemy's Frozen Bomb skill not dealing stun damage as intended
  
• Fixed bug where town vending machine restock could allow you to go into negative particles
  
• Fixed rare crash related to healing skill animations

• Added Singularity "rogue-like" mode, separate from original Chronicle mode, but with optional rewards for Chronicle mode
  
• Sovras' (Necromancer) Death Shroud has a more interesting and easy to identify animation
  
• Sovras' Death Shroud sub skills can now be viewed via the submenu on the skills screen
  
• Physicist Claire's Displacement skill changed to have a charge up duration
  
• Ishikawa's (Ninja) Ninja Skills modified to improve his utility some
  
• Vikki's (Vul) Hunter Stance piercing modifier reduced
  
• Blizzard skill (Ice Mage, Vul, Frozen Claire, some enemies) numbers increased a bit
  
• Kiara's (Banshee) Wail skill damage reworked to a basic multi-hit AoE instead of the random damage style it used to have
  
• Wensho's (Monk) Chakra skill no longer ends Zen Trance
  
• Knight Training relic bonus increased from 10% to 15%
  
• Mage's Crystal relic reworked to a Focus boosting relic, instead of MP cost reduction
  
• Zeus Gem relic bonus increased to include +5 to all along with +5%
  
• Changed handler for The Twins boss middle phase transition to make it more reliable and predictable
  
• Trapped chest events have a higher chance of not being trapped
  
• Vendors in missions will now generate 8 items instead of 6, and will always have at least 1 relic available
  
• Act 3 hero silhouettes made visible in All Heroes list
  
• New tradeoff-style distortion "Slow Starter" added

• Fixed bug where mouse cursor could disappear on the Game Over screen
  
• Fixed Og's Spear relic not correctly granting damage bonus
  
• Fixed Sovras' (Necromancer) Death Shroud not granting Lv 3 subskills as intended
  
• Fixed a couple of rare crashes in battle Status menu
  
• Fixed a possible rare crash at end of battle
  
• Fixed bug where AoE melee skills were unable to target the back row directly when appropriate
  
• Fixed Amenemhet's (Jackal Priest) Sandstorm displaying its hit chance reduction for enemy instead of player
  
• Fixed Smoke Grenade skill and some other party-based effects not modifying displayed hit chance calculation properly
  
• Fixed Vul husk Retreat skill animation jumping to the wrong side of the screen
  
• Fixed rare crash related to Frost Shield skill
  
• Fixed some bugs with Rooted enemy effect that still allowed the enemy to be shifted by certain skills
  
• Fixed visual bug with "floating" zombies if they were resurrected by another enemy
  
• Fixed display issue with skills menu where skill names could overlap the uses remaining counter
  
• Fixed possible crash related to enemy Dark Bond skill
  
• Fixed Frozen Blob enemy's Frozen Bomb skill not dealing stun damage as intended
  
• Fixed bug where town vending machine restock could allow you to go into negative particles
  
• Fixed rare crash related to healing skill animations

Another beta branch patch, based on your feedback and bug reports. This patch also includes a couple of items that were meant to be in the previous patch, but accidentally were left out.

We will likely be moving the current beta changes to stable soon.

• Blizzard skill (Ice Mage, Vul, Frozen Claire, some enemies) numbers increased a bit
  
• Kiara's (Banshee) Wail skill damage reworked to a basic multi-hit AoE instead of the random damage style it used to have
  
• Physicist Claire's Displacement skill changed to have a charge up duration
  
• Wensho's (Monk) Chakra skill no longer ends Zen Trance
  
• Knight Training relic bonus increased from 10% to 15%
  
• Mage's Crystal relic reworked to a Focus boosting relic, instead of MP cost reduction
  
• Zeus Gem relic bonus increased to include +5 to all along with +5%
  
• Changed/fixed handler for The Twins boss middle phase transition to make it more reliable and predictable

• Fixed rare crash related to Frost Shield skill
  
• Fixed some bugs with Rooted enemy effect that still allowed the enemy to be shifted by certain skills
  
• Fixed visual bug with "floating" zombies if they were resurrected by another enemy
  
• Fixed display issue with skills menu where skill names could overlap the uses remaining counter

This patch includes some updates to Singularity Mode based on initial feedback, as well as some bug fixes and a couple of skill balance changes.

• Increased Singularity Mode mission lengths
  
• Increased Singularity Geode rewards for beating bosses, especially for higher difficulties, and added bonus geodes for beating multiple elites
  
• Increased drop chance for relics in Singularity Mode
  
• Increased cost of adding distortions in random distortion event for Singularity Mode
  
• Crystal Hunter distortion will no longer appear in Singularity Mode
  
• Twins and Living Snow bosses now have icons on Singularity mode like the midbosses do, so you can see them coming ahead of time
  
• Vendors in missions will now generate 8 items instead of 6, and will always have at least 1 relic available
  
• Act 3 hero silhouettes made visible in All Heroes list
  
• Blizzard skill (Ice Mage, Vul, Frozen Claire, some enemies) numbers increased a bit
  
• Kiara's (Banshee) Wail skill damage reworked to a basic multi-hit AoE instead of the random damage style it used to have
  
• New tradeoff-style distortion "Slow Starter" added

• Fixed books not being discounted properly in Singularity Mode vendors
  
• Fixed currently owned item count display error on town Vendor list
  
• Fixed box being slightly too narrow for Amenemhet's name in party select menu
  
• Fixed a rare crash when viewing battle status
  
• Fixed bug where AoE melee skills were unable to target the back row directly when appropriate
  
• Fixed Amenemhet's (Jackal Priest) Sandstorm displaying its hit chance reduction for enemy instead of player
  
• Fixed Smoke Grenade skill and some other party-based effects not modifying displayed hit chance calculation properly
  
• Fixed Vul husk Retreat skill animation jumping to the wrong side of the screen

This is a small bugfix patch to address some reported issues with the recent beta branch release.

• Fixed character unlock not saving properly in one instance in Singularity Mode
  
• Fixed a couple of possible crashes related to Singularity Mode
  
• Fixed a possible crash in battle Status menu
  
• Fixed a possible rare crash at end of battle
  
• Fixed Necromancer's Death Shroud causing his subsequent animations to not work properly
  
• Trapped chest events have a higher chance of not being trapped

This beta release unveils a new challenge mode we are calling Singularity Mode. This mode is aimed at players who would like a more traditional Rogue-like experience, without meta progression, or just something different. This new mode is separate from the original game mode, which we are calling Chronicle Mode, though you can earn loot for your Chronicle Mode save by playing it.

So what's new in this mode?


Singularity Mode lets you play with a variety of heroes as your team leader. You'll start by choosing two heroes, and add more as you find them over the course of the run. Adding new heroes to your team will unlock them as possible starters for future runs.



Akin to a more classic Roguelike, there is no meta-progression in this mode outside of unlocking new difficulties and heroes. You'll find a multitude of skill training books, heroes, and relics as battle rewards. This mode is all about experimentation and making do with the choices given to you.



As you win runs in Singularity Mode, additional difficulty modifiers will open up, making for more challenging runs. Winning more challenging difficulties will provide more Chronicle Mode rewards, and we will of course be adding achievements when the mode goes to the main branch.



Playing Singularity Mode will award you Singularity Geodes, which can be cracked open in any Chronicle Mode temple to receive random loot. This can be books, relics, particles, or soul gems. Winning will grant you more geodes, but even if you die, you'll still get at least one.

• Added Singularity "rogue-like" mode, separate from original Chronicle mode, but with optional rewards for Chronicle mode
  
• Sovras' (Necromancer) Death Shroud has a more interesting and easy to identify animation
  
• Fixed Sovras' Death Shroud not granting Lv 3 subskills as intended
  
• Sovras' Death Shroud sub skills can now be viewed via the submenu on the skills screen
  
• Fixed bug where mouse cursor could disappear on the Game Over screen

We just uploaded a small hotfix that addresses a bug with targeting empty enemy slots that could affect the tutorial, making it incompletable. The version number has not been modified.

Version 0.2.16 (Rewards Update) has officially left the beta branch, and is now in Stable. We'd like to thank everyone who downloaded the beta and provided feedback. You do not need to unsubscribe from the beta branch if you are currently using it, as both beta and stable branches have been updated.

Now, on to the details of the major changes we've been testing on the beta branch. Potential spoilers have been hidden somewhat below.


To address feedback related to how grinding for items could feel too punishing, we have changed the way we handle rewards when you lose a run.

Now, instead of losing all your books and relics and 50% of particles when losing a run, you will instead keep all books and relics, but lose all particles. To offset the particle loss some, your Town will generate particles passively while you adventure, based on how many heroes you have unlocked.

We have also adjusted the loot tables and reward chances to make defeating bosses, elites, and midbosses more rewarding, and there is a new useful "farming" item you'll receive after beating Act 1.



When you complete Act 1, you will now receive a new bundle item, the Transmitter, which automatically transfers some collected particles back to down as you adventure. This item is designed to help make farming easier, or protect some of the particles you collect in difficult runs.

Act 2 now awards the Particle Beacon difficulty modifier item on completion, and the old Transmogrifier item has been removed.



No boss battle has received as much feedback about frustration as this one, especially for certain team compositions, so we've redesigned the start of the fight a bit to help. Instead of your mirrored clones receiving free turns, they will now start the battle "ethereal." This makes them immune to damage until their next turn. Hopefully this helps alleviate some frustration for teams who need a chance to set up some.

• Town now passively generates particles, based on how many heroes you have unlocked, as you adventure
  
• Instead of losing all books and relics and keeping 50% of particles after failing a run, you will now keep all books and relics, but lose all particles
  
• Transmogrifier item has been removed, and in its place you now get the Particle Beacon difficulty modifier item at the end of Act 2
  
• After beating act 1, you now gain access to the Transmitter item, which automatically transfers a portion of gathered particles to town as you adventure.
  
• Elite enemies now guarantee drops of one rare and one book/relic, along with the stim pod and a couple random loot items
  
• Midbosses drop a guaranteed rare for their random loot
  
• Bosses drop more guaranteed books/relics, and larger amounts of particles
  
• Abandoning a run now works exactly the same as failure
  
• Endless mode extra rewards rebalanced to focus more on awarding more books, relics, and rares and less giant lists of random loot
  
• Skill Books now all cost 50 at the vendor, except for encylopedia which is 100
  
• Reduced introductory upgrade cost for Bookbinder and Relic crafting
  
• Added a base hit chance calculation display to battle when targeting enemies
  
• Added a base damage reduction calculations to skill/relic menu attributes list
  
• Characters now display static attributes in town
  
• Reduced variation on character stats when taking them into missions
  
• Dead enemy names now have reduced opacity so they are distinct from low health ones
  
• AoE type skills are now able to target downed character slots
  
• Stealth Generators will now completely exit the encounter to the map when used, instead of allowing you to collect potential rewards
  
• Status moved up the battle menu, swapped with Defend, since it is likely more useful overall, and help make sure it's obvious
  
• Added a tutorial the first time you get a status effect to help guide new players to look at the status menu
  
• Samuel's (Lawbringer) Duel skill animation and sound made a bit more interesting
  
• Thick Fur passive (Sasquatch, Vul, some enemies) level 1 damage reduction reduced from 50% to 30%
  
• Mirror Image clones of Angel will no longer use Ascension when they disappear
  
• Mirror midboss clones now start "ethereal" (immune to damage) for their first turn, instead of getting an extra free turn
  
• New battle music, with a separate track for bosses
  
  ** Bug Fixes **
  
• Fixed some interactions with Samuel's (Lawbringer) Lawman and redirected damage
  
• Fixed a couple of inconsistencies related to Taunt and targetability
  
• Fixed town popup alerts to chain, when there are multiple new time breaks added at once, for instance
  
• Fixed crash related to Vigor distortion
  
• Fixed crash related to Angel's Divine Voice passive
  
• Fixed Boxing Glove relic not granting stun damage correctly
  
• Fixed conflict with Angel's safeguard skill and support skill
  
• Fixed a rare soft-lock state from Zane's (Fire Mage) Combust passive
  
• Fixed Marine's Smoke Grenade skill animation only working properly the first time you use it
  
• Fixed Stasis Time Break not ending properly when changing forms with Claire
  
• Fixed Sapper Drone enemy's Fuse interactions with effects that block using skills
  
• Fixed a crash when applying Gel Goo and Hardened Stone relics to Medic
  
• Fixed some order-of-operation calculation issues related to skills hit/dodge chance
  
• Fixed Marine's First to Fight passive level 3 always applying
  
• Medic's Squad Support fixed so it won't conflict with Support given by his relic
  
• Fixed Ralf's (Jester) Entertainer trait not applying tech bonus at level 1 properly
  
• Fixed Darius' (Marine) Smoke Grenade skill uses not replenishing between battles
  
• Fixed Og's (Caveman) Throw Spear skill uses not replenishing between battles
  
• Fixed some bugs with Og's (Caveman) Sabertooth skill selection and targeting
  
• Fixed Lydia (Priestess) being able to target herself when she shouldn't be able to
  
• Fixed Asariel's (Angel) Ascension being unable to proc when she was taunted
  
• Fixed overlay shader effects not being removed when exiting to the main menu in the middle of a battle that has one
  
• Fixed Revive item being unable to target downed allies properly

This is an incremental (mostly) bugfix patch for the beta branch. We should be able to move everything over to the stable branch soon, since feedback has been generally positive on the overall changes.

• Mirror midboss clones now start "ethereal" (immune to damage) for their first turn, instead of getting an extra free turn. This should hopefully help make this fight feel a bit less frustrating for certain party builds.
  
• Fixed Ralf's (Jester) Entertainer trait not applying tech bonus at level 1 properly
  
• Fixed Darius' (Marine) Smoke Grenade skill uses not replenishing between battles
  
• Fixed Og's (Caveman) Throw Spear skill uses not replenishing between battles
  
• Fixed some bugs with Og's (Caveman) Sabertooth skill selection and targeting
  
• Fixed Lydia (Priestess) being able to target herself when she shouldn't be able to
  
• Fixed Asariel's (Angel) Ascension being unable to proc when she was taunted
  
• Fixed overlay shader effects not being removed when exiting to the main menu in the middle of a battle that has one