Jun 1, 2018

Total War: Warhammer 2, Vermintide 2 going cheap in the Skulls for the Skull Throne sale

Warhammer: Vermintide 2

Chaaarge! cries the Empire. Waaagh! cries the Greenskins. Saaale! cry both in unison. From now through Monday, June 4, Steam hosts the Skulls for the Skull Throne sale—a roundup of discounted Games Workshop games, including Total War: Warhammer 2, Blood Bowl 2 and Vermintide 2.

I reckon those three are the pick of the bunch—going for £29.99/$44.99 (-25%) £5.09/$6.79 (-66%) £17.84/$22.49 (-25%) respectively—but there's plenty more to sink your teeth into.

Sanctus Reach and Man O' War Corsair, for example, are both on sale for £11.49/$14.99 each with 50% savings, while Space Hulk: Deathwing—Enhanced Edition comes in at £27.99/$31.99, 20% less its recommended retail price.

A host of DLC packs and preorder discounts are in there too—the sum of which can be perused here.

"It’s back! Fantastic new Skulls themed content and updates for many of your favourite Warhammer games," reads the sale's Steam news post. "The Bone Giant comes to Total War: WARHAMMER 2, earn a Skull portrait UI in Warhammer: Vermintide 2, unleash the Legion of the Damned in Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf and deploy new successor chapters in Space Hulk: Deathwing—all to name just a few.

"There is also a new game with Adeptus Titanicus: Dominus, plus new DLC and pre-orders to look out for. In celebration of this festival of Warhammer gaming, there’s up to 90% off selected Games Workshop and Warhammer universe titles during this time."

Check out Steam's Skulls for the Skull Throne sale, the second of its kind, in full over here.

May 31, 2018

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 gets mod support, daily quests, and more hats

Warhammer: Vermintide 2

A new update to Warhammer 2: Vermintide, the co-op FPS about a rodent infestation that's gotten really out of hand, adds new daily quests and challenges to the game, more hats, skins, and potrait frames, and—this is the big part—support for mods via the Steam Workshop. Accessible from the Vermintide 2 community hub, the Vermintide 2 workshop already has mods including a weapon kill counter, a collection of UI improvements, and one that enables the Fatshark intro screen (with all due respect to the studio's work) to be skipped.

Mod use will be enabled in a separate "Modded Realm" that can be selected from the Vermintide 2 launcher. It's "no holds barred" for mods and custom content, Fatshark said, but it will not award new item drops, enable challenge or quest completion, or grant experience. The studio does have plans for 'sanctioned mods,' however, which will be allowed on the Official Realm. That's expected to happen sometime in the summer.

"Since Warhammer: Vermintide 2 contains progression systems, we cannot allow mods that 'cheat' or make the game easier in ways that go against our design philosophy," Fatshark explained in a mod creation guide.

"The type of mods we will allow (sanctioned mods) are quality of life mods, certain UI mods and similar. We will look at these on a case by case basis and give them sanctioned status where applicable. This means that they will be whitelisted in our anti-cheat software and anyone can use them in the official realm. Mods that do not meet the criteria can still be used, however, progression will not be saved server side and they can only be used on the Modded Realm."

Also in the update: Okri's Challenges, a set of daily quests and challenges that provide loot chests, skins, hats, and portrait frames as rewards, and an increase in the number and drop rates of hats and other cosmetics. "We feel like there is a good amount of cosmetic and unique looking items right now—and we're happy with the current rate at which they drop," Fatshark wrote. "So to those of you who have been hoarding chests—you're free to open them now. We're not planning on changing the drop rates for these chests further."

And finally, there some some tweaks and bug fixes, details of which are available on Steam.

May 31, 2018

Vermintide 2 is 25% off – Skull Throne event just launched

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - [Fatshark] FatErik

It’s finally here, the event you all have been waiting for. The big Skull Throne 2 sale on Steam, featuring new content and up to 90% off on Games Workshop titles.

If you haven’t already this is the perfect opportunity for you to pick up Vermintide 2 as it’s right now 25% off on Steam. Our highest discount yet! Or why not try out Warhammer: Vermintide – End Times that’s being sold off with a 75% discount! Hurry up, the sale ends this Monday 4th June

NEW KEEP

For heroes returning to Helmgart, Lohner has been busy decorating the Keep for the celebration of the event. And if you’re up for the challenge, there’s also an Event quest that will earn you an exclusive Portrait Frame

SKULL THRONE STREAM

For some extra celebration, we will also be live on Twitch and Mixer between 10:00–14:00 CEST with game developers from all across the company. Do you have some questions regarding the Content update, level design or gameplay mechanics? Here’s your chance!

Catch us live:
https://www.twitch.tv/events/TE4RVOOHRmSpOV1CFnmDNA

May 31, 2018

Patch 1.1.0.1 - Mods, Hats, Skins, Frames & .. Okri?

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - [Fatshark] Hedge

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Patch 1.1 brings you Okri's Challenges, Mods, and a whole host of new cosmectic hats, skins and portrait frames.

https://youtu.be/7700ydM0knc

Okri's Challenges

Have a look at the table next to Lohner - here you'll find both Daily Quests, and Challenges. These tasks span the whole range of difficulties, and give you rewards in the form of loot chests, skins, hats, and portrait frames.

For most of these challenges, everyone starts fresh. You might be a veteran with hundreds of hours in the game, or you bought the game today - everyone starts from scratch with Okri's Challenges.

And when you complete these tasks - and successfully finish the current mission, head to the table next to Lohner and claim your reward.

Mods

Vermintide 2 Steam Workshop has officially opened! It can be accessed from the Community Hub in your Steam client.

From here you are able to download mods to be played in the Modded Realm of the game.

Switching between Official Realm and Modded Realm can be done through the launcher. Modded Realm has a no holds barred stanced towards mods and custom content, but on the other hand will not be able to give new drops, allow challenge/quest completiong or grant XP.

For more info about the Modded Realm, creating mods yourself and future mods sanctioned for the Official Realm: http://www.vermintide.com/mods_guide/

Cosmetic Hats, Skins, and Portrait Frames

For many of you, Veteran items and cosmetic items are a big part of why you play the game - it's the end game for our more seasoned players.

In this update, we're adding a lot more hats to the Commendation Chests, for all heroes and careers. And we're increasing the drop rates of all hats and Veteran items in Commendation Chests, and loot chests from Champion and Legend difficulties.

Cosmetic hats drop from Commendation Chests, for the specific hero you have selected. We've made changes so that you won't be receiving duplicate hats. If the currently selected hero already has all available hats, a random new, unique hat will be awarded to you.

There is also a small chance that a Commendation Chest will drop a Veteran item.

We feel like there is a good amount of cosmetic and unique looking items right now - and we're happy with the current rate at which they drop. So to those of you who have been hoarding chests - you're free to open them now. We're not planning on changing the drop rates for these chests further.

Fixes & Tweaks

Extracting Illusions no longer cost scrap. Applying Illusions now cost 10 Scrap. As the previous cost of extracting Illusions cost 20 Scrap, each player will be refunded 20 Scrap per Illusion in their inventory, when they log in.
Added a new crafting recipe - Convert Dust. You will be able to convert Dust to a lower tier. Ten Blue Dust to ten Green Dust Or ten Orange Dust to ten Blue Dust.
The confirmation delay when Crafting and Salvaging, has been drastically reduced.

Bugfixes

Several Veteran items lack a distinctive textures with glowing runes. We are working on making sure all Veteran items have cool looking skins. In this version, the Veteran Swiftbows "Edrael's Will", and "Spite-Tongue" now have their proper runed textures.
Fixed some issues with our current line of cosmetics hats, to make them fit better.
Fixed an issue for the Ranger Veteran Bardin's talent "Last Stand" which caused the buff to be applied whenever a clip was emptied instead of when completely out of ammo.
Fixed an issue for the Battle Wizard Sienna's talent "World Aflame" where the power boost was not applied properly when playing as a client.
Fixed an issue for the Witch Hunter Captain Saltzpyre's talent "Necessary Means" where the power boost was not applied properly when playing as a client, when out of ammo.
Fixed an issue for the Zealot Saltzpyre's talent "Holy Crusade" where the critical strike power boost was not applied properly when playing as a client.
Fixed an issue for the Shade Kerillian's talent "Bloodfletcher" where ammo would not properly be awarded on backstabs.

Patch 1.1.0.1

Fixed most common crash in 1.1
Fixed LOD with new mysterious skulls in the Keep

May 23, 2018

Why it feels great to hit things in Vermintide 2

Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Alex Wiltshire)

This is The Mechanic, where Alex Wiltshire invites developers to discuss the difficult journeys they ve taken to make their games. This time, Warhammer: Vermintide 2 [official site].

In designing Vermintide II s melee combat, Mats Andersson ran through the same preset level 50 times a day for two years. This hodgepodge of the game s most distinctive areas, enemies and swarms makes no sense and it looks terrible, but playing it about 100,000 times was what it took to ensure face-to-face brawling would be rich in heft and detail.

Andersson knew how fast he could clear that level, how much damage he should take, how many kills he should be getting; yardsticks by which he could measure each run, and it s how clicking to swing your hammer feels like it s caving a skull in, and why your sword feels like it can split a rat s stringy carcass in two. It s very much home to me, he says. (more…)

May 23, 2018

Vermintide 2 - Patch 1.0.8.2

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - [Fatshark] Hedge

Heroes!

Version 1.0.8.2 is a balance and bugfix patch. We're resolving many issues with talents which would not properly apply buffs to players when they're joining as clients.

After reviewing the numbers on Huntsman Kruber, we're making some adjustments to his damage output.

We're also addressing some incorrectly configured weapons, where sweeping attacks would sometimes miss crowds of enemies.

EDIT In patch 1.0.8 we accidentally introduced guaranteed critical hits on ranged attacks when activating the Career Skill on Ranger Veteran Bardin, Huntsman Kruber and Shade Kerillian. The intended change was for the Shade's "Infiltrate" ability to always guarantee critical hits on melee attacks. We fixed the bug, so now these Career Skills will not give guaranteed ranged critical hits. This brings it back to the same behavior as in 1.0.7.

Fixes & Tweaks

We've added missing damage boost multiplier caps to Rasknitt and Deathrattler. Some attacks - specifically from Huntsman Kruber and Shade Kerillian, absolutely destroyed these two. That was never intended, and made the ending of Skittergate anti-climactic.
The ritual pool on Convocation of Decay now properly slows movement speed and decays stamina, no longer deals damage.

Weapon Fixes & Tweaks

Fixed an issue on several weapons where they were incorrectly set to target single enemies with their sweeping attacks. This meant they would hit only a single target in a horde, even though the attack was meant to hit multiple enemies. The following are the attacks of each weapons which have been fixed:
- The light swings of Sienna's One-Handed Daggers
- The push followup attacks of Great Axes
- The lateral, light attacks of Two-Handed Hammers
- The push followup attacks of War Picks
- Kerillian's Spears
Executioner Swords have had their second heavy attack target single enemies, just like its first heavy attack.
Two-Handed Axes have had their range increased by 10%. Their push followup attack has been switched to an attack that does more cleave, but less damage. Their push radius has been increased to 2.5, up from 2.
War Picks have had their range increased by 10%. Their push radius has been increased to 2.5, up from 2.
Handguns have had their damage against Bosses increased to 1.5, up from 1, unless at far range. Also their headshot boost multiplier on Bosses was increased to 0.5, up from 0.25 for all shots.
We've changed the boost power curve for Handguns and Kruber's Longbows. This curve affects how much of each bonus damage modifier gets weighted i nto the final damage calculation - such as from Potions of Strength, crits or headshots, and the specific enemy type. Previously, both the Handguns and Kruber's Longbows would have a curve that yielded consistent high damage output with only a couple of these modifiers, for instance activating "Hunter's Prowl" and the critting with a headshot. The new boost power curve for these weapons is linear, so that each damage modifier contributes equally. This means that big damage output is still possible, but that requires stacking more boost modifiers.
Fixed an issue on Kruber's Veteran Blunderbuss "Old (Mostly) Faithful", where its texture would look blurry.
Spears have had new animations added to increase readability, regarding which attacks hit.

Kerillian

Fixed an issue with the Handmaiden Talent Bladedancer where a bleed effect wouldn't have its damage increased. The tooltip has been updated to clarify the increased damage.
Fixed an issue with the Shade Talent Ereth Khial's Herald where it wouldn't apply the intended backstab bonus.
When under the effect of the Shade Career Skill "Infiltrate", ranged attacks will no longer automatically crit. Melee attacks will still automatically crit.

Bardin

Fixed an issue for the Ranger Veteran Talent Apply Pressure where the healing recieved was not applied properly when playing as a client.
Fixed an issue for the Slayer talent Stoutfellow where the talent wouldn't work properly when playing as a client.
Fixed an issue for the Ranger Veteran Talent Last Resort where the power buff was not applied properly when playing as a client.
When under the effect of the Ranger Veteran Career Skill "Disengage", ranged attacks will no longer automatically crit.

Kruber

Reduced the damage multiplier on Huntsman Kruber's Career Skill to 1.5, down from 2. We're bringing the damage output of Huntsman more in line with the rest of the cast.
Fixed an issue for the Mercenary Talent Battle Scars where the healing received wasn't applied properly when playing as a client.
Fixed an issue for the Mercenary Talent The More the Merrier! where the bonus power on enemy proximity wasn't applied properly when playing as a client.
When under the effect of the Huntsman Career Skill "Hunter's Prowl", ranged attacks will no longer automatically crit.

Sienna

Fixed an issue for the Battle Wizard Talent Cauterize Wounds, where the healing received wasn't applied properly when playing as a client.

Saltzpyre

Fixed an issue for the Zealot Talent No Surrender!, where the bonus damage wasn't applied properly when playing as a client.

May 18, 2018

Vermintide 2 - Patch 1.0.8.1

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - [Fatshark] Hedge

Heroes!

Version 1.0.8.1 addresses some of the current issues that arose from patch 1.0.8. We are rolling back some of the inadvertent changes which came out of yesterday's patch.

Shade Kerillian was broken during the 1.0.8 beta. The numbers she put out with the Glaive were far too high - this was due to her damage being uncapped against some Bosses and Lords. We wanted to make changes to the damage system in the way we synchronize damage from attacks between players. At the same time, we were making fixes to Shade's "Infiltrate" Career Skill. These two changes inadvertently changed the way caps were being applied to the Shade's damage output. Another consequences were multiple misunderstandings and mistakes that piled up to a big mess, affecting the Executioner Sword, since it shared some of the same damage templates as the Glaive.

The Shade should now work the same way she did in 1.0.7. The inadvertent changes to the Executioner Sword have also been reverted.

Aside from these bug fixes, we also wanted to give her more options in available weapons. Shade Kerillian's "Infiltrate" Career Skill applies a four-time power boost multiplier when attacking while stealthed. We applied individual modifiers to these bonuses to the Glaive and Dual Daggers. We lowered the damage Glaives do when attacking from stealth, and increased the damage from Dual Daggers, and the stab attacks of Dagger and Swords. This means that Dual Daggers should now be able to kill two Chaos Warriors when lined up correctly, when attacking from stealth.

And while the Glaive - and pretty much every other weapon, completely nukes any regular infantry enemies, when attacking out of stealth - just as in previous versions, they should no longer melt bosses. And specifically Bile Trolls, which were missing damage multiplier caps.

Fixed Issues

We're resetting Shade Kerillian's melee boost multiplier back to 4, from 2.
The Executioner Sword is being restored to its former glory - its Finesse coefficient on heavy attacks are increased to 2, up from 1.
The Glaive heavy second attack now uses a separate damage profile from the Executioner Sword.
Changed the Finesse coefficient on the heavy second attacks off Glaives to 1.25, up from 1.0. This was set to 2.0 in 1.0.7, and during the 1.0.8 beta.
Moved Dual Dagger stabs to use same damage profile as Sword and Dagger stabs, since this seems like an oversight during initial setup. Increased the damage of this new damage profile to 0.25, up from 0.2.
Added an override setting for melee boost multiplier for individual damage profiles. We applied this on the Glaive heavy second attack to reduce its burst damage when attacking from stealth. This reduces melee boost multiplier to 2, down from 4.
We also applied it to Dual Weapons' stab attacks to increase damage from stealth to 6, up from 4.
Bile Trolls were given a melee boost multiplier cap of 3, as they didn't have one before.
Shade Kerillians Career Skill "Infiltrate" will now properly apply both power boosts and multipliers against all targets during the whole sweep of her attack. Regardless of if the skill is activated before the attack, or during.
Fixed an issue where a crit from a Great Axe would do less damage to armored enemies than a regular hit.
Fixed an issue where Clanrats wouldn't burn properly from fire effects.
Fixed an issue where the glow effect on Veteran weapons would look blurry or pixelated.
Fixed a crash that could occur if Ironbreaker Bardin used his Career Skill with the "Booming Taunt" talent, on a Chaos Warrior that had not yet seen him.
Fixed a crash that could occur when starting or ending a lunging ability at the same time as the game session was torn down.
Fixed a crash that could occur if leaving a game session at the same time as receiving a "Last Man Standing" buff.
Fixed a crash that could occur if lighting more than one training dummy on fire, with a Conflagration Staff - at the same time as another player picked up a targeted training dummy.
Improved collisions around the second Grimoire on Empire in Flames, to make it a bit easier to reach.
Fixed an issue where the Bile Troll would try to stand up, when being downed. Instead of raising its head.
Fixed a crash that could occur when a Clan Rat returned to patrolling, after having engaged the players.
Fixed graphical issues with the grain on Against the Grain.
Fixed missing localization texts on hats.