The next big update is almost complete, and that means it's time for another PTB! If you'd like to try out this build and help test it for bugs and balance issues, please check out the #preview-test-build channel of the Discord (see the pinned post in that channel for instructions).
Here's what's new in v71:
FEATURES
New Multiplayer Modes
Ranked Best-of-3 (loser of each round can ban a class)
Ranked Balanced (lower-ranked player gets a damage bonus)
Casual (unranked)
New Matchmaking Filters
Ranked modes automatically filter for closely-ranked opponents
Optionally, you can make the rank filter more strict
Optional Region filter (only nearby opponents, hopefully lower ping)
New menu UI so you can easily see how many online players fit in your filters
Unlockable Cosmetics
Spend coins to unlock cosmetic options in the Armory
2 new Metal options (Gunmetal, Obsidian)
3 new Accent options (Yellow, Teal, Fuschia)
Plus, one new Metal option available for $0.99 as an in-app purchase (Alabaster)
Training Mode
Train your skills against an easy, medium, or hard AI opponent of any class
Control when the AI attacks (and whether it’s ranged or melee)
Optional “forced slo-mo”, so you have time to get a feel for your weapon
Custom Multiplayer Games
All private multiplayer matches now offer a variety of options:
Time scale adjustments (e.g. turn off slo-mo if you want)
Dimensions of the movement boundary
Bonuses to damage and/or energy regen for either player
Melee-only, ranged-only, and unlimited-energy modes
Two-sided combat mode (i.e. the defender can damage the attacker)
Oculus Platform Integration (Rift/Quest only)
Leaderboards (see Oculus Scoreboard app on Quest)
Achievements
Various other social / matchmaking features
Miscellaneous:
Added & improved several sound effects
Replaced the “ready room” with an outdoor dome
Shortened intro sequence for rematches
New players will be automatically sent to the Tutorial on first startup
Added “Confirm” button for selecting your class in multiplayer matches
Added a new AI opponent to the Campaign (“Mr. Lione”, created by a Kickstarter backer)
Minor cosmetic & difficulty adjustments to other Campaign opponents
Added link to the Ironlights Discord in the GIF email
BALANCE
Knight
Adjusted melee “reload” settings to be slightly easier to reload with rotation (swinging) rather than pure positional movements (stabbing)
Duelist
Rapid-fire ranged attacks now gradually decrease in damage (to a minimum of 50%)
Slightly increased ranged attack energy cost
Monk
Slightly adjusted positional physics and melee “reload” settings to prevent rare exploit
Very slightly increased max speed of ranged attack projectiles
Very slightly increased Staff melee damage
Added extra Monk-only collision volume, and increased energy cost of self-hits to further disincentivize “bandage wrapping” attacks
Reduced max pull distance of ranged attacks, allowing easier max-speed shots
Slightly reduced ranged attack damage
Ninja
Significantly revamped Katar positional physics to be looser yet more responsive
Adjusted melee “reload” settings to be slightly easier to reload with rotation (swinging) rather than pure positional movements (stabbing)
Significantly revamped ranged attacks, making charging up far more effective
Added laser pointers to show target when charging up ranged attacks
Crusader
Made enemy flails easier to see when underground
Slightly increased Flail melee damage
When defending, blocking weapons with the Flail will now slightly recharge your shield
BUG FIXES
Improved collision detection on projectiles to prevent erroneous hits
Better handling of temporary system pauses during multiplayer matches
Removed several multiplayer exploits involving pausing or disconnecting
Enabled sound recording for HQ replays
Improved replays for multiplayer matches
Replays should no longer stutter when playing the intro sequence
Fixed bug causing players to get stuck inside a helmet when leaving a Replay
Fixed minor shader rendering issues affecting the fighting platform on Quest
Upgraded multiplayer middleware (Photon Bolt) to latest version
Fixed bug that allowed the Ninja to fire ranged attacks with no energy
Improved network efficiency of Knight ranged attacks to combat lag
Replaced skill rating (“trophies”) with league in multiplayer Armory
Fixed minor bug affecting Options menu on PC
Fixed incorrect music looping when paused
Slightly sharpened text in some menus
Fixed various other minor cosmetic bugs