Apologies for not posting this on the 29th, things have been hectic on my end. Because of that, haven't had much time to really focus on the project as some real-life stuff winds down, but that's temporary.

So, for the next patch- which we're tentatively calling v.02.5 or (depending how much stuff gets changed) v.03- we're focusing primarily on tweaking existing content. These are currently very much still WIP, so some elements are vague. Others are more set in stone.

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Patch v.02.5 Changes:

Scarab Changes:

• Hive Defender is getting a wording change to make it more clear.
• Impact-Absorbing Foam is getting replaced by a "Kheper's Amulet" system, which will give additional ways to generate or consume overshield.
• The Type-8 Combat Shield is getting some wording adjustments, and its Quick Action effect is being replaced by an on-hit effect instead (practically identical).
• Type-12 Particle Manipulator is getting a change to bring it more in line with the Type-8 Combat Shield

Scarab is kind of the prototypical KIE frame (and was the first one designed), but some of its license gear could use touching-up. 

Firefly:

• The Firefly is getting a stat rebalance and Mount tweaks here.
  • Armor reduced to 1 (down from 2)
  • Evasion increased to 8 (up from 7) 
  •  Speed increased to 4 (up from 3) 
  •  Main/Aux mount replaced with Heavy
• Laser Cutter (Firefly 3)
  • Mount class changed from Main to Heavy
  • Damage increased to 1d6+3 Energy (from 1d3+1 Energy) 
  • On Crit effect changed to mirror new damage value (1d6+3 Burn instead of 1d3+1).

The Firefly's lack of a Heavy mount and no direct bonus damage traits didn't feel right, so the decision was made to swap its Main/Aux for a Heavy and to upgrade an existing weapon to Heavy. Before anyone asks, yes, that means Tachyon Lance Firefly is a thing now, and yes, I am very much afraid of that.

Shieldbearer (Talent):

• Shieldbearer II:
  • Negation Field is moved to Shieldbearer III. 
  • Gains: “Crystal Aegis: When you gain Overshield, you can choose to reinforce one of your Mech Skills with the Aegis, receiving +1 Accuracy on all checks and saves that use the chosen Skill. This benefit lasts until you lose all Overshield. Additionally, you can use a Quick Action to change the chosen Mech Skill reinforced by the Aegis.” 
• Shieldbearer III: 
  • Disruptor Aegis is removed. Negation Field replaces Disruptor Aegis

Disruptor Aegis was just way too strong, so the talent had to be nerfed. +1 Armor along with additional Overshield meant it could make pretty much anything tanky, which was not exactly the desired result.

Attached status:

• Attached is modified/clarified/reworded/"fixed" so the attached character occupies the same spaces as its host, unlike the previous version that was almost a sort of schrodinger's mech where you could exist adjacent to a character but at the same time weren't.

A fix to the .lcp will also give the Weevil its Flex Mount back (it has a Main Mount only on the .lcp for whatever reason, this is a bug and not the kind of intended version) along with other smaller fixes to bring the content in line with existing Massif Press content (such as every mention of "Line of Sight and Sensor Range" being shortened to just "Sensors".

Artificial Vascular Systems (Core Bonus):

• The Heat cost for Healing is reduced from 3 to 2, making it more economical.
• We're still ironing out any other effects to make it more useful.

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Patch v.03 Changes: These changes will be part of a larger patch if they go through.

Weevil:

• Weevil gains the ability to Attach to characters, just like the Stag, giving it a more defined role. While attached, it can be used as a source of repairs and limited charges, which helps its purpose as a support frame.
• Weevil's Core Power is getting reworked, just because it's really jank.

Ghost Mantis (Mourning Cloak Alt):

• Ghost Mantis is in a decent spot tbh, but there will be a downside to going or staying Intangible with its Core Passive. Any other sources of Intangibility are not affected by this.
• The Core Passive and Active are being reworded and tweaked for easier tracking.

Cicada (Balor Alt):

• The Cicada is getting the Self-Perpetuating trait from the base Balor back, with some slight changes to its stats (nothing decided on for now).
• Legion Body is getting a rework to make it less complicated, and We Are Legion might get a change that allows the fantasy of being a swarm to be more effective

Artisan:

• Artisan was imagined as "Engineer but for weapons" and has gone through a pretty decent chunk of changes over its conceptual history. The newest iteration should be less of a headache in terms of tracking.

Blacksmith:

• Similarly to Artisan, Blacksmith has gone through some changes, with a bunch of stuff thrown at a wall.
• The newest iteration should be more simple and easier to understand as it now is intended to allow you to Stabilize allies, but the more powerful elements are being moved to higher ranks (such as the repair cap sharing)

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Again, apologies for the less in-depth post here. Next month should have some concept art to show revolving around Lysenko-Rasolka, one of the many Chartered Companies on Jovo and an absolute pain in Union's backside.

Until next time,

- Max