Update 2.2: Balance and Challenge

This update 2.2 is very important! Some advanced players felt there was a lack of challenge. With this change, there will always be a minimum risk in every battle. At the same time, less experienced players will still have the same chances to progress as before.

Some players play to relax in the dark‑fantasy atmosphere of Caverns and Dryads. Others follow it for the story and the world. And others are hardcore fighters. These last ones need a challenging game.

Now progressing will make you stronger, but not invulnerable.

I’ve also added some smaller things:

• Visual effects for storm, fog, glare, wind, etc. that sometimes appear in dungeons. You will see them in the exploration scene and while camping.

• In the blacksmith you can now swap weapons so you can repair both your main and secondary weapon in the same visit (helps not to forget it).

After this update I will introduce other very interesting ones that I’ll talk about in the blog.

For example: missions to hunt down legendary monsters that scale to your level (as already happens with the necria missions). These will have even more variety, since they will be of different types and you will be able to sign up for these missions in several places on the map.

And other things: fast and risky travel, bar rumors... I’ll tell you more this week on the blog.

The goal is to bring the continuous challenge of rogue‑like games even further, so there is always something exciting to do. I’m thinking about making this not only about combat: it should also be about enjoying the game world, exploration... for all types of players.

Thank you for playing Caverns and Dryads and for loving this project that you already belong to.

As always, remember that I read and reply to all comments, forum posts, and your reviews help a lot. I usually incorporate everything that fits the vision of the game.

You can’t imagine how important it is to me that you take part in this! Thank you so much, adventurers!

—Louis

CHANGELOG

---------

Version 2.2.2, May 23, 2026 - Balance and Challenge

---------------------------------------------------

MOST IMPORTANT:

• Atmospheric effects like rain are now visible if they are active both in the exploration screen and the camping screen.

• Measures to balance the game both for beginners and experienced players.

• The availability of potions, demon hearts and fire essence in shops depends in the quantity of potions that you are already carrying. To get them when the shops don't have stock, search for them in dundeons' loot when you defeat monsters.

• Monsters now have critical hits. The force of these critical hits is variable and active only if your character is strong enough. This way combat keeps being exciting but still you remain powerful. Every combat can be dangerous now. But the best equipped and skilled you are, risk is lesser. Boss monsters don't have critical hits, because they are already too dangerous (most of their attacks can be considered critical).

• Armors above 18 only apply their full potential when fighting bosses. For other situations their effective armor is 16. This is to balance the game. The realism behing it is that although armor stops attacks, there is a contusion inherent to being hit. It protects from massive boss attacks, though, that is why the extra armor points are there.

OTHER:

• In the blacksmith now you can swap the weapons and repair the main and the secondary weapons in the same visit.

• Improved the narrative engine with some new features that I'll use.

• Fixed incoherence in the text of the chapter of dragon's defeat in Luminahad after the battle.