Transformable weapons in NCORE. Part 4

• Read part 1 to learn about the reasoning and inspirations for the weapon transformations.

• Read part 2 to learn more about the development process.

• Read part 3 to learn about how the players influence what weapons appear in-game.

How are weapons obtained in the game?

A vast array of weapons can be found in the game by defeating the mobs guarding them or taking them from rival gladiators.

Unique weapons can be acquired by defeating bosses. Currently, there are three bosses in the game — one for each hex theme. Defeating the Juggernaut rewards players with a machine gun, the Witch drops the Lightning Gun, and the Zombie-location boss yields a grenade launcher. Be warned: during the alpha test, there may be fewer bosses and unique weapons available. Uniqueness lies not only in power but also in gameplay. A gladiator wielding such a gun stands out, so taking on a boss is definitely worth it.

How does the game maintain the balance between melee and ranged weapons?

At first glance, why focus so much on melee weapons when players already have guns? However, in NCORE, the developers have created a system that encourages players to use both options in combat. Certain maps, in-game situations, the weapons enemies use, and gadget effects can all make melee combat more advantageous—not to mention the obvious benefit of not needing to reload.

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What happens to weapons when a character "dies"?

First, it’s worth noting that there’s no actual "death" in the game. If enemies defeat your character, they are sent backstage, where they can reassess their tactics and spend coins earned during the match on new, often even more powerful weapons. After that, the gladiator can return to the arena to seek revenge and lead their team to victory.

Upon "dying," the character loses some of their accumulated tokens and part of the weapons collected on the battlefield. Use this to your advantage if you encounter a strong gladiator. Don’t miss the chance to take down an opponent wielding a unique gun obtained from a boss to claim it for yourself.

NCORE is, first and foremost, a game about adapting to circumstances. Everything changes: hex layouts, enemies, token drop-off points, bosses appear and disappear, players find new weapons on the map, and tactics shift. In a single match, every player can try out a significant number of weapons, adjusting to the situation. This creates dynamic gameplay. The developers expect players to combine different playstyles, experiment with various weapons, rather than stick to one gun for the entire session — though that’s also an option.

NCORE is a game about decision-making. One of the key questions is: which gun will your gladiator choose for the next fight? After all, it could determine the match’s outcome.

And that’s the last part! What do you think? If you played in the alpha-test, share your feelings about the weapons and your tactics.