Version 0.91: Mercenary Camps and Grand Arena

Overall:

1. Performance Improvements

Implemented an object pooling system for particle systems, improving overall game performance, especially in the late game.

2. Visual Improvements

With stable performance ensured, volumetric fog effects have been upgraded, enhancing overall visual quality.

3. Main Menu Rework

The main menu has been completely redesigned and now features a Blue Dragon theme. In the Skirmish setup screen, players can preview each hero’s skills and equipment. Heroes also have unique preview animations when selected.

Features:

1. Mercenary System

Mercenary Camps and Grand Arenas now appear on Skirmish maps.

In the mid game, heroes can use Honor Marks obtained from Control Points to hire large units from Mercenary Camps. In the late game, epic units—including Black Dragons and Blue Dragons—can also be recruited.

Units available from Mercenary Camps (Cost: 2 Honor Marks): Ogre Gladiator, Gnoll Shaman, Treant Warrior, Fire Elemental, Hellhound

Units available from Grand Arena (Cost: 4 Honor Marks): Black Dragon, Primal Dragon, Blue Dragon, Demon Lord

2. Fountain of Life & Sacred Stag

Fountains of Life may appear on the map and automatically restore health to nearby units.

Sacred Stags can be found in hidden locations. When a hero approaches, the stag joins the corresponding faction and follows the hero. Escorting it near a Fountain of Life grants a reward.

3. Complete Skill Trees for All Units

All standard units across the three factions now have complete skill trees. Each unit has at least two different skill options in both Tier 2 and Tier 3.

When the Town Center is upgraded to Level 2 and Level 3 for the first time, all standard units unlock a new tier of skills.

Fixes & Improvements:

1. Increased camera height for a wider field of view.

2. Reduced the size of the top and bottom UI panels.

3. The Undead hero Necromancer gains the ability “Summon Shade.” Summoned Shades can self-destruct, quickly approach enemy targets, and cast Dark Explosion.

4. The Horde hero Shaman’s ability “Thunder Axe” has been improved. It now summons a spinning thunder axe at the target location.

5. The Human hero Paladin’s ability “Blessed Hammer” has been improved. It now summons two rotating hammers around the hero, dealing damage to enemies they hit.

6. The Horde unit Storm Summoner gains a Tier 3 ability “Lightning Shield,” which deals continuous damage to enemies around the target.

7. The Storm Summoner’s Tier 1 ability has been changed to “Lightning Strike,” summoning a bolt of lightning from the sky that deals heavy damage.

8. The Horde unit Blade Master’s Tier 1 ability has been changed to “Whirlwind Slash,” summoning a forward-moving whirlwind that damages enemies along its path.

9. Blade Master gains a Tier 3 ability “Double Whirlwind,” upgrading Whirlwind Slash to summon two whirlwinds.

10. Blade Master gains a Tier 3 ability “Chain Slash,” unleashing consecutive strikes that deal massive damage.

11. The Human unit Priest gains a Tier 3 ability “Divine Shield,” granting 100 armor to a target for 5 seconds.

12. The Undead Tier 3 unit has been changed to “Death Angel,” a powerful melee unit capable of teleporting enemy targets in front of itself.

Next Development Plans:

1. RPG Mode

A traditional MMO-style dungeon experience. One main hero leads two Captain units into a dungeon adventure featuring numerous enemy units and four powerful bosses.

Heroes can obtain various equipment pieces. As in Skirmish mode, all acquired equipment will be permanently stored in the hero’s inventory.

2. Further Performance Optimization

Object pooling will be implemented for