Update Notes for 1.3.1.2, 18th August 2024

Hello Topplers!

The next Topple Tactics update, 1.3.1.2, is now live!

We wanted to take a moment to share some insights into the ongoing development of Topple Tactics. We understand that the recent updates have sparked mixed reactions within our community, and we genuinely appreciate the clarity and usefulness of feedback we've received, in particular from the game's Discord server.

Many of the recent decisions were made to ensure Topple Tactics wouldn't stick to single repetitive metas. We want to make Toppler equipment and tower choices matter more in gameplay. This recent update just started that process. We want to improve the specialization and identity of each tower and mini guy item/stat, and also ensure that our intent for these items are properly represented in game and out of game.

In an ideal version of Topple Tactics, sticking to a single build type as a mini guy (only tank, only speed, only fall speed reduction) should make you exceptionally strong against certain towers and quite vulnerable to others. No single tech path should be the solution to all huge guy tower layouts (except perhaps maxing out every little guy stat!). These recent changes aren't perfect reflections of our final goal, but they are here to test how certain ideas feel when mixed into the game.

Regarding flop mode, it was always a goal for this game to have a layer of chaos. We intentionally want this game to have chaotic party-game energy along an undertone of competitive strategy. We will continue to adjust flop mode to better fit the game. There’s a balance to be struck: ensuring that a mixed-build mini Toppler can reasonably avoid being flopped (or has good recovery if they spec into the right equipment), while also ensuring that a picking the wrong build (or even an intentionally risky one) for the towers at hand will send you flying.

We are very invested in having fun synergies in the game, both with tower synergies and mini Toppler item synergies. We’ve heard your concerns about the loss of the ice and black hole synergy. It had become too powerful in its previous state, but it is not forgotten.

Recently, we had a team meeting to discuss the ideal identity and “fun” of each playstyle. We will reveal these concepts once they are fully fleshed out, but we also recognize that a backlog of bugs have become frustrating in the face of feature creep.

We are committed to addressing these bugs immediately, and from our research into them, some of them will require drastic overhauls of how certain systems in the game function (like server connections).

When it comes to what we develop next, we want to fix these bugs, whilst also testing balance ideas so that the game can be "unbalanced" for as short of a period as possible. Our goal is to ensure that Topple Tactics remains a dynamic and enjoyable experience for all players, whether you want to play competitively, or just goof off and have fun.

This update mainly centers around adjusting the balancing issues and fixing bugs relating to the recent flop update.

That being said, here are the patch notes!

Pirate event! - There are two limited edition pirate-themed skins available to unlock! Go to the event details page in the main menu for more details.

Big guy zoom - Using the scroll wheel, you can zoom in the big toppler’s view. You can then pan the camera by hovering the mouse to the screen edges or using the arrow keys / WASD

Black hole changes - The black hole now ignores knockback resist and has been made stronger overall

Shield changes - Changed some multipliers around how shield health was calculated, leading to very similar final health for all with a maxed out build. Shields now have the appropriate amount of health. The health of all shields has been buffed.

Wrecking ball - The wrecking ball has been nerfed to be weaker against tank builds. The higher your knockback resist stat, the more the wrecking ball gets stopped in its tracks when it hits a toppler. Previously, only the knockback value itself was affected leading to similar knockback regardless of build.

Sweeper knockback has been lowered slightly

Slightly lowered effects of wind on speed build, there is no longer an “acceleration” feeling to it

The ninja headband now allows you to instantly change direction when used. It will push the player towards the direction the camera is looking

Bombs fired from cannons now travel slightly slower

Double cannon fire rate has been lowered slightly

Tank item changes

• Chunky shoes now give immunity to flop mode

• Colossus helm now gives immunity to taking extra knockback if your health is lowered

Bug Fixes:

Fixed the player still sometimes getting hit when their forcefield was still active, this should happen significantly less often now

The slingshot icon now goes red if the big toppler has less than 5 tokens, rather than 15 tokens previously

Fixed the player getting stuck in flop mode when smacked into a wall

Stopped cannons and other towers excessively knocking the player up

Changed hitboxes of shields so they should get stuck less often and give the toppler slightly more mobility

Added extra precautions to stop toppler’s legs going out of alignment

Daily Item Wheel fixes:

• The daily item wheel now makes sure steam is responsive before letting you press the “Daily Reward” button. Preventing failed spin attempts.

• Made the wheel spin shorter.