I'm happy to announce the release of 4x4 Archipelago version 1.2! This is a major content update which adds, among other things, underwater adventures, super-bosses and companion quests. It also fixes some old bugs.
As always, thanks to my testers and everyone who played, commented on, and suggested changes to the game!
Here's a detailed changelog for 1.2.
4X4 ARCHIPELAGO 1.2 CHANGELOG
CHARACTER
Added perks: various permanent bonuses bought for EXP points on the level up screen. Perks have primary and/or secondary skill requirements.
New level 1 spell: Magic missile
New level 2 Combat technique: Gather strength – reduces the remaining cooldowns of all other techniques
Improved evasion: Replaces Evade if the character has Survival 2. Works like Evade, but grants a +5 defence & magic defence bonus, instead of +3
QUESTS
New boss quest: Merfolk in trouble
COMBAT
Super-bosses: Shadow Dragon / Hellfire Dragon
New boss: the Anglerbeast
New enemies: Bandit Shadow, Unstable polyp, Venomous polyp, Merfolk Raider, Mefolk Warlock, Curious Fluffball, Defiler Worm, Wight, Fallen Champion, Octaur
New allies
New status effect: Blinded – reduces accuracy of attacks and spells
EXPLORATION
New area – the Flooded mine
New area – Lair of the Ancient Dragon
New "underwater" travel events
Unique, one-time explore encounters for each of the 8 hire-able companions (healers, mystics, mercenaries & elite mercenaries)
New random explore encounters
New traps in dungeons and mines
ITEMS
New legendary armour: Dual Coat, Magic Shell
New legendary weapons: Serpent's Spear, Song of Sparks, Soul Thief, Tentacle Whip, Crystal Spear, Akchaa's Battle-axe
New consumables: Gills potion, Vial of Venom, Cursed oil, Clear vision potion, Wight Stone, Seal of Doom
New amulets: Magic Shield Charm, Blackthorne's Charm of Healing, Fluffy Talisman
New rings: Ring of Sparks, Glass Ring, Magic Eye Ring, Goblin Queen's Ring, Fluffy Ring
New resources: skyhunter jelly, pearls, Rare pearl
BALANCING CHANGES
Fortify, Weaken: the duration of the spells was changed from 3 turns to 2 + 1/2 Spellpower (rounded up) turns.
Dark Mist: The spell was reworked; instead of increasing the player's defence and magic defence, it now attempts to inflict Blindness on the enemy for 2 + 1/2 Spellpower (rounded up) turns. Blinded enemies have a -2 penalty to all attacks. The cost of casting the spell was reduced from 8 to 6 MP.
Evade: cooldown was increased from 1 turn to 3 turns.
Max. number of uses for some of the stronger tamed beasts was reduced.
Levelling up the Focus secondary skill no longer requires the Magic main skill.
Increased the attack bonuses for some of the stronger enemies.
Magic attack bonus from Sage's Staff was reduced from +3 to +2.
Curse Master's Ring now also adds a +3 bonus to rolls against enemy magic defence when trying to apply Weakness.
The Collector now additionally sells 1 Elixir of Power.
Basic attack bonus for Mercenary allies increased.
False Sorceress Mirlanda's enemy type was changed to Legendary.
BUGFIXES
Fixed a bug where enemies would always miss with their attacks if the player was in dragon form.
Fixed a bug causing player's max HP to be reduced by 10 upon exiting dragon form for the first time.
Fixed a bug where choosing the "Bluffing" option while gambling would actually select a "tricky" playstyle.
Fixed an issue with combat messages for enemy volley attacks displaying incorrectly.
Fixed a bug where you could sell an equipped heavy crossbow.
Fixed various typos/grammar issues.
Attacks made with Sungleam now affect enemies with physical immunity.
Fixed an issue where in the marsh encounter with a wisp, the initially mentioned colour of the wisp was incorrect.
In the exploration encounter with the tiny woman, giving her Royal Jelly is now an option.