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[Gaarawarr]

v0.14.0 Patch Notes: 01/27/2012

Current Beta Test Times and Known Issues

Playtest Times and Dates

Play non-stop from Friday 1/27/2012 11am ET (4pm GMT) through Tuesday 1/31/2012 10am ET (3pm GMT)!

Known Issues

The following is a list of known issues with the current build:

• Graphics: Occasionally VFX will stick on characters during game play. Projectiles sometimes appear to move slowly.
  
• Skins: There is no secondary skin for the following Heroes: Aessa, Rockgut, Tobias.
  
• Chat: Due to changes in the latest version, players may not be in the same 'general chat' channel, but this will not affect any other aspect of play.
  
• Store: This is the first public iteration of the Store and we are interested in any feedback or bugs encountered during your test. Please ensure that if you find a bug or have an issue, note it and try refreshing the store via the home button on the browser window or re-logging in to the client.
  
• Please note that known issues will be removed and moved to the Patch Notes section below when resolved. If you find any other issues, email them to bugs@wrathofheroes.com. General feedback can be directed to feedback@wrathofheroes.com.

Highlights for week of 1/27/2012

Store

This iteration of our Beta gives players access to the in-game store. Players can access this feature via the Store tab in the lobby. The store will offer players a method to unlock Heroes and Skins by using gold earned from Scenarios. With the introduction of this feature, we've made a few changes to how Heroes and Skins are accessed in the Beta that is discussed in greater detail in the Hero Changes section below.

Note: To ensure proper testing and metrics gathering, all beta accounts will have their current accrued gold removed. As well, to aid in testing, we've set the prices for Heroes and Skins to a very low value to allow players to purchase them within an accelerated time frame consistent with the abbreviated nature of the testing period.

Hero Changes

Accompanying the introduction of the Store we've changed how our Heroes and associated Skins are accessed. Heroes will now be considered 'Free', 'Purchasable', or 'Owned'. The distinction between these types is as follows:

• 'Free': Heroes being considered 'Free' means they are currently available to all players during this Beta session. These Heroes can be used at any time while they are marked as 'Free'. However, these Heroes are not 'Owned' by the player and as such players cannot advance these Heroes within their Mastery Trees. 'Free' Heroes can be purchased from the Store, making it an 'Owned' Hero and allowing access to their advancements.
  
• 'Purchasable': All Heroes that are not 'Owned' by a player can be purchased from the Store; this includes all 'Free' Heroes. The Store currently allows Heroes and Skins to be purchased using earned currency (Gold). Once a Hero is purchased, that Hero becomes 'Owned'.
  
• 'Owned': Heroes that have been purchased from the Store are considered 'Owned'. This means the Hero is now available to the player at all times, regardless of whether that Hero is currently 'Free' in the lineup. It also means that the player can now purchase Mastery unlocks for that Hero from their Mastery Tree.

Note: Because this is a Beta, the purchase and use of earned currency as well as the price of purchases and the rate of accumulation of currency may change based on our testing needs. This may include wiping purchases or currency totals, as noted previously for this Beta session in regards to currency totals. The current prices of items on the Store have been set to a much reduced price point for testing.

Expanded Hero Progression

This Beta expands the Mastery Tree progression system introduced in our previous Beta. To recap that system:

• As your account levels, you'll be granted Mastery Points that allow you to unlock specific "Hero Masteries" in the form of Tactics and Alternate Abilities. Some of these items are specific to the Hero that unlocked them, while others can be used on any Hero once unlocked. As a preview of the new system, we've enabled "Masteries" in the Hero Profile that will allow you to unlock these items via a Tree. Once unlocked, they will appear in the 'Inventory' screen and be available for slotting.

With this in mind, we are happy to announce that Hero Masteries are now available for all remaining Heroes available in this session of Beta!

In addition, we've introduced a new form of 'Hero Mastery' available via each Hero's Tree called 'Perks'. These options reward players for actions taken in the game and are designed to be very rewarding if the player can pull off the requirements.

For full details on Heroes and the changes, see the Hero Changes section below.

Hero Synergies

Want to have a swarm of Skaven? Perhaps a gross of Greenskins? With this Beta, we are introducing the concept of Hero Synergy. This system gives each Hero a specific passive bonus based on either the composition of their team or the target of their wrath. For example, Bax's Synergy bonus is additional health based on the number of Greenskins in his party. Alternatively, Felicia's Hero Synergy gives her a damage bonus against Chaos. Keep these Synergies in mind when you coordinate with your team or see what the enemies bring to the battle!



Patch Changes for Week of 1/27/2012

Beta Changes

In order to test out the new mechanics and features properly in this phase of Beta, the following change has been made to all accounts: all experience, levels, and Masteries on an account have been wiped. This includes any Mastery unlocked, in your Inventory, or equipped.

As well, to ensure that everyone starts on the same footing for our metrics and analytics of Beta, we will be starting all players over with no earned currency. As noted elsewhere, we have introduced the Heroes and Skins at special low prices to accommodate testing. This will allow players to earn some gold during games and be able to afford and test the Store within the Beta session time frame.

Hero Lineup

The Heroes available for this phase of Beta have changed with the introduction of the Store.



The following Heroes are considered 'Free' and available to all players during this Beta session:

• Conrad the Warrior Priest
  
• Felicia the Bright Wizard
  
• Ikkrik the Gutter Runner
  
• Korith the Shadow Warrior
  
• Thagison the Slayer

The following Heroes are available for purchase with earned currency on the Store during this Beta session:

• Aessa the White Lion
  
• Amenadresh the Liche Priest
  
• Bax the Black Orc
  
• Durrig the Engineer
  
• Glowgob the Shaman
  
• Gromki the Runepriest
  
• Ilanya the Sorceress
  
• Korelei the Witch Elf
  
• Nethys the Vampiress
  
• Volrik the Marauder
  
• Zathis the Assassin

The following Heroes have been removed from this Beta session:

• Albodi the Chosen
  
• Kaelin the Dryad
  
• Rockgut the Troll
  
• Tobias the Knight of the Blazing Sun

The removed Heroes were based on feedback and metrics from our previous Beta sessions. Thanks to all those that have contributed bugs, feedback, taken our survey, and just plain played our game to provide this much-needed information that will allow us to tweak them and return them to the mix later as improved Heroes.

Hero Changes

General:

• Fixed a bug where Heroes with immunity to being pulled (i.e. Thagison) weren't properly having this immunity applied.

The following changes have been made to the Heroes available in this Beta:

Aessa:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.
  
• Speed of Asuryan: The tooltip for this effect now classifies it as Offensive.

Amenadresh:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.

Bax:

• Removed Bax's base run speed bonus. Bax now has normal base run speed.
  
• I'm Da Toughest: Now increases healing from I'm Da Biggest by 20% and no longer reduces damage.

Conrad:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.

Durrig:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.

Gromki:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.

Ikkrik:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.
  
• Fixed a bug where the cooldown to Ikkrik's Infernal Bomb didn't reset after respawn.

Ilanya:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.
  
• Increased Ilanya's damage.

Korelei:

• Focused Intensity: Now increases damage done and dodge chance, and no longer makes Korelei unable to dodge.

Korith:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.

Nethys:

• Consume Rapidly: No longer reduces Siphoned Blood's duration.
  
• Seduction: Fixed a bug which could cause enemy hotbar icons to appear disabled even after this effect had ended.

Thagison:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.
  
• Rage: The tooltip for this effect now classifies it as Defensive.

Volrik:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.
  
• Rage: The tooltip for this effect now classifies it as Defensive.

Zathis:

• This Hero's Mastery Tree has been enabled.

Skins

• Skins for Heroes are now available on the Store.
  
• Purchasing a skin on the Store will unlock the alternate appearance on that Hero's profile page.

Scenarios

• Players now cease taking damage once a Scenario has ended.
  
• All player-controlled creatures (such as Bombardment Turrets) are now removed when a Scenario ends.
  
• Black Fire Pass: Fixed a bug which could occasionally cause carried Runes to disappear from the world.
  
• The Arena has been added back to the mix for Scenarios.

Progression

Hero Masteries were introduced in the previous Beta and are now being expanded in this Beta!

A recap of how Masteries work follows:

• Leveling up will allow accounts to gain Mastery Points which may be spent to customize Heroes via their Mastery Tree.
  
• To view the new Mastery Trees for an individual Hero, go to the Profile tab in the Lobby and choose the Hero you wish to view. From there, choose the 'Masteries' tab to view the available choice in that Hero's Tree.
  
• Items available to buy in the Mastery Trees include the following:
  
  • !New! Perks - These items reward players for achieving set requirements within a match. When that requirement is met, the player is granted a bonus for a limited time that rewards them for their effort!
    
  • Tactics - Change how your Hero plays by slotting the appropriate Tactic! Some will be passive tweaks to the Hero while others give a chance for effect based on triggers in combat. Pick the ones that match your play style.
    
  • Alternate Abilities - Improve or change out your Hero's core abilities with these beauties. Designed to complement your existing abilities or flat out replace them, you can pick how your Hero plays!
• Some items purchased with Mastery Points in a Hero Tree are specific to that Hero while others can be used on any Hero!
  
• As soon as you unlock a Mastery, it is immediately added to your Inventory screen which is shared by all Heroes. From there it can be slotted on any eligible Hero. For example, you can unlock Cripple from Bax's Mastery Tree, which is a tactic usable by anyone. Cripple may them be slotted on any Hero you like - not just Bax! However, if you unlock Bax's unique 'An' Stay Down!' Mastery, it is only usable by Bax himself.
  
• To slot a Mastery, click on the Mastery you want to slot and then choose the 'Equip' button on the bottom to put it in one of the three available slots for the Hero you are currently viewing.
  
• Every Hero has 3 slots available to them that will each hold one eligible Mastery from your inventory. Any given Mastery may only be slotted by one Hero at a time. However, you may find or unlock multiple copies of a Mastery, which will then allow you to slot each copy on a different Hero.
  
• When a Mastery is slotted, the icon for that Mastery will grey out if that was your only copy. If you had multiple copies, it will decrement the counter for that Mastery.
  
• Masteries that are ineligible for a particular Hero or are currently slotted elsewhere will be represented in grey.
  
• To unequip a mastery, click on the slot you wish to change and then choose 'unequip' at the bottom of the screen. This will return the Mastery to your inventory as available to use and change the icon color or increment its counter as appropriate.
  
• To assist in Beta testing, experience rewards for all Scenarios have been drastically increased. Please note that these experience rates are strictly for Beta, and are not representative of actual progression times post-launch.

Note: Masteries can only be unlocked on Heroes that are currently 'Owned' by a player. See the Store section for details on how to purchase or 'Own' a Hero. As well, any items unlocked via a Mastery Tree on an 'Owned' Hero can only be used on 'Owned' Heroes. This means that if the Mastery can be used by multiple Heroes, you still must 'Own' the Hero you want to use it on before it can be 'Slotted'.

Perks

• Perks are a new form of Mastery that can be purchased within a Hero's Mastery Tree.
  
• Perks all require that players meet a certain requirement to enable their use in a match. Ex. Kill 25 players to enable Magmastorm.
  
• Once the requirements are met, the Perk will light up in the bottom right and become active. Players can then use the perk at their leisure. Note however that you will not gain any additional credit towards another use of the perk until you use the current activation.
  
• Perks can be used on any Hero as long as the Hero you are trying to equip is 'Owned' by the player. For example, you could level up your Felicia to get Magmastorm and then equip the Perk on Bax; provided you 'Own' both Heroes.

Rewards

As in the previous Beta, the current rate of experience gain is accelerated to promote players being able to achieve higher Mastery levels in an abbreviated testing period.

• The spin reward window will now display a stack of gold when the player wins gold on a spin, rather than a chest.

General

• The throttle for Radio commands has been tweaked to make them feel more responsive.
  
• The Hero select window will show the alternate ability information in the ability descriptions when appropriate.

User Interface

• Fixed a number of issues with the presentation of text, font, and images in various screens.
  
• Tweaked the layout and look of the hotbar for Hero Abilities.
  
• Perks will be displayed next to your ability hotbar based on which slot the perk was equipped in your Inventory screen.
  
• Since a Hero can conceivably equip three different perks, there are three Perk ability buttons that will display in game.
  
• Each Perk ability button has a corresponding hotkey that can be assigned in the Key Bindings. These are not set by default for existing users.
  
• The borders for Perk, Tactics, and Alternate Abilities have been updated.
  
• Passive ability buff icons with stack counters will now display the counters in the upper-right corner of the buff. (ex. Clobberin')
  
• Reskinned the main menu window to fit the style of the interface.

Lobby

General:

• The icon for Gold, earned currency, has been changed in the profile.
  
• In addition to the earned currency, there exists now an additional currency amount in the form of Gems. Gems are currently not used in the Beta and any values in this field are populated solely for internal testing at the moment.

Heroes:

• Profile page will properly display Ranks higher than 255.
  
• The profile page will now show you which Heroes are 'Free', which Heroes are 'Owned', and which Heroes are not usable, but can be purchased.
  
• Grayed out Heroes are not usable until they are purchased.

• As noted in the Progression section, Masteries can only be equipped on 'Owned' Heroes.
  
• Within a specific Hero's detail pages, the Hero graphic will be grayed out if that Hero cannot be used, i.e. it has not been purchased.
  
• Within a specific Hero's detail pages, 'Free' and 'Owned' Heroes will be notated in the top left corner.

• Hero Synergies will now appear in the Hero detail page with any other passive bonuses that Hero may have.

Store:

The Store is now open! Within the Store players will be able to purchase any Hero currently available in the Beta. This includes 'Free' Heroes as those Heroes can be used in matches, but won't allow progression to be unlocked until they are 'Owned'. Players will be able to also purchase alternate Skins for each Hero. All purchase are made currently with the earned currency, Gold.

• The Store will show a player's current balance for Gold and Gems above the Store at any given time.
  
• Gems are not currently usable. Any balance in this field is for internal testing only.
  
• Once purchased, a Hero will shift to 'Owned' status and be available at any time, regardless of whether that Hero is 'Free' during this particular Beta. As well, it will enable use of their Mastery Tree and Masteries.
  
• Along with access to purchase Heroes and Skins, the Store will offer users a list of items 'On Sale' and a list of the 'Hot Items'.
  
• Note that the 'Hot Items' section will be populated as purchases are tabulated so it will be initially empty during the Beta.
  
• Finally, we've included a section to redeem vouchers that can be used to unlock ownership of specific items. This feature is not currently enabled, but look for a test of it later in the Beta.
  
• Additional purchasable items and features will be added to the Store in upcoming Betas.