Mythos/Patch Notes 2007

December 23

 * Party was a ton of fun! I'm back home. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so all will be pretty silent until just after I think - we're going to try to recharge our batteries as much as possible.
 * Hope you all have a happy holidays!

December 19

 * Last day in office before break! We're flying down south tomorrow.
 * Fixed a bunch of remaining things today -
 * Party interactions from portraits work even if you aren't in the same instance/level
 * Ditto for friends context menu/guilds
 * Friendslist clipping issues fixed
 * Fixed Hail of Magma not showing missiles appropriately on client
 * Fixed various skill cooldown issues
 * Fixed issue with fast-clicking doing skill expenditure overrun and wasting your skill points!
 * Friendslist nicknames are back
 * Fixed some corpse explosion damages
 * Reflection removed from bosses - too devastating without real damage tuning going on at higher levels. We'll put it back when it doesn't one-shot you high-damage-dealers
 * Made more boss dungeons farmable
 * Phoenix cooldown fix
 * Antidote durations protect against stone
 * Adrenaline Rush/Thick Skin issue fixed


 * Fired off a build - with any luck it will go into our internal test center tomorrow, and get some good testing before the break, while we're all in-transit to San Francisco. That won't be enough to get it out the door, but that's how hard we're pushing on getting this ready so that we can get it out as fast as possible when we can get back and assure that it is solid - just as a heads up.

December 18

 * Still bugfixing!
 * Fixed ( hopefully ) the inventory de-equip thing during zoning
 * Colossi are looking good - we THINK this might have been a merge issue with the last patch but are trying to make double sure
 * Resists update properly in char sheet on change
 * speed bonuses display properly in char sheet
 * Friends list Ignore Offline works properly
 * Nicknames are almost done getting put back in
 * Fixed crazy urax firewall spell ( and Harduk's while we were at it )
 * Fixed recall charm issue in carniv canyon
 * Made Harduk, the Dino boss, and Zivia resistant to different elemental types, and more resistant to interrupts
 * Fixed issue where pets didn't give XP if they were far away
 * Fixed Tracker's Helm display issue
 * Fixed chat not scrolling with wheel when Achievements were open
 * Brightened up colored item text for easier readability
 * Pets in epic mode don't get the speed/awareness bonuses that enemies do now
 * other odds and ends

We're hoping to get almost everything basically fixed before we leave so that we can get this out as fast as humanly possible immediately after break. Sorry for the bumps in the road, but we'll get 'em smoothed out for you.

December 17

 * Bugfixing! Frankly, more bugs crept in this build than I'm really comfortable with. While none of them are exactly catastrophic, the net effect makes me grumpy. Trying to cram a lot in before a hard vacation deadline, and we just didn't catch as many of these as we would have liked. Apologies to all of you, and thanks for putting up with the mess.
 * We've gathered a load of issue reports from you, and are plugging away at those. You can see a partial list in the other post in this area about reported issues. I'll try to keep a reasonable running tally.
 * Fixed the chat pane issues that sent stuff to the wrong place
 * Fixed achievement scrollbar showing up above worldmap
 * Fixed damage displays. Again. But we'll triple-check it this time.
 * Looking into the various Hireling issues and stats issues now
 * Nerfed Mantis attacks that were so insane to 1/3rd
 * Put Ping back where it belongs. What the heck was up with that?
 * Investigating those 'pauses' that people are seeing. We think this is related to some Single Core code. If you have a Dual-Core and are seeing these, PLEASE let me know, as that will shoot the theory right down.
 * Marsh fixed Quest Tracking unchecking on zone
 * Luck issues fixed
 * Working on getting Friendslist nicks back - looks like it'll happen!
 * Fixed hireling item-dropping issue
 * Still workin' - the day is young!

First Patch of '08 (V.2.0.40.4101, December 19, 2007)
Happy New Year! Our first of many patches for the new year brings you fixes for (as Max puts it) those annoying little things that the last big content dump brought us, plus a few older bugs.


 * Master Chests can now be found in many dungeons. Master Chests may only be opened by a Master Key, which is carried by one monster randomly placed within the dungeon. This encourages a certain amount of dungeon clearing, and we think is a fun little side diversion.

Features

 * Friends list nicknames return
 * UI can now be scaled up further for super-high resolutions

Fixes

 * Chat panes now send messages to the appropriate panes again
 * Burning Colossus not as stupid
 * Damage Bonus calculation display fixed
 * Hirelings no longer drop armor
 * Pets no longer check range on XP distribution
 * Can scroll chat window with mousewheel again while achievements are open
 * Speed bonus display fixed
 * Luck display fixed
 * Rapid Refire no longer fires slowly every other activation
 * Can now invite/interact properly from friends and guild right-click menus
 * HOPEFUL fix for the freezes on single-core machines!
 * Hide Offline works in friends list
 * Tracked quests now don't uncheck when zoning
 * Ping behavior back to normal
 * Various text fixes
 * Colored text brightened for drops to make them more legible
 * Fixed panels remaining open if using the bottom menu button to log out.
 * Fixed Hail of Magma not firing in the correct location
 * Fixed Tracker Helm hiding accessories
 * Nerfed Chitinous Reaver attack
 * Fixed bogus enchants that increased price
 * Fixed achievement scrollbar showing on top of worldmap if simultaneously onscreen
 * Fixed issue with Resist% display not updating properly when swapping items
 * Fixed Meteor memory leak
 * Fixed weaponswap issue with two-handed weapons that were in the off-weaponset when an item required for their use was removed
 * HOPEFUL fix for invite menus sometimes getting stuck onscreen
 * Party XP distribution fixed when in separate levels/zones
 * Monster leveling fixed when parties were in separate levels/zones
 * Recall portals from party members in other areas can't be seen (and with incorrect names) on your menu
 * Fixed some gem stats
 * Fixed some missing strings
 * Some more updated particle effects
 * Fix for Hirelings/Pets standing around dying in whirlwinds
 * Fix for issue breaking out of attacks to move, but still firing the projectile while in motion
 * Desert Temple no longer appears for random quests in zone 1
 * Certain random questgivers in zone 2 were giving only Hive dungeon quests - fixed
 * Fix for bad character-save issue if number of monsters killed exceeded 65535
 * Hirelings sped up a little
 * Pruned main menu grass for better performance on some video cards
 * Goblin statues should be a little bigger, should be easier to see when they're 'activated'
 * Fixed urax firewall damage range
 * Fixed corpse explode damage & range
 * removed rebounding shots on bosses for now
 * Fixed issue with recall charms in canyons
 * Made Harduk and Zivia more resistant to certain elemental types, and stunning
 * Fixed questlog issue with display of boss death state
 * Fixed adrenaline rush/thick skin issue where one couldn't be activated
 * Fixed Phoenix cooldown
 * Fixed bleed on weapons
 * Antidotes protect against stone in the same way they do against poison
 * More Boss quest dungeons don't go away after quest completion
 * Phoenix actually works!
 * Napalm tendril behavior fixed ( had erratic and often overlarge radius of detonation )
 * Right-click party interaction menu functions properly when not in the same level
 * Hirelings won't drop their armor/trinkets when zoning
 * Improved handling of stat-interdependent inventory items during zoning, which should mean that things usually don't get de-equipped during those transitions.

Final 2007 Update
FEATURES
 * Guilds have been added! Speak to the Guildmaster in Tulin's Hope to start one at a cost of 5 Gold.
 * Hardcore Mode has been added, for extra challenge! In Hardcore, when you die - your character is gone forever, so be careful!
 * Elite Mode has been added. In Elite mode, monsters are faster, more aggressive, and tougher. Champions appear more often. You can only sell items for half of regular price.
 * Note that Elite and Hardcore players cannot party or trade with players who do not match their setup, to preserve the economies of these different play styles.
 * Re-specs are now allowed (although not in Hardcore or Elite mode) - speak to a Skillmaster in Stonehill or Tulin's hope. Re-specs are free from level 1 through 5, and above that, cost starts at 1 Gold and increases from there. There is a maximum of 3 re-specs beyond level 5
 * Quests are now Trackable - check them in your log to view them onscreen at all times
 * Maximum Questlog size increased to 8 quests.
 * Hardware Mouse Cursors! This should make mouse response lightning fast. Hooray!
 * Achievements system has been added - complete goals to earn equippable achievements that give you extra bonuses! Unlock a new achievement slot every 10 levels
 * Emotes - there is an emote button above the chat pane that will show you the options
 * Zivia's Puzzle Box!
 * Party Finder – post your party and description and meet some new friends! You can also post yourself as looking for group to the list.
 * Ignore List is now account-based and actually saves.

Content Additions

 * Mossy Gothic Tileset.
 * Sand Temple Tileset.
 * Goblin City Tileset.
 * 2 New Boss Battles.
 * Many new monsters.
 * New monster spawn layouts for Zone 2 that are much improved.
 * New Gadgeteer Dusters and Mage gear – including non-robe Mage gear..
 * Tulin's Hope has guard patrols.
 * Lots of new uniques! Some of our forum-goers might recognize a few of these...
 * New socketable gemstones.
 * New level decorations and breakables in zone 2 outdoors.
 * Lots of new sounds.
 * Many particle updates.
 * A few new quests

Improvements

 * Quest titles are color-coded by difficulty relative to your level.
 * Maximum town player population has been increased.
 * Chat instance size has been increased.
 * Faster auto-map performance.
 * You can purchase directly to equipment slots if they are empty.
 * Ants are now more interesting as monsters.
 * Zombies now no longer crawl out of the same hole.
 * Skills only charge mana once they have fired, so you don't lose mana if interrupted during a warmup.
 * You can now see party member mana.
 * Chat box now waits a second before fading in, and does not fade in if LMB is down.
 * Questlog improved - shows the full text of quests.
 * Quest system streamlined - no more multiple clicking to accept quests! Quests automatically advance to the next chained quest too, so you don't have to re-click on the NPC.
 * Chat enhancements. (context prefix, auto switch to pane when chatting to a different pane, etc.)
 * All buildings/props now have bottom faces for nicer vanity views.
 * Bargain Hunter shows you item requirements, and has a new icon to help identify him.
 * Hirelings can have equipment and can be healed (use CTRL-hotkey to quickly heal them with potions from your Active Bar, or drag from your inventory onto their portrait.)
 * Improved travel menu lists locations on the right. You may travel by clicking directly on the name. Additionally, legs of the journey are color coded to show you the furthest extent to which you may warp.
 * Luck and Speed Bonuses displayed in details pane.
 * Changing options that require restart should notify you that this is the case.
 * Random quest-giver has better loot, and 3 choices.
 * Chat box background is a little more opaque.
 * Anchorstone can be placed in your Active Bar.

Tuning

 * Leveling rate improved - monsters now give about 30-35% more XP.
 * Monsters about 15% tougher.
 * Rifle damage nerfed past level 7 or so - it was pretty excessive.
 * Partied players now get 100% credit for each monster kill.
 * Quest XP balanced where it was ridiculously low (or oddly high).
 * Trinkets now appear with higher level random stats at later levels.
 * Trinkets have varying level requirements - low-level trinkets have no level requirement.
 * Fang Rexes, Tongued Lashers, Boars have improved HP.
 * Flaming Fist now has a higher interrupt chance, making it more useful.
 * Early quest ranges re-leveled to take into account our faster leveling rates.
 * Epic dungeons no longer give solo players full party credit (it was 3x!) for each kill.
 * Mage robes now get damage effect affixes.
 * Hollow Archer damage and refire speed reduced, accuracy reduced as well.
 * Wider hit buffer on attack ranges to give you a better chance of hitting fleeing monsters.
 * Pathing is improved when pathing to unreachable locations.
 * More revised level layouts to make different level types more distinct.
 * Item colors have been reorganized - the current progression is Green->Blue->Purple->Gold->Yellow(Unique)

Fixes

 * Friends list actually scrolls now, and properly sorts by tab.
 * Several memory leaks repaired.
 * Various network connectivity and stability fixes that we inherited from Hellgate. Thanks, guys!
 * When going to a map location which you cannot fully warp to, you will begin walking at the nearest location - not the beginning!
 * Pet icons shouldn't disappear, and neither should party members if they are on the same level.
 * Monsters now respond to hits outside of their range - no more potshotting them at the corner of the screen!
 * Disappearing item bug should be fixed.
 * Pets shouldn’t lurk in town after logout.
 * Hopeful fix for the unloadable characters?
 * Student Shoulders and Master Shoulders fixed.
 * Sky in intro scene shouldn’t look crummy on Low quality shaders.
 * Many quest fixes.
 * Blurry texture in Heath clearing fixed.
 * Attempted fix for that nasty cave corner where everything gets stuck.
 * Fixed up some of the crummier item affixes.
 * Various incorrect skill icons fixed.
 * Satyr male chain coif fixed.
 * NPC satyrs now have horns.
 * Fixed weird disappearing bosses with out of range resistances.
 * Fixed irritating map bug that made it difficult to click on a location.
 * Fixed goblin runt starting levels.
 * Fix for some improperly leveled dungeons.
 * Several bugs with Hireling damage and speeds fixed.
 * Fixed monster poisons.
 * Failed trades now show a proper message instead of a window that blinks immediately off.
 * Fixed some oddly fullbright models.
 * Tongued Lashers can stun again.
 * Spin buttons on character select larger.
 * A ridiculous ton of skill fixes and balancing.
 * Stuck skills can now get ‘unstuck’ by casting the skill again.
 * Warping champions now don't do it so often.

Skill Balance Work

 * Piercing Barrage was often doing double damage, as well as too much of that. Fixed. Also doesn't do infinitesimal poison damage in early tier.
 * Suppression and Mind Control widgets now no longer target the same monster.
 * Blood Command missiles show proper speed on client.
 * Flame Serpents third node damage bonus doubled.
 * Razor Aura reduces max mana by 25% while on.
 * Human male Gadgeteer Deafening Shot animation fixed.
 * Bauble trap has a little less health.
 * And many, many more balance changes! More than we can remember to list.