PATCH 9.2 (balance updates & improvements)


UNIT UPDATES
============
» Dremer Smashers (Dremer) base damage decreased to 18, down from 19; hit points increased to 60, up from 52
» Fanatics (Infernal) 'Blood for Mana' ability grants 75 mana, up from 50; 'Blood for Knowledge' ability grants 30 research, up from 25; unit no longer gains experience
» Holy Sentinels (neutral) 'Healing Prayer' ability range increased to 2, up from 1; level-up table modified
» Monstrous Spiders (monster) build time decreased to 2, down from 3
» Shadow Spiders (hostile) given 'Spirit Web' ability (deals some spirit damage & stuns/grounds unit for 1 turn)


LORD UPDATES
=============
» Ace Harpy (usual) gains 'Scout' (+1 sight)
» Gizmo Gearheart (famous) base damage increased to 17, up from 15
» Gamroa, the Firemind (legendary) base damage increased to 28, up from 25
» Glade Seraph (legendary) base damage increased to 17, up from 15
» Skeleton King (legendary) 'Battle March' and 'Music of Madness' affect the target friendly undead unit, in addition to those surrounding it
» Zurg the Impaler (legendary) 'Rusty Spear' range increased to 3, up from 2; cooldown increased to 3, up from 2; ability damage increased


BUILDING UPDATES
=================
» Defiler Hive (Dremer) production increased to 5 mana (was 3 mana)
» Dremer Stash (Dremer) production increased to 2 gold, 2 food (was 2 gold, 1 food)
» Tainted Obelisk (Dremer) upkeep decreased to 8 gold (was 8 gold, 2 mana)
» Crabber's Hut (Naga) production increased to +50% (was +25%)
» Arcane Vault (Infernal) upkeep decreased to 1 mana (was 2 mana)
» Pool of Life (Sylvan) upkeep decreased to 2 gold (was 4 gold)


OTHER UPDATES
==============
» Sabotage (ranged hero ability) range increase to 3, up from 2; cooldown increased to 4, up from 3
» Ravaged Soul (Dremer bane) resistance decrease doubled; duration increased to 3 turns, up from 2
» Self-Repair (construct level-up) regeneration increased to +3, up from +2
» Vashara the Beguiler (Great Mage) is more likely to betray allies
» Tax Collector! (event) adjusted to provide more appealing options
» Serpent Blade (artifact) 'Hit and Run' replaced with +15% death damage and +1xp /turn


FIXES & NOTES
=============
» Fanatics (Infernal) sacrificial abilites now 'self-destruct' this unit rather than kill it, so it will no longer appear in the list of ressurectable units

------------------------------

PATCH 9.1 (balance updates & improvements)


UNIT UPDATES
============
» Adepts of Lunord (undead) now deal bonus damage to structures; base damage decreased to 28, down from 30
» Dremer Reavers (dremer) base damage increased to 20, up from 18; hit points decreased to 52, down from 56
» Elven Archers (sylvan order) movement decreased to 4, down from 5
» Elven Sharpshooters (sylvan order) movement decreased to 4, down from 5
» Turtle Hatchlings (sylvan order) portrait artwork updated
» Spirit of Darkness (arethi elves) gains 'Lesser Regeneration' perk (+4 regeneration)
» Holy Sentinels (neutral) 'Holy/Healing Prayer' action now applies the 'Thriving' buff (+10 regeneration; lasts 2 turns)


LORD UPDATES
=============
» Grimwood (famous lord) 'Grim Aura' now adds -25 spirit resistance debuff to adjacent hostile units
» Olden Ghost (famous lord) gains 'Spectral Vision' perk (can see invisible units); loses 'Insight' perk
» Runespeaker (legendary lord) base damage increased to 25, up from 24; range decreased to 2, down from 3
» Sachi, Tribal Huntress (legendary lord) 'Aura of Xolotl' now adds -25 spirit resistance debuff to adjacent hostile units
» Zurg the Impaler (legendary lord) 'Pole Strike' action now hits up to two targets in a line


OTHER UPDATES
===============
» Blessing of Life (Agrela spell) population buff decreased to 75, down from 90
» Cultural Revolution (Great Mage perk) population buff decreased to +15%, down from +20%
» Insight (unit perk) experience increased to +4, up from +3
» Aura of Insight (unit perk) experience increased to +4, up from +3
» Tree of Knowledge (sylvan building) research decreased to +2, down from +3
» Red Dragons Nest (common building) adds +2 research
» Elven Crafters (common building) no longer produces gold; upkeep changed to 1 gold, 1 food; renamed 'Elven Fletchers'
» Gambling Hall (common building) gold generation increased to 75%, up from 50%

The changes to 'Elven Crafters' and 'Gambling Hall' are more of a simplification (i.e., there should only be one gold-generating building for the Elven Village resource node)


FIXES & NOTES
=============
» Gift of Time (healer lord action) can now properly enchant ANY friendly unit (including undead & those with spirit immunity)
» Mara Dispel (healer lord action) can now properly enchant ANY friendly unit (including undead & those with spirit immunity)

------------------------------

PATCH 9.0: RISE OF THE KOATLS (new content & improvements)

NOTE: While this patch should be compatible with older versions of Renaissance Mod, saved games may see anomalies with a few units (Koatl Shamans, High Koatl lord, and many ratmen units). If your saved game includes a number of these units, you may wish to start a new game.


NEW CONTENT
=============
A new branch of koatl caster units are available to all factions. The base unit, Koatl Ritualists, requires a 'Barrow' resource node to build. Additionally, all koatl units now have the 'Dragonslayer' perk {+50% damage to dragons}, allowing all units in their ranks (including koatl lords) to act as a hard counter to dragons.

Similarly, ratmen units of the Monsters faction have received an overhaul in which the original units have all graduated to a higher tier. A new tier 1 creature-class ratmen unit has been added, while Ratmen Pirates now function as the tier 3 divine unit for Fervus. Combined, these changes offer additional upgrade potential to this entire line, breathing a bit more excitement into the Monsters faction.

» Ancenstral Ground (starter perk) *NEW* allows the player to begin with a Barrow resource node for a cost of '3'
» Ratman Ruffians (Monsters unit) *NEW* common fighter unit; replaces original 'Ratman Robbers' unit with similar stats, now 'creature' class; may be upgraded to 'Ratman Robbers'
» Ratman Robbers (Monsters unit) *REWORKED* advanced fighter unit; replaces original 'Ratman Pirates' unit with similar stats; has 'Coin Thief' {produces 2 gold}; may be upgraded to 'Ratman Pirates' and 'Paladins of Agrela'
» Ratman Pirates (Monsters unit) *REWORKED* elite fighter unit with Melee and Death magic damage; hits target and adjacent units; has 'Pillage' {produces 5 gold}; applies the 'Bleeding' debuff; replaces 'Koatl Shamans' as Fervus divine unit
» Koatl Ritualists (allied unit) *NEW* advanced magic unit with Elemental and Death magic damage; has 'Healing Totem' action; deals +50% damage to dragons; may be upgraded to 'Koatl Shamans'
» Kotal Shamans (allied unit) *REWORKED* elite magic unit with Elemental, Death and Life magic damage; has 'Healing Totem' and 'Kiss of Itzlacoliuhque' {death damage w/ stun} actions; deals +50% damage to dragons
» Ancestral Stones (common building) *NEW* built on 'Barrow'; allows recruitment of 'Koatl Ritualists'
» Serpentine Altar (common building) *NEW* allows recruitment of 'Koatl Shamans'; requires 'Ancestral Stones' in a tier 3 city


LORD UPDATES
==============
Due to lack of space here, click for details:
https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/493257789/4932019356818491098/


UNIT UPDATES
=============
» Rats (wild/summon) base damage increased to 6, up from 5
» Wild Serpents (wild) hit points increased to 10, up from 8
» Snowy Wolfmen (wild) 'Spirit Claws' replaced with 'Frost Paws' {50% elemental damage & applies the 'Frostbite' debuff}
» Shadow Dragons (wild) base damage increased to 50, up from 45
» Shadow Dragon (summon) base damage increased to 40, up from 35
» Black Minotaurs (netural) gain 'Intimidation Aura' {-20% unit power to adjacent enemies}
» Archers of Helia (Human) base damage increased to 18, up from 16
» Beastmasters (Human) base damage increased to 24, up from 22; +2 unit support, up from +1
» Fanatics (Infernal) build time decrased to 3, down from 4
» Flayers (Infernal) movement increased to 4, up from 3; build time increased to 4, up from 3; loses 'Self Replication' ability (Mind Flayers retain this ability)
» Mind Flayers (Infernal) build time increased to 4, up from 3
» Cloned Mind Flayers (Infernal) gain 'Infinite Odds' perk {50% chance to ressurect as permanent unit upon death}; unit renamed 'Mind Flayer Clones'
» Nightstalkers (Infernal) gain 'Life Mastery' {+100% life damage}
» Crabbers (Naga) gain 'Armor Crusher' {+50% damage to armored}; upkeep increased slightly; portrait enhanced/enlarged to better differentiate from Naga Settlers
» Dragon Bearmen (Sylvan) 'Boulder Throw' ability replaced with 'Rock Hurl' ability (slightly lower damage)
» Druids (Sylvan) gain 'Support unit' {+1 support}
» Skeleton Veterans (Undead) may be upgraded to 'Paladins of Death' {requires Temple of Dauros}


OTHER UPDATES
===============
» Esmeralda the Gypsy (Great Mage) 'Old Orb' replaced by 'Ancestral Ground' & 'Evangelist'
» Serpent Queen Zhörea (Great Mage) 'Scholar' replaced by 'Dragon Whisperer'
» Tlalocian (Great Mage) 'Pig Pen' and 'Shocking Weapon' replaced by 'Ancestral Ground'
» Excavations (common building) takes 4 turns to build, up from 3
» Perceptive (level-up perk) XP/turn increased to +3, up from +2
» Cloaking Mists (purchased perk) now available to construct class; adds +10% spirit damage; renamed 'Cloak of Mists'
» Kraken Nest (loot location) spawns tier 3 'Deep-Water Kraken' units earlier in the game, but spawns all krakens less often
» Ratmen Hole (loot location) renamed 'Rat's Nest'; no longer produces Wild Ratmen; spawns units slightly more often
» Snake's Nest (loot location) spawns units slightly more often
» Anti-Magic Rune (spell) cost reduced to 60, down from 80
» Lightning Web (spell) cast time reduced to 0.8, down from 1
» Greater Dispel (spell) icon swaped with 'Purify' {for consistency with Dauros spells}
» Purify (spell) icon swaped with 'Greater Dispel' {for consistency with Dauros spells}
» Transmutation Coils (Infernal building) gold production increased to 8, up from 7
» Totem of Patecatl (totem) regneration reduced to 6, down from 10


FIXES & NOTES
=============
» Plaguewalker (Svart) 'Gazer Beam' ability properly hits 2 additional hexes, up from 1
» All runes and totems have been normalized: they last 3 turns and have the 'peaceful' class
» Lands of Order (spell) icon updated with Dauros icon {for consistency with other religious terraforming spells}
» Air Support (starter perk) retired
» Cloned Flayers (Infernal unit) retired
» Wild Ratmen (hostile unit) retired

------------------------------

PATCH 8.5 (updates, fixes & new content)


NEW CONTENT
=============
» Amber Waves (starter perk) allows the player to begin with an Amber resource node for a cost of '7'
» Arm of the Sea (starter perk) allows the player to begin with a Naga settler unit for a cost of '7'
» Song of Serenity (spell) -2 unrest per turn on faction; lasts 5 turns {cost: 125 mana; researchable: requires 'Propoganda'}
» Timekeeper (crafting) adds '-1 on all cooldowns' to high-level crafted artifacts {requires 'Mind of the Ancients'}
» Cloak and Dagger (AI-oriented event) grants faction +30% spirit damage; +30 spirit resistance; invisibility {occurs only on higher game difficulties}


UNIT UPDATES
=============
» Flayers & their clones (Infernal) hit points increased to 29, up from 25
» Mind Flayers & their clones (Infernal) hit points increased to 43, up from 37; movement increased to 4, up from 3
» Roc (Sylvan) hit points increased to 28, up from 27
» Roc Matriarch (Sylvan) hit points increased to 42, up from 40
» Dragon Bearmen (Sylvan) given 'Boulder Throw' action
» Plaguemaw Bats (Sylvan) given ranged attack (was melee); regeneration decreased to 4, down from 8
» Storm Drakes (Monsters) regeneration increased to 8, up from 4
» Crabbers (Naga) hit points increased to 42, up from 36; cost increased to 175 gold, up from 150; upkeep changed to 3 gold, 5 food
» Lifegivers (Planestrider) movement increased to 4, up from 3; 'Pure Life' action gives +10 regeneration buff for 2 turns; 'Stream of Life' action affects all hexes around caster {which fixes this action}
» Grum-Gog's Risen (Undead) base damage increased to 18, up from 16
» Holy Sentinels (neutral/hostile) given 'True Sight' perk, allowing them to detect invisble units
» Mist Elementals (summon) base damage increased to 15, up from 12; hit points increased to 50, up from 32; gains 20 death resistance; given 'Hydroblast' action; upkeep increased to 9 mana, up from 6


LORD UPDATES
=============
» Labyrinth Runner (usual lord) movement increased to 4, up from 3
» Terraformess (famous lord) base damage increased by 1; given 'Terra Mutate' action & leveling improvements, including a new 'Cleansing Charm' action (restores a land hex & grants permanent XP bonus)
» Imp Advisor (famous lord) movement increased to 4, up from 3
» Redeemer (famous lord) one 'Magic Item' slot replaced with 'Magic Weapon'
» Orc Berserker (legendary lord) range decreased to 2, down from 3; base damage decreased to 10, down from 12


SPELL UPDATES
==============
» Call of Suzerain (spell) casting time reduced by 50%
» Summon Piranhas (spell) replaces 'Summon Mist Elementals' in spell tree
» Summon Mist Elementals (spell) cost increased to 80 mana, up from 60; replaces 'Summon the Evil' in spell tree
» Summon the Evil (spell) removed from spell tree {may still be chosen as a starter perk}
» Make Land Barren (spell) cost reduced to 15 mana, down from 20
» Lunar Thief (Lunord spell) now steals 15 gold per turn, up from 10
» Mana Vampirism (Krypta spell) now steals 15 mana per turn, up from 10
» Sunstorm (Helia spell) now also applies a bane called 'Helia's Judgment' that reduces elemental resistance by 50; cost increased to 300 mana, up from 290; renamed 'Sunfire'


BUILDING UPDATES
================
» Excavations (common building) provides +15 research, up from +12; upkeep increased to 15 gold, up from 10
» Dremer Farm (Dremer building) renamed 'Bio-Farm'
» Metabolic Cluster (Dremer building) improved to 75% food production, up from 50%
» Summoning Vesicles (Dremer building) given +1 research
» Hall of Masters (Planestrider building) 'Masters' Traditions' perk available to naval class
» Onodrome (Planestrider building) 'Modern Technology' perk available to naval class
» Order of Planesmarines (Planestrider building) 'Capital Ship' perk changed to 'Coastal Raider' perk {also available to constructs}


OTHER UPDATES
==============
» Dead World (starter perk) cost increased to 5 points, up from 2
» Elven World (starter perk) cost increased to 5 points, up from 2
» Summon the Evil (starter perk) cost decreased to 3 points, down from 5
» Curative Contamination (action) renamed 'Contaminating Salve'
» Survivalist (perk) no longer allows passibility on dense/hilly terrain
» Agrela's Divine Gift (epic perk) death resistance increased to +35, up from +25
» Helia's Divine Gift (epic perk) adds +10 spirit resistance
» Krypta's Divine Gift (epic perk) loses +25 elemental resistance
» Twilight Channeler (Dremer perk) mana production increased to 2, up from 1
» Twilight Miner (Dremer perk) gold production increased to 2, up from 1
» Sheltered Regeneration (turtle buff) renamed to 'Shellbound'
» Crystal Keeper (great mage) given 'Instructor' starter perk
» Bow of Shadows (artifact) ranged damange increased by +15%

------------------------------

RETIRED CONTENT:
» Ancient Clay (starter perk)
» Doom (randomly found spell)
» Mana Leech (randomly found spell)

------------------------------

FIXES:
» Three Questions (quest) fixed a bug where the correct answer was not opening the gate
» Bloodlust (action) will now appropriately trigger on units with death magic immunity
» Stream of Life (action) improved and fixed to trigger properly

------------------------------

PATCH 8.4.2a (hotfix)


FIXES
=====
» Fixed a bug introduced in patch 8.4.2 that was adding extra line-breaks to various descriptions

------------------------------

PATCH 8.4.2 (balance updates & improvements)


NEW CONTENT
============
» Living Death (starter perk) gives +1 regeneration to units with 'Dead' (i.e., Cannot be healed by life magic) status


UNIT UPDATES
=============
» Taishar Knights (Arethi Elves) base damage increased to 13, up from 11
» Taishar Firsts (Arethi Elves) base damage increased to 20, up from 17; hit points increased to 55, up from 50
» Devils (Infernals) level-up scheme improved (includes perks for +20% power & bonus damage to buildings)
» Archdevils (Infernals) level-up scheme improved (includes perks for +20% power & bonus damage to buildings)
» Adjudicators (Infernals) base damage increased to 19, up from 18
» Agrella's Shepherds (Sylvan Order) base damage increased to 25, up from 20
» Master of Arrows (Planestriders) 'Stealth' cooldown reduced to 4, down from 5
» Storm Drakes (Monsters) hit points increased to 50, up from 45
» Battleship (Svart) base damage increased to 18, up from 16
» Vengeful Ghosts (Undead) base damage increased to 18, up from 17; 'Terror of Death' damage increased to 20, up from 17
» Faerie Dragons (Naga) new portrait artwork


LORD UPDATES
=============
» Sand Stalter (famous lord) movement increased to 5, up from 4; 'Stealth' cooldown reduced to 4, down from 5
» Mountain King (famous lord) base damage increased to 20, up from 18
» Olden Ghost (famous lord) base damage increased to 17, up from 16
» Raven Spymaster (famous lord) base damage increased to 14, up from 13; gains +1 sight; 'Slingshot' action cooldown reduced to 2, down from 3
» Voodoo Chieftain (famous lord) 'Spirit Web' damage increased by 25%
» Terraformess (famous lord) base damage increased to 19, up from 18; 'Infuse with Life' action range increased to 3; 'Flood the Land' action now floods target hex plus all surrounding hexes; 'Cold Snap' action renamed 'Frostforge'
» Spirit Walker (legendary lord) 'Ancestral Healing' and 'Mass Ancestral Healing' no longer cause raw magic lands
» Sachi, Tribal Huntress (legendary lord) 'Swamp Guerilla' perk power reduced to +50%, down from +100%


OTHER UPDATES
===============
» Koatl Worshippers (starter perk) has been retired (this gave one Koatl Atlatls unit)

BUILDINGS:
» Chamber of Blades (Arethi Elves) upkeep increased to 8 gold, up from 4
» Hall of Alchemy (Arethi Elves) upkeep increased to 3 gold, up from 2
» Hall of Research (Arethi Elves) upkeep increased to 3 gold, up from 2
» Silverwork Armoury (Human) 'Silver Weaponry' perk now granted to construct class
» Tree of Knowledge (Sylvan Order) adds +3 base research in addition to the 50% boost; upkeep increased by 1 gold

GREAT MAGES:
» King Lich VI (Undead) loses 'Chanter' & 'Shocking Weapon' and gains 'Living Death'
» Tlalocian (Monsters) loses 'Koatl Worshippers' and gains 'Pig Pen' & 'Shocking Weapon'

AI BALANCE:
» Normal difficulty increased, providing a better bridge between Casual and Challenging
» Challenging and Impossible difficulty decreased slightly
» Challenging and Impossible difficulty unit spawn & build times tweaked (to prevent excessive unit spam)
» All-Powerful (Great Mage AI perk) power reduced to +25%, down from +30%; spirit immunity changed to +25 spirit resistance

SPELLS:
» Alchemical Reversal (spell) improved to reduce gold production by 25%, down from 50%
» Shadow Curse (spell) now also increases unrest per turn by 2 on the cursed player

ACTIONS:
» Nature's Grace (healing lord action) perk now lasts 5 turns (up from 3); new icon artwork
» Penetrating Arrow (ranged lord action) now adds a physical damage debuff

QUESTS:
» A Strange Finding (quest) instant reward option extended to Monster faction (in addition to Arethi Elves)

FIXES:
» Helia's Divine Gift (epic perk) grants +300 elemental resistance (rather than full elemental immunity); this allows the casting of enchantments on the gifted unit
» Spider Hatcher (Undead) no longer flagged as a unique city building

------------------------------

PATCH 8.4.1 (balance updates)


DIFFICULTY MODES
=================
» 'Challenging' mode has been made easier to better bridge the gap between it and 'Normal' mode
» 'Impossible' mode has been made slightly easier {powerful AI faction perks won't trigger quite as soon}


LORD UPDATES
=============
The following changes were made to increase the pool of higher tier lords available in the mid and late game.

» Grimwood (usual hero) reworked as a tier 3 lord (famous hero), up from tier 2:
- base damage increased to 15, up from 10
- hit points increased to 80, up from 70
- begins with 'Rootfeed' action & 'Rootfeed' lasts 10 turns, up from 5
- given 'Lesser Regeneration' perk (+4 regen)
- upkeep increased to 4 food, 11 mana (was 2 food, 11 mana)
- cost increased to 700 gold
- 'Usual Hero' perk changed to 'Famous Hero' perk

» Raven Spymaster (usual hero) reworked as a tier 3 lord (famous hero), up from tier 2:
- base damage increased to 13, up from 10
- hit points increased to 45, up from 38
- gains 'Summon Old Crows' (replaces 'Summon Crows')
- gains an armor slot (replaces 1 magic item slot)
- level up scheme updated to include 'Frost Trap' action
- upkeep increased to 10 gold, 3 food, 2 mana (was 7 gold, 2 food, 1 mana)
- cost increased to 700 gold
- 'Usual Hero' perk changed to 'Famous Hero' perk

» Voodoo Chieftain (usual hero) reworked as a tier 3 lord (famous hero), up from tier 2:
- base damage increased to 17, up from 13
- hit points increased to 52, up from 40
- movement points increased to 4, up from 3
- 'Voodoo Healing' action power increased slightly
- upkeep increased to 8 gold, 3 food, 5 mana (was 8 gold, 2 food, 3 mana)
- cost increased to 700 gold
- 'Usual Hero' perk changed to 'Famous Hero' perk

» Halfall (usual hero) reworked as a tier 3 lord (famous hero), up from tier 2:
- base damage increased to 21, up from 18
- hit points increased to 55, up from 52
- given 'Mutant Hybrid' perk (+10 melee, +10 missle, +10 elemental, +10 death resists; gains 'dremer' status)
- 'Munchkin' perk changed to 'Jack of all Trades' perk (+2 gold, +2 mana, +2 research production)
- upkeep increased to 9 gold, 9 food (was 5 gold, 9 food)
- cost increased to 700 gold
- 'Usual Hero' perk changed to 'Famous Hero' perk

Giving Halfall 'Dremer' status gives the Dremer faction another lord. This also fits with his lore, as he's described as a mix of all races.

--

With these changes, the 60 lords breakdown as follows:
- 18 usual lords (tier 2)
- 24 famous lords (tier 3)
- 18 legendary lords (tier 4)


OTHER UNIT UPDATES
===================
» Gizmo Gearheart (famous hero) upkeep reduced to 8 gold, 1 food, 5 mana (was 8 gold, 1 food, 6 mana)
» Mountain King (famous hero) upkeep reduced to 10 gold, 5 food (was 13 gold, 5 food)
» Olden Ghost (famous hero) hit points increased to 35, up from 32
» Earth Elementals (elves, summoned, hostile) elemental resistance reduced to 75, down from 90
» Greater Earth Elementals (hostile) elemental resistance reduced to 75, down from 90
» Life Elementals (summoned, hostile) now trainable by Arethi Elves with Elemental Nexus; healing action replaced with 'Spark of Life' (minor healing spell); hit points reduced to 22, down from 24


OTHER UPDATES
===============
» He Has it All (starting perk granting 'Halfall') cost increased to 8 points, up from 6
» Well of Krakens (building) removed from all factions *except* Naga
» Kraken Caller (starter perk) renamed 'Kraken Queller'
» Dremer Stash (dremer building) production changed to +2 gold, +1 food (was +2 gold, +2 food)
» Hinterland Retreat (sylvan building) 'Forestry Training' perk count reduced to 3, down from 4
» Rise of the Dead (spell) cast time reduced to 1 turn, down from 2; Rotting Zombies (unit) given updated portrait
» Corrupting Vapors (spell) damage increased to 9, up from 8; cost increased to 40, up from 35
» Combat Veteran (great mage perk) power boost reduced to +10%, down from +15%
» A few "weaker" Great Mages have been tweaked to provide stronger opposition


FIXES
=====
» Clarified all terraforming spell tooltips to include whether the spell effects contaminated lands and/or removes dense terrain


------------------------------

PATCH 8.4 (balance & difficulty updates)


DIFFICULTY MODES
=================
At the request of several players, all difficulty levels have been shifted / increased as follows:

» Relaxed - sligthly more difficult
» Casual - moderatly more difficult
» Normal - significantly more difficult; similar to Renaissance Mod's prior 'Challenging' mode
» Challenging - significantly more difficult; similar to Renaissance Mod's prior 'Impossible' mode
» Impossible - NEW! - consider this 'Super-Impossible' mode; similar to 'Impossible' but with increased player unrest, decreased AI build time, and AI players get more powerful units and faction perks sooner


NEW CONTENT!
=============
» Hubris (starter perk) grants 5 additional starter points; food, gold & mana production reduced by -10% each
» Power Overwhelming (AI quest) applies a new 'All-Powerful' boon to all faction units: +1 sight, +1 movement, +30% power, +25 melee / missile / elemental / death resists, spirit immunity; this Great Mage perk is RARE in the new 'Impossible' mode and VERY RARE in the new 'Challenging' mode


STARTER PERKS
==============
» Magnate (mage perk) gold production increased to +12, up from +10
» Magic Speed (spell) perk cost increased to 2 points, up from 1 to improve multiplayer balance
» All Fired Up (unit: Flamedancer) perk retired to improve multiplayer balance
» Renaissance Man (unit: Gizmo Gearheart) perk retired to improve multiplayer balance
» Magical Genius (unit: Ley Inverse-Gabriev) perk restored


UNIT UPDATES
============
» Grimwood (usual hero) base damage increased to 10, up from 9; level-up healing abilities improved
» UAG-19 (usual hero) movement increased to 4, up from 3
» Enlightend Shaman (usual hero) 'Cleric's Sympathy' action healing bonus increased to 100%, up from 50%; now targets all friendly units (not just living units)
» Bonebreaker Troll (famous hero) regeneration reduced to +15, down from +20
» Redeemer (famous hero) deals greater % spirit damage and less % life damage
» Sachi, Tribal Huntress (legendary hero) 'Swamp Guerilla' level-up perk power improved to +100%, up from +50%
» Runespeaker (legendary hero) all 'Mark of [element]' actions cooldown reduced to 4, down from 5
» The Turtle Incarnate (naga) given 'Strong Swimmer' perk (+1 movement on water)
» Turtle Hatchlings (sylvan) movement increased to 3, up from 2; movement type changed to tritonic; resistances now apply on water AND land
» Elder Turtles (sylvan) movement increased to 3, up from 2; based damage increased to 15, up from 14
» Ancient Turtle (sylvan) movement increased to 3, up from 2; given 'Home Waters' perk (+20% power, +1 movement, +10 missile/melee/elemental resist on water)
» Vengeful Ghosts (undead) base damage increased to 17, up from 15; cost increased to 650 gold, up from 600
» Samolom (svart) upkeep changed to 6 gold, 2 mana (was 6 gold, 2 food)
» Destructor (svart) upkeep changed to 10 gold, 5 mana (was 10 gold, 5 food)
» Old Trolls (monster) regeneration reduced to +15, down from +20


DREMER UPDATES
================
Combined, the following updates make the Dremer economy a little easier to manage:

» Dremer Workers (unit) upkeep reduced to 2 food, down from 3
» Defiler Roaches (unit) 'Contamination' action renamed 'Curative Contamination' {to indicate this is a healing unit}
» Defiler Nest (building) mana increased to +2, up from +1; upkeep increased to 1 gold, 2 food (was 1 gold, 1 food)
» Energizing Matrix, Refining Matrix, Revealing Matrix (buildings) upkeep reduced to 1 gold, down from 2
» Sensory Node (building) research increased to +2, up from +1; upkeep increased to 2 gold, 2 mana (was 2 gold, 1 mana)
» Summoning Stones (building) upkeep changed to 5 mana, 2 food (was 7 mana); name changed to 'Summoning Vesicles'
» Dremer Hoard (building) gives +50% gold, up from +25%
» Adrenal Shell (building) upkeep changed to 1 gold, 1 mana, 1 food (was 3 gold)
» Solaria (building) upkeep reduced to 4 gold, down from 5; 'Mutagenesis' perk removed (added to 'Pool of Evolution')
» Pool of Evolution (building) production changed to +1 mana (was +1 research); upkeep reduced to 5 gold, 2 food (down from 6 gold, 2 food); 5x 'Mutagenesis' perk available
» Feeding Vat (building) upkeep reduced to 5 gold, down from 6


OTHER UPDATES
===============
» Fortifications (mage perk) building durability increased by 100%, up from 50% {this is generally an AI-only perk}
» Shrine of the Dragon (naga building) research increased to +3, up from +2; mana reduced to +1, down from +2
» Feeding Dock (sylvan builidng) upkeep reduced to 5 gold, down from 6
» Cradle of Elements (sylvan building) upkeep increased to 2 food, up from 1
» Sylvan Order mana/research branch of building tree adjusted with Cradle of Elements available sooner
» Inevitability (spell) glyph slots increased from 1 to 2
» Contaminated Lands (spell) cost reduced to 75, down from 100
» Emperor Baalphegor (great mage) starting perks reworked to include Hubris & Old Sceptor
» Zhora (great mage) renamed 'Zhörea'; earlier Renaissance Mod artwork restored
» Various Great Mages with 'Magic Speed' updated to accommodate increased cost of starter perk
» Innovations (quest chain) now rewards artifacts rather than glyphs
» Dragon's Nest (lootable lair) loot drop rates reduced significantly


FIXES
=====
» Inevitability (spell) magic type changed to Elemental from Death {spell will now properly land on undead units}
» Corrected a few typos


------------------------------

PATCH 8.3.3 (balance updates)


NEW!
=====
» Tree of Knowledge (sylvan building) +50% research; requires Roc Roost


UNIT UPDATES
============
» Turtle Hatchlings (sylvan) hit points increased to 30, up from 28
» Elder Turtles (sylvan) hit points increased to 55, up from 52
» Vengeful Ghosts (undead) 'Terror of Death' action damage increased slightly & cooldown reduced by 1
» Shadow Dragon (summon) 'Spiritfire Breath' action added {spirit damage to 3 hexes in line}
» Spirit Walker (legendary hero) range increased to 3, up from 2
» Mad Peasants (hostile) no longer respawn when defeated; instead given 'Intimidation Aura' (-20% power to adjacent enemy units)
» Shadow Bats (hostile) regeneration rate reduced to 4, down from 8


OTHER UPDATES
===============
» Units gain slightly more XP from attacks and targeted actions that heal
» Arcane Outpost (common building) upkeep reduced to 4 gold, down from 5
» Thriving (dremer buff) regeneration increased to 10, up from 8
» Healing Totem (action) regeneration aura of summoned totem increased to 10, up from 8
» Jack of All Trades (level up perk) gives +2 gold, +2 mana, +2 research (up from +1 / +1 / +1)
» Gorgon Sfeno (great mage) given updated artwork (alternate facial art from Ino-Co Plus, original developer)


------------------------------

PATCH 8.3.2 (balance updates)


UNIT UPDATES
============

LORDS
» Raven Spymaster (usual hero) hit points reduced to 38, down from 40
» First Sharpshooter (usual hero) hit points increased to 32, up from 30
» Knife Thrower (famous hero) base damage increased to 11, up from 10
» Redeemer (famous hero) damage increased to 26, up from 24; 'Runic Healing' slightly improved
» Flamedancer (famous hero) hit points reduced to 25, down from 27; melee/missile resist reduced to 75, down from 90; death immunity replaced with 100 death resist

INFERNALS
» Pit Imps (infernal) build time reduced to 2 turns, down from 3
» Devils (infernal) damage increased to 15, up from 14
» Archdevils (infernal) damage increased to 24, up from 22
» Magma Golems (infernal) base damage increased to 13, up from 12; melee resist reduced to 50, down from 75
» Fate Witches (infernal) movement increased to 4, up from 3; upkeep increased by 1 food
» Dementors (infernal) movement increased to 4, up from 3
» Fledgling Firebirds (infernal) cost decreased to 65 gold, down from 75
» Flayers (infernal) reworked as a tier 2 unit (all stats, upkeep & costs increased) {stats similar to original tier 2 Mind Flayers}
» Mind Flayers (infernal) reworked as a tier 3 unit (all stats, upkeep & costs increased); regeneration increased to 5, up from 4

SYLVAN ORDER
» Treant Protectors (sylvan) damage increased to 15, up from 14
» Bearmen (sylvan) damage increased to 16, up from 14; cost increased to 175 gold, up from 150
» Elven Sharpshooters (sylvan) damage increased to 32, up from 28; cost increased to 650 gold, up from 600; upkeep increased by 1 gold
» Roc (sylvan) hit points increased to 27, up from 25
» Roc Matriarch (sylvan) hit points increased to 40, up from 38; cost increased to 550 gold, up from 500

OTHER UNITS
» Harpy Aviators (naga) regeneration increased to 4, up from 1
» Sisters of Krypta (human) base damage reduced to 13, down from 14
» Great Bears (summon, hostile) damage increased to 18, up from 16


OTHER UPDATES
=============
» Eyes in the Skies (starter perk) retired {Raven Spymaster no longer available at game start}
» Icy Water (spell) research time decreased slightly
» Void Workshop (infernal building) build time increased to 5 turns, up from 4
» Cultural Revolution (Great Mage buff) population bonus increased to +20%, up from +10% {makes this revolution ideal for population growth}
» Survivalist (innate perk) 'passability: dense & hilly' removed {moving through terrain that's both dense AND hilly will require more movement points}
» Aquatic Alpha (purchased perk) adds +1 movement; cost increased to 150 gold, up from 125


FIXES
=====
» Tropical worlds (once again) contain more water than land

DEVELOPER NOTE: Tropical Worlds were changed in patch 8.3 from mostly water to normal land coverage in an effort to help AIs have an easier time leaving these starting worlds. However, that inadvertently took much of the fun and challenge out of exploring tropical worlds. Thus, the change was rolled back. Yet the size of these tropical starter worlds was also changed in patch 8.3, making them much smaller. That change has been maintained and so far, that appears to be enough to push the AI to leave these tropical starter worlds ... though they do take longer to leave.

------------------------------