Illuvium: Arena Update 1.6.0

This patch introduces Drone Augments, Hyper and balance changes, and tweaks Leviathan mode.

Gameplay & System Updates

Multiplayer Servers

For the sake of game fluidity and server stability, we have fully migrated our servers to a Multiplayer-type infrastructure. This means that the numerous bugs caused by server desynchronization (and there were quite a few) will be mostly eliminated.

Beyond bug fixes, this migration also brings major improvements:

• Enhanced Stability: Fewer crashes, smoother overall performance.
• Reduced Latency: You'll notice significantly faster response times for your actions.

This was a crucial step in the game’s evolution. Firstly, it enhances the overall experience, providing smoother and more enjoyable gameplay. Secondly, it allows us to iterate faster, meaning we can improve and refine features more quickly. And last but not least, it unlocks new possibilities for adding exciting features that we can’t wait for you to explore!

Custom Lobby - Tournament

Players can now create Custom Lobbies specifically for tournaments. Hosts have the option to enable or disable Leviathan mode and access additional features, including a ready-check and the ability to remove players. These lobbies provide a more streamlined way to organize tournaments or enjoy non-rated matches with friends.

Please note that a full party of 8 players is required to start, as matchmaking is not available for these lobbies.

Team Planner Functionality Fixed

Now, when you have a Stage 2 or Stage 3 Illuvial in your active team from the team planner, the Stage 1 version of that Illuvial will be highlighted in the shop, making it easier for you to spot and purchase when available.

Shop Panel UI

Old:

New:

Top Panel UI

Old:

New:

Enemy Panel UI

Old:

New:

Improved Augment VFXs

When hovering the augment over the hitbox of an Illuvial, the Augment goes inside the Illuvial and the Illuvial gains the aura:

Display Opponent Information on Hover

While not as detailed as scouting, this feature introduces a semi-scouting capacity to the gameplay. At any point during the game, you can hover over enemy players on the enemy panel to gain insight into the composition they are building. This empowers players to adapt their strategy based on the compositions their opponents are running, adding a new layer of player agency and rewarding skillful decision-making.

Introducing Drone Augments!

We're thrilled to introduce the Drone Augment feature! This exciting new addition adds a strategic layer to team-building, allowing players to choose a team-wide bonus that enhances their composition.

What Are Drone Augments?

Drone Augments provide team-wide bonuses, stacking additional synergies and effects onto your composition. This feature enhances key aspects of the game:

• Player Agency: Players can adapt by selecting the Augment that best suits their strategy.
• Game Variability: Increases the number of viable team compositions, making each game feel fresh. For example, a Tsunami/Harbinger build will play differently depending on the Augment chosen.
• Creativity & Synergy: Augments stack onto your team's mechanics, unlocking new creative possibilities.

How Does It Work?

• Players are offered a choice of three random Drone Augments at rounds 5, 12, and 19.
• Each Augment can be rerolled once at no cost if the initial selection doesn’t fit.

Augment Power Levels

• Each Drone Augment has three power levels, meaning the same effect can appear in varying strengths.
• While every player gets different Augments, all players receive the same choice of power level per round, ensuring fairness.
• Power level distribution is random, meaning players might get three stage 3 Augments in one game and one stage 2 and two stage 1 augments in another game.

Augment Pool

At launch, the first batch of Drone Augments will be limited but will expand over time.

• 15 unique Augments are available now, each with three power levels.
• More diverse and impactful effects will be added in future updates.

Hyper Rework

To create a more consistent experience, class-specific Hyper bonuses have been removed and replaced with a single, impactful effect.

New Hyper Bonus

• Charge Up Range increased from 70 → 150 hex-radius
• While charging, units gain 0.5% attack speed per 1% Hyper charge (up to 50% bonus attack speed).
• At Full Hyper: Units gain +10% Damage Amplification and +10% Damage Reduction.

Leviathan Changes

To create a more controlled Leviathan experience in terms of balance, we have adjusted the bonus stats obtained from Traits and Level. These changes are not final, but we are introducing them to gather some feedback and test these new values.

Our goal is to set bonus stats at a level where ownership is clearly noticeable while ensuring that Leviathan gameplay aligns with the same balance as Standard gameplay.

The new Leviathan stat bonuses are as follows:

Traits:

• 5% bonus stats per trait threshold, up to a maximum of 25%.

*Trait Threshold refers to the quality of an illuvial’s stat, it can range from 0 to 5. And the trait distribution of an illuvial can be seen in charts like this:

Level:

• 0.4% bonus stats per level, up to a maximum of 25%.

This allows Leviathan to scale up to a 50% total bonus, making the difference between perfect ownership and no ownership highly noticeable.

Bug Fixes & Other Improvements

• Sloth Omega and Lynx S2 Rogue Omega Updates and Adjustments
• Axolotl and Mammoth Line Sounds Update
• Augment Drag SFX
• Disable Ranger Quote Taunt Voices
• Hook Sounds to Sublevels for Battle Boards Skins
• Fix Ranger Staff Attacks SFX in Animations
• Remove Critical SFX Layers and Hits Material from All Combat Units
• BattleBoard Levelling Up SFX

Balance Adjustments

This patch includes Base Affinity adjustments to reduce the dominance of vertical scaling synergies at higher thresholds.

• Inferno & Wildfire nerfed due to overperformance.
• Tiktaalik buffed to improve team-wide sustain.
• Hyper bonuses reworked into a single, more impactful effect for a consistent gameplay experience.