IRONMACE released Early Access Hotfix 109 for Dark and Darker with a focus on quality of life for quests, clearer merchant and quest notifications, and changes that raise the tension inside dungeons.
The update stretches the Goblin Recovery hold time so recovered items remain available to players longer. It also changes how escapes work: escape portals that sit on circular stone pedestals now automatically close if not used within a short window after activation and must be reactivated to escape, and a portcullis must be opened before descending the red-lit stairs, with the gate shutting again after a brief interval. To offset those risks, loot in Secret Key Rooms and Dual Boss rooms has been improved and now includes a chance to obtain artifacts in High-Roller dungeons. Unique grade gems have been made more useful for endgame crafting, and IRONMACE said the Workshop feature is nearly finished and planned for the next update.
The patch also includes a broad set of bug fixes, presentation and difficulty updates for Firedeep and the Fire Colossus, notification improvements for completed quests and merchant offers, adjustments to spawn timing and summoned creature collision, and several class and item balance changes. Firedeep work in this hotfix follows the dungeon changes introduced with the games recent season update.
Dark and Darker Early Access Hotfix #109 Patch Notes
Hi Adventurers,
This update focuses on streamlining the player experience. Weve added more quality of life features related to the quest system along with making several quests more accessible. Weve also improved the Goblin Recovery system so hell hold onto recovered items for a slightly longer time, which should reduce the missed chances of lost items.
In addition to the QoL features, weve also upped the tension in the dungeons. Adventurers will now need to open the portcullis to the red stairs down a level, and the gates will automatically close after a short time. Weve also updated the static pedestal portals so they will automatically close after a short duration if they are not used and must be re-activated for an escape.
To counter the increased risks, weve made some improvements to the rewards from the dungeons. The Secret Key Rooms and Dual Boss rooms now give improved loot from their treasure hoards, including the chance to obtain artifacts in the High-Roller modes. Weve also improved the utility of Unique grade gems as they are required for the highest-end craft items and have plans for them in the upcoming Workshop feature. As for the Workshop, we are completing the finishing touches and plan to launch it in the next update. We hope you enjoy these changes and we look forward to seeing you in the dungeons!
IRONMACE
Bugfixes:
- Fixed an issue where unintended VFX could appear when equipping a crossbow while using the Fighters Disarm ability.
- Fixed an issue where the cooldown of the Rogues Cut Throat could reset when its effect was applied after placing a flag on the Fighters Fortified Ground.
- Fixed an issue where the Rogues Hide effect might not apply to projectiles embedded in the character.
- Fixed an issue where collected souls could disappear when the Warlocks Bolt of Darkness hit dungeon objects.
- Fixed an issue where guard animations and sounds could loop abnormally when maintaining a guard stance after being hit by a Cockatrices Roar while using certain skills.
- Fixed an issue where the weapon position could shift when attempting to block with a Halberd.
- Fixed an issue where players could perform actions such as attacking or guarding by clicking the screen while the inventory was open.
- Fixed an issue where chests placed in the Fallen Pass module of The Ruins of Forgotten Castle Ruins could open in the wrong direction.
- Fixed an issue where some Tidestone Ore nodes could always be mined for the maximum amount.
- Fixed an issue where mining Copper Ore could yield Cobalt Ore.
- Fixed an issue where players could enter the boss room before defeating the Fire Colossus.
- Fixed an issue where VFX could appear in unintended locations when using Power of Sacrifice on Ifrit.
- Fixed an issue where certain effect visuals could appear oversized on smaller monsters.
- Fixed an issue where boss monsters could remain idle without attacking despite players being present.
- Fixed an issue where the Trio option might not automatically activate when selecting a PvE campaign after choosing Solo or Duo.
- Fixed an issue where Arena mode could be selected in the UI even when it was not open.
- Fixed an issue where the Arena schedule might not display correctly.
- Fixed an issue where the Treasurers sale list might not sort correctly.
- Fixed an issue where an error code could appear when attempting to purchase Rare-grade items after increasing the Alchemists Affinity.
Game Updates:
- The Escape Portals that appear on top of the circular stone pedestal will now automatically close if they are not used within a short time window after activation. This portal can still be re-activated until it is actually used to escape. Please note that this mechanic currently only applies to the pedestal portals. The escape portals that randomly appear during the session do not automatically close at this time.
- Adventurers must now open the portcullis in front of the down stairs when the red torches light up before they go down a floor. The portcullis will automatically close after a short duration.
- Improved the lava VFX in the boss room of the Firedeep.
- Updated the difficulty and presentation of the Fire Colossus.
- Added a locked indicator to dungeon selection when Arena mode is not open.
- Improved notifications so that an icon is displayed on the Merchant tab and Quest Log when there are completed quests.
- Increased the duration that the Goblin Merchant will hold onto recovered items from the Goblin Recovery feature to make it more convenient for players.
- Arcane Essence can now be sold to the Collector.
Balance Updates:
General
- The spawn timing of Spider Mummies from Spider Pots has been adjusted.
- Summoned creatures now only gain collision starting from a specific point after being summoned.
- Improved the drop rates for the Weapon or Armor item from the Treasure Hoards located in the Dual Boss rooms and the Special Key rooms. Also added a small chance to obtain an Artifact from those specific Treasure Hoards in the ‘High-Roller’ dungeons.
- The Cistern module will no longer appear in Arena.
- Updated the Squire quest requesting two accessories. The quest originally required the items to be Looted. The requirement has been changed so he will now accept Handled items.
- Reduced the amount of Demonfly kills for a Woodmans quest.
- Reduced the amount of Mermaid kills for a Tailors quest.
- Reduced the amount of Cuttlefish kills for a Tailors quest.
Classes
Druid
- Transforming into the same form no longer triggers a cast.
- Chicken attack range has been improved.
- Chicken Primary Attack damage increased from 20 to 23.
- The size of the Bear has been slightly reduced.
- A 10% Projectile Damage Reduction has been added to the Bear form.
- The attack speed of the Bears Primary Attack has been increased.
- Bear Primary Attack damage reduced from 29 to 27, and Secondary Attack damage reduced from 43 to 41.
- Sitting is no longer possible while in Penguin form.
- Penguin Primary Attack damage increased from 15 to 17.
- Penguin Water Cannon now consumes oxygen while underwater.
- Penguin Water Cannon cast time reduced from 1.25s to 1s, range increased from 600 to 700, and wet duration reduced from 3s to 1s.
- Panther Primary Attack damage increased from 21 to 23, and Secondary Attack damage increased from 23 to 25.
Items
- Regular Interaction Speed and Magical Interaction Speed can now be obtained via gem sockets.
- A defensive guard area has been re-added to the hilt of the Longsword.
- The Magical Damage of the Requiem of the Fairy has been reduced by 1, and its Magical Damage Bonus has been changed from 2.5% to 5%.
- The rarity of Void Blade has been changed to Legendary.
- Spectral Blade headshot damage bonus reduced from 10% to 5%.
- Rubysilver crafted armor Physical Damage Reduction increased from 0.7% to 1.0%.
- Magical Damage Reduction on Gold-crafted gloves, pants, and boots increased from 1.5% to 2%.
- Gold-crafted hats, chest armor, and cloaks have been upgraded to Legendary rarity, gained one additional random modifier, now grant +1 All Attributes, and have had their crafting material requirements significantly increased.
- Gold Ore now has a chance to appear in the Mysterious Rooms of the Crypts, expanding its sources.
- Northern Full Tunic and Northern Half Tunic have been changed to ‘leather’ armor.
Have thoughts on the Workshop timing or the new auto-closing portals? Tell us in the comments and follow for updates on patch progress X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.
Source: Steam
Dark and Darker
Developed by IRONMACE
An unforgiving hardcore fantasy FPS dungeon PvPvE adventure. Band together with your friends and use your courage, wits, and cunning to uncover mythical treasures, defeat gruesome monsters, while staying one step ahead of the other devious treasure-hunters.
- Genre: Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Tactical, Adventure
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release: 2023-08-07
- Publisher: IRONMACE
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Age Rating:
GRAC 19+ / PEGI 16 / ESRB M
- IGDB Rating: 70.4/100
