Beta 11 X5 Prerelease - Memes this way

X5 is here with quite a few mechanical tweaks, including an equal helping of nerfs and buffs--tears and ecstasy for all!

One of the bigger changes noticeable throughout a run is that pretty much all thermal weapons have been buffed as mentioned in my last article on damage types, a change which came about because I wrote that article and wanted to make sure to round out all the related features :P

Thermal weapons now have more integrity, albeit still not quite as much as Kinetics, while also occupying a more unique niche by having lower coverage overall.

To summarize this release purely in terms of nerfs/buffs:

• Nerfs: Treads, Flak weapons, EMDS, System Backup Modules
• Buffs: TH weapons, Triangulators, 0b10 Decoder Chips, Trap Extractors, cargo manifests, ally AI, UI, memes :P

Overall definitely a lot more buffing and expanding content than nerfing ;)

You also might notice the change to penetrating weapons, which under the right circumstances can destroy terrain and will have a number of tactical implications for a wide variety of builds and situations. Hunters might just have a new way to ruin your day if they have help and the terrain is to their advantage.

There are still lots more changes to parts coming down the pipeline--it's just something I'm doing piecemeal and targeting individual/groups of items for each prerelease rather than going through everything at once, so we also have an opportunity to mix in other mechanics and new stuff along the way for more varied updates.

System Backup Modules and the like operate more quickly now, but are also expended in the process:

Key holding still works under the new mechanics, if you don't have anything else you need to be doing and want to just hold the wait key until it's done.

Changelog

The full changelog included within has been updated as usual, but for convenience here's a list of the changes since X4:

• NEW: 2 new items
• NEW: 2 new encounters
• NEW: 3 lore entries related to new features
• NEW: Triangulator also pinpoints tracking hostiles outside FOV, within a certain range
• NEW: Trap Extractors also prevent user system corruption from accidentally triggering a trap at current location due to movement
• NEW: Expanded Watcher chasing AI behavior block to include greater number of ally types
• NEW: Most machines and walls penetrated by projectiles failing to destroy them might eventually collapse
• NEW: Unique context help for robot info page "ID" entry depending on current state
• NEW: Unique context help for item info page "Status" entry depending on current state
• NEW: Unique context help for machine info page "State" entry depending on current state
• MOD: Increased cargo dispatch manifest variety
• MOD: Cargo dispatches never carry faulty parts
• MOD: Removed treads accuracy buff
• MOD: Kinetic cannon matter salvage effect requires slightly lower salvage mod (<= -3)
• MOD: Flak weapon damaged reduced
• MOD: Flak Gun added salvage modifier
• MOD: Flak Cannon ranges reduced
• MOD: EMDS coverage increased, integrity decreased
• MOD: Increased integrity of most thermal weapons
• MOD: Decreased coverage of most thermal weapons
• MOD: 0b10 Decoder Chips variants given different discovery rates, some faster than before
• MOD: 0b10 Decoder Chips effect description lists potential data types
• MOD: Armor Integrity Analyzer success rates tweaked again (spread further apart)
• MOD: Cannot autocollect resources from corrupted containers on the ground
• MOD: Changed response on entering valid 0b10 hack into a non-0b10 terminal
• MOD: Limited-function 0b10 Terminals listing queries do not enable indirect access to related topics
• MOD: Autonomous weapons no longer fire if owner in non-active state
• MOD: Component Analysis Suite effect description explicitly states that it technically operates on Unknown parts as well
• MOD: System Backup Module (etc) mechanics reworked to operate faster but deplete their integrity over time
• MOD: Gradually expendable utilities (Injectors, Backup Modules) have unique sfx on depletion
• MOD: Upgraded O-32 Director System Backup Module
• MOD: Restricted number of situations in which system corruption causes misdirections
• MOD: Deep Caves wall trigger less limited
• MOD: Removed cargo dispatches from A
• MOD: Programmers can clear corruption on a wider range of bots
• MOD: Score from robot value and destruction counts capped for replenishing bot variants on a per-map basis
• MOD: Increased score value for successful corpse recovery
• FIX: Structural Scanner effect not actually scrambled in one particular map despite the part label claiming such
• FIX: Splice Drone overwrite_iff used incorrect faction
• FIX: Cargo dispatch intercepts not always being detected correctly
• FIX: Core reset no longer prevents reanalysis by Machine Analyzer
• FIX: Attaching a Structural Scanner immediately scans the local area on next turn even if no other changes triggered an FOV recalculation
• FIX: Item search would still list an item that was just picked up at current location
• FIX: Coring immunity was fully protecting against several types of critical strikes instead of only protecting core
• FIX: Double-clicking an item listed in search window that's over an attached part would drop the part
• FIX: Part rejection due to part corruption could drop parts from inventory
• FIX: Various fixes related to W base events
• FIX: "Error 47" achievement description did not include all potential triggers [ThePhoenixTome]
• FIX: "Derelict Escape" achievement awarded under a certain invalid circumstance [R-26 Lightspeed]
• FIX: 0b10 Decoder Chip [Skirmisher] opens intel automatically if autoOpenNewIntel option active [aoemica]

Perks

Just a little reminder piggybacking on this announcement: If you haven't yet claimed particular patron rewards at your tier, remember there are instructions and link(s) in the welcome email for registering for those. I know some people have also changed their tier over time, but may have forgotten you can go back and do that if it applies to your new tier.

Here's the shortcut to the instructions and forms.

Get Beta 11 X5

On Steam, Beta 11 X5 is located on the new beta branch "beta_11_x5" accessible with the code "ThermalsGood", or if you don't have Steam and bought through FastSpring and would like to try the DRM-free version, send me an email at gridsagegames@gmail.com to be added to the Beta 11 cycle notification list. (Anyone already on the list will receive an email with a new link.)

Saves are not compatible with previous releases.

There's always the chance of another one or two small updates in the near term (for example if something goes wrong), which will be otherwise unannounced except to append a notice to this announcement on Patreon, and via an announcement on the #patron Discord channel. It's no uncommon due to the experimental nature of these releases, and if saves are compatible then the same branch is simply updated, otherwise a new branch is created and announced here.

FTFY, 8FPS