Version 0.3.5 took a while to come together but it's finally out!
Spiders! Giant, Ghost, Brood and Brood Queens
Undead Crypts and Goblin Caves
While the list of change might not seem so long, there was a lot of stuff behind the scenes that will enable future content. Spiders can now be found in dungeons with 4 variations added. Monsters can now perform an action on death which will open up a number of new possibilities for encounters. Only a few monsters currently do this, but expect more in the future!
Also the game now finally is starting to have enough monsters that I can enable themed dungeons - which was always the plan. So now in new worlds you'll find undead crypts and goblin caves. Many of the caves and dungeons are still generic and will have a mix of monsters, but eventually they will become themed as more monster types get added to the game.
I'm hoping to get back to providing more regular updates to the game. There are a few outstanding bugs and quality of life features I've been putting off and hope to address some in the next patch.
Version 0.3.4 - Undead Abound!
Version 0.3.4
New undead monsters: Wraiths, Revenant, Spectre and Banshee
Adjust Cave shelf heights to make items more accessible
Bazaar items quality now based on market level
Fix Eternal Sandstorm from petrifying monsters
Fix Heavy Stone upgrade skill to stun properly
This update brings 4 new higher level undead with unique and deadly powers, plus the a number of tweaks and fixes. These new undead can summon allies, drain life and should be treated with caution!
Version 0.3.3 - New Dungeon and Monsters
It's been a while since I've made larger announcements. Since Version 0.3.0 a number of fixes and content additions have been made. Version 0.3.3 finally adds a new dungeon type - the Cave - to complements the goblins added in version 0.3.1.
The 0.3.x updates have been focused on gameplay balance - such as adding hit point and energy improvements to equipment. Plus adding some much needed content variety with caves and goblins. Expect some more content added and some economy balances in the next few updates.
Version 0.3.3
Caves - new Dungeon theme! NOTE: You'll need to create a new game to see them.
Fix one bug where player could not interact in dungeon
Fix Holy word skill upgrade text
Fix skill tool tips showing incorrect charge and recovery
Version 0.3.2
Fix some text in gameplay settings
World camera mouse wheel zoom now faster
Accessories affect max energy
Fix icicle having wrong model
Adjust status skill duration
Version 0.3.1
Workaround for when reloading game doesn't fix black dungeons
Added 4 Goblin variations
Add 2D world camera option
Increase the gold value in quest rewards and chests
Version 0.3.0
Fix some missing skills on Druid and Dark Knight
Fix Mystic's skill levels
Fix for mini map opening at start of combat and not closing
Tweak preparation and recovery timing for all player skills
Melee recovery time now influenced by weapon type
Armour now affects HP
Increased Endurance's affect on max HP
Reduced equipment attribute requirements
Update notes for version 0.3.2
Version 0.3.2
Fix some text in gameplay settings
World camera mouse wheel zoom now faster
Accessories affect max energy
Fix icicle having wrong model
Adjust status skill duration
Updates for version 0.3.1
Minor patch with some tuning and fixes plus 4 new monsters!
Workaround for when reloading game doesn't fix black dungeons
Added 4 Goblin variations
Add 2D world camera option
Increase the gold value in quest rewards and chests
Update notes for Version 0.3.0
A few fixes and some balancing/tuning of combat speed and hit points
Fix some missing skills on Druid and Dark Knight
Fix Mystic's skill levels
Fix for mini map opening at start of combat and not closing
Tweak preparation and recovery timing for all player skills
Melee recovery time now influenced by weapon type
Armour now affects HP
Increased Endurance's affect on max HP
Reduced equipment attribute requirements
Update notes for version 0.2.31
All player skills are complete!
Adjustable dungeon and combat speeds
Fix critical hit % with Magic Mastery and Empowered Staff
Reorganize Master & Mystic skills
Add Mystic Ki Aura skill
Stone/Iron/Obsidian wall skills to Master
Fix some typos
Mystic Spiritual and Universal Alignment skills added
Add Mantra to Mystic
Add Dying Breath skill to Master
Update notes for version 0.2.31
All player skills are complete!
Adjustable dungeon and combat speeds
Fix critical hit % with Magic Mastery and Empowered Staff
Reorganize Master & Mystic skills
Add Mystic Ki Aura skill
Stone/Iron/Obsidian wall skills to Master
Fix some typos
Mystic Spiritual and Universal Alignment skills added
Add Mantra to Mystic
Add Dying Breath skill to Master
Patch notes for 0.2.30
Add Ki Strike, Blast and Shout to Master
Add Physical and Mental Discipline skills to Master
Ki Master Stance added to Master
Add Neidan and Daoyin skills to Master
Add Inner Ki skill, Master job is complete!
Fix for wrong attributes highlighted in training screen
HOBL2 version 0.2.27 has been released
Version 0.2.27 brings completes the Adventurer job and starts finishing off the Treasure hunter job.
Player skills are now over 90% done with only a few jobs left to complete. I had wanted to finish off 2020 with all player skills complete but that isn't likely to happen. However it's quite likely they'll be complete sometime in January 2021!
Once the full set of skills is complete a couple of rounds of re-balancing and re-adjusting the skill sets of each job will commence. That will probably take a month or two, depending on how many new skills I think are needed to balance out all the jobs.
It's been a while since I've announced a formal update, but rest assured the game has been progressing steadily since the last announcement way back in May. Here's all that's happened since then:
0.2.27
Add Pickpocket skill to Treasure Hunter
Add Mugging skill to Treasure Hunter
Add Trap Detection skill to Treasure Hunter
Add Trap Avoidance skill to Treasure Hunter
Add Master Thief to Treasure Hunter
Add First Aid to Adventurer
Add Wanderlust to Adventurer
Add Open Minded to Adventurer
Add Quick Thinking to Adventurer
Add Hiding in Plain Sight to Adventurer
Fix missing Adventurer job text
Fix bug where defending with Poison Blade skill would self-poison
Add Experienced Adventurer skill
Add Scavenger, Appraising Eye and Eye for Details skills to Adventurer
0.2.26
Cutpurse Alertness & Awareness skills added
Fix bug where Bard songs would not stop when changed
Hunter is complete, added Dismember skill
Cutpurse is complete, added Killing Blade
0.2.25
Bard is complete!
Add Troubadour's Luck skill
Add Ballad of Battle skill
Add Bard's Choir & Opera skills, to boost any song
Add Magical Melody
Fix Magical Foci text and damage boost
Fix Research skills and keyboard shortcuts
Fix Sorcerer skill tree
0.2.24
Add Song skills, only one active per-party, currently only for the Bard
Add Adventurous Melody song skill to Bard
Add Lively Jig song skill to Bard
Add Taunting Dance skill to Bard
Fix Tactician's Charge skill
Fix issue selecting skills and skill points
0.2.23
Wizard and Poisoner jobs complete!
Add Wizard Time Stop spell
Add Poison Immunity to Poisoner
Fix attack modifiers getting applied to normal attacks
Fix magic tonic having wrong sound and number displayed
0.2.22
Wizard Chaos Field and Magic Mastery added
Wizard blast effect improved
Add Wizard skill Magic Fortitude
Fix Magic Practice not reducing prep time
Add Wizard skill Energy Conduit
Add Magical Foci stance to Wizard
Add Wizard skill Empower
0.2.21
Fix selecting stance hanging game
0.2.20
Fix load game issue breaking most save games
0.2.19
Sorcerer is now complete
Added Energy Feedback skill to Sorcerer
Added Negative Aura skill
Added Energy Battery skill to Sorcerer
Fix Drain MP skills to apply drain & damage properly
Adjust MP damage colors
0.2.18
Fix certain item modifiers causing extra damage
Renamed Sage to Scholar and completed Scholar skill set!
Research, Tutor and Scholar skills added
Advanced Research, Biology and Pathology skills added
Brilliant Mind and Persistent Student skills added
Knowledge Is Power skill added
0.2.17
Mage skills complete!
Magical Efficiency & Practice skills
Chaining Bolt & Penetrating Bold skills added
Magic Blast skill added
Heal skill effectiveness increased
Fix misleading Threatening Aura text
0.2.16
Battle Mage job completed: 9 new skills
Fix Holy Word text implying it hit multiple foes
Fix Holy Word not scaling with attributes
Add 'm' key dungeon mini map shortcut
Fix bug where some stances were always active
0.2.15
Add Light Mage and Dark Mage stances - Elemental Altar complete!
Potential fix for some switches not animating/working
0.2.14
Fix hang when using items on the world map without a party selected
