Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector - Dev Diary #11 - Seize and Control
++ Thought of the Day ++ Remember, to question is to doubt
It’s been quite a while since the last dev diary, so it’s about time we brought you up to speed with what we’ve been working on lately. In short, a lot’s been going on, even if we’ve been a bit quiet lately.
In December, we released a massive update that included the Sisters of Battle Faction Pack, and the new Daemonic Incursion game mode. Since then, we also released an update with support for Valve’s Steamdeck. With Daemonic Incursion out, we’ve turned our attention back to Planetary Supremacy.
Our goal in the coming months is to bring Planetary Supremacy out of preview and into full release. Some of the changes we are making include a much bigger overworld map, better AI, and bigger battles. We are also making adjustments to the higher difficulty settings, to increase the challenge for more experienced players.
Capturing resource tiles will use an all-new objective type, called Seize and Control. The attacking team needs to secure a zone and hold it, whilst the defender attempts to prevent them from doing so. We’ll make this new objective type available for single-player skirmishes and multiplayer as well, so you’ll have another way to play skirmishes.
In addition, we are also working on a number of quality-of-life improvements that the community has requested. We’ll be adding an option to make melee weapons the default for units attacking an adjacent tile with units with both ranged and melee options.
For any game modes outside the narrative campaign, we’ll be adding an option to select which unit is your HQ Commander. Also, if your HQ Commander is killed in action, and you have another HQ unit alive in your army, they’ll receive a battlefield promotion and take over as the new HQ Commander.
These are just some of the changes we’ve been working on, which we can’t wait to share with you in the coming months.
We're releasing a new update for Battlesector. As per usual, please let us know what you think of the list of changes. Your feedback is essential to keep improving the game.
The team is currently hard at work. We'll have news about new content soon.
Changes since 1.2.44
Bug Fixes
Fixed Storm of Retribution costing 2AP, meaning that it used both AP after Rites of Intercession. Also fixed other attack abilities that can cost 2AP after Rites of Intercession, including Martyrdom and Devastating Refrain
FIX : [BUG] Cannot cycle through story characters in upgrade screen with gamepad
FIX : [BUG] HQ command abilities are not working correctly.
FIX : [BUG] Faction label and point cost text disappears at max scale.
FIX : AP cost is always highlighted in tooltip for weapon abilities.
FIX : Words are upside down in AoCD campaign map.
FIX : [BUG] Tesla weapons are not damaging adjacent models.
FIX : [BUG] Narrative images for first campaign mission are zoomed in.
FIX : [BUG] Users reporting loss of control of some units during Asyncronous Multiplayer matches.
We're releasing a new update for Battlesector. As per usual, please let us know what you think of the list of changes. Your feedback is essential to keep improving the game.
The team is currently hard at work. We'll have news about new content soon.
Changes since 1.2.43
Changes
Steamdeck support. We’ve made a number of changes to improve the experience when playing on Steam Deck.
The game will default to gamepad controls when starting on Steam Deck, fonts should be more readable, the on-screen keyboard should display when required and better v-sync handling for smoother play.
Added support for gamepad controls in some PC-only multiplayer UIs such as tournaments.
Added support for chat messages in asynchronous multiplayer matches
Refactored the system that manages multiplayer turn data exchange to prevent most desyncs
Enabled V-sync when running on PS5, Xbox One X or Xbox Series X
Balancing
Hunter-killer Missile:
Changed damage type from tile (all models) to splash (9 models) with 80% falloff
Increased damage for the base level to 120 (100)
Adepta Sororitas HQ Commands:
Swapped the CP costs for Spirit of the Emperor and Divine Guidance
Penitent Engine:
Increased attacks to 2 (1)
Changed damage to 70 (100)
Smokescreen:
Reduced evasion bonus to +15/+25 (+20/+30)
Hospitaller:
Increased evasion to 15
Medicus:
Increased heal amount to +50/+70 (+30/+60)
Retributor Heavy Flamers:
Reduced damage to 4 (5)
Increased cost to 50 (30)
Transport
Embark and Disembark actions now cost 2MP each.
Devotion
Changed the bonus momentum gained to be based on the percentage of health the unit losses from attacks, rather than HP lost. This means that units with larger health pools will gain bonus momentum at a slower rate.
Adjusted 'Devotion' Momentum Per % HP damage to 0.6 (i.e. gain 0.6 Momentum for each 1% of health lost)
Bug Fixes
“Tyranid Prime's turning around animation is bugged”
Pressing "M" while in the pause menu opens the Map in-game
“If press ESC when the game is loading a level the options menu is opened in the background and stops the game from loading.
In Planetary Supremacy, army values on map screen not being updated correctly after winning battle
[BUG] “If story character dies during same turn that mission ends you can never get them back”
“Tactical map unit tooltip is invisible and getting stuck in the screen.”
Game freezes either at start of turn (skirmish battle), loading a game, or loading a battle (deployment screen).
[BUG] “Randomise All” button in skirmish setup does not work
“Army Management has issues for Skirmish, multiplayer and Incursion Mode”
Purple particles when casting Spirit of the Emperor
“Surprise Me” button creates excessive hang when loading game
“Seraphim model clips through the ground in daemonic incursion map.”
“In photo mode the camera can clip into the terrain.”
Can Capture a Siege point during Necrons revive ability
Dialogue cuts off when ending a turn on overwatch
Multiplayer Camera doesn't focus Flayed One's teleport destination
Army List scroll position resets when deleting a unit from an army.
Redundant "Hide Password" option in single player skirmish setup
Low-res texture in ‘Rearm and Resupply’ mission on consoles
Fix possible crash on PS4 related to memory management
We're releasing a new update for Battlesector. As per usual, please let us know what you think of the list of changes. Your feedback is essential to keep improving the game.
The team is currently hard at work. We'll have news about new content soon.
Changes since 1.2.42
Changes
When hovering over the Disembark Command Bar button of a transport, the weapons loadout of the unit is now included in the tooltip
Changed the tooltips for the Evasion stat to better represent when evasion is activated for the unit.
Balancing
Retributor Heavy Flamers:
Decreased shots to 8 (10)
Decreased damage to 5 (6)
Retributor Heavy Bolter:
Increased shots to 10 (8)
Storm of Retribution:
Decreased bonus AP to 0.25/0.5 (0.5/1)
Bug Fixes
FIX - [BUG] Unit list doesn't close when using it to select a unit when using a gamepad
FIX - “Units able to pass through a wall on Fortress of Redemption map”
FIX - Change value incorrect for Flayed One teleport ability when loading a multiplayer match
FIX - [BUG] PBEM matches created before 1.2.42 are losing all the players units.
Fixed various map issues present in Sanctum Sacresant map
FIX - “Incorrect position for Stratcom tile in Necron Base Map”
FIX - “Tactical Map isn’t rendering props”
FIX - [BUG] Leaving a multiplayer match always returns you to the main menu
FIX - Multiplayer turns get out of sync in live match if timer runs out whilst End Turn UI is active
FIX - Some gamepad prompts are too large
FIX - ”Auspex line does not draw over lava or tents”
FIX - “Unit shadows are low res in centre of Incursion map”
Possible fix - “Constant crashing in multiplayer games” (caused by UI video player issues)
FIX - “Smokescreen disappears when loading a daemonic incursion game.”
FIX - Full Match Display swaps player info around over time on Xbox
FIX - “multiplayer chat is not working”
FIX - “Unable to rebind keyboard controls in game”
FIX - “Increased length of time for shooting animations when only one model can actually hit”
FIX - Exception in AimIK Targeting system
FIX - “Playing a skirmish match on Aisle of Tithes. Squad able to move into Rhino on the lowground from the overlook.”
FIX - Exception while loading or saving games
FIX - “Reinforcement options stuck at 250 in Incursion Mode” (when using a gamepad)
FIX - Leaderboard crashes the game on Xbox
FIX - “Incursion Mode difficulty settings not changing” (in UI)
FIX - Units lose surge (1 momentum when having 100 momentum) when loading a daemonic incursion save file
FIX - “Necron Army Cohesion not working in Daemonic Incursion “
FIX - “The reset camera button on Planetary Supremacy's strategy map does not work.”
FIX - “Planetary Supremacy's topside banner for special bonus tiles does not center the camera around the corresponding tile.”
FIX - “Surge and Empower not working correctly on Xbox”
FIX - Requisition Points in Age of Crimson Dawn army management don't reset if you change your mind
FIX - “Sister Superior's melee counterattack with power sword has the wrong sound effect”
FIX - “Hot Seat multiplayer almost unusable with 2nd profile, 2nd profile cant use own armies” ○ I.e. Fix Hot Seat not working in Xbox and PlayStation
FIX - “Soft lock in Mission 2 of tutorial“
FIX - ”Land Speeder visually bugged when zooming in/out.”
FIX - “Dead sisters repentia visual bug at daemonic incursion after loading a saved game.”
FIX - “Overlord Veil of Darkness teleporting where it shouldn’t”
FIX -” Celestians's movement animation gets bugged while using Oath of Protection skill.“
FIX - [BUG] Randomise All button in skirmish setup does not work
FIX - [BUG] Bonus ranged accuracy is being applied twice in weapon tooltips ○ NOTE: The accuracy was calculated correctly, only the UI was incorrect
It was a close one and it was very exciting for us to follow it.
We really want to thank everyone of you for playing in this tournament and congratulate once again with our championwinter316.
See you next.
The Sisters of Battle are here on Battlesector and Gladius
We are glad to announce that two new DLCs are available from today for both Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector and Warhammer 40,000: Gladius, each introducing a new playable faction: the Adepta Sororitas, also known as the Sisters of Battle.
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector - Sisters of Battle
A long-standing order with a rich history, the Adepta Sororitas have always lived in service of the Emperor. Their unrelenting faith and rigorous training provides them with a mental fortitude rare among those that serve the Imperium. This divine protection, perhaps from the very spirit of the Emperor himself, makes every sister an incorruptible fortress that turns aside the profane, the blasphemous, the heretic. 15 units of the Order stand ready to turn back the unworthy on Baal.
The release of the Sisters of Battle DLC will also include a new single-player mode: Daemonic Incursion.
Daemonic Incursion Daemonic Incursion is an entirely new single-player mode that will be available to all Battlesector players as part of a free update that we’ll be launching alongside the Sisters of Battle Faction Pack. In Daemonic Incursion, waves of Khornate daemons enter realspace to spill blood, collect skulls and overrun your forces. This is a last-stand mode, in which your objective is simple: Survive!
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector - Sisters of Battle Tournament
We are really excited to announce our first competitive tournament of Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector. The sign-ups for the tournament opens today, so do not miss the chance to sign-up and join the fun.
Players will be able to take part in it and get the chance to win some amazing physical goodies with a Sisters of Battle theme. Stay tuned for the official reveal of the amazing prizes you can win.
The Sisters of Battle tournament will begin in February 2023, but you can sign-up now.
Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Adepta Sororitas DLC
Just like Battlesector, Warhammer 40,000: Gladius expands with the Sisters of Battle as a new playable faction.
A new faction joins the war for Gladius Prime: the Adepta Sororitas, with eighteen new units, new heroes, unique gameplay mechanics, city buildings, a new questline and a new tech tree.
The Adepta Sororitas, also known as the Sisters of Battle, are the militant arm of the Adeptus Ministorum. Pure of heart and fanatical of devotion, they place the worship of the Emperor above all other concerns. They maintain holy places anywhere where His subjects might be served, tending to the needs of the poor and the sick as well as spreading the word of His glory to all that might listen. But not all are worthy, and for those that aren’t - only merciful death can be granted.
The Sisters of Battle march to war! Battlesector & Gladius get a new faction
The new Sisters of Battle DLCs for both Warhammer 40,000 Gladius and Warhammer 40,000 Battlesector will be released on December 13th, the same day of Slitherine Live show, Slitherine Next.
As part of our Slitherine Next event, we are going to release a new DLC for Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector and one for Warhammer 40,000: Gladius. Both are going to add in a new playable faction: the Sisters of Battle, the first women-only faction in Warhammer 40,000, will join the game with fifteen new units and special gameplay mechanics.
A long-standing order with a rich history, the Adepta Sororitas have always lived in service of the Emperor. Their unrelenting faith and rigorous training provides them with a mental fortitude rare among those that serve the Imperium. This divine protection, perhaps from the very spirit of the Emperor himself, makes every sister an incorruptible fortress that turns aside the profane, the blasphemous, the heretic. 15 units of the Order stand ready to turn back the unworthy on Baal.
During the live streaming at Slitherine Next, we will show for the very first time 3 videos, about the new Sisters of Battle units and their unique mechanics as well as gameplay footage of the new Daemonic Incursion mode.
Daemonic Incursion
Daemonic Incursion is an entirely new single-player mode that will be available to all Battlesector players as part of a free update that we’ll be launching alongside the Sisters of Battle Faction Pack.
In Daemonic Incursion, waves of Khornate daemons enter realspace to spill blood, collect skulls and overrun your forces. This is a last-stand mode, in which your objective is simple:
Just like Battlesector, Warhammer 40,000: Gladius expands with the Sisters of Battle as a new playable faction.
A new faction joins the war for Gladius Prime: the Adepta Sororitas, with eighteen new units, new heroes, unique gameplay mechanics, city buildings, a new questline and a new tech tree.
The Adepta Sororitas, also known as the Sisters of Battle, are the militant arm of the Adeptus Ministorum. Pure of heart and fanatical of devotion, they place the worship of the Emperor above all other concerns.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see the Sisters of Battle in action during Slitherine Next, on December 13th.
The tournament follows Swiss Tournament rules: you can find the full list of rules here
The first round will commence on Thursday, 15th December 2022. No further entries can be accepted after the tournament has begun.
The tournament will last 3 rounds,10 days each. Games are paired, so each matchup will be played both ways. All you need to do is sign up, then the system will pair you with opponents and create your PBEM games. You will be notified by mail of when the tournament is starting and when it will be time to play your turns.
Round Info:
Round 1 - Starts 15th Dec 2022 - Mode: Exterminatus - Map: Feeding Grounds - Army Size 2000
Round 3 - Mode: Strategic Command - Map: Sanctum Sacresant (New Battle Sisters Themed Map) - Army Size 2000
Next? Slitherine
Slitherine Next, the spiritual successor of our Home of Wargamers events, is coming soon. Save the date: December 13th at 16 pm GMT on Twitch
It'll be the perfect occasion to learn more about upcoming games and get an insight directly from the developers.
It will be 100% live: there will be no pre-recorded segments and we'll have a level of interaction with the players like never before. You'll be able to ask us anything and be answered directly by the developers.
Stay tuned for the full schedule!
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector - Dev Diary #10 - Daemonic Incursion
++ Should the reality of the warp and its Chaos denizens be revealed to the general population of the Imperium, the results would be catastrophic. Better the elimination of a few hives or far-flung Industrial Worlds than the havoc of true knowledge being shared freely ++
Earlier in the year, during the Warhammer Skulls Festival, we announced a couple of new additions to Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector. One that you are possibly already familiar with is the full Sisters of Battle Faction Pack, about which we shared an update with you last month.
The other announcement was a new game mode, called Daemonic Incursion. We haven’t shared much information about Daemonic Incursion, but with the beta test well underway and the release approaching, we figured now is a pretty good time to let you know what to expect when Khorne's daemonic legions invade realspace later in the year.
Daemonic Incursion is an entirely new single-player mode that will be available to all Battlesector players as part of a free update that we’ll be launching alongside the Sisters of Battle Faction Pack.
In Daemonic Incursion, waves of Khornate daemons enter realspace to spill blood, collect skulls and overrun your forces. This is a last-stand mode, in which your objective is simple: survive!
Each new wave of Daemons will be more powerful than the last. Between waves, you’ll have the chance to request limited reinforcements to replace some of your casualties. However, the odds will be increasingly stacked against you, as the Daemonic hordes will quickly outnumber your forces.
You can choose to fight against 8 waves of Daemons, with the objective being to survive the onslaught of the hordes to win, or you can battle infinite waves, in which case your objective is to see how many waves you can survive before your forces are wiped out.
Your prospects look bleak and your doom is assured, but it’s not all bad news. You’ll get access to Battlefield Aid drops, which can be collected to give your units a temporary boost, such as regaining health, increased movement or improved combat stats.
For his part, Khorne, the Lord of Rage, has been busy as well. We are adding a number of new Khornate Daemons to the roster, including the Soul Grinder, Bloodcrushers, and…worse.
At the end of a run, you’ll be awarded a score based on a number of factors including the army size you take in, the number of Daemons you send back to the warp, and the number of reinforcements you use. These scores will be posted to leaderboards on supporting platforms, including Steam, Xbox Live and PSN.
You’ll be able to use any faction you have access to in Daemonic Incursion. That includes the Blood Angels, Tyranids, and if you own them, the Necrons or the Sisters of Battle.
Daemonic Incursion and the Sisters of Battle Faction Pack are both on track to be available before the end of the year.
