INTRODUCTION

With Early Access, Spellcasters Chronicles officially goes live. We prepared this important milestone by carefully studying your feedback from Betas 1 and 2 and analyzing as many matches as possible between players of different skill levels.

The first major change is the rework of the Cast Stones found in chests. Using these items, you can now obtain or swap a fifth incantation during a match, allowing you to adapt your deck as the game unfolds. This provides more options throughout the match, as well as greater strategic flexibility.

Another key improvement is the reduction of random elements. Our goal is to place greater emphasis on planning, so we have removed randomness from the level-up system and from both the location and the contents of chests.

These two changes, driven by community feedback, add a new layer of strategy and mastery to the flow of matches.

We have also revised various balance elements to increase the number of viable options and ensure that encounters are fairer and more competitive.

This update also marks the launch of the out-of-match progression system. As you play, you will earn Knowledge Shards that allow you to unlock new incantations, and additional content will be added regularly throughout Early Access. As a token of appreciation, players who participated in the betas will receive a bundle of Knowledge Shards, along with a unique title.

Finally, the ranking system continues to evolve, with updated rules for gaining and losing points.

We see this Early Access update as the starting point for building Spellcasters Chronicles together with you, and we will continue adding content and features to further strengthen its strategic and competitive depth.

NEW CONTENT

CREATURES

• Siren: Disruptive Creature that makes enemies fight each other.
  
• Rhino Rider: Mounted unit that charges and destroys enemy structures.
  

SPELLS

• Ice Ray: Focused beam that deals low Ice damage.
• Poison Breath: Focused beam that deals low Poison damage.
• Metamorphosis: Ritual that transforms Rank I creatures into harmless critters.
• Holy Arrow: Piercing arrow that damages enemies and heals allies.

BUILDINGS

• Rocket Soldier Factory: Building that continuously produces Rocket Soldiers.

NEW FEATURES

• Progression system: Added Knowledge, a new progression currency used to unlock Incantations within Magic Schools. Knowledge is earned by playing matches.
• Players start with 250 Knowledge, while Closed Beta players receive a bonus of 1,000 Knowledge.
  - First match of the day grants 200 Knowledge.
  - Wins grant 50 Knowledge.
  - Losses grant 25 Knowledge.
• Ranking System Rework:
• NB: The current matchmaking system features a work-in-progress Ranked mode, helping us fine-tune the upcoming Ranking system. Adjustments will be implemented during Early Access phase.
  
• Ranks & Progression -> Ranking will be based on the total cumulative points (RP) as follows:
  - Novice
  - Initiate → 75 points.
  - Adept → 205 points.
  - Mage → 400 points.
  - Archmage → 645 points.
  - Master → 940 points.
  - Grand Master → 1,390 points.
• Each Rank is divided into 5 intermediate tiers that require progressively more points to advance.
• Ranking Points (RP) gain and loss:
  - Ranking Points (RP) gains are fixed: +20 points per victory.
  - Ranking Points (RP) losses increase with player rank to reflect the greater challenge of progression.
• Cosmetics & Customization Shop: We are introducing an in-game shop where players can purchase cosmetics.
• Spellcaster Customization: We are introducing a full Customization tab featuring Spellcaster and Catalyst skins and personalization options.
• In-game Voice Chat: Players can now communicate with their team using in-game voice chat.
• In-Game Friends List: An in-game friends list has been added, allowing players to see, manage, and team up with their Spellcaster, Discord, and Steam friends.
• Spanish & German Voices: Full Spanish and German voice-over support has been added.
• Real-Time Scoreboard: An in-game scoreboard has been added and is now accessible during matches.

GAME RULES CHANGES

• Cast Stones Reworked:
• Players can now use Cast Stones to equip a fifth Incantation during a game, and adapt their strategy by swapping it using additional Cast Stones.
• Each Arena offers a dedicated set of Cast Stones.
• As the game progresses, more powerful Cast Stones grant access to more advanced Incantations.
• Chest Reworked: Each Chest will always give the same Cast Stone; random loot is removed.
• Removed randomness from the level-up system:
• Each level-up option presents a specific Incantation of your deck with three fixed upgrades based on your Spellcaster’s archetype.
• Population limit will now automatically increase based on your Spellcaster’s level.
• Titans' max health and damage will now automatically increase based on your Spellcaster’s level:
  - Level 15, 20, and 25: +25% DPS ; +5,000 HP.
• Rebalanced the XP curve to better reward territory control strategies:
• XP gained upon first territory captured: 500 → 1,000.
• XP gained upon recapturing a lost territory: 750 → 1,500.
• Passive XP from territory control: 1/s → 1,5/s.
• XP gained from creature summoning:
  - Rank I Creatures: 25->50.
  - Rank II Creatures: 75->100.
  - Rank III Creatures: 250->300.
  - Rank IV Creatures: 1,000->500.
  - Creatures spawned from buildings now grant less XP.
• More XP is needed to reach the first levels and the following ones: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25.
• Bonus XP granted if a Spellcaster is on a territory when it is captured: 0 → 750.
• XP granted by Spellcasters' Souls is decreased: 1,000 → 250.

GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS & FIXES

• Fixed a bug that prevented Enchanters from earning XP when applying Enchants to Creatures (Mystic Scribe) or Buildings (Stone Shaman).
• Fixed a bug that showed all Creatures' Souls as the smallest size.
• Fixed a bug that caused certain Rank III and IV spells to recharge at the beginning of the game.
• Rank IV Incantations are now charged when unlocked.
• Fixed an AI bug where allied Rank I and II Creatures stopped moving near the Wall of Kamazad.

BALANCING

SPELLCASTERS

• Reduced staggering efficiency of Creatures and Spellcasters.
• Increased resistance to interruptions.
• Adjusted hitbox.
• Reduced base HP.
• Reduced Pathfinder passive effectiveness: Stone Shaman now recharges Wild spells and Creatures at a slightly slower rate while on the ground.
• Damages of the Wind Shield against creatures: -50%.
• Reduced jump speed.

• Poison Strike and Ray’s (Fire Ray, Ice Ray, Thunder Ray…) damage increased.

• Increased attack size and visual effects to better reflect actual area of effect and improve readability.
• Fixed collision bug: attacks are no longer blocked by ground or walls

• Fixed a bug where the Arcane Alignment passive applied to all spells. It now only affects Astral spells, which recharge faster.
• Ultimate ability “Dimension of Varani” now activates faster.
• Slightly reduced auto-attack combo damage.

• Fixed issue preventing proper creature staggering.
• Improvement: Reduced pushback against Rank I creatures.
• Fixed unintended movement during Signature Attack animation.
• Ultimate ability “Seal of Immortality” has received balance adjustments:
• Healing per second reduced from 150 → 50.
• Initial heal reduced from 30% → 25% max HP.
• Initial Heal Burst increased from 300 → 500.

ELEMENTS & INFUSIONS

• Poison
• Duration reduced from 30s → 15s.
• Poison Effect per second is increased:
  - Poison I 10% max life.
  - Poison II 15% max life.
  - Poison III 25% Max life.
• Fire
• Duration reduced from 10s -> 5s.
• Damage per second increased from 30 -> 50.
• Additional damage reduced from 5% → 2,5% max HP.

INCANTATIONS

SPELLS

• Astral Nova
• Added upgrade option to increase damage.
• Reduced base damage.
• Earthquake
• Added upgrade option to increase damage.
• Reduced base damage.
• Fire rain
• Duration increased from 12s → 15s.
• Each projectile now deals 300 direct damage + 300 AOE damage (previously 300 + 150).
• Building damage increased from 35% → 50%
• Grand Lightning
• Fixed chain reaction bug.
• Resurrection
• Fixed bug preventing activation after Lifestone explosion.
• Resurrected Creatures now return with full HP (up to 5,000 HP).
• Fixed issue preventing use on Titans.
• Each Creature can only be resurrected once.
• Fire Infusion
• Reach doubled.
• Now grants temporary damage bonus to the Spellcaster and allied Spellcasters.
• Frost Surge
• Now grants temporary defense bonus to the Spellcaster and allied Spellcasters.
• Poison Grenade
• Damage increased from 25 → 30.
• Sacrifice
• Reworked: now affects enemies instead of allies.
  
• New description: Dark Ritual that damages enemies and curses units. Units killed by the curse recharge all players’ incantations.
  
  
• Adjustment: Increased recharge from small creatures.
• Fire Ray / Thunder ray / Sacrifice
• Ray Spells now deal 18% additional damage.
• Snap range increased from 26m → 45m.
• Astral Shot
• Slightly reduced base damage.

BUILDINGS

• Rampart
• Summoning Rampart now deals damage at its location.
• Ballista
• Slightly reduced base damage.

CREATURES

• Improved AI prioritization of Lifestones when in range.
• Increased damage against Lifestones.
• Skeleton Warrior
• Fixed bug preventing Skeleton Warriors from charging towards Buildings or Lifestones when in reach.
• Earth Golem
• Now use infused special attack against Buildings as well.
• Harpy
• Now use dive attack against Buildings as well.
• Now positions at an appropriate height relative to target.
• Juggernaut
• Increased recharge duration.
• Slightly reduced base damage.
• Stone Behemoth
• Now prioritizes attacking Lifestones over other buildings at equal distance.
• Ruin Spider
• Now prioritizes attacking Lifestones over other buildings at equal distance.
• Lich
• Improved aim against Spellcasters.
• Corrected DPS value.
• Giant Shielder
• Corrected shield hitbox.
• Shield damage absorption decreased from 100% → 75%.

ARENAS

• Lifestones: HP decreased from 10,000 → 7,500.
  
• Chest changes:
  
• Chests can now contain Cast Stones that unlock a 5th Incantation.
  
• Each chest always grants the same Incantation.
  
• Chest locations have been modified to encourage players to roam between lanes.
  
• Chests are now grouped into waves appearing at predefined intervals.
• Nordic Shore
• Increased decorative tree visibility distance and fade rate to improve readability.
• Global performance improvements.

TUTORIAL

• Improved clarity through bug fixes and polish.
• Introduction cinematic can now be skipped.
• Some cinematics have been replaced with gameplay sequences.
• Revised tutorial instructions for clarity.

Bugs & Improvements Fix

• General performance and stability improvements.