Experience a new era of puzzle warfare as Gems of War prepares to enter its next decade of match-3 combat! With the arrival of Update 8.0, we’re excited to finally introduce a new aspect to Gems of War, Immortals! Adventurers both new and old have been exploring the mythical world of Krystara for nearly 10 years, building their teams and conquering the puzzle board. For such a big update, there is no better person to delve into the details like the Creative Head at Infinity Plus 2, Steve “Sirran” Fawkner! Hello everyone! Sirrian here, and I’m so excited to finally talk more about Immortals in Update 8.0 and what it means for Gems of War moving forward. But first… [b]Who are the Immortals?[/b] Immortals are a completely new type of content that houses a new troop, weapon, and pet for adventurers to progress. It is quite unique in that it's ultimately an entirely new troop type in Gems of War, which we haven't done in many years! Unlike other troops, Immortals progress and act very differently from their non-Immortal counterparts, breaking free from the current rarity system. Furthermore, these troops are so powerful that only one Immortal can be included on a team at a time. We’re excited to see what kind of teams will be built by the community to take advantage of each Immortal troop’s unique abilities! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/ed2e8f7cade0b2602ff7fc5a980018106d52f6d0.jpg[/img] [b]How are Immortals different from regular troops? [/b] Immortals have a unique form of leveling separate from current troops that require a new item, Immortal Souls, to progress. At level 1, you’ll have the troop with its base stats which will already be viable to slot into any team, but as you build that immortal, you’ll unlock its unique weapon, pet, greater stats for all of that Immortal’s content, awakened traits, and mana reductions at higher levels. While there will be multiple ways to earn Immortal Souls, the primary way will be through the brand-new PVP Seasons! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/4d9700ad4ba49c2743abb09c079347ccf5a43765.jpg[/img] [b]Introducing PVP Seasons[/b] Our new PVP Seasons feature opens a completely new avenue for Gem warfare! These seasons will take place over 11 weeks and provide a set of “Seasonal Goals'' to pursue throughout the season’s run. Completing these goals will earn you special PVP buffs to boost your resource collection and PVP marks to purchase items in the PVP shop. The introduction of PVP Seasons also launches with a new “PVP Season Pass” to earn even greater rewards! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/75600b9a8ff50a28eac33eb8e133e8b7f5893e40.jpg[/img] [b]One last note![/b] The 8.0 “Immortals” Update is the culmination of the last several updates focused on reinvigorating our PVP game mode in Gems of War. The team has done a tremendous job of developing new and exciting features including the introduction of “Regions” and new “Alliances” in the PVP map. The “Immortals'' update brings all of these features together to establish the PVP system as a core pillar of the Gems of War formula. We welcome all current, new, and returning adventurers to jump in a play today with our fully rich slate of PVE content or conquer the regions all across Krystara in PVP - there is something for everyone! Dive into the latest update and recruit your new Immortal to smash gems and take over all of Krystara! [h2]Patch Notes[/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/b8e9fdf740613657683760279b37cf43a88495b7.png[/img] Immortals are a new type of Mythic Troop linked to the PvP Seasons (more on that further down) with a new unique levelling system. [list] [*] When 8.0 Launches, we will have 10 Immortals available in Chests. [*] Each Immortal has its own unique currency, Immortal Souls – used for levelling it. [*] Unlike regular Troops, Immortals can only be unlocked or gain levels by earning and spending their Immortal Souls. [*] Immortals unlock when a player earns 10 of its Immortal Souls. [*] Unlocked Immortals start at Level 1 (for all players, even if the player has VIP levels). A Level 1 Immortal has similar Skill Points to a Level 20 Mythic [list][*] This is so players can start using Immortals immediately upon unlock.[/list] [*] Immortals can be leveled to Level 30 [list][*] Each level on an Immortal will unlock something new, this includes:[/list] [list][*] More Skill Points[/list] [list][*] The Immortals 3 Traits (and upgraded versions of these – see below)[/list] [list][*] Mana Cost reductions (similar to Shiny Troops),[/list] [list][*] A special Immortal Weapon, whose spell works with the Immortal Troop,[/list] [list][*] An Immortal Pet that also works with the Immortal Troop.[/list] [*] Immortal Weapons and Pets can only be upgraded by levelling their associated Immortal – they do not use ingots, or pet food, or duplicate copies. [*] Immortal Troops, Weapons, and Pets cannot be upgraded by Orbs. [*] At Level 30 Immortals unlock their Awakened Traits, which are more powerful versions of their Traits. [*] Once fully levelled, any excess Immortal Souls will be automatically converted into Burning Marks, as 1 Burning Mark for every 5 excess Immortal Souls. [*] Immortals have a home Kingdom and a home Region. [*] Immortals can ignore any restrictions in their home Region, allowing them to always be used within that region. [*] However, they do obey any Region restrictions in other regions. [*] Immortal Troops’ spells have a bonus effect that triggers when used in their home Region (mentioned in their spell description). [*] Only 1 Immortal can be active in a team at a time. [*] Players are able to view their Immortals in the Troop List, but Immortals also have their own menu on the left-hand side of the PvP world map, where players can view all Immortals available and manage the Immortals they own. [*] ‘New Immortals will be introduced with PvP Seasons, with each Season having a Featured Immortal that players will be able to collect Immortal Souls for from the season’s rewards.’New Immortals will be introduced with PvP Seasons, with each Season having a Featured Immortal that players will be able to collect Immortal Souls for from the season’s rewards. [/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/d961e1cd6576e0a91b5f87365ae73d3f63c9af77.png[/img] The Immortals update introduces the final PvP Currency – Burning Marks. It also introduces the Burning Chests which can be opened with Burning Marks. [list] [*] Burning Chests are a new Chest related to PvP [*] Burning Chests can be found on the left-hand side of the PvP World Map [*] It costs 10 Burning Marks to open a Burning Chest [*] Burning Marks can be earned in 3 ways: [list][*] PvP Season Pass[/list] [list][*] PvP Season Goals[/list] [list][*] Directly purchasing from the PvP Shop (this will have weekly limits)[/list] [*] Burning Chests will give one of the following: [list][*] 10 – 50 Immortal Souls for a random Immortal[/list] [list][*] 20 Gold Marks or 50 Silver Marks[/list] [list][*] 1 Bronze, Silver or Gold Icon[/list] [*] Icons are a new collectible resource that can be traded in for VP in the PvP Shop (in the Other Tab) or saved for the start of the New Season [*] Icons are worth the following amounts [list][*] Bronze Icon: 500 VP[/list] [list][*] Silver Icon: 1,500 VP[/list] [list][*] Gold Icon: 5,000 VP[/list] [*] Trading an Icon will earn the VP towards both your Weekly and Total VP amounts for the Season [*] Any Icons that have been saved or not used by the end of a Season will be auto-converted to 10% of their VP value when the new Season begins, giving players a means to get a headstart for the new Season. [/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/6e11e56e61623b18a368e3b08d212eeda825fd13.png[/img] As hinted back in the 7.3 update, we are introducing PvP Seasons to Gems of War. There are 2 parts to Season – Season Pass and Season Goals. [h3]PVP SEASON PASS[/h3] [list] [*] PvP Seasons will last 11 weeks. [*] Each Season will have a Featured Immortal, which will be a new Immortal introduced that season. [*] Immortal Souls for this Featured Immortal can be earned from the Season Pass and Season Goals. Players will also have a chance to earn Immortal Souls for them from Burning Chests when their Season begins. [*] Players advance through Tiers in the Season Pass by earning VP in PvP battles during the season. [list][*] VP earned from trading in Icons will also count towards this.[/list] [*] There is only a single reward track, however some Tiers rewards are locked unless the player has the Premium Pass. [*] There are 90 Tiers in the Season Pass for players to achieve. [*] Season Pass rewards include things such as Immortal Souls for the Feature Immortal, Burning Marks, Talismans, Boosters, and other rewards. [*] Season Pass progress resets each Season. [/list] [h3]SEASON GOALS[/h3] [list] [*] Each Season will have a set of Goal Tasks for players to complete. [*] All Goals can be achieved by playing in the PvP system. [*] There are 3 levels to complete for each Goal – Bronze, Silver, Gold. [*] Completing a level for a Goal will give a reward of either Burning Marks, or Immortal Souls for the Featured Immortal. [*] Season Goals reset each Season. [/list] [b] The first PvP Season, the Season of Ice will begin 22nd of July, at weekly reset. Keep an eye out for a PvP Season blog with more information[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/227bc6ad8ce88a93a6c53e1c88a533215a58b7c3.png[/img] We have 2 new Achievements for this update: [list] [*] 20,000 VPs Under the Sea: Earn 20,000 Victory Points in a PvP Season. [*] There Can Be Only 10: Upgrade an Immortal to Level 10. [/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/fefce7bb7c29090aabf4f262907130422c841821.png[/img] [list] [*] Silver Marks and Gold Marks have had a visual update to match the new Burning Marks. [*] In the Resource Wallet we have created a new category called PvP where Silver Marks, Gold Marks, Monolith Sigils and Citadel Sigils, will be joining Burning Marks, and the 3 new Icons. [*] The Alliance Skill point boost for Alliances with 0 – 1 Citadels will now apply to those players’ teams on Defense at a reduced amount. (This bonus will add to the Blood Frenzy boost that applies to opponents in those regions). [list][*] 0 Citadels = 20% to PvP Defense[/list] [list][*] 1 Citadels = 10% to PvP Defense[/list] [*] We have added 2 new Citadel Guardians that will be encountered in their Home Regions the week after 8.0 releases: [list][*] Guardian of Innovation will be encountered in Aidania[/list] [list][*] Guardian of Ice will be encountered in Winter’s Reach[/list] [/list] [h3]We will be offering an Alliance Grace Period for the first week of Season 1 – during this time players will be able to change Alliances without losing any VP or Loyalty.[/h3] [b]From Monday, July 22nd at daily reset when the Season begins until the following Monday the 29th. You can change Alliance more than once in this period After daily reset on Monday the 29th, penalties will apply again if you change Alliance.[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7041285/4a177d007d4f6a6efa6ab0417e478ddd52236bd2.png[/img] [list] [*] We have fixed an issue in the Trials menu where the screen was not scrolling along to match your cursor selection. [*] We have fixed an assortment of smaller issues. [/list]