[h3][b]Greetings, Viceroys![/b][/h3] The next Against the Storm update is just around the corner. We’re happy to announce that the Ashen Thicket Update (1.5) will be released on Wednesday, [b]November 27th, at 6:00 pm UTC[/b]. In this final preview, we provide an overview of the update, instructions on how to prepare, and an invitation to the developer livestream. [hr][/hr] [h2]Base game[/h2] The Ashen Thicket Update (1.5) brings new content to both the Keepers of the Stone DLC and the base game. Here's what's new for all players. [h3]New world event: Forsaken Town[/h3] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/37925331/3e6f21da1d8d28af6c43669815fec8caa9fcaa2d.jpg[/img] Right past wrongs and complete settlements left to deteriorate. This world event requires you to play a settlement that is already in progress. This means some blueprints are already selected, some cornerstones chosen, some orders active, some glades discovered, and a few buildings built. The Forsaken Town world event comes in two variants (which also means its spawn rate is higher than other world events). [h3]New resource: Salt[/h3] Salt is obtained in the Mine and requires Salt veins. The byproduct of Salt veins is Sea Marrow (with a 30% drop rate). Salt will be added to multiple existing recipes. Salt veins can be found in the Coral Forest, the Sealed Forest, and the Ashen Thicket. Salt is also available from some traders, trade routes, Hooded Trickster and Strider Port reward packs, and as a reward from some glade events. It also comes with a few new orders and a new perk that boosts its production. [h3]And more[/h3] As usual, the update will also include several improvements, fixes, balance changes, and quality-of-life features, such as: [quote][list][*] The “Available Housing” tooltip now shows separate values for already built houses and houses under construction. [*] If you have more than one Cornerstone to choose from, the UI will no longer disappear after each pick and stay on the screen until you have selected all available Cornerstones. [*] Building entrances are now shown when selecting a ruin.[/list][/quote] The full list of changes will be released once the update goes live. [h2]Keepers of the Stone DLC[/h2] [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1336490/view/4525647157467807753]As teased previously[/url], the Ashen Thicket Update (1.5) introduces big new changes to the Keepers of the Stone DLC. [h3]New biome: Ashen Thicket[/h3] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/37925331/fe556925fc49f88608cb944c10bbe1f9972677f9.jpg[/img] Venture into a new biome where you can craft your own Cornerstones. Once a thriving forest of giant spruce trees, this land has been ravaged by relentless industrial exploitation and the devastating Blightstorm. Gain Thunderblight Shards from mining and turn them into up to three custom Cornerstones. Mix and match different conditions and effects, and add an optional penalty to increase the power of your Cornerstone. By turning the abundance of mined ore into products, free automated hauling carts will be assigned to your warehouses. [h3]Frogs unlock level[/h3] Frogs will now be unlocked upon reaching level 9 instead of 13. [h3]Feeling Lucky Deed[/h3] The controversial Feeling Lucky deed is getting revamped. A new version of this deed will only require you to find the Rainpunk Foundry blueprint in Coastal Forest. The old Feeling Lucky deed will be renamed to Feeling Extremely Lucky and will become a hidden deed that is not tied to platform achievements. Players who earned it prior to the 1.5 update will have it unlocked automatically. [h3]Strider Port balance changes[/h3] We’re also rebalancing expeditions in the Strider Port. Here's an excerpt from the changelog: [quote][list][*] Reduced the total amount of resources required for all expeditions by an average of 10-15%. [*] Resource requirements now increase by a small amount every time an expedition is sent, rather than increasing by a larger amount every two expeditions. [*] The requirement for complex food starts one expedition later than before. As a result, the first 3 expeditions can be sent out using only raw resources. [*] The requirement for service goods starts one expedition later than before. As a result, there is one less expedition for service goods and one more expedition for complex food only). [*] Resource requirements will now increase by a smaller amount with each level of additional investment for a higher chance of extra loot.[/list][/quote] [hr][/hr] [h2]How to prepare[/h2] [h3]Finish the settlement before the Update[/h3] [b]Important:[/b] Due to numerous systemic changes, the update will close the ongoing settlements to prevent potential issues. As compensation, you’ll receive extra Citadel Resources and Royal Resupply (you may decline this reward if you prefer). If you don't want your ongoing settlement to be closed, please be sure to finish it before the update goes live on November 27th at 6:00 pm UTC. Your Cycle progress and meta progress will remain intact. For a limited time, we will also be leaving the current 1.4 version on a separate Steam branch so that you can complete the settlement if you are unable to do so before the Ashen Thicket Update (1.5) goes live. However, we recommend that you consider this option as a last resort. [hr][/hr] [h2]Developer livestream[/h2] We also invite you to join us on November 26th (a day before the update goes live) for a Twitch livestream where we will present and discuss the major features coming in the Ashen Thicket Biome (1.5) and answer your questions during the Q&A segment. Tune in on Tuesday, November 26th, at 4:00 pm UTC: [url=https://www.twitch.tv/eremitegames/ style=button]Follow us on Twitch[/url] See you then! [b]May the storm be gentle on you,[/b] Eremite Games