[b]WARNING: This post contains details about Update 04 that might be considered spoilers to some. [/b] [h1]Hello Survivors, [/h1] In Update 04 we are introducing a new feature to the game called Mutators. Mutators are a system of novel affixes added to a run to make them more interesting and chaotic. They come in the form of positive mutators that will help you in the run and make you more powerful, and negative mutators that will challenge and test you. Here’s an example of a run with two positive and two negative mutators: [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43726543/77a71e34affc25d018e68e9cfb08c24d0894744d.png[/img] You might be curious about where and when these mutators will appear in the game. We have created two new game modes called ‘[b]Vanguard Contracts[/b]’ and ‘[b]Lethal Operations[/b]’. A Vanguard Contract is a specific set of mutators and run conditions that change every day. For example, you might be tasked with going into Crystalline Caverns as a Maintenance Worker Engineer with the Cryo Cannon as a starting weapon, only able to equip [COLD] Weapons, and a list of mutators like the ones depicted above. Vanguard Contracts can be challenging but you will often feel much more powerful than in a regular run. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43726543/5756c8f68cc87bf8cc66eeab6ae8f299172c39f8.png[/img][i]Notice anything different (besides the flying dwarf?)[/i] Lethal Operations, on the other hand, are meant to be a proper challenge that you can dive into and “solve”. That’s why it only changes weekly giving you ample time to experiment with different setups or discuss strategies with fellow players. The biome is locked, but you get to pick a class and class mod to test out different approaches to overcoming the mutator combos. How about one where your starting weapon is Cryo Grenades, shop prices are increased by 50%, enemy speed is increased by 45% and you only get two choices when you level up? We look forward to seeing some epic runs. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43726543/36452f38962bd4f967f5f6bcfa5a3feefade586d.png[/img][i]Will you ever escape the ghostly shellback?[/i] Since Vanguard Contracts and Lethal Operations change every day/week, we do not want to add a reward that will make you feel obligated to play them for fear of missing out on powerful upgrades. We have instead opted to make the dives give a bonus to Rank XP and Credits the first time you complete them. This should make it an optional game mode for any players still progressing, and for the greybeards, we hope you will instead compete on EMPLOYEE REVIEW SCORE - another feature added in Update 04. You will have to wait for the patch notes for more details on that one. That’s it for now miners. Stay tuned for more Update 04 which is on track to launch [b]NEXT WEEK[/b]! [b]Rock and Stone! [/b]