[p]Hi everyone![/p][p]If you've read our previous post, you'll know that we're hard at work on the Forge Update. If you haven't already, you can read it below![/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3772810/view/532125848715657460?l=english"][/dynamiclink]Well, I'm happy to announce that the first part of the Forge Update is out on the Beta branch RIGHT NOW! [/p][p]It doesn't contain any of the new content, but it has a complete rebalancing of the game. Don't worry though, basically nothing as been nerfed, most things are about as powerful as before with some consistency fixes, and some things are buffed.[/p][p align="start"]To access the beta branch, do the following:[/p][*][p]Right click on Desktop Defender in your Steam Library[/p]
[*][p]Click Properties and then Betas[/p]
[*][p]Click beta[/p]
[p]Anyways, below are the standout changes![/p]

• [p]⚔️% Damage Loot is completely reworked! No longer does it increase damage from a percentage of your base weapon stat, but rather the whole damage stat as a whole. This means that % damage loot is no longer super underpowered in the early game, but it remains about just as powerful in the late game. Some of the multipliers for loot affecting this stat has been reduced a bit, but because it multiplies from a higher base value, it should remain about just as strong in the late game as it is currently.[/p]
• [p]🔫Fire rate is no longer a percentage, but rather calculated as "shots per second", and upgraded as such. The fire rate limit as also been increased from 10 -> 15 shots per second (and 100 -> 150 for Flamethrower and Electromagnetism)! This means that no longer will you have a loot with, for instance, a 15% increase in fire rate that doubles your shots per second. This stat is much clearer now.[/p]
• [p]❤️HP Is no longer useless! We've completely rebalanced it and you can now take multiple hits before dying if you invest in it properly. The full Forge Update will also contain more loot that will let you have an HP-centric build.[/p]
• [p]🎯Aim Cone descriptions have been majorly reworked, and now display as a percentage with the stat name "Accuracy".[/p]
• [p]⚡Critical hit multipliers through loot are now multiplicative instead of additive.[/p]
• [p]❓And way more![/p]

[p]All of this is of course subject to change, hence why it's on the beta branch! So, if there's anything you like or dislike about these changes let us know on the game's Discord Channel![/p][p]As I mentioned in the previous update, the full Forge Update with all of the content plus the balance rework seen in this update will release in late April or early May. I hope that you'll all enjoy it![/p][p]I also wanted to let you know that last week we released a companion game to Desktop Defender called Card Corner! If you like the sound of Balatro X Desktop Defender, then the game is for you and you'll get a discount with the bundle below if you already own Desktop Defender![/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/67188/Desktop_Defender__Card_Corner/"][/dynamiclink]Also, if you're enjoying the game, I would REALLY appreciate it if you reviewed it. It's the best thing you can do to support the game if you're enjoying it![/p][p align="start"]Thanks again, and keep on enjoying Desktop Defender![/p][p align="start"]- Conrad, Lead Developer[/p]