Greetings!

This is a quick update for the new Version 0.13. In this version we have fixed some of the bugs reported in the discussion forum and added some improvements that were suggested by the players.

The only big change is related to the balancing and gameplay rules. It seems insignificant, but it was the cause of a hot debate between the Numantian developers.

"What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"

This quote from the legendary movie Conan the Barbarian is perfect to introduce this question. Which is more important, the power of the weapon or the power (strength) of the character that wields it?

We are trying to make the rules and mechanisms behind LoX as realistic as possible. In the case of weapons, the damage depends on the type (axe, dagger,…) and its quality (iron, steel,..). But when a character wields it, its damage is scaled by their strength as every point in strength increases damage by a 3%. With this, it keeps the difference in damage between weapons proportionally.

Although this approach is more realistic than giving a fixed bonus, it happens that combatants are a bit weak in the beginning but very powerful in the end. So finally we have decided that strength will give a fixed bonus independently of the weapon. We have worked in the best values for the bonus to follow these rules:
- One damage point per every 2 Strength Points (above 10).
- One damage point extra per every 5 Strength Points (above 10).

With these simple rules, now combatants are better in the beginning, and the difference in damage from a Barbarian and a Thief for example, are now more evident. In the last part of the game, the bonus would be lower than with the other method, but we will try to balance that part very carefully.

What do you think?

Next update will contain the new class The Divine Summoner and some new skills for the existent ones.

And here the list of changes.

Improvements

• Improved management of load/save errors.
• Tooltip time can be set in the Options screen (it can be disabled too). Also tooltip is not removed until you move the mouse cursor out of the object that is showing the help.
• In the Level Up Window, at the bottom, it now displays the Next Skills that will be available in the next level.
• In the Shop window, the selected character can be switched with the keys (1,2…6)
• Dialog options can be selected using the Number Keys: [1] for the first option, [2] for the second one,….
• In Trap Window, the color of the green gears has been changed to silver. Red-green color blind players had problems with the old colors.

Balancing and Game Mechanics

• Strength bonus damage changed: Now it gives one point damage every two points and every 5 points it gives an additional damage point.
• Random values for Auto Lock Picking, Auto Trap Disarming, Herbs
• Collecting, and more… are now generated with the same saved seed. What this means is, save-scumming is now almost impossible.
• Flaming weapon and Icy Weapon now have some bonus to attack rating depending on the development. Also, in combat their hit rate and damage is now displayed.
• Mercantilism Skill now affects the prices of the town services: Inn, Food, Temple.
• There were some problems with the level of the skills for the hybrid classes Paladin & Arcane Soldier, that were affected when level up. Now the level required for shared skills (the ones specific to the two subclasses) are equal to: Level *1.5 +3. So for example: Lv1. Light Heal is available for Paladins at level 5.

Bugs Fixed

• Some computers had errors when using the user temp folder to create the temp files when saving. So now the temp files are created in the save game folder instead.
• Fixed: The greeting voice of the temple was executed after coming back from the "Need Spiritual Help" menu.
• Fixed: Some English & Spanish texts errors.
• Fixed: Message after fighting in the Arena (only the character who fights gains EXP).
• Fixed: Initiative help.
• Fixed: Turn time in combat list now is updated at the beginning of the turn too.
• Fixed: Cauldrons in the Temple near the Well of Souls were unclickable.
• Fixed: Some more minor bugs and graphic glitches.