This patch will only be released to the beta branch!

The reason for this is that the changes are fairly experimental. We are tweaking combat, changing the way hope functions, and we are introducing ‘regional quests’.

For the latter we have implemented one test case involving Doorn and a new regional hazard: Sentient Trees. The idea is that this hazard pretty much prevents you from traversing regions in which they are active, unless you find a way to deal with them. Some solutions are ‘partial solutions’: they are limited in time or effectiveness. While the possible ‘permanent’ solutions might have additional consequences.

If you want to test out these changes, you’ll need to switch to the beta branch and start a new world. If you have the option unlocked to add Doorn to the world, you should do it. That way you’ll be certain the regional quest is spawned. If you don’t have it unlocked, it is easy to verify its activity by checking out the side quest in the in-game menu. A side-quest called “sentient trees of X” should be present.

Combat Changes
- Exposed state lasts twice as long.
- You are exposed after attacking 3 times (with most weapons).
- The speed at which you can attack again has been lowered.
- Attack speed is affected by being exposed.
- Improves the particle effects of hits, blocks, and parries.
- Slightly increases the physical impact of attacks on both target and the attacker.

Hope Changes
- There is only one single hope bar (in time we will remove the hope traits).
- Once hope is depleted you cannot recover health from eating, and you cannot regain hope.
- If you rest in comfort (inns, and similar places), you recover all your hope.
- Everytime hope is depleted, the max hope and the max health of your character is reduced.

Regional Quests
- Regions can be much more dangerous and communicate these dangers in the info panel.
- One such danger has been fleshed out: Sentient Trees (which are tied to the presence of Doorn).
- Introduces a new travel hazard: Sentient Trees.
- Changes the way tributes at forest shrines and the Forest Friend condition interact with Hazards and Sentient Trees.
- Adds a new boon you can claim from Doorn: the Root Spirit Guide.

Considering the tasks ahead, we expect next week’s patch also to roll out to the beta branch exclusively…