Design Notes

July 13, 2021

Issue Update: Facebook Login

FB Login is temporarily unavailable. A fix is in progress.

the Facebook Login for AdventureQuest Worlds is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience, and will have that back up for everyone as soon as possible. You can still log into AQW by entering your username + password normally.

Tags: Alina,

July 13, 2021

More Free HeroPoints O_O

Fixing a bug by giving MORE GIFTS

Last week, we gave heroes logging in 3 free HeroPoints to celebrate the return of HeroMart. Due to a bug with the gift-giving, some accounts received 6 instead of 3. To keep things fair, we've gone ahead and given ALL heroes 6 HeroPoints.

So if you originally got 3 HeroPoints last week, 3 more were added to your account yesterday.* The last date to log in to claim your free HP is now July 31, 2021.

Note: The 6 HP gift will only be available for accounts created on or before July 12th, 2021.

*If you got 6 HeroPoints before the fix yesterday, you did not get 3 more (because that would give you 9 HeroPoints). The most anyone will get from our free HP giveaway is 6 HP. Enjoy!

Tags: Alina,

July 12, 2021

Server Performance and Bug Fixes

What is the "ServerTest" server?

This is an updated version of the regular Live AQW servers, with some performance and bug fixes. This is NOT the "new" AQW mobile server.

Before rolling out changes to the live servers on Friday, we need to make sure there are no mysterious bugs or side effects to the code changes.

Want to help test? Here is how:

Log into the "ServerTest" server and just play the game like normal.

If you have any strange problems or bugs, keep a note of them. Then logout, and log into one of the regular Live servers, and try the exact same actions again.

If the problem bug is ONLY on the ServerTest server, please Report the bug at the Bugs site.

If you report a real bug, and we can reproduce the problem, and the problem ONLY exists on the ServerTest server, you will earn a "Server Tester" badge.

Brief List of Changes

New Changes (July 12, 2021)

Collecting Item Drops too fast will not disconnect you.
When session is kicked from multi-login, the client will show a more helpful message.
When trying to join a map that has a broken room instance, there is a better chance now of getting assigned to a working instance of the map, instead of nothing happening.

Old Changes (May 6-10, 2021)

Selling items when you are at the max gold cap, will refund zero gold, but the item will be removed from your inventory. Fixes house item selling bug.
Fixed lots of random bugs, where player data is "missing" and the server tries to make changes anyway.
In PVP zones, it is no longer allowed to Get items from your Bank. You can store items, but can not swap or pull items from Bank.
Added cool downs to guild,friend, and duel invites. Less spam!

Old Changes (April 26, 2021)

Better warning messages when guild, party, and friend actions fail.
Buying items that are higher than your character level are blocked.
Item drops from monsters will now have enhancement level equal to your char level, unless the item is a higher than your char level. It will not be enhanced.
If you try to go to a player house that does not exist, and you already own a home, you will get an warning message, instead of going to the buyhouse map.
Removed an old process that would often lag the entire system every 15 minutes.
If you log into another game server, this server will show a warning message, instead of Kick for some actions, like quest turn-in, equipping gear. More improvements in this area will be coming soon.
Faster server reboot time.
Many other behind-the-scenes performance and bug fixes.

Tags: Captain Rhubarb,

July 09, 2021

Calendar Class Update: Time for BUFFS

Class Enthusiasts, this post is for you!

With the return of all calendar classes comes balance updates for each one released between 2011 and 2016 with the purpose of bringing them up to modern standards! Although every calendar class revolves around the Temporal Rift mechanic, these changes were made with the intent of giving each class a unique role, so a specific calendar class may perform better than the others depending on the situation you’re in!

Chronomancer

Chronomancer has aged poorly over the years, poor enough to the point where two of its skills are effectively unusable. These changes aim to bring back use to these skills and push the class into a glass cannon like role.

Mana Regeneration: Mana Model changed to Warrior

Temporal Strike:

Damage increased
Mana Cost: 5 > 3
Cooldown: 2 seconds > 1.5 seconds

Rift Inversion:

Healing function changed, now heals the player based on the number of Temporal Rift stacks they have (does not consume stacks)
No longer applies Inverted Matrix
Now applies Time Warp, which increases Haste by 20% for 12 seconds.- Mana Cost: 20 > 10

Rift Collapse:

Now has an 80% increased chance to crit
Mana Cost: 30 > 20

Riftburn:

DoT damage reduced
DoT no longer consumes or does damage based on Temporal Rift stacks
Now reduces enemy Dodge by 15%
Mana Cost: 50 > 15
Cooldown: 16 seconds > 12 seconds

ChronoCorruptor

ChronoCorruptor’s aura blocks, lack of mana sustain, and extreme levels of RNG make it very frustrating to use. We’ve made changes to each of these aspects so that the class feels better to play while still keeping a highrolling nature.

Mana Regeneration: Mana Model changed to Warrior

Chaos Rift Strike:

Damage increased
Mana Cost: 5 > 4
Skill icon updated

Split Causality:

Skill has been remade!
When used, now applies either Mend Time or Restore Time to the player. Mend Time is a large HoT that lasts 2 seconds, Restore Time is a small HoT that lasts 8 seconds
When used, now applies either Time Hemorrhage or Time Bleed to the target. Time Hemorrhage is a large DoT that lasts 2 seconds, Time Bleed is a small DoT that lasts 8 seconds
No longer applies Unstable Rift- Mana Cost: 20 > 10
Skill icon updated

Time Collapse:

No longer applies Unstable Rift
Mana Cost: 30 > 20
Skill icon updated

Don’t Blink Twice:*

Skill has been remade!
Damage reduced, but now always does damage
No longer stuns
Now applies Distorted Time to the player, which increases Haste by 20% for 15 seconds.
Now applies either Visceral Shift or Shiftburn to the player. Visceral Shift increases physical damage by 100% for 5 seconds, Shiftburn increases HoT and DoT power by 100% for 5 seconds.
Mana Cost: 50 > 15- Skill icon updated

*renamed from Shiftburn

Chaotic Movement: Dodge Chance: 10% > 15%

Timekiller

We’re addressing a strange issue regarding Timekiller in which it’s a calendar class, but is missing the Temporal Rift mechanic. We’ve also made various adjustments that improve its PvP (and PvE) performance.

General: Switched positions of the Relive The Past and Compress Time skills

Stat Model: Changed to Rogue

Rift Slash (renamed from Auto Attack): Now applies Temporal Rift to the player

Stretch Time:

Damage type changed to Physical
Now applies Temporal Rift to the player
Now reduces target Haste by a flat 20% for 10 seconds
Mana Cost: 15 > 8

Compress Time:

Mana Cost: 30 > 10
Cooldown: 20 seconds > 10 seconds

Relive the Past: Now does damage based on stacks of Temporal Rift- DoT Damage increased

Stop Time:

Damage reduced
Damage type changed to Physical
Now applies Temporal Rift to the player
Stun duration: 4 seconds > 2 seconds
Mana Cost: 45 > 20
Cooldown: 16 seconds > 12 seconds

Temporal Cataclysm: Now reduces DoT damage taken by 60%

ChronoCommander

Improving ChronoCommander’s role as a tank without compromising its ability to deal damage.

Mana Regeneration: Mana Model changed to Warrior

Time Rift: Now always applies Focus

Time Rift Inversion: Healing function changed, now heals the player based on the number of Temporal Rift stacks they have (does not consume stacks)

Severed Rift:

DoT damage reduced
DoT no longer consumes or does damage based on Temporal Rift stacks
Now reduces enemy damage by 25% - Mana Cost: 50 > 10

Auxiliary Systems (renamed from Timeless): Now increases Endurance by 150%

Temporal Power Suit (renamed from Endless): Now reduces physical damage taken by 10%

Chrono DragonKnight

Reducing Time of the Dragon’s cooldown to address the changes to monster respawn times.

Mana Regeneration: Mana Model changed to Warrior

Time of the Dragon: Cooldown: 35 seconds > 25 seconds

Infinity Knight

Improving Infinity Knight’s mana sustain.

Mana Regeneration: Mana Model changed to DeathKnight (regens mana for each DoT tick)

Strike of Dawn: Mana Cost: 5 > 0

Tags: Alina,

July 09, 2021

Explore the Edge of Time

This weekend: Chronomancers, HeroMart, Classes and more!

This weekend, log in and /join chronohub to explore the Archipelago of Time! Discover the history of the Chronomancers as you farm for new gear, unlock lore scrolls, and more.

Lore fans, don't miss the scrolls in /chronohub. /join chronohub and head into the building, then click on the scrolls to learn more about the history of Chronomancy. There are about 10 stories covering the founding of the different Orders of Chronomancy.

Talk to all of the Chronomancers at /chronohub to learn their stories, then complete quests to unlock Timepieces to use in the Chronohub Merge shop!

HeroMart is back!

The in-game version of HeroMart, Artix Entertainment's online merch store, is open once again in AQWorlds! The HeroPoints Merge Shop is back, along with all of the gen 1 HeroPoints gear (including the Great Thief Class)!

Heromart is once again ramping up production, with many new posters, shirts, and other gear coming in the near future. That's why we've worked with the HeroMart crew to get the in-game map ready to re-open... and this weekend, you can /join Heromart to find all the returning rewards for HeroPoints... and a few shiny new options.

Helpful HeroMart Links

There is a LOT that goes into Heromart and its in-game rewards. That's why you should check out the links below if you have any questions.

Read more about HeroPoints and what you can do with them in yesterday's Design Notes post.
See what merchandise comes with HeroPoints rewards
Contact Artix Support if you have any issues with your HeroMart purchase or reward redemption

Variants of Calendar Classes are now available

Calendar Class variants are here! We've paired buffed versions of the original class skills with new art. The class sets are available for ACs or HeroPoints in the /heromart merge shop.

Starting this weekend, you’ll be able to buy Timelock Keys with AdventureCoins to unlock new variants of the Calendar Class sets** for AdventureCoins. Or you can buy the class and individual set items for HeroPoints.

Chronomancer Prime: 2011 Chronomancer Class variant
ChronoChaorruptor: 2012 ChronoCorruptor Class variant
TimeKeeper: 2013 TimeKiller Class variant
ChronoCommandant: 2014 ChronoCommander Class variant
Chrono DataKnight: 2015 Chrono DragonKnight Class variant
Interstellar Knight: 2016 Infinity Knight Class variant
ShadowWeaver of Time: 2017 ShadowWalker of Time Class variant
Empyrean Chronomancer: 2018 Eternal Chronomancer Class variant

And in the near future, we'll also be adding the:

Timeless Chronomancer: 2019 Corrupted Chronomancer Class variant
Overworld Chronomancer: 2020 Underworld Chronomancer Class variant
Necrotic Chronomancer: 2021 Nechronomancer Class variant

How to buy the AC version:

Talk to Stryche in the /HeroMart map
Buy the Timelock Key for the Class for 6,000 ACs***
The Timelock Key opens up a shop with the 0 AC class, armor, and accessories (Talk to Stryche to find your new gear shop)

How to buy the HeroPoints version:

Buy merchandise from HeroMart.
Once your merch arrives, find the HeroPoints code printed on your packing slip.
Redeem your code on the Portal site and apply the HeroPoints to your AQWorlds account.
Login to your AQWorlds account and /join Heromart
Talk to Stryche to open the HeroPoints merge shop for the Calendar Class you want
Buy the Class or any of the set items using your HeroPoints

Note: Currently, the /curio map has the original 2017 Timelock Key. This will remain available until the 2017 calendar sells out on Heromart.com. The 2018 Calendar sold out, and so the Immortality Key, which unlocks the 2018 class, will be removed with this weekend's release.

* Owners of the original versions of past Calendar Classes will unlock the new variants for free in their badge shop in the Book of Lore.

** Classes were named intentionally so the acronyms would remain the same. That way, players will still know which classes other heroes are referring to.

*** With the 2017 Calendar, we had two ways to obtain the Calendar Class. Players could unlock it for free by purchasing the physical calendar from HeroMart or could buy a Timelock Key for 6,000 AdventureCoins to unlock the class and set items. This new model follows our 2017 plan.

New from HeroMart: Game Logo T-Shirts!

NEW game logo t-shirts are now available from HeroMart! Display your love of Lore, dragons, and looking AWESOME, and get more rewards than just looking like a Hero. Each comes with HeroPoints rewards to spend inside our games.

Plus we've restocked even more t-shirts. And check out which merch comes with HeroPoints here: http://heromart.com/collections/heropoints-rewards…

Tags: Alina,

July 08, 2021

This weekend: HeroMart's Grand Reopening

HeroMart, HeroPoints, and Calendar Classes O_O!!!

HeroMart is Artix Entertainment's one and only real-world loot store. Stryche and his army of shipping sneevils offer gear you can /equip offline: t-shirts, calendars, posters, and more.

As we continue to add more items for HeroPoints over the coming months and years, we'll also be making them available for AdventureCoins. That way, players who cannot get those digital in-game rewards (for example, because of high shipping costs) will still have a way to obtain them.

What are HeroPoint Rewards, and what are they for?

HeroPoints are a special currency you get as a bonus when you buy select merchandise (like T-shirts, prints, posters, etc) from our online store, HeroMart.

Spend them on digital reward items in AdventureQuest Worlds and several of our other online video games.

How do you earn HeroPoints?

The only way to earn HeroPoints is to buy select merchandise directly from HeroMart. You will receive the HeroPoints redemption code on the packing slip when your package arrives at your door.

1 HeroPoint is roughly equal to $5 USD
For every $5 dollars you spend on select merchandise, you'll get 1 HP (select items may have additional HP added on as a special bonus)

Check out what merchandise comes with HeroPoints rewards on this page.

What if I just want to buy the digital item rewards?

Good news! Starting this month, we will offer the ability to buy select digital item rewards directly in-game using AdventureCoins OR HeroPoints.

The AC price will be equal to the value of the item in HeroPoints. For example, if a sword costs 2 HeroPoints, it will cost around 2,000 AdventureCoins. (1 HP = about $5 USD = around 1,000 ACs) This way, we keep the price fair for all players, no matter how they buy the item.

This option will only be available for in-game items released starting this month.
Items in the original HeroPoints Merge shop return this weekend but will not be available for AdventureCoins.
Buying items for HeroPoints or AdventureCoins will not unlock the exclusive character page badge that comes with the physical merchandise
These items are not available as selections in the Item of Donated Awesomeness pool

What if I want to give my friend HeroPoints?

We've gotten many requests over the years for a way to gift your friends HeroPoints. Now that we will be selling the digital in-game item rewards, you'll be able to give your friend an Artix Points gift certificate. They can redeem that for AdventureCoins to buy the item/s they'd like.

Will I be able to buy exclusive rewards with HeroPoints or ACs?

Some merchandise will come with exclusive in-game rewards that will not be available for HeroPoints or AdventureCoins. (For example -- a hypothetical future 2nd generation of moglin plushies)

The product details page on HeroMart.com will specify what rewards it comes with, and how it will be available, so you will know in advance.

Can I exchange ACs for HP, or vice versa?

Good question (and great way to think outside the box). No, you won't be able to exchange one currency for the other.

Didn't HeroPoints go rare?

The HeroPoints map, quests, and merge shop were removed temporarily from the game a few years ago due to an exploit in the game. The HeroPoints reward items themselves were never intended to go rare, and now we’re excited to bring them back for you!

New Variants of Calendar Classes Arrive

That’s right! Over the last few years, we have been returning rare class skills paired with different art so that we aren’t locking new players out of core gameplay mechanics. And now, after many years and thousands of player requests… we’re doing the same with the Calendar Classes! (Plus, the 2011 - 2016 calendar classes have all been buffed to better fit our modern class balance standards.)*

Chronomancer Prime: 2011 Chronomancer Class variant
ChronoChaorruptor: 2012 ChronoCorruptor Class variant
TimeKeeper: 2013 TimeKiller Class variant
ChronoCommandant: 2014 ChronoCommander Class variant
Chrono DataKnight: 2015 Chrono DragonKnight Class variant
Interstellar Knight: 2016 Infinity Knight Class variant
ShadowWeaver of Time: 2017 ShadowWalker of Time Class variant
Empyrean Chronomancer: 2018 Eternal Chronomancer Class variant

And in the near future, we'll also be adding the:

Timeless Chronomancer: 2019 Corrupted Chronomancer Class variant
Overworld Chronomancer: 2020 Underworld Chronomancer Class variant
Necrotic Chronomancer: 2021 Nechronomancer Class variant

How to buy the AC version:

Talk to Stryche in the /HeroMart map
Buy the Timelock Key for the Class for 6,000 ACs***
The Timelock Key opens up a shop with the 0 AC class, armor, and accessories (Talk to Stryche to find your new gear shop)

How to buy the HeroPoints version:

Buy merchandise from HeroMart.
Once your merch arrives, find the HeroPoints code printed on your packing slip.
Redeem your code on the Portal site and apply the HeroPoints to your AQWorlds account.
Login to your AQWorlds account and /join Heromart
Talk to Stryche to open the HeroPoints merge shop for the Calendar Class you want
Buy the Class or any of the set items using your HeroPoints

* Owners of the original versions of past Calendar Classes will unlock the new variants for free in their badge shop in the Book of Lore.

** Classes were named intentionally so the acronyms would remain the same. That way, players will still know which classes other heroes are referring to.

Tags: Alina,