1.1.1 Patch Notes
Hey All,
Leeeeeee-RSPN here with RespawnSean, Jayfresh_Respawn & Scriptacus to give a quick update on live balance for Legends and weapons.
LEGEND BALANCING
At the start of Season 1, we previously talked about how our beloved Thicc Bois (Pathfinder, Gibraltar and Caustic) were getting crushed due to their hitbox size compared to other Legends. We first wanted to try adjusting hitboxes to better fit the model. For Pathfinder, this change worked very well. (Note: separately, we are actively investigating and working on fixing unrelated hit registration issues sometimes affecting all characters). However, after looking at the data and player feedback, Gibraltar and Caustic only improved slightly with the hitbox adjustments.
We don't believe that hit box and character kit tuning is sufficient to bring Gibraltar and Caustic in line with their smaller competitors. Starting with Patch 1.1.1, Gibraltar and Caustic will get a new perk added to their passive - Fortified**, which reduces damage taken by 10%.** Over the week or two following this change, we will be watching how they perform with this additional protection and aggressively tune it if they are still underpowered relative to their size. Our goal is to ensure both Legends are viable picks by the end of this process.
Additionally, we're also making a few quality of life kit adjustments to ensure their marquee abilities are a more impactful part of their individual playstyles.
CAUSTIC:
Fortified Passive Perk added: reduces damage taken by 10%
Gas Damage per tick increased: 1 -> 4
Ultimate Throw distance increased: 28 meters -> 33 meters
GIBRALTAR:
Fortified Passive Perk added: reduces damage taken by 10%
Gun Shield health increased: 50 -> 75
WEAPON BALANCING
On the weapons side of the equation, we've made a number of changes to try to improve the power of long range gameplay. We're reducing leg shot damage reductions on sniper category weapons, so you're not punished for landing inaccurate shots at long distances. Given the semi-auto and low damage nature of our current sniper suite, coupled with the general speed and evasiveness of many Legend kits, it already takes several challenging shots to down someone at range. Because of this difficult sniper environment, we're also reducing general sniper weapon sway and hitting the DMR with a few targeted buffs to make it more viable to engage Legends at range.
Separately from the sniper category, we are nerfing the Spitfire a bit, but our goal is to still keep it strong, as it's a rarer spawning weapon. The Wingman is receiving a few magazine size nerfs, so that it doesn't dominate the stock gun vs. stock gun battle early on due to its super high damage per bullet. Lastly, the Havoc is getting some general ammo and charge beam buffs to bring it in line as a viable energy ammo AR that competes with the R-301 and Flatine/Hemlok. The end goal is that the Havoc pressures a player's ability to find Energy ammo, but is less dependent on finding attachments, whereas the R-301 and Flatline/Hemlok have less ammo pressure, but a higher reliance on finding more attachments to achieve power.
G7 SCOUT / TRIPLE TAKE / LONGBOW DMR
Lowered leg shot damage reduction: 25% -> 10%
Reduced base weapon sway by about 33%
Reduced base sway speed by about 25%
LONGBOW DMR
Increased fire rate 1.2 -> 1.6
Increased magazine size
Base mag increased: 5 -> 6 rounds
Common mag extender increased: 6 -> 8 rounds
Rare mag extender increased: 8 -> 10 rounds
Epic mag extender increased: 10 -> 12 rounds
HAVOC
Increased base magazine size: 25 -> 32 rounds
Charge Beam
Reduced cost per shot: 5 -> 4
Increased close range damage: 55 -> 60
Increased damage at range: 45 -> 50
Close range damage falloff increased: 35m -> 75m
Ranged damage falloff increased: 75m -> 125m
WINGMAN
Reduced magazine size
Base mag reduced: 6 -> 4 rounds
Common mag extender reduced: 8 -> 6 rounds
Rare mag extender reduced: 9 -> 8 rounds
Epic mag extender reduced: 12 -> 10 rounds
SPITFIRE
Reduced base damage: 20 -> 18
Magazine extender attachments reduced
Common mag extender reduced: 45 -> 40 rounds
Rare mag extender reduced: 55 -> 45 rounds
Epic mag extender reduced: 60 -> 55 rounds
ADJUSTMENTS TO GOLD WEAPON ATTACHMENTS:
Gold Havoc
Now has Turbocharger
Now has 1x-2x variable holo site
Gold R301
Now has 1x-2x variable holo site
Gold Wingman
Now has digital threat
BATTLE PASS XP BONUS EVENT:
In honor of Thicc-boi buffs, we're going to be running a bonus Battle Pass XP event. From approximately 10AM PST 4/16 through approximately 10AM PST 4/18, your first Top 5 of the day (your squad places 5th or better in a match) will grant you 1 full bonus Battle Pass Level (29,500 BPP), up to a max of level 110. You can earn this once per day.
We'll also be finding other moments during the season to add Battle Pass XP bonuses, so stay tuned!
ADDITIONAL CHANGES
JUMP SHIP SPEED
Increased the speed of the ship by about 50%
We felt that the ship was moving a bit too slow after watching player behavior so we're speeding it up so players that like to drop later in the flight path don't have to wait so long.
BUG FIXES
Fixed UI bug where the wrong percentage would be displayed for all boost badges.
