Greetings, Void Hunters!
The whispers of the Void have [b]grown into a roar[/b]—Devlog #16 is here, and it’s [i]packed [/i]with cool new things! The enigmatic [b]Shaman[/b] is right around the corner, alongside some[i] spicy new skill tree news[/i]. Let’s get into it!The Shaman: Master of Totems
[b]The moment you’ve been waiting for is here.[/b] The shadowy figure teased in Devlog #15 has stepped into the light, and [i]oh boy[/i], does he bring the storm... and poison... and.. you get the idea... Let’s break down his [b]otherworldly-totemic toolkit![/b]New Skills: Total Totem Madness
The Shaman’s abilities are [b]all about totems[/b] and what they can do to help in the battlefield. We’ve cranked the totem usage this time around and we even have a [b]new trait called: Ancestry[/b] which will consume stacks to summon totems for you! We really did go all in on it and it is reaching some [i]ludicrous levels of totemic madness.[/i] [b]Behold![/b] As The Shaman summons a variety of them to absolutely decimate the void. [previewyoutube=xb4dVP2rZEU;full][/previewyoutube]Shaman’s Ascension: From Sketch to Spectacle
As always the Ascension is the second thing we decided after deciding on the character, and we wanted to reinforce the [b]ritualistic nature of the character[/b] in his ascension. After [i]many many many[/i] hours of discussion, trying to figure out how to be thematic, simple to interact with but different at the same time… this is what we defined:
Doesn't look like much hahaha, but we were excited! We thought “what if the Shaman danced around a ritual pyre to invoke ancestral spirits, maybe even gods… to fight for him?” and at that point we were all convinced! [b]But would it be fun? [/b]Only one way to find out! Here’s a rare glimpse at the very first prototype of his ascension, where we experimented with his ritual circle:
[previewyoutube=cOfP7ERIvg8;full][/previewyoutube]
This was an very early version focused on the testing of its functionality alone, it required so many spins around the pyre that you might become a Shaman yourself after performing a ritual this long… so we tweaked here and there… made a few new visuals… replaced a thing or two… and…
[b]Behold—the final form.[/b]
[previewyoutube=36rVxNXgJOA;full][/previewyoutube]
When the Shaman’s ascension triggers, otherworldly beings come to assist the Shaman. They surge into the battlefield, amplifying his powers into a [b][i]cataclysmic crescendo.[/i][/b] The screen gets filled with these ancient beings and the Shaman becomes a conduit for them. [b][i]It’s equal parts terrifying and glorious.[/i][/b] (And yes, that is indeed a gigantic and ancient fire-bird-god thing.)
Beyond the Shaman: Skill Tree Secrets in the Static
After many iterations to this system we are finally able to see it completed. Here’s a [i]sneak peek[/i]—but don’t squint too hard, we’ve blurred the juiciest bits:
New branches, synergies, and [i]mystery nodes[/i] await. [b]What’s hidden in the fog and blurriness?[/b] You’ll find out… [i]soon[/i].
Closing Thoughts: The Void Grows Hungrier
The Shaman is coming soon, being followed close after by his two… [b][i]mysterious[/i][/b] friends… but this is still just a prelude to something [i]even bigger lurking[/i] in the shadows… [b]Sound off in the comments:[/b]- Are you looking forward for the Shaman’s totem-summoning madness?
- What do you think the blurred Skill Tree nodes hide?
- You all know we are working on a new game mode, with new bosses and maps… but there is something else… another [b]HUGE[/b] feature in development… what do you think it could be? PS: its not coop, not yet =(
[b]~ The Soulstone Team[/b]