Season 2 Optimizations & Adjustments Overview - Soul Knight Prequel

Release time: 2024-04-24

Soul Knight Prequel S1: Xandu ends on April 25, 2024, at 4:00 AM (UTC+8), and S2: Mechacrisis starts on April 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM (UTC+8). For details on the S1 to S2 transition, please refer to: Soul Knight Prequel Season Transition Notice (S1-S2).

Since S1's launch, we've received plenty of player feedback and suggestions. Without further ado, let's dive into the key changes for the S2 season!

*All visuals and text are for reference only. The final version prevails.

Rewards

Daily Rewards

In Season 2, we've adjusted daily sign-in rewards, adding Volcanic Hephaestites, EsoCircuits, Chest Keys, and Coins. Don't forget to sign in daily for your rewards!

Reunion Rewards

In the new season, we're introducing Reunion Rewards. Log in for 7 days during S2 if you created characters in S0 and S1 to get the Skin: Moonsteel, Moonsteel Spear & Shield Weapon Skin, and Volcanic Hephaestites. Invite your friends to join in!

Showcase of Skin: Moonsteel, and Moonsteel Spear & Shield Weapon Skin

Gachapon Dispenser Pool Refresh

In Season 2, expect Holographic Projection skinline, stylish weapon skins, Volcanic Hephaestites, Companion Eggs, and more in the refreshed Gachapon Dispenser Pool!

Game Content Update

With the launch of Season 2, the level cap for players will increase from 50 to 60, and the corresponding skill point cap will also rise from 100 to 110. This upgrade applies to permanent, seasonal, and pure seasonal characters, while the Apex Level cap remains unchanged.

Additionally, we've made adjustments to the base stats of characters:

Each point of Dexterity/Intelligence now grants 2 extra HP.
The percentage bonuses for base stats (Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity) now accumulate additively rather than multiplicatively.
The cap for crit damage stats is increased from 350% to 600%, and the maximum crit damage that can be obtained has been raised from 200% to 450%.
The cap for the movement speed bonus has been raised from +66% to +100%.

4.1. In-game, if the boost to movement speed exceeds "+100%", it will display as "+100%", but the bonus effect will still apply normally based on its actual value.

4.2. The maximum increase in sprint distance due to movement speed bonuses is now capped at 100%, aligning with the movement speed limit.

Class Balance Adjustments

In Season 1: Xandu, we identified class imbalances impacting player experiences. To rectify this, Season 2 will introduce necessary adjustments and skill refinements to maintain overall game balance.

Initial Class

Herbalist: Adjustments to skills and increased damage for certain skills

Toxin Mastery: Reduced damage multiplied by Poison Ailment from "+200%/+250%/+300%/+350%" to "+150%/+200%/+250%/+300%".
Virulent Flask: Increased skill damage

Increased explosive damage of Virulent Flask from "120%/140%/160%/180%" to "120%/150%/180%/210%".
Increased area damage of Virulent Flask from "90%/100%/110%/120%" to "90%/105%/120%/135%".

Leafstorm: Adjusted mana consumption and damage ratios.

Mana consumption adjusted from "3/4/5/6" to "4".
Adjusted damage ratio for triggering Poison Ailment from "10%" to "8%".

Master of Potions: Adjusted duration of three levels and skill damage bonuses

"Meh..."/"Mid."/"Bussin'!" duration changed from 6s/9s/15s to 5s/10s/20s.
"Meh..." additional Poison Damage changed from "+11%/+14%/+17%/+20%" to "+14%/+18%/+22%/+26%".
"Mid." additional Poison Damage changed from "+25%/+30%/+35%/+40%" to "+26%/+32%/+38%/+44%".
"Bussin'!" additional Poison Damage changed from "+35%/+50%/+65%/+80%" to "+40%/+55%/+70%/+85%".

Replenish: Adjusted mana consumption

Mana consumption changed from "25/22/19/16" to "15" (does not change with skill level).
Maximum mana consumption changed from "30% of max mana" to "30%/27.5%/25%/22.5%".

Corrosive Cloud: Adjusted cooldown, trigger interval, and reduced damage multiplied by Poison Ailment

Cooldown adjusted from "20s for all levels" to "22s/20s/18s/16s".
Reduced damage multiplied by Poison Ailment from "+30%/+35%/+40%/+45%" to "+25%/+30%/+35%/+40%".
Extended interval for triggering Poison Ailment from "0.3s" to "0.5s".

Tempest Mage: Increased chance of inflicting ailments, and increased damage for certain skills

Smooth Sailing: Increased chance of inflicting ailments

Increased the chance for Elemental Damage to inflict ailments from "+16%/+24%/+32%/+40%" to "+30%/+40%/+50%/+60%".

Shatter: Increased skill damage and introduced new skill effects

Increased damage inflicted by Shatter from "75%/100%/125%/150%" to "120%/160%/200%/240%".
Reduced the internal cooldown of Shatter from 0.5s to 0.25s.
Introduced new skill effect: Reduces enemy Cold Resistance by 6 points when shattering explosions occur.

Aegis: Increased skill damage and introduced new skill effects

Indomitable Blows: Extended the duration of Resolve and introduced new skill effects

Extended the duration of Resolve from "15s" to "20s".
Introduced new skill effect: Gain All Damage boost of "+12%/+16%/+20%/+24%" when Resolve is full.

Shield Bash: Increased skill damage

Increased damage inflicted by Shield Bash from "200%/240%/280%/320%" to "210%/280%/360%/420%".
Raised the damage multiplied per stack by Resolve from "+10%" to "+15%".

Steadfast: Increased skill damage and introduced new skill effects

Increased shockwave damage when blocking from "60%/80%/100%/120%" to "90%/120%/150%/180%".

Introduced new skill effect: Each stack of Resolve increases shockwave damage by "+10%".

Pyromancer: Enhanced survivability and introduced new skill effects

Pyroclad: Increased damage reduction and reduced skill cooldowns

Adjusted the calculation method for triggering Pyroclad damage reduction from "-20%/-30%/-40%/-50%" to "*70%/*60%/*50%/*40%".
Reduced cooldown of Pyroclad from "24s/20s/16s/12s" to "16s/14s/12s/10s".
Increased the shield's defense provided by Pyroclad from "10/15/20/25" to "20/25/30/35"; also increased the Fire Damage from "+15%/+25%/+35%/+45%" to "+30%/+40%/+50%/+60%".

Conflagration: Introduces a new skill effect: Reduces enemy Fire Resistance by 6 points upon explosion.

Animancer: Introduced new skill effects

Thanatosis: Introduced new skill effect "Minions damage reduction +5%/+10%/+15%/+20%".
Mortal Pact: Adjusted skill effect cooldowns. The existing conversion of minions' damage to life will now have a 0.2-second cooldown, calculated independently for each minion.

Prestige Class

Druid: Adjusted skill damage and introduced new skill effects

Wildheart: Adjusted bonus Poison Damage from "+15%/+30%/+45%/60%" to "+20%/30%/40%/50%".
Avatar of Ursok: Adjusted skill damage and introduced new skill effects

Adjusted the base stats boost from "Strength +40%/+60%/+80%/+100%" to "+50%/+60%/+70%/+80%".
Adjusted the calculation method for Druid's Strength while using Avatar of Ursok to no longer be multiplicative.

Added effect: Gains 15/30/45/60 defense.

Tenacity: Adjusted stackable limit from "Stackable 6/9/12/15 times" to "Stackable 6/8/10/12 times".
Overwhelm: Adjusted skill damage from "Deals damage equal to 200%/300%/400%/500% of current life" to "Deals damage equal to 200%/250%/300%/350% of current life".

Shinobi: Adjusted summoned minions' inheritance ratios to enhance survivability

Shadowclone Jutsu: Twin: Inherits "60%/70%/80%/90% stats" adjusted to "50%/60%/70%/80% stats".
Shadowclone Jutsu: Throng: Inherits "60%/55%/50%/45% stats" adjusted to "50%/45%/40%/35% stats".
Shadow Mimesis: Inherits "25%/50%/75%/100% Dexterity" adjusted to "30%/60%/90%/120% Dexterity".
Smokescreen Jutsu: Increased Dodge Chance from "15%/20%/25%/30%" to "60%".

Wildwalker: Adjusted skill cooldowns and mana consumption

Lifesprig: Adjusted the Life Regen speed at 10 stacks from "40%/60%/80%/100%" to "30%/45%/60%/75%".
Terra Slam: Reduced cooldown from "2.5 seconds cooldown" to "2 seconds cooldown"; increased Poison Damage triggered by consuming Lifeforce from "225%/300%/375%/450%" to "300%/400%/500%/600%".
Breath of the Wild: Adjusted skill activation speed from "-40%" to "-50%".
Feral Aspect: Increased cooldown from "30 seconds cooldown" to "36 seconds cooldown".
Toxic Bloom: Adjusted skill mana consumption from "8" to "6/8/10/12".
Hymn to Gaia: Increased the probability of gaining Lifeforce from "75% chance to trigger" to "85% chance to trigger".

Assassin: Adjusted skill damage, enhancing survivability

Killer Instinct: Increased crit damage per stack of Battlelust from "+2%/+3%/+4%/+5%" to "+3%/+4%/5%/+6%".
Mana Reaver: Increased skill damage and adjusted skill effects

Reduced mana consumption of Mana Reaver from "4" to "0".

Increased skill damage of Mana Reaver from "100%/120%/140%/160%" to "120%/140%/160%/180%".

Added new skill effect to Mana Reaver: "Mana steal 6%/8%/10%/12% energy". Removed Mana Regen +150%/200%/250%/300%".

Riposte: Increased Dodge Chance from "+0/5/10/15" to "+10/15/20/25".
Evasive Stance: Adjusted cooldown from "18s/16s/14s/12s" to "16s/14s/12s/10s", and added a new skill effect: Increases movement speed by 25% during its duration.
Stealth: Added new skill effect Max charges: 2.
Merciless: Increased damage dealt to bleeding enemies from "Damage increase 20%/30%/40%/50%" to "Damage increase 30%/40%/50%/60%".

Heretic: Increased skill damage

Unquenchable Ardor: Reduced the damage interval triggered by Combust from "0.2 seconds per instance" to "0.15 seconds per instance".
Thermal Incubation: Increased the minion power of Flaming Hydra from "100% power" to "120% power".
Incinerating Vortex: Now affected by Blowout, decreased activation delay from "0.5s" to "0.3s". Adjusted damage of Incinerating Vortex from "deals 45%/50%/55%/60% Fire Damage" to "deals 45%/60%/75%/90% Fire Damage".

Soulkeeper: Increased minion power

Esprit de Corps: Raised the bash chance of minions from "8%/12%/16%/20% chance to trigger" to "10%/15%/20%/25% chance to trigger", also increased bash damage of minions from "deals 100% Bludgeon Damage" to "deals 90%/100%/110%/120% Bludgeon Damage".
Animated Phalanx: Extended skill duration from "7 seconds" to "8.5 seconds" and increased shield rotation speed during skill duration.
Semper Fidelis: Raised the proportion of damage taken by minions from "20%/30%/40%/50% damage taken" to "30%/40%/50%/60% damage taken".

Pyroknight: Increased skill damage and added new skill effects

Blazing Soul: Removed "Provides +2%/+3%/+4%/+5% Fire Damage per stack of Battlelust" and added new skill effect "Provides additional +3%/+4%/+5%/+6% Fire Damage per stack of Battlelust".
Scorching Breath: Increased from "Deals 75%/100%/125%/150% Fire Damage" to "Deals 90%/120%/150%/180% Fire Damage".

Artillerist: Changed attack type and added new skill effects

Pyrostigma: Explosive damage adjusted from "based on Magical Attack Power" to "based on Hybrid Attack Power".
Rain of Arrows: Geddon: Added new skill effect: Each Rain of Arrows has a 25% chance to generate 1 fire seed within the area.
Adhesive Gunpowder: Adjusted explosive damage from "Deals 45%/50%/55%/60% Fire Damage" to "Deals 45%/60%/75%/90% Fire Damage".
Rapid Fire: Adjusted skill mana consumption from "3" to "4". Increased firing speed from 100% to 130%.

Stormwarden: Increased skill damage and added new skill effects

Endothermic Rupture: Damage bonus when dealing Bludgeon Damage increased from "40%/60%/80%/100%" to "75%/100%/125%/150%". Cold Damage when releasing projectiles increased from "30%/40%/50%/60%" to "45%/60%/75%/90%".
Crystalline Panoply: Conversion of total Cold Resistance stats from "40%/60%/80%/100%" to Defense adjusted to "75%/100%/125%/150%". Conversion of total Shock Resistance stats from "40%/60%/80%/100%" to Defense adjusted to "75%/100%/125%/150%".
Lancing Lightning: Added "Extra +20%/+30%/+40%/+50% Shock Damage".
Avalanche Ram: Added "Extra +20%/+30%/+40%/+50% Cold Damage".

Ranger: Added new skill effect

Onslaught: Adjusted effect cooldown from 5/2.5/1/0 seconds to 2.5/1/0.5/0.1 seconds.

Added "Extra 60% Piercing Damage".

Elementalist: Added new skill effect

Dipole Discharge: Added "Deals 60% Fire/Cold Damage".

Stormblade: Added new skill effect

Hyperconductivity: Added "Deals 60% Shock Damage".

Adjustments to Equipment

Introduction of S-Tier Equipment

With the launch of S2, S-tier equipment will be introduced, capped at level 60 and upgradable to +10. G-tier gear can be upgraded to S-tier using Lydites. S-tier equipment will drop under the Extreme Difficulty and from chests.

Equipment Synthesis & Card Energy

In S2, we streamlined equipment synthesis. You only need one boss card and a specific amount of cards from the same dungeon area for synthesis.

Synthesizing equipment requires one boss card and 20 Decktoplasm from the same dungeon area. Different rarity cards contribute varying Decktoplasm:

Common: 1
Charmed: 2
Rare: 3
Epic: 5
Legendary: 20

Fatebound Effect Adjustments

To enrich your choices during the new season and expand gameplay possibilities, we've adjusted some Fatebound Effects in S2.

Valiant Strike

2-piece effect adjusted to: "Damage increased by 100% when life is greater than or equal to 75%."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "Damage increased by 200% when life is greater than or equal to 70%."

Valiant Strike (Helxar-Touched)

Effect adjusted to: "Damage increased by 100% when life is greater than or equal to 75%, with no change to stats reduction."

Bash

2-piece effect adjusted to: "Damage increased by 30%, knockback increased by 200%, attack speed -10%, +5% chance to trigger, 0.5-second duration, and a 5% chance to daze enemies in melee attacks."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "Damage increased by 30%, knockback increased by 200%, attack speed -10%, +5% chance to trigger, 0.5-second duration, and a 10% chance to daze enemies in melee attacks."

Bash (Helxar-Touched)

Effect adjusted to: "Damage increased by 30%, knockback increased by 200%, attack speed -10%, +5% chance to trigger, 0.5-second duration."

Sortie

2-piece effect adjusted to: "When dashing, all damage +30%, attack speed +30%, movement speed +30%, for 3 seconds."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "When dashing, all damage +60%, attack speed +60%, movement speed +60%, for 3 seconds."

Sortie (Helxar-Touched)

Effect adjusted to: "All damage -10%, attack speed -10%, movement speed -10%; when dashing, all damage +40%, attack speed +40%, movement speed +40%, for 3 seconds."

Mortal Kombo

2-piece effect adjusted to: "After using a charge-up attack, all damage +30%. After fully charged up, all damage +50%, charge-up speed +25, for 4 seconds."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "After using a charge-up attack, all damage +60%. After fully charged up, all damage +100%, charge-up speed +50, for 4 seconds."

Mortal Kombo (Helxar-Touched)

Effect adjusted to: "Movement speed -10%, charge-up speed +25. After using a charge-up attack, all damage +30%. After fully charged up, all damage +50%."

Thornguard

2-piece effect adjusted to: "Deals 150% Bludgeon Damage, with every 10 points of max life increasing by 1%."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "Deals 300% Bludgeon Damage, with every 10 points of max life increasing by 1%."

Thornguard (Helxar-Touched)

Effect adjusted to: "Deals 150% Bludgeon Damage, with every 10 points of max life increasing by 1%."

Lifesteal

The effect will have a 0.1-second cooldown.

Manasteal

The effect will have a 0.1-second cooldown.

Spirit of Zulan

2-piece effect adjusted to: "12% chance to release 8 area attacks, dealing 120% Light Damage."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "25% chance to release 8 area attacks, dealing 120% Light Damage."

Spirit of the Golden Snapclaw

2-piece effect adjusted to: "Charge-Up Speed +30."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "Charge-Up Speed +60."

Spirit of the Boar King

2-piece effect adjusted to: "When life is less than 80%, all damage +25%, attack speed +15%, movement speed +15%, for 2 seconds."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "When life is less than 80%, all damage +50%, attack speed +30%, movement speed +30%, for 2 seconds."

Spirit of the Mandragora Elf

2-piece effect adjusted to: "When dealing Poison Damage, 15% chance to apply additional Poison Ailment, Poison Damage +20%."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "When dealing Poison Damage, 20% chance to apply additional Poison Ailment, 10% chance to cause Disorient, Poison Damage +40%."

Spirit of the Slime

2-piece effect adjusted to: "When dealing Shock Damage, 15% chance to apply additional Shock Ailment, Shock Damage +20%."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "When dealing Shock Damage, 20% chance to apply additional Shock Ailment, 10% chance to cause Daze, Shock Damage +40%."

Spirit of Anubis

2-piece effect adjusted to: "When taking fatal damage, restore 200% strength as life, 180-second cooldown, invincible for 2 seconds after triggering."

3-piece effect adjusted to: "When taking fatal damage, restore 400% strength as life, restore 400% intelligence as mana, 90-second cooldown, invincible for 2 seconds after triggering."

Equipment Modifier Adjustments & New Modifiers

In Season 2, we've tweaked equipment modifiers. After the new season kicks off, Insane, Legendary, and Epic quality gear obtained from dungeon areas, chests, or synthesized by Farriette will consistently feature four modifiers. Rare gear will have three modifiers, while Charmed gear will have two, and Common gear will have one.

Note: Modifier counts can still be increased through equipment enhancement.

We'll be introducing new modifiers in the upcoming update. Which will include the following types:

Attack Power
Magic Power
Max Life Per Level
Effect CD Rate
Damage to Boss
Specific skill level +1
Immunity to specific ailments
Damage Reduction of Minions
STR/DEX/INT X%

Gameplay and Feature Adjustments

Helxar

There are some changes to the mechanics related to the Helxar in the new season.

Drops

In Season 2, Helxarines, Ebon Shards, and Helxar-infused Equipment will only drop when defeating monsters in the dungeon areas of Xandu.

Helxar Chests

Culminated and Malignant equipment will no longer appear in Helxar Chests in Season 2.

Armsmaster Fulgrim Damage Reduction

The Helxar influence within the boss Armsmaster Fulgrim in Iridian Vale has diminished slightly, resulting in reduced damage from the "One Punch."

Adjustment of Eastern Continent Monsters

With the disappearance of Helxar, the power of monsters in Xandu has weakened.

Increased Levels for the Dungeon Areas of Xandu

The overall recommended levels for the dungeon areas of Xandu in the new season have been raised. While the difficulty of stages won't change drastically.

Skip Story Segments

In Season 2, when creating a new character, you'll encounter a skip button. Selecting "√" will automatically skip all previously experienced storylines (including newbie tutorials) and unlock corresponding NPCs.

Since the S2 storyline is entirely new to everyone, you won't have the option to skip it on your first playthrough. However, once you complete the storyline for the first time, you'll be able to skip it on subsequent playthroughs.

Newbie Guidance

To help new players quickly grasp the basics of Soul Knight Prequel, we've optimized the newbie guidance in S2, adding more quests and rewards upon quest completion.

Event Rooms

The appearance rate of event rooms will be slightly reduced in Season 2.

For more details about the optimizations and adjustments in S2, please refer to: