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33 Immortals latest update drops two new high-skill weapons
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Nicole Carpenter
33 Immortals, which was released in Early Access on Epic Games Store on March 18, is played by 33 people per session, who pick up weapons and fight together through groups of monsters and other bosses. It's gotten a couple of small updates since its Early Access release, but this next one is a significant addition that makes a big impact, adding two weapons that encourage players to try out new strategies.
"I find a lot of inspiration in looking at what we have and coming up with twists on the gameplay of the other weapons," Thunder Lotus Game Designer Malo Ayral said. "This lets me see the blind spots in our gameplay styles and come up with ideas to address them. And what’s great about this is that it is super easy to bring those ideas to life using the preexisting weapons’ animations and behaviors."
Together, both weapons add "new ways to deal massive damage and new ways to play the game together," Ayral said. They're higher-skilled weapons, meaning that button-mashing might not be the optimal playstyle. There's risk and precision to both, which adds to the new synergies with 33 Immortals' other weapons, which means "way more mayhem."
Crossbows of Pride
Thunder Lotus designed the Crossbows of Pride as ranged weapons that have a special ability that fires a projectile that Ayral described as "fast, deliberate." The shot marks an enemy with a Brand that makes them take extra damage from all attacks—meaning that once an enemy is Branded, it's time to lay on the hurt. Taking regular shots at a Branded monster will build up stamina, which leads to the ability to fire "a powerful barrage of heavy bolts," Ayral said. It's a weapon that requires a certain amount of precision, as the ability to aim and hit a monster and Brand them is crucial. Ayral said it's the first weapon in 33 Immortals that asks a player to commit to a monster—but when you do take that risk, it's the "fastest-hitting weapon in the game."
"The Crossbows of Pride are unique in so many ways, but my favorite is in how they deal damage," Ayral said. "Everything is about the Brand! If you don’t manage to hit a monster with your Brand Ability, you lose the opportunity to gain some resources and to deal massive amounts of damage. It’s that simple! This is our first weapon that really makes you commit to your target; once you pick your mark, you have to stick with it. It’s also the fastest-hitting weapon in the game, so when you’re locked in, things get intense fast! As a Game Balancer, I'm shivering, but as a Game Designer, I'm super excited!"
Glaive of Temperance
The Glaive of Temperance is a powerful mid-range melee weapon. There are no projectiles, but it lets the player keep some distance. The key in using this weapon is balancing positioning and resources—it requires patience to use just right. That's because the tip of the swing does more damage than up-close; a second weapon ability lets the player set themselves up for the perfectly primed swing by jumping backwards. The backward jump makes the player invincible for a short time and restores resources. Ayral said it's a strong weapon, but not just in the "hit things harder" sort of way.
"In the case of Temperance, it's about slowing down, wanting to do something yet not doing it," Ayral said. "You temper yourself when you feel you have limited access to something, would it be stamina or calm? You do it when losing control or going all in would be detrimental, and in our case, doing less damage. Once I’ve completed that exercise, I examine what we have in our game and try to find ways to engage the players, make them feel those emotions, and reward them when they play correctly."
This update also brings exciting additions to the game: an ordeal system, new chamber objectives, and fancy new cosmetics to fight with style! Check it out when it drops on October 28.
33 Immortals is available in Early Access on the Epic Games Store.