2024 Balancing Project

Time in combat of affected respawns, before and after (until May 28th)

This Balancing Project was announced on March 6, 2024, with the intention to gather feedback from the community, analyze it, and implement changes to multiple hunting grounds based on the feedback.

• March 12, 2024: first batch of changes, focusing on Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds
• March 19, 2024: second batch of changes, focusing on Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds
• March 26, 2024: third batch of changes, focusing on Cemetery Quarter, Sunken Quarter, Medusa Tower, Okolnir, Bounacean Lion, and Monster Graveyard
• April 9, 2024: fourth batch of changes, focusing on Grounds of Undeath, Grounds of Fire, Medusa Tower, Okolnir, Bounacean Lion, Deep Desert, and Gloom Pillars
• April 23, 2024: fifth batch of changes, focusing on Oramond Mountain Hideout, Fury Hell, Upper Roshamuul, Seacrest Grounds, Warzone 1, Warzone 2, and Warzone 3.
• May 14, 2024: sixth batch of changes, focusing on Warzone 1, Warzone 2, Warzone 3, Warzone 4, Warzone 5, Warzone 6, Seacrest Grounds, Oramond Mountain Hideout, Lower Spike, and Middle Spike.
• May 28, 2024: seventh and final batch of changes, focusing on Oramond Mountain Hideout, Falcon Bastion, Warzone 2, Grounds of Undeath, Grounds of Fire, Grounds of Despair, Netherworld, Formorgar Mines, Bounacean Lion, Monster Graveyard, and Gloom Pillars.

Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds

General adjustments

• The entrance points were shifted right next to the Teleporters to give players the opportunity to leave the hunting grounds when being trapped. This was done in response to "a lot of feedback... that players get killed while being trapped on teleporter entrances". The fix was later expanded to the remaining spots where trapping was still possible (lower floors).
• The experience gain from the minions of The Ruthless Seven and Ferumbras Mortal Shell was increased to reward the effort put into these fights. This was done to be "in line with last major updates":
  • Plagirath: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Zamulosh: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Mazoran: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Razzagorn: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Ragiaz: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Tarbaz: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Shulgrax: 50,000 –> 500,000 XP
  • Ferumbras Mortal Shell: 100,000 –> 2,000,000 XP

Increased respawn rate

Respawn rate was increased in some areas to improve hunting experience:

• Grounds of Despair: increased rate on the deepest level by 17%
• Grounds of Undeath: increased rate on the first level by 17%, increased rate on lowest floor

Monster adjustments

In response to "a lot of feedback regarding the Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds... with efficiency of experience gain and the abundance of various debuffs being the most prominent topics", the following changes were made to address the feedback and improve the hunting experience:

Monster		Experience	Health	Other	Main Impact Areas
	Blightwalker	5,850 -> 6,400 XP	8,900 –> 8,100	Increased Ice Damage sensitivity from 50% to 90% Reduced probability and duration of the speed debuff Removed ability of applying the drunken status effect	Grounds of Undeath
	Fury	3,600 –> 4,000 XP		Increased Ice Damage sensitivity from 70% to 95% Reduced debuff of melee/distance fighting skill	Grounds of Fire, Oramond Mountain Hideout, Fury Hell, The Extension Site, and others
	Hand of Cursed Fate		7,500 –> 6,600	Increased Energy Damage sensitivity from 0% to 95% Significantly reduced flee threshold Reduced Mana Drain damage Some debuffs cannot trigger simultaneously anymore	Grounds of Despair
	Hellfire Fighter	3,120 –> 3,800 XP		Reduced the probability of the Fire Bomb and its affected tiles	Grounds of Fire, Fury Hell, Pits of Inferno, and others
	Hellflayer	11,000 –> 11,720 XP			Most of the Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds
	Juggernaut		20,000 –> 18,000		Grounds of Destruction
	Nightmare	1,666 –> 1,800 XP			Grounds of Deceit, Oramond Mountain Hideout, Formorgar Mines, Pits of Inferno, and others
	Phantasm			Reduced probability of summoning copies	Grounds of Deceit, Demon Forge, Drefia Spirit Grounds, and Pits of Inferno
	Plaguesmith	3,555 –> 3,800 XP			Grounds of Plague, Roshamuul Prison, Pits of Inferno, Halls of Ascension, and others
	Undead Dragon	7,200 -> 7,500 XP		Increased Ice Damage sensitivity from 50% to 90% No longer retreats at low HP	Grounds of Undeath

Map adjustments

Numerous map adjustments were implemented to these hunting grounds to enhance hunting effectiveness:

Hunting Ground	Description	Visual changes
Grounds of Deceit	Connected two cave passages on the first level
Grounds of Despair	Maintained the main path of first and second floors intact Implemented one-way teleporters at their end that brings players back to the starting point of the respective level Added a passage on the lowest floor
Grounds of Destruction	Added a small corridor on the first level and on the level after The Shatterer has been defeated
Grounds of Fire	Added a passage on the first level Increased the monster density in this area Replaced Grimeleeches with Vexclaws
Grounds of Undeath	Added a cave passage to the first level and to the level after blood was flowing from the well Increased monster density
Hell Hub	Implemented a staircase to provide faster access to the hunting grounds and to make hunting more efficient

Yalahar

Yalahar Cemetery Quarter

With the goal of improving hunting experience in all parts of the Cemetery Quarter, the following changes were made:

• Increased monster density
• Connected some of the underground cellars in the northeastern part of the cemetery (Grim Reaper area)

Yalahar Sunken Quarter

Increased increased the experience from all monsters, including the bosses, to create a more rewarding hunt. Also added a new passage on the deepest layer to allow navigation through this area more efficiently. Overall, with the intent to mainly buff Yalahar Sunken Quarter, but also affecting Malada, Calassa, Frozen Trench and Vandura Quara Caves, the following changes were made:

• Increased monster density
• Removed some obstacles in the eastern part of the deepest layer to create a broader passage
• Increased experience from several monsters
• Increased experience from bosses:
  • Splasher: 500 -> 1,500 XP
  • Inky: 250 -> 700 XP
  • Sharptooth: 1,600 -> 3,000 XP

Monster		Experience
	Quara Constrictor	250 -> 380 XP
	Quara Hydromancer	800 -> 950 XP
	Quara Mantassin	400 -> 600 XP
	Quara Pincher	1,200 -> 1,500 XP
	Quara Predator	1,600 -> 1,850 XP

Port Hope

Medusa Tower

With the aim to give a proper finale to players' ascent of the Medusa Tower, and to make it more efficient, the following changes were made:

• Increased respawn rate by approximately 10%
• Replaced some Omnivoras with Serpent Spawns on the lower levels, added some Medusas/Serpent Spawns on the higher levels
• Added another layer on top, including a new Bane category boss: Gorga
  • This new layer can be reached via a rope spot
  • A new teleporter can be used to jump back to the first floor of the tower

Svargrond

Formorgar Mines

Increased monster density

Okolnir

With the intent to mainly buff Okolnir, but also affecting Chyllfroest Icefire Caves, the following changes were made:

• Increased monster density
• Increased respawn rate by approximately 100% (the respawn rate of some Frost Dragon Hatchlings has been brought in line with this faster spawn rate)

Monster		Sensitivity	Other
	Frost Dragon	Earth sensitivity: 0% -> 100%	Reduced duration and probability of speed debuff
	Frost Dragon Hatchling	Earth sensitivity: 0% -> 100%

Vandura

Bounacean Lion

With the intention to mainly buff the second underground layer of the area, the following changes were made:

• Increased monster density

Monster		Experience	Other
	Crypt Warrior	4,200 -> 6,050 XP	Decreased damage output by approximately 8%

Gnomprona

Monster Graveyard

With the intention to bring the difficulty of Monster Graveyard more in line with Crystal Enigma and Sparkling Pools, the following changes were made:

• Monster attacks that previously caused Fire Damage, will now cause Physical Damage or Death Damage instead.
• Reduced damage spikes
• Reduced DPS in melee range

Monster		Sensitivity
	Sulphur Spouter	Fire sensitivity: 0% -> 75%

Darama

Deep Desert

Changes were made on the Deep Desert to improve the respawn.

Monster		Experience
	Skeleton Elite Warrior	4,500 -> 4,800 XP
	Undead Elite Gladiator	4,740 -> 5,090 XP

Gloom Pillars

With the intention to reduce the chain damage, and bring the distribution between the four vocations more in line with their respective hit points, the following changes were made on the Gloom Pillars:

• Adjusted the dark energy discharge as follows:
  • When a knight or paladin is the initial target, the damage increase per jump has been reduced from 50% to 37%
  • When a sorcerer or druid is the initial target, the base damage has been reduced from 2,250 to 900 and the damage increase per jump has been increased from 50% to 90%

Additionally, the following changes were made:

• Reduced holy DPS
• Shifted part of Holy Damage to Earth/Fire Damage
  • One spell from Darklight Emitter was changed from Holy Damage to Earth Damage

Edron

Fury Hell

Increased monster density

Netherworld

Increased monster density

Kazordoon

Warzone 1

Changes were made to improve the respawn:

• Increased experience gain from boss Deathstrike: 35,000 -> 400,000 XP
  • Loot from Deathstrike is now cooperative
• Added two corridors to allow for more efficient hunts

Monster		Experience	Health	Sensitivity	Other
	Armadile	2,900 -> 3,200 XP		Fire sensitivity: 80% -> 100%	Removed Mana Drain damage Removed invisibility Reduced probability of applying drunken No longer retreats at low health Changed to melee fighter
	Hideous Fungus	2,900 -> 3,700 XP		Fire sensitivity: 95% -> 105%	Reduced probability of applying drunken Reduced probability and duration of invisibility Reduced number of summons Removed speed debuff No longer retreats at low health
	Humongous Fungus	2,600 -> 2,900 XP		Fire sensitivity: 95% -> 110%	Removed invisibility Reduced probability and area of Poison Field Reduced probability and range of applying drunken Reduced probability of speed debuff Reduced probability of summoning
	Humorless Fungus		Reduced from 2,600 -> 1,600 HP		Reduced probability and duration of invisibility No longer applies drunken No longer retreats at low health
	Stone Devourer	2,900 -> 3,650 XP		Fire sensitivity: 0% -> 95%

Warzone 2

Changes were made to improve the respawn:

• Increased experience gain from boss Gnomevil: 35,000 -> 400,000 XP
  • Loot from Gnomevil is now cooperative
• Added a one-way teleporter in the southeastern part of the hunting ground that will bring players back to the start of the hunting ground
• Some of these changes will affect Warzone 3, The Extension Site (MOTA), and Lower Glooth Factory East / West.
• Added some changes with the goal to prevent players from actively blocking the access to Gnomevil
• Increased monster density

Monster		Experience	Sensitivity	Other
	Infected Weeper		Fire sensitivity: 0% -> -100%
	Lava Golem	6,200 -> 7,900 XP		Removed Mana Drain damage
	Lost Berserker	4,400 -> 4,800 XP	Ice sensitivity: 60% -> 90% Energy sensitivity: 83% -> 100%	Removed invisibility No longer applies drunken Reduced Mana Drain damage
	Magma Crawler	2,700 -> 3,900 XP	Ice sensitivity: 90% -> 100%	Reduced probability of melee fighting skill debuff Reduced melee debuff Reduced probability and duration of invisibility Reduced probability of retargetting
	Weeper	4,800 -> 5,800 XP		Will no longer retreat at low health Reduced strength of speed debuff

Warzone 3

Changes were made to improve the respawn:

• Increased experience gain from boss Abyssador: 35,000 -> 400,000 XP
  • Loot from Abyssador is now cooperative
• Added a one-way teleporter in the northeastern part of the hunting ground that will bring players back to the start of the hunting ground
• Increased monster density

Monster		Experience	Sensitivity	Other
	Cliff Strider	5,700 -> 7,100 XP	Energy sensitivity: 0% -> 95%	Decreased probability of Mana Drain attack
	Ironblight	4,400 -> 5,400 XP	Energy sensitivity: 75% -> 95%	Removed invisibility
	Lost Berserker	See Warzone 2 table
	Orewalker	4,800 -> 5,900 XP		No longer applies drunken Reduced probability and damage of Mana Drain attack Removed shielding debuff

Warzone 4

Changes were made to improve the respawn:

• Increased experience gain from The Baron from Below: 50,000 -> 300,000 XP

Monster		Experience	Other
	Chasm Spawn	2,700 -> 3,600 XP	Increased drop chance of Suspicious Device
	Drillworm	858 -> 1,200 XP

Warzone 5

Changes were made to improve the respawn:

• Increased experience gain from The Count of the Core: 50,000 -> 300,000 XP

Monster		Experience	Sensitivity	Other
	Cave Devourer	2,380 -> 3,380 XP		Increased drop chance of Suspicious Device
	High Voltage Elemental		Fire sensitivity: 0% -> 100%
	Tunnel Tyrant	3,400 -> 4,420 XP		Increased drop chance of Suspicious Device

Warzone 6

Changes were made to improve the respawn:

• Increased experience gain from The Duke of the Depths: 50,000 -> 300,000 XP

Monster		Experience
	Deepworm	2,300 -> 2,520 XP
	Diremaw	2,500 -> 2,770 XP

Lower Spike

Changes were made to improve the Lower Spike respawn:

Monster		Experience	Sensitivity	Other
	Lost Basher	1,800 -> 2,300 XP	Ice sensitivity: 80% -> 100%	Will now walk over Fire Fields
	Lost Husher	950 -> 1,100 XP	Ice sensitivity: 85% -> 100%	Removed invisibility Removed Mana Drain Will now walk over Fire Fields
	Lost Thrower	1,200 -> 1,500 XP	Ice sensitivity: 85% -> 105%	Will now walk over Fire Fields
	Massive Earth Elemental	950 -> 1,100 XP	Ice sensitivity: 0% -> 85%

Middle Spike

Changes were made to improve the Middle Spike respawn:

Monster		Experience	Sensitivity	Other
	Clay Guardian		Ice sensitivity: 65% -> 80%
	Crystalcrusher			Reduced DPS
	Earth Elemental	450 -> 550 XP	Ice sensitivity: 15% -> 95%
	Mutated Bat	615 -> 750 XP

Roshamuul

Upper Roshamuul

In order to to buff Upper Roshamuul, the sensitivity changes impacted the Nightmare Isles and The Extension Site (MOTA) as well.

• Increased monster density

Monster		Sensitivity
	Choking Fear	Energy sensitivity: 85% -> 98%
	Retching Horror	Energy sensitivity: 90% -> 103%

Oramond

Oramond Mountain Hideout

• Increased monster density
  • Further increased monster density on minotaur floor

Monster		Sensitivity
	Betrayed Wraith	Energy sensitivity: 0% -> 90%
	Fury	See Ferumbras' Ascendant table

Seacrest Grounds

With the goal to add further dynamic to this area's mechanic:

• Increased monster density
• Adjusted the Fire-Feathered Serpent World Change:
  • The kill requirement to trigger this world change was lowered from 3,000 down to 2,000 Seacrest Serpents
  • The original state will be restored upon killing a combined total of 2,000 Renegade Quaras. This is an increase from the previous requirement which was just 1,000 total kills.

Monster		Experience	Sensitivity
	Seacrest Serpent	2,600 -> 2,900 XP
	Young Sea Serpent		Earth sensitivity: 0% -> 105%

Zao

Falcon Bastion

• Increased monster density underground

Monster		Experience
	Falcon Knight	5,985 -> 6,300 XP
	Falcon Paladin	6,544 -> 6,900 XP