Welcome back, General!

Our first major content update brings a variety of highly requested features and new content, like 6 more maps, Spectator Mode V1, and the ability to queue with friends! This update also includes an extensive list of multiplayer balance changes and bug fixes to further improve your experience playing Tempest Rising.

To our early supporters who pre-ordered the Deluxe edition, you will all be happy to hear that your bonus content pack is also a part of this update (more on that below).

Now, let’s dive right into what you’re really here for! 🫡

• Added 2v2 Ranked mode and Leaderboards

• Players can queue up for 2v2 matchmaking with their friends or queue solo

• Added the much-requested feature: You can now adjust max unit population capacity from 100 to 500 in Match settings for Skirmish and Custom matches (this may impact performance)

• Added Chat Menu feature in Lobbies and Multiplayer tabs. This feature allows you to:

  • Chat with other players while in a lobby

  • Send friend requests to other players in a lobby

  • Send party invites to your friends to play together in Ranked, Quickplay (2v2), or Custom Games

• Added basic Spectator mode for Custom Lobbies with slots for up to 8 Spectators

• Added the ability to skip opening logos and the intro cinematic by holding ESC
  

• Added 6 Maps, repurposed from existing Maps

  • 4 Maps designed for 2v2 teamplay matches

  • 2 Maps designed for 1v1 duel matches

• Added “Alps” and “Central Junction” Maps to the 1v1 map pool

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(For those players who were waiting for a sale 🫡)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1486920/Tempest_Rising

• Marking effect can no longer be applied to Neutral Structures (if not captured by the enemy), Concrete Walls, Gates, or Fences

The Mission Control neutral structure has always been a Detector - adding the Detection Perk to the unit is simply a way to communicate this to the player, as intended.

• Mission Control now has Detection Perk as intended

For both factions, we are looking to provide a more formal Early/Mid/Late pacing for tech progression. For the GDF, this includes a slight cost and build time increase for the Satellite Uplink, as well as addressing the Spy Drones Support Power, which has been used to generate Intel more quickly than we’d initially anticipated.

We are also seeking to make the Hunter Tank a more attractive all-around option, particularly as a method at Tier 1 to defend against vehicle rushes and pressure the Dynasty.

Overall, we are looking to increase the number of viable options the GDF has at all tech levels.

We are aiming to make harvesters from both factions slightly more vulnerable and susceptible to harassment at all stages of the game, forcing players to pay more attention to protecting their economy. A slight Health reduction is the first step in this direction.

• Health decreased to 950 (from 1000)

In an effort to make Tier 2 more of a commitment, we are slightly increasing its cost and build time. Additionally, we are looking to provide more passive detection options, which will make the use of stealth units as scouts more skill-based.

• Cost increased to 2000 (from 1800)

• Build time increased to 27 seconds (from 20)

• Given the Detection Perk, with a range of 2500 

The Hunter and Boar tanks are still slightly under-performing in their role. Increasing the base and Networked damage of the Hunter, as well as its movement speed, allows it to become a more effective tool at pressuring the enemy at all stages of the game, but particularly allows for a more aggressive early game from GDF players.

• Movement speed increased to 750 (from 725)

• Damage increased to 70 (from 60)

• Networked damage increased to 110 (from 95)

While we support players utilizing the Spy Drones Support Power to generate Intel by Marking enemy armies, we feel that the rates of Intel gain over time are too high.

• Cooldown increased to 90 seconds (from 60 seconds)

• Marking area decreased to 1000 (from 1200)

We want to encourage GDF players to experiment more with abilities like the Engineer’s Guard Tower. Being able to repair them via Global Repair and sell them for an Intel refund should make the Guard Tower a much safer investment to utilize for offensive and defensive strategies.

• Can now be repaired by Global Repair

• Can now be sold (returns 2 Intel when sold)

Quellers can be a nuisance to the enemy but struggle to survive long enough to get adequate value for their investment. Additional health and a slightly increased attack range should allow players a bit more freedom when choosing engagements.

• Health increased to 880 (from 850)

• JUDGE Laser Range increased to 2100 (from 1850)

• Minigun range increased to 2000 (from 1750)

While the Peacekeeper is a versatile unit, it is difficult to use for infantry suppression due to the short range of its weapon. A small increase to its range should allow the Peacekeeper to more consistently hit and suppress groups of infantry and fulfil its intended role.

• LRAD Riot Cannon Range increased to 1800 (from 1500)

The Riot Medic has remained a Specialist with a relatively low pick rate. In addition to a respectable stats buff, we are looking to position it as a more Sniper-resistant Specialist and make it a safer pick when facing enemies fielding Infantry removal units.

• Movement speed increased to 600 (from 500)

• Health increased to 680 (from 650)

• Maximum weapon cone length increased to 2400 (from 2100)

• Now has 35% Resistance to Sniper weapons (from 0%)

We are continuing to make slight changes to the Riot Van to increase its overall value.

• Cost decreased to 1200 (from 1300)

The Comms Officer remains a safe choice for many GDF players, though they are fragile, making it difficult to keep them in play during combat. A slight range and survivability buff should force the enemy to work a little harder to remove them from play.

• Range increased to 2700 (from 2600)

• Health increased to 350 (from 300)

Haywire Turrets compete for Intel cost with many other Tier 3 units and structures. A lower Intel cost is a first step to improving their value as defensive Structures.

• Intel cost decreased to 30 (from 40)

Artillery Turrets have been too easy to mass and stall out games. A slight increase to their Cost and Power consumption should make it more difficult to hit a critical mass of turrets. 

• Cost increased to 2200 (from 2000)

• Power consumption increased to 60 (from 40)

The Drone Assassin is one of four Specialists we are providing with some Sniper resistance.

• Now has 25% resistance to Sniper weapons (from 0%)

This update aims to better define the combat progression of the Tempest Dynasty across Tiers 1, 2, and 3, emphasizing each tier's distinct characteristics and appeal. 

Specifically, we've increased the effectiveness of certain Tier 2 Dynasty units, such as the Porcupine and Boar Tank. This adjustment is intended to foster greater variety in unit compositions when facing both the GDF and other Tempest Dynasty players.

Additionally, we have slightly slowed down the rate at which players can expand the number of Tempest Rigs they can field, and also made Tempest Rigs more vulnerable to harassment.

• Cost increased to 1800 (from 1500)

• Build time increased to 28 seconds (from 20)

• Given the Detection Perk, with a range of 2500

While both the Dynasty Guard and GDF Field Scout were improved in our last Balance Patch, the Dynasty Guard’s performance and win rate did not improve as we had anticipated. Adding some Health and movement speed should keep the Guard out in front and threatening enemy Infantry as intended.

• Health increased to 150 (From 140)

• Movement speed increased to 625 (from 600)

The Boar is already hardy, resistant, and fast. Increased DPS should push it more into a role as a frontline skirmisher and threat, and help it perform better against Tier 3 units like the Voltaic Tank and Trebuchet.

• Attack speed increased to 2.5 (from 2.9)

Retaining the same population cap as the Salvage Van increases the consistency of the Salvage Center.

• Now takes 2 population (from 0)

We are returning some range we removed from the Leveler in our last balance patch to improve its performance against defenses and the GDF Shieldmaiden.

• Range increased to 4500 (from 4000)

In an effort to slightly slow down the rate at which the Tempest Dynasty are able to expand their economy, we are increasing the build time and Power consumption of the Tempest Rig - this simply matches the value of a deployed Tempest Rig Refinery, but is a minor increase to its up-front cost.

Lastly, we are reducing the Health of both the Tempest Rig and its Harvester Wheels to allow Dynasty harvesting operations to be more easily harassed, and force Dynasty players to work harder to keep them protected.

• Build time increased to 45 seconds (from 43)

• Health decreased to 1600 (from 1700)

• Power consumption increased to 30 (from 20)

• Respawn time increased to 28 seconds (from 25)

• Health decreased to 280 (from 300)

As part of our initiative to increase the division between tech tiers and slow down access to end-tier Dynasty units, we are slightly increasing the cost and research time of the Construction Yard Bastion.

• Bastion Upgrade research time increased to 35 seconds (from 25)

• Cost increased to 1500 (from 1000)

The Hammerhand’s usage and win rates are below their desired levels, and a slight increase in movement speed and attack range should help make them more useful and consistent.

• Movement speed increased to 1000 (from 900)

• Range increased to 1800 (from 1500)

As a part of our initiative to generally increase the consistency of Tier 1 Air units across both factions, we are giving the Matchstick a slight range increase.

• Range increased to 1950 (from 1800)

Increasing the damage of the Porcupine should threaten both GDF armies, forcing GDF players to lean more into utilizing their advanced faction systems more, and should threaten Dynasty Tier 3 units more in mirror matches, increasing combat diversity.

• Damage increased to 100 (from 90)

Some Dynasty fast tech builds are hitting a little too quickly. Increasing the research time of the Defender upgrade slightly delays the player’s access to Tier 3 vehicles.

• Defender upgrade research time increased to 30 seconds (from 25)

To push the Demolitionist further into its niche, we are making it more formidable. It is now harder to kill and packs a stronger punch when it is in range.

• Health increased to 580 (from 550)

• Range increased to 1750 (from 1500)

• Voltaic Spark Gun Damage increased to 170 (from 150)

Line Officers have a fairly low usage rate. Increasing their Health, Sniper resistance, and the duration of their Inspire effect should make them more consistent and effective.

• Health increased to 550 (from 400)

• Movement speed increased to 625 (from 600)

• Line Officer Inspire Buff now lasts 14 seconds (from 10)

• Now has 25% Resistance to Sniper weapons (from 0%)

Machinists are both lethal and have strong utility. A decrease to their damage area should retain their utility while providing more counter-play with Infantry armies.

• Attack radius decreased to 220 (from 300)

We are looking to position the Voltaic Tank a bit more firmly as a back-line threat that can threaten Tier 3 defenses without being depowered. The increased range also synergizes well with the increased range of the Sensor Array.

• Range increased to 3200 (from 3100)

A slight range increase should make the Sensor Array more consistent and dangerous as a defensive structure.

• Range increased to 3300 (from 3000)

The Physicist is one of four Specialists we are providing with some Sniper resistance.

• Now has 25% resistance to Sniper weapons (from 0%)

Increasing the Power consumption of the Voltaic Turret reduces Dynasty players’ ability to spam multiple turrets at once, as in coordination with Salvage Centers.

• Power consumption increased to 80 (from 40)

• Fixed an issue with the Camera centering on a selected group when quickly switching between unit groups

• Fixed an issue where Credits were not being refunded after cancelling a completed Dynasty building from the production queue

• Fixed an issue where the Pillager and Ignitor units were not dealing damage but continuing to attack an enemy outside of attack range

• Fixed an issue where enemy air units were not visible when attacking from ‘dimmed’ high ground

• Fixed issues where various unit abilities were being reset when used under certain conditions

• Fixed an issue with MCV, Tempest Rig, and Salvage Van units not being able to execute Deploy abilities using the Shift key

• Fixed an issue where ‘Networked’ Trebuchet and Tempest Artillery units couldn’t attack Marked enemies at full range

• Fixed an issue with Drones pushing each other when Drone controllers were placed inside garrisonable units and structures

• Fixed an issue where units couldn’t be produced when players had the exact amount of credits remaining

• Fixed an issue where units in Stealth were not attacking enemy units from inside garrisonable structures

• Fixed an issue when using the Ignitor’s Thermobaric Grenade ability, where the grenade would be thrown at a random location

• Fixed an issue where the grenade throwing range would display on the cursor instead of the Ignitor unit

• Fixed an issue with attacking units not being displayed if they were located in a dimmed area in multiplayer

• Fixed an issue where GDF units were not being produced with 0 credits if they cost only Intel

• Fixed an issue where the enemy’s delivery drone would be visible in Fog of War if the enemy structure was built within the player's visibility radius

• Fixed an issue where the Fog of War would disappear after an AI bot was defeated in Skirmish

• Fixed an issue where the GDF Harvester could get stuck in the Refinery after loading a Save file under certain conditions

• Fixed an issue where two Tempest Fields were missing on the Dam map

• Fixed an issue where some turrets were not properly refunding 50% of their Credit cost when sold

• Fixed an issue where Skirmish AI bots would stop building when the player surrounded their base early 

• Fixed various other Multiplayer & Skirmish-related issues

• Added subtitles for intro cinematics, where distinct communication is present

• Fixed an issue where the "Eliminate GDF Threats" objective couldn't be completed on Easy difficulty during Dynasty Campaign Mission 8 (Buried)

• Fixed an issue during Dynasty Campaign Mission 11 (Fire of the Gods) where Matchstick units from the additional base couldn’t fly through a removed barrier

• Fixed an issue with the Drone Assassin unit not attacking a selected target if it was at the edge of its attack radius in Campaign

• Fixed an issue where the “Wrecker Cannons” Armory Upgrade was not applied to Demolitionist and Voltaic Tank units in Campaign 

• Fixed an issue where ‘invisible’ selectable buildings were appearing in various places in Campaign missions after loading a Save file

• Fixed performance issues in various Campaign missions if many save files were created during its walkthrough

• Fixed an issue where Campaign Doctrine/Armory/Reset points could go into negative values after loading previously completed missions in the Command Compound

• Fixed various other Campaign-related issues

• Fixed an issue where a ‘Lost’ Skirmish match could be shown as ‘Won’ in Match History

• Fixed an issue where a player’s Save profile could become corrupted and not accessible after a failure during the process of saving

• Save profile backups are now created every time saving is successful

• Fixed an issue where “Total Time Played” in the player profile was cleared after 24 hours of matches had been played

• Fixed an issue where Campaign missions were being displayed in Match History as Ranked matches

• Fixed various other UI-related issues

• Fixed various localization issues in a variety of languages

• Fixed an issue where Campaign Achievements were sometimes not unlocking properly after completing Campaign missions

• Fixed an issue where the “Deprived” Achievement could be obtained by replaying the first mission after completing the Campaign

• Fixed an issue where the “Plowing the Fields” Achievement was given for harvesting 100,000 Credits instead of 200,000 Credits

• Fixed an issue where the “Making Bacon Pancakes” Achievement was given to all players in a match if only one player completed its conditions

• Fixed an issue where the “Beat the Skirmish AI ” Achievements could be obtained by defeating any AI bot in Skirmish if the player had a bot on their team

• Fixed an issue where the “Bug Zapper” Achievement was not unlocking properly according to its description

• Fixed an issue where the “Last Man Standing” Achievement could be unlocked after winning a Skirmish match against AI bots on different teams

• Fixed an issue where the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” Achievement was not unlocking properly after completing its condition (Now both enemy and allied vehicles count towards completing the Achievement)

To our players who originally pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition of Tempest Rising before April 25, we told you we hadn’t forgotten about you!

Since you did not receive your 7-day Early Unlock access to the game as originally intended, we’ve created a cosmetic pack to compensate for this as a token of our appreciation of your early support for Tempest Rising.

No action is required; this pack will automatically be unlocked in the “Additional Content” menu tab after you update and launch your game.

This bonus content pack includes:

• GDF Commander Scene

• Dynasty Commander Scene

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• Tempest Sphere

• Col. Domovoy Molchalin

• Cpt. Bronagh Cregan

• Col. Robert Fischer

Sign up for a PROS account and receive two avatars in-game! You can find the sign-up link in the top left corner of the main menu.

Our Discord server is the best place to share feedback and chat directly with our team and the rest of the Tempest Rising Community!

The mission continues, General! It's been a month since we launched Tempest Rising, and we've been hard at work on future content, new features, bug fixes, and quality of life improvements for the game. We'll share more detailed information on these updates in the near future, but we want to still give you an early glimpse of some of what's coming in our next major patch.

• 2v2 Ranked
  
• Queue with friends
  
• More Multiplayer Maps designed for 2v2 team fights and 1v1

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These maps will feature new arenas / gameplay layouts, repurposed from existing maps.

New Pop. cap adjustment setting in Skirmish/Custom matches

Spectator Mode V1

Main Menu Chat

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Stay tuned for more information about each of these features in the coming weeks. We didn't want to keep you waiting too long for updates, though, so today we're releasing our largest balance patch since launch!

With this patch, we aim to address the large impact some units are having, particularly on the early game, while improving the utility of some lower-performing units.

We are looking to take a more incremental approach to changes that affect the early game and smooth out the transition into the mid-game for both the GDF and Dynasty.

• Most units that provide more than 10 Intel upon being killed while Marked have had their Intel rewards reduced.

Some early game strategies centered around this structure were too difficult for the defender to adequately hold. With a cost increase and a slight decrease in the number of spawned Militia, this should be more manageable for the defender and more of a commitment from the attacker.

• Militia Ambush cost increased to 2000 (from 1500)
  
• Militia Ambush spawns 12 Militia (from 15)

First and foremost, the Intel resource is integral to the GDF's army and economy. After watching the game mature over the past couple of weeks, we feel that we can make some targeted improvements to Intel that should smooth out both the early and late game somewhat.

Specifically, we are opening up Intel in the early game again by lowering the cost of accessing the Satellite Uplink and Data Core, but we are also lowering the amount of Intel you gain from killing high-tier units and structures.

Overall, we feel that this should normalize Intel income so that it's less restrictive early and less abundant after large fights. We will continue to observe and tune this system over time.

Lowering some Intel costs is an effort to encourage more use of abilities and units that cost Intel, particularly in the earlier stages of a match.

• Intel cost reduced to 10 (from 20)

Lowering the Intel cost for the same reason, to encourage using more abilities and units that require Intel.

• Intel cost reduced to 20 (from 40)

We are seeking to improve early game anti-infantry units like the Field Scout to improve their performance against early game anti-tank infantry, such as the Missile Trooper and Drone Operator

• Attack interval improved to 1.1 seconds (from 1.2 seconds)

Grenadiers have a lower-than-average combat performance related to trouble closing the distance with enemy units to attack. We are increasing their health in an effort to help improve their role as a front-line damage dealer

• Health increased to 250 (from 230)

We have determined that the Sentinel’s Marking Rounds are overperforming, being a potent source of AOE anti-infantry damage when massed. These changes are geared towards pushing Marking Rounds back to being a utility tool as intended.

• Marking Rounds attack interval increased to 1.5 seconds (from 1)
  
• Marking Rounds damage reduced to 4 (from 12)
  
• Damage type changed to Omni (from Rifle)

Both factions’ main battle tanks are underperforming. This attack speed boost should help them more effectively deal with vehicle-based threats.

• Attack interval improved to 2.9 seconds (from 3.1 seconds)

This corrects an issue with the Shieldmaiden in the campaign.

• Standoff Orders removed from the Campaign version of the Shieldmaiden

The Peacekeeper helicopter can be oppressive against infantry. This change makes the LRAD Riot Cannon less lethal, requiring more support to capitalize on its ability to Suppress enemy infantry.

• LRAD Riot Cannon attack interval increased to 1.5 seconds (from 1)

Some GDF strategies revolve around Skycranes full of Drone Operators or Engineers being used to great effect. These changes are geared towards making Skycrane strategies harder to pull off and more of a financial commitment.

• Production time increased to 42 seconds (from 35)
  
• Cost increased to 2300 (from 2000)
  
• Health reduced to 1000 (from 1200)

Riot Medics are one of the least popular Specialists, and returning his healing ability should make him easier to use and less Intel-dependent.

• The Riot Medic now passively heals allied infantry while not in combat, as he does in campaign

Riot Vans have a fairly low usage rate. Increasing their health should help the Riot Van perform its key role of delivering infantry to the front lines. It should also make it a more effective shield for lower-health GDF units, adding to its utility.

• Health increased to 880 (from 850)

Riot Troopers also see somewhat lower usage rates and struggle to get into range to use their EMP Grenades or their Stun Baton. A slight health increase is a first step towards encouraging their wider use.

• Health increased to 480 (from 470)

Artillery Turrets are very powerful and long-ranged, and have been determined to be too inexpensive for their power level. Increasing their cost should make massing them more of an investment.

• Cost increased to 2000 (from 1600)

The DCU is intended to epitomize the GDF's signals science: Marking, Comms, and drone technologies. Over the past two patches, it has continued to dominate as a weapons platform, and we are taking the opportunity to rework it back more towards its original role as a lynchpin support unit.

We feel that with the other changes across the board, it will fit better into the overall GDF lineup this way.

• Now fields 6 Combat Drones (from 8)
  
• Now Marks enemy units again
  
• Range increased to 3200 (from 2600)

The GDF lacks Penetrating damage at the moment, and the Scrambler's Tempest Chaff seemed like a good place to put it. Now, in the late game, the GDF will have the option to clear out Garrisons at the cost of Intel via Tempest Chaff.

• Tempest Chaff now deals Explosive-Penetrating damage (from Explosive)
  
• Scrambler Intel cost reduced to 30 (from 40)

The Dynasty has been performing better as players get more used to how they play and how they tech, but the faction still has some underutilized and underperforming Tier 2 and Tier 3 units that we are addressing. Notably, the Leveler/Dragonfly combo has been overperforming and is being tuned down.

Overall, along with some early game lethality increases for both factions, we feel that both factions will be able to field a wider variety of units early, mid, and late-game.

A slight increase in the Guard's lethality is warranted. We will continue to observe Tier 1 infantry for performance, but this should help them kill enemy anti-tank troopers more effectively.

• Attack interval improved to 0.8 seconds (from .9)

The Tempest Sphere, in spite of moderate win rate values, has trouble getting up close to attack enemy units. A slight speed and durability increase should help it make contact with enemies more readily and increase its threat value.

• Cost reduced to 2500 (from 2800)
  
• Speed increased to 730 (from 700)
  
• Health increased to 2200 (from 2000)

The Boar continues to underperform in its role. As a part of our approach to making Main Battle Tanks more impressive, we are increasing the Boar Tank’s attack speed, which should help players get better value from this unit.

• Attack interval improved to 2.9 (from 3.25)

As a way to help differentiate the Voltaic Tank more from other Dynasty vehicles, we are increasing its range and damage slightly.

• Damage increased to 150 (from 130)
  
• Range increased to 3100 (from 2850)

Reducing the Machinist's build time normalizes him with other Dynasty Specialists.

• Build time reduced to 25 seconds (from 35)

Voltaic Turrets should provide a better return on investment now and have better parity with GDF Tier 3 turrets.

• Cost decreased to 1800 (from 2000)
  
• Range increased to 4000 (from 3500)

Levelers have been dominating the late game for the Dynasty. Instead of further increasing their cost and/or build time, we are seeking to balance their effects by reducing their synergies and making them harder to use.

As such, their range has been slightly reduced, making them more vulnerable to AA weapons like the SAM Site and Shieldmaiden. Additionally, a slower attack speed should incentivize the use of Tempest Dynamos.

• Range reduced to 4000 (from 5000)
  
• Attack interval increased to 4 seconds (from 3)

Similar to Grenadiers, the Ignitor’s health is being increased to help make them a better value proposition.

• Health increased to 270 (from 250)

We are seeking to open up later tech for both the GDF and Dynasty. A decrease in cost and research time should make the Bastion Upgrade less disruptive to acquire.

• Bastion Upgrade cost decreased to 1000 (from 2000)
  
• Bastion Upgrade time reduced to 25 seconds (from 40 seconds)

Havoc Tempest Dynamos and mass Havoc strategies have been dominating the early game. While we like Dynamos as a powerful option for this unit, we are currently looking to provide access to it somewhat later, which provides opponents more time to prepare.

• Build time increased to 23 seconds (from 22)
  
• Now gains Tempest Dynamos with the Bastion tech

In conjunction with the Leveler, Dragonflies can be an oppressively powerful late-game combo. A shorter range forces more skillful use of Dragonflies and more opportunities for counter-play.

• Attack Range reduced to 3700 (from 4000)

Tempest Rising was in the top 12 Steam releases in the last month since launch!

Thank you to everyone who has played the game, sent a review, told a friend, posted about the game on social media, created content for the game, and shared feedback with us. Your continued support helps and motivates everyone on our team to continue working hard on new content and improving the game. We appreciate you all!

Our Discord server is the best place to share feedback and chat directly with our team and the rest of the Tempest Rising Community!

[discord.gg]