Help Us Make Duels Better!

Dear Duels players,

Hello, Challenge Games needs your help. We are asking our players to take a short survey in order for us to better understand who you are. All information is confidential and anonymous and will only be used by Challenge Games to help us prioritize features, craft better content, and use to sharpen our messages. Your insightful answers will help us make Duels the best it can be. The survey should only take a few minutes of your time, but will be invaluable information for us. Click here to take the survey now!

Thanks,
Challenge Games

The elusive Nobleman’s Bundle is back in Duels, and as always it’s got a lot of cool factors going on.

Here’s the royal facts on this Noble offer:

* The Nobleman’s Bundle is a special offer, only a limited number are created and when they’re gone, the bundle goes away. It appears every once in awhile and never lasts long.

* This bundle is all about packs, and room for your new goods. It’s 50 (fifty!!!) Noble Set packs, and 50 Inventory Slots to boot, all for $49.95. That’s a really, really, really good deal- and that’s why these bundles sell out so quickly.

* At the time of this writing, less than 300 Nobleman’s Bundles were still available for purchase.

* One of Phyrra’s most beloved pets, the Recently Reformed Rat, is only available with a purchase of a Nobleman’s Bundle. When you purchase this bundle, you automatically receive a legendary Rat for free! (Limited one rat per avatar)

* The Nobleman carries a very special guarantee. If you purchase two Nobleman’s Bundle and do not receive a legendary or artifact in any of the packs, Shindaan Guardian Del will gladly give you one of his legendaries- and you even get to pick which one! The only items in his inventory that are not up for grabs are his Blade of Halstora, and the Crunchies (he really likes his Crunchies).

If you want to check out the nitty-gritty or go ahead and pick one of these Bundles up, head to the Nobleman’s Bundle page in the Game Store!

I thought we’d try something a little different this week and talk about our update a little bit on the Blog (our Patch Notes are still posted in the forums, as always). Change is always fun, right?

This week’s update touched on a lot of different subjects. There were a lot of changes made in regard to game balance, all tested on our Forge servers and ready for the live game. For a more detailed breakdown of these changes, please visit this week’s Patch Notes

• * First and foremost, the “If Resisted” Clauses were removed entirely from Energy Drain, Hold Person, Slow, and Shakes to simplify their purposes.

• * Burning Powder’s duration was reduced by one turn, to help bring high Stamina builds in line.

• * Energy Drain was change to non-resistible and the ‘drain’ was reduced due to the removal of the “If Resisted” clause.

• * Shakes’ reduction was changed to beef it up a bit and help it perform better for non-Artifact builds.

• * Resistance was put on a Diminishing Returns scale. This change was made because Resist granting gear has evolved and Resistance needed to reflect the current times.

• * Dual Wield/Shields and Shield Mastery skills had their dodge debuff removed entirely. Shield builds have been underperforming and needed a little boost to pick up some momentum.

• * Fortitude’s bonus to Stamina was reduced a bit.

• * Offensive Power’s effect on an opponent’s Absorb and Dodge was tweaked to give Sword paths a better way to reduce Dodge and Absorb without relying completely on Openers and Actions.

• * Defensive Power’s bonus was split because it was allowing too high of  a Resistance bonus, but is still useful has a general Resistance/Dodge boosting skill.

• * Dark Elf’s Delight’s duration was changed a little bit to combat its High Stamina version while keeping the same duration for non-Stamina focused builds

We also brought back the ever-popular limited-run Nobleman’s Bundle (50 Noble packs and 50 inventory slots), complete with its exclusive pet Rat (they’re actually quite darling and sought after!). The only way to snag a rat is to grab a Bundle, just remember it’s limited to one per avatar. The Nobleman’s Bundle carries a very special guarantee- if you purchase two Nobleman’s Bundle and don’t find a legendary in either one, Shindaan Guardian Del will be more than happy to give you one of his!

Chapters 7-9 of the Revolution in the Shadowlands have been unlocked at this time and are waiting for you. “The Aenok have arrived. The newest Duels race has landed and, with their help, the cleansing of Shadow Phyrra begins. But, what are these strange, angelic creatures and what unexpected consequences might their arrival hold?” To get started, visit your Quest Journal and begin the Revolution.

Last but certainly not least, Shadowland packs are on sale for Challenge Coins. When you pick up a pack, box, or case of the Shadowlands using CCs it’s buy one get one free. Very nice.

For a short time after our update this morning, we will run our weekly trivia contest. To try your hand at winning a few free packs, please visit our Patch Notes page to view the question and submit your answer!

It’s been less than a week since the Shadowlands launched in Phyrra. The awe-inspiring art of the Shadowlands set has been the talk of the Arena, as well as the deadly weapon and armor stats. Hundreds of teams have formed and are tearing it up in our Team Battles ring. Tons of team battles have been waged and show no signs of stopping.

August’s Forum Contest has also started, and this month’s theme is Sci-Fi Costume Party. You can use any items in the game to dress up your Duels avatar as any science fiction character, then enter for free for your chance to win great prizes.

That’s the good news.

With the arrival of the Shadows, there has been a change in the mood of the Arena, and Phyrra in general. Regular Duelists are now fighting for the twisted amusement of the Shadows, Phyrra’s new rulers. The quarantine placed on Phyrra by the mainland remains in place, making it impossible to get off the island by the usual means.

Our city has turned in to a  psychotic circus for madmen, killers, and the seemingly unstoppable Shadows. And the outside world wants nothing to do with us.

A small group of well-trained Duelists managed to escape the initial corruption of the Shadows, slipping past the dark collars and leashes being snapped on all Phyrrans’ necks. The only safe place in our city has proven to be Tomb Town, where we’ve taken residence.

Join us every week as new chapters unfold. Take part in the Revolution by visiting your Quest Journal and clicking on the Revolution image. The Prologue is currently available, and new chapters will unlock this Thursday after our scheduled update.

It’s time to take the city back.