Autumn Update I

[Tobberz]

The Autumn Update (I): The Return​

That's right folks, it's the first content update since... January. That's not something Tim, or I, or the rest of the staff team are proud of - but better late than never! You may notice rather ominously this is noted in the title as part I of the Autumn Update - that's because a supplementary release with bug fixes and a few more features will be released about a week after this one. Without further ado, let's get into the update.

New Helm's Deep
We have implemented an entirely new Helm's Deep into rotation. Many of you will know this map already as we did numerous tests earlier in the summer (although I'm sure there's still tweaking to be done). Here's what's included with the new map:

• Includes old features you expect like wall explosion.
• Two new flags after Throne - Stables and Glittering Caves.
• Class re-organisation on both teams.
• Constructor replaced with Uruk Ladderer on Uruk-Hai.
• Uruk Crossbow (free) added.
• Elven Archer (point) added. It has a leap ability you can access by right-clicking sword (this may be tweaked)
• You now get extra ladders before the wall is taken, to help scale it. You can restock these ladders at ladder restock stations on the plains (trapped chests).
• New custom lobbies for both teams.
• FYI: There is a small bug in the aesthetics of the wall, this will be fixed in due course.

The Return of the Point Shop
That's right, a feature of v1 has returned after almost three years of v2! Each perk lasts for 1 hour and costs 100 or 200 points. You'll find the point shop in every lobby. It includes:

• Double Ladders
• Extra Arrows
• Constructor Upgrade (extra wood & better axe for constructors, extra axe for other classes which can be used to break wood quicker).
• Extra food.

An Extra Projectile perk for classes such as Axethrower and Spearman will also be added in the coming updates.

New Unique Team Lobbies & Class Overhaul
We've added unique team lobbies to Dale and Osgiliath, and will be slowly rolling out new custom lobbies for every map in the coming updates. I've also overhauled and standardised the classes on every map, with the help of De_Mik, here's a changelog:

• All Maps
  • On maps on which Spearman was voter, it has become Free in every case. - Removed redundant second sword from Skirmisher.
• Moria Gold
  • Added Shieldman (Goblins)
  • Removed Skirmisher
  • Removed Troll (Goblins)
  • Added Cave Troll (Goblins)
• Halls of Moria
  • Added Moria Orc (Goblins)
• Laketown
  • Added Shieldman (Men)
  • Added Warg Tamer (Orcs)
• Dale
  • Added Shieldman (Orcs)
  • Added Laketown Swordsmaster (Men of Dale)
• Edoras
  • Added Uruk Reaver (Isengard)
• Lossarnach
  • Added Pelargir Seafarer (Gondor)
  • Added Gondorian Archer (Gondor)
  • Added Umbar Raider (Corsairs)
• Edhellond
  • Added Pelargir Seafarer (Gondor)
  • Added Skirmisher (Gondor)
  • Added Corsair Captain (Corsairs)
• Black Gate
  • Added Dol Amroth Knight (Gondor)
  • Added Harad Spearman (Mordor)
  • Rohan Warrior Free -> Voter
  • Ladderer Voter -> Free
  • Removed Shieldman
• Osgiliath
  • Added Skirmisher (Gondor)
  • Added Umbar Raider (Mordor)
  • Orc Chieftain Voter -> Free
• Additional Notes
  • Gondorian Archer is now on all Gondor teams on all Gondor maps.
  • Point classes are the same on both Moria maps now.
  • Pelargir Seafarer is a new point class utilizing the trident weapon!

Other Miscellaneous Updates

• Map winrate will now be recorded, so that the staff team can better work out which maps need more overall balance.
• /nextmap progress indicators will be shown in chat when 50% of players use /nextmap.
• A points happy hour is active from 1900 - 2000 Western European time on Fridays and Saturdays (double points).
• sjoerdtim spent a long time fixing dozens of 1.13 bugs and issues a few weeks ago - you can see everything he did on the #update-feed of Discord.
• Buffed Dwarven Crossbow by adding two bolts and increasing armour. This is to differentiate it from the free Crossbow classes.

Staff
I have good news and bad news here... our two Pre-Moderators - De_Mik and MrDrewSky have both been promoted to Moderator, after three months of hard work and experience as staff. However, It's my sad duty to say that our longest serving Moderator, Freek, is stepping away from his position after almost three years in the role (since the beginning of v2, in fact). He'll be sorely missed by all of us.
What about Part II?
As mentioned above, you can expect a Part II to this update in the coming week, here's what to expect:

• A resource pack update, using some textures from EpicQuestz' resource pack.
• The long-promised update to the Stairs flag on Moria Great Halls.
• A new trident-based Rohan class.
• Some other minor additions and bugfixes.

I hope this update is the first of many throughout the remainder of the year and beyond! Thank you to all staff and others who helped out, and I'll be seeing you all again soon!