2024 Balancing Project

This Balancing Project was announced on , with the intention to gather feedback from the community, analyze it, and implement changes to multiple hunting grounds based on the feedback.
* : first batch of changes, focusing on Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds
* : second batch of changes, focusing on Ferumbras' Ascendant hunting grounds
* : third batch of changes, focusing on Cemetery Quarter, Sunken Quarter, Medusa Tower, Okolnir, Bounacean Lion, and Monster Graveyard
* : fourth batch of changes, focusing on Grounds of Undeath, Grounds of Fire, Medusa Tower, Okolnir, Bounacean Lion, Deep Desert, and Gloom Pillars
* : fifth batch of changes, focusing on Oramond Mountain Hideout, Fury Hell, Upper Roshamuul, Seacrest Grounds, Warzone 1, Warzone 2, and Warzone 3.
* : 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.
* : 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":For context, the Summer Update 2023 and Winter Update 2023 implemented the first bosses that rewarded "a lot of experience".
** 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:
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | 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 debuffRemoved 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 thresholdReduced Mana Drain damageSome 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
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 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
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 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:
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! Hunting Ground !! Description !! Visual changes
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 Grounds of Deceit Connected two cave passages on the first level 
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 Grounds of Despair Maintained the main path of first and second floors intactImplemented one-way teleporters at their end that brings players back to the starting point of the respective levelAdded 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 
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 Grounds of Fire Added a passage on the first levelIncreased the monster density in this areaReplaced Grimeleeches with Vexclaws 
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 Grounds of Undeath Added a cave passage to the first level and to the level after blood was flowing from the wellIncreased 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience
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 Quara Constrictor 250 -> 380 XP
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 Quara Hydromancer 800 -> 950 XP
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 Quara Mantassin 400 -> 600 XP
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 Quara Pincher 1,200 -> 1,500 XP
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 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)
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Frost Dragon Earth sensitivity: 0% -> 100% Reduced duration and probability of speed debuff
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Other
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Sensitivity
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 Sulphur Spouter Fire sensitivity: 0% -> 75%
}
== Darama ==
=== Deep Desert ===
Changes were made on the Deep Desert to improve the respawn.
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience
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 Skeleton Elite Warrior 4,500 -> 4,800 XP
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
- 
! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Health !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Armadile 2,900 -> 3,200 XP Fire sensitivity: 80% -> 100% Removed Mana Drain damageRemoved invisibilityReduced probability of applying drunkenNo longer retreats at low healthChanged to melee fighter
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 Hideous Fungus 2,900 -> 3,700 XP Fire sensitivity: 95% -> 105% Reduced probability of applying drunkenReduced probability and duration of invisibilityReduced number of summonsRemoved speed debuffNo longer retreats at low health
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 Humongous Fungus 2,600 -> 2,900 XP Fire sensitivity: 95% -> 110% Removed invisibilityReduced probability and area of Poison FieldReduced probability and range of applying drunkenReduced probability of speed debuffReduced probability of summoning
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 Humorless Fungus Reduced from 2,600 -> 1,600 HP Reduced probability and duration of invisibilityNo longer applies drunkenNo longer retreats at low health
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Infected Weeper Fire sensitivity: 0% -> -100% 
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 Lava Golem 6,200 -> 7,900 XP Removed Mana Drain damage
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 Lost Berserker 4,400 -> 4,800 XP Ice sensitivity: 60% -> 90%Energy sensitivity: 83% -> 100% Removed invisibilityNo longer applies drunkenReduced Mana Drain damage
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 Magma Crawler 2,700 -> 3,900 XP Ice sensitivity: 90% -> 100% Reduced probability of melee fighting skill debuffReduced melee debuffReduced probability and duration of invisibilityReduced probability of retargetting
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 Weeper 4,800 -> 5,800 XP Will no longer retreat at low healthReduced 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
- 
! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Cliff Strider 5,700 -> 7,100 XP Energy sensitivity: 0% -> 95% Decreased probability of Mana Drain attack
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 Ironblight 4,400 -> 5,400 XP Energy sensitivity: 75% -> 95% Removed invisibility
-
| 
| Lost Berserker
| colspan=3 See Warzone 2 table
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 Orewalker 4,800 -> 5,900 XP No longer applies drunken Reduced probability and damage of Mana Drain attackRemoved shielding debuff
}
=== Warzone 4 ===
Changes were made to improve the respawn:
* Increased experience gain from The Baron from Below: 50,000 -> 300,000 XP
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Other
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 Chasm Spawn 2,700 -> 3,600 XP Increased drop chance of Suspicious Device
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Cave Devourer 2,380 -> 3,380 XP Increased drop chance of Suspicious Device
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 High Voltage Elemental Fire sensitivity: 0% -> 100% 
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience
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 Deepworm 2,300 -> 2,520 XP
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 Diremaw 2,500 -> 2,770 XP
}
=== Lower Spike ===
Changes were made to improve the Lower Spike respawn:
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Lost Basher 1,800 -> 2,300 XP Ice sensitivity: 80% -> 100% Will now walk over Fire Fields
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 Lost Husher 950 -> 1,100 XP Ice sensitivity: 85% -> 100% Removed invisibilityRemoved Mana DrainWill now walk over Fire Fields
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 Lost Thrower 1,200 -> 1,500 XP Ice sensitivity: 85% -> 105% Will now walk over Fire Fields
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 Massive Earth Elemental 950 -> 1,100 XP Ice sensitivity: 0% -> 85% 
}
=== Middle Spike ===
Changes were made to improve the Middle Spike respawn:
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Sensitivity !! Other
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 Clay Guardian Ice sensitivity: 65% -> 80% 
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 Crystalcrusher Reduced DPS
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 Earth Elemental 450 -> 550 XP Ice sensitivity: 15% -> 95% 
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
- 
! colspan="2" | Monster !! Sensitivity
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 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
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Sensitivity
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 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.
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience !! Sensitivity
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 Seacrest Serpent 2,600 -> 2,900 XP 
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 Young Sea Serpent Earth sensitivity: 0% -> 105%
}
== Zao ==
=== Falcon Bastion ===
* Increased monster density underground
{class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
- 
! colspan="2" | Monster !! Experience
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 Falcon Knight 5,985 -> 6,300 XP
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 Falcon Paladin 6,544 -> 6,900 XP
}
== References ==