Playtest Update — Ramming & Smarter Seas (v0.1.0)
Pirate Twist — Playtest Update v0.1.0
Ahoy sailors! A big update has hit the Playtest branch. Here's everything new since the last build:
⚔️ New
- Ramming combat — line up a bow-on charge and smash into enemy hulls. Adds new structural modules (Ram Prow, Hull Bracing) and a dedicated rammer boss, Kael the Reaver.
- Ammo rework — each shot type now has a clearer role: Grape scatters, slows stack up, and on-hit effects are labelled in the combat text.
- Victory & defeat ceremonies — a painted Game Over and a full Ascension → Victory finale; expedition wins get the same cinematic send-off.
- Pirate-map chart — the expedition map unfurls like an old sea chart and opens right after each reward.
🌊 Improved
- Smarter enemies — they reverse, coast on momentum, fire true broadsides, and will ram you when you leave an opening. Bosses open the fight differently per captain.
- Bigger seas — a larger sailing arena with a rebuilt coastline (beaches, decor, drifting tide).
- Tutorial & hints overhaul, including a Defend the Port walkthrough.
- Cleaner UI — Settings / Codex / Controls readability, new loading overlays, and a confirm prompt before abandoning a run in progress.
⚖️ Balance
- Stronger early-game gearing — higher enemy Gold/Wood/Iron drops, and Crew Supplies scale with how much of the map you clear.
- Hull repair retuned (10 gold + 2 wood); storm-bolt damage now scales with ship size.
🔧 Fixes
- Save & Quit from port keeps your in-progress expedition; purchases made before your first sail now persist.
- Pickups no longer land inside islands; cannon fire splashes at the real shoreline.
- Storm lightning no longer freezes with the chart open; default fire mode is now Manual with a reload-ready cue.
Thanks for playing the Playtest — your feedback shapes the road to Early Access. Fair winds, captains! ⚓