Combat Progression Overhaul Coming to Brighter Shores

01/09/2025
Brighter Shores News

Source: Steam


Combat Progression Overhaul Coming to Brighter Shores

Brighter Shores is planning a significant overhaul to its combat system by merging episode-specific combat professions into a single, unified progression path. This change aims to address feedback that the current per-episode combat system creates barriers for new players.

Single Combat Profession

The new system will implement a single combat profession that spans all episodes, with monster levels increasing gradually:

  • Episode 1: Monsters level 0-30

  • Episode 2: Monsters level 30-60

  • Episode 3: Monsters level 60-100

  • Episode 4: Monsters level 100-140

  • Future episodes: +40 levels each

Your maximum combat level will be capped based on the highest episode you've discovered, preventing players from becoming overpowered for new content while preserving progression.

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End Game Obelisk System

Once reaching the combat level cap, excess levels will contribute to episode-specific obelisks:

  • Leveling obelisks boosts combat power within that episode

  • Some obelisk upgrades will apply to the next episode

  • Obelisks can be leveled extensively (460-470 levels per episode)

  • Higher obelisk levels allow advancing monsters to higher-level skins for better XP rates

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Weapons and Armor Changes

Equipment will adapt to the new system:

  • Base level equipment requires matching combat level to wield

  • Advanced "tuned" equipment drops from higher-level monster variants

  • Tuned weapons receive boosts from their corresponding obelisk

  • Weapon crafting levels determine maximum craftable weapon level (crafting level + 60)

  • Crafted weapons start untuned but can be tuned to any obelisk

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Level Scaling Implementation

To prevent trivializing earlier content with high-level gear:

  • Monsters scale up if you're more than 10 levels stronger

  • Quest bosses will never be weaker than the player

  • "Easy combat" penalty for fighting low-level monsters will be removed

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Combat Upgrade Trees

The update introduces customizable skill trees:

  • Choose specializations when leveling up rather than receiving small increases across all stats

  • A character upgrade tree unlocks with combat level increases

  • Each obelisk has its own upgrade tree with additional bonuses

  • Potential upgrades include hitpoint regeneration, movement speed, special attacks, and more

  • Special "bonus" upgrades provide enhanced benefits

  • Players can respec trees at any time for a silver coin fee

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Existing Save Conversion

Current progress will be preserved:

  • Per-episode combat levels will convert to the new system automatically

  • Existing weapons will receive appropriate level + tuning level values

  • Combat capes will become obelisk capes with equivalent requirements

  • Initial upgrades will be chosen to maintain current power levels

  • Free respecs available for the first few weeks after update

  • Leaderboards will be adjusted to reflect the new system

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Future Combat Improvements

Developers have outlined additional combat enhancements planned for after this update, including special attacks, more varied opponents, group combat, and raids.

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