First up, a warning: IF YOU ARE PLAYING ON MAC, BACKUP YOUR SAVE FILES. We will be adding Steam Cloud support to Mac soon, but are unsure how it will affect the game if you played on multiple devices. Our apologies if something happens to them!

For anyone looking for save files for the MAC version. It's at "/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/com.Pengonauts.StarVaders".

---

Hope you all had a great weekend! Got some great feedback from a very wide range of types of players, they've all been super useful! We're only 3 people on the team (2 programmers and 1 artist), so it will take some time to fix everything, but we're hard at work!

Here are some of the notable changes in this patch:

• 5x Shift
  
• 2x Fire!
  
• 2x Triple Fire!
  
• 1x Nova Bomb

Roxy is the weakest pilot on higher difficulties, but her deck is great to introduce the game with - so what I did was keep the tutorial deck the same, but changed her deck after the tutorial run. Gunner struggles a lot because of their weaker movement, so I brought Triple Fire! into her starting deck as an extra AOE option that can target further invaders.


Vengoid+ now moves erratically, instead of giving Shields.

Vengoid Plus is one of the hardest invaders to deal with in Post-Apocalypse +, there's not a lot of time nor leeway to deal with them and the Shield makes it much more tedious to fight against. Shield was a boring ability anyway! Erratic movement now challenges the player in a slightly different way while still keeping the identity.


Hemophage fight has been quite confusing and difficult for a lot of players, and a very long fight as well. We've cut down their health pool, updated their description, and added more visual indicators to be more clear that the "purple" hemocytes should be destroyed since those are the ones that will channel doom. To balance this change, we've also shortened the turn limit.


The Overseer fight for the True Ending can occasionally be a big pain point for players, particularly if it's the first time they encounter it - it doesn't help that the transitions are kinda badly implemented timing-wise. I've made changes to address some of the issues:

• (from patch 1.0.3) You now draw 3 cards and reset energy on phase 1 -> 2 transition.
  
• On each phase transition, you now keep all your puppets. (If they were in the "head" zone, they move to the bottom side of the grid)
  
• The "Assist" cards that drop as pickups to help on the final turn have a glowing visual indicator now.
  
• I've added more descriptions for the final phase for the Hearts and the Blooms.
  
• Phase transition's timing has been improved so that you don't get screwed if you overheat / use an end-of-turn attack to trigger the phase transition.

• Noel's Novalanche now costs 1.
  
• Added backup loggerdata in case of steam cloud issues.
  
• Changed order of Act 3 invader unlocks for smoother complexity ramp (Void Rifts before Pulsars)
  
• Fixed Magical Gun not appearing in the pool.
  
• Fixed Parry, now works with Deflector / Reef Assault (the Charge will be dropped as pickup on the grid)
  
• Fixed Echo+ counting Dummy or Ticks for self-destructing
  
• Fixed Helping Hand no longer showing up as Used
  
• Fixed doubled 3D Printers now properly shoes up as Used
  
• Fixed Refresh drawing 5 cards instead of 3
  
• Fixed Pickup Rarity not being shown in the info panel
  
• Fixed Zombie component sometimes causing Haunting to go infinite (the hat kept moving between two summons)
  
• Fixed 0 cost triggers being inconsistent with 0 cost cards with reduced cost (it was because their cost was negative lol)
  
• Fixed Piercing Bullets + Lazer Bullets interaction in Japanese
  
• Fixed Oru's ability not working sometimes.
  
• Fixed an infinite loop caused sometimes by Hook Jab.
  
• Fixed a Task Engine crash involving Nessie.
  
• Ticks getting the Erratic modifier and teleporting.
  
• Recharging a random summon no longer targets unchargeable Bombs with Blast Legion
  
• Polymorph no longer spawns Care Package (a removed item)
  
• Fixed Transmogrify interaction with Warp
  
• Fixed Chronosphere not removing Odeus' bullet attacks.
  
• Many small localization changes

Again, thanks so much for playing the game and sending over the bug reports! We will keep working on improving the game, hope you enjoy!

Thanks,
- Pengonauts


HOTFIX - Fixed Chaos Bloom's panel being broken

Heya, another day, another patch.

We really appreciate all the bug reports and the feedback that's been coming in! Some notable changes in this update include:

• A new Save Scum extras option that makes it so when you exit and resume an encounter, it starts from start of the fight instead of where you left off.
  
• Overseer Phase 2 transition now resets your energy and draws 3 cards for you
  
• Tweaked some of the encounter algorithm to create less "really bad" encouters.
  
  Other:
  
  • Fixed gamepad input resetting when rewinding
    
  • Fixed a Nessie task engine crash when it eats a bomb in phase 2
    
  • Fixed Chain Lightning and Translocate, now playable without summons
    
  • Fixed Salve causing everything to become free when combined with Cold Star
    
  • Fixed not having any rewards anymore when using Infinite Rerolls to reroll rewards for a long time
    
  • Fixed some visual bugs in the glossary involved artifact & their completion stars
    
  • Fixed a few localization issues
    
  • Fixed Red Brand showing up in double artifact reward
    
  • Attempted fix on inconsistency in achievement for not picking up artifacts
    
  • Hypermode Shun now correctly starts with 2 Battery.
  
  Unless there are some serious issues we will likely not have a patch during the weekend, so see you next week! Keep slaying those invaders!
  
  If you are enjoying your time it helps us out so much to leave a review!
  
  We also have a fun discord community you can join here[discord.gg]. We've got both long time players and newcomers all discussing strategies and showing off their decks. We will also be starting some cool activities soon inside the discord server!
  
  Thanks,
  
  - Axolotl

Wow, it's been great to see all the feedback so far.

We've added a few more options in the settings menu for you to customize how you wanna play the game. Although the "axolotl's prefered way" to play remains the same, more options never hurt anybody!

Sorry if you encountered that major looping softlock when losing in the Overseer fight, this has been fixed! If you are still in a run and it is still not working you might need to delete that run from the main menu (or abandon the run).

• Added a button in the settings to unlock only pilots and the daily run
  
• Added an Extras option to made Chrono Rewinds during the encounter NOT reshuffle your deck.
  
• Added an Extras option to give infinite Chrono Tokens.

• Added an option to remove the "F2 Bug Report" prompt
  
• Buffed Noel, she now starts with an Artillery Fire!
  
• Added the Bomb keyword to entities that are considered Bombs.
  
• Rerolling fragments of LINK always gives a different modifier
  
• Fixed a major bug that happens when you lose against the Overseer
  
• Attempting a fix on missing resolutions based on base monitor resolution
  
• Attempting a fix on a bug that prevented the settings menu from applying changes
  
• Fixed a Task Engine Crash with the Grandmaster
  
• Fixed a Task Engine Crash involving Transmogrify and special upgrade cards (like Shadow Kunai)
  
• Fixed Ricochet Fire! + Lazer Bullets being 1 tile too short
  
• Fixed Enhance (Keeper spell) not targetting random cards
  
• Fixed Thundersquall - now correctly only targets invaders, and range is accurate
  
• Fixed a few localization strings and incorrect tags
  
• Fixed bug preventing typing 1, 2, 3 in the seed
  
• Attempting to fix a bug caused by patches messing with save files (caused you to start a run with the deck from the previous run)

This is just a first batch of bug fixes, we've still got a few to tackle. Thank you for the meal! (axolotls eat bugs)

Keep sending them over!

- Axolotl

Thanks for all the bug reports! We're onto them - just a small casual Day 0 patch to fix some of the reported ones! This is going live for PC right now, will be coming to Mac a bit later.

• Added our publisher's logo to the bootup, woops
  
• Fixed a black screen softlock when you lose against the OVERSEER
  
• Made the Tip Jar more obvious when you gotta click on it for an unlock
  
• Fixed a bunch of localization reports/ suggestions, keep them coming!
  
• Fixed multiple More Info images showing up on screen

We're looking into some of the resolution issues as well.

Thank you for playing the game, keep the reports coming! If you are enjoying the game please leave a review! It helps us out a lot.

- Axolotl

Pilots,

The invasion is upon us. The aliens are at our doorstep, and the fate of Earth rests on your shoulders. Deploy your mech and defend our planet with everything you’ve got!


Starvaders is the ultimate fusion of grid-based tactical combat and deckbuilding strategy, placing you in command of a formidable mech during humanity’s last stand against alien invaders.

The fate of the world rests on your shoulders, choose from 3 distinct Mech classes and 10 pilots, each with their own unique stories, card pools and artifacts. Discover game-breaking combos, rewind time to alter your fate, and protect the future of humanity in this endlessly replayable roguelike!

• Craft the ultimate deck from the 400+ unique cards and artifacts available!
  
• Choose from 3 powerful mechs, each with completely distinct playstyles and mechanics
  
• Master 10 diverse pilots, each adding new cards, mechanics, and a personal backstory!
  
• Use Chrono Tokens to rewind time, undo mistakes, or land that perfect combo
  
• Battle through the multi-part story campaign and uncover a secret finale!
  
• Endless replayability with ascending difficulties, daily runs, and challenge modes
  
• Designed for clarity and intuition—no long tutorials, no wiki required, just pure tactical deckbuilding

We finally released! It’s been a long (nearly 4 years!) but incredible journey, and we want to express our genuine appreciation for all of you who have played, enjoyed, and supported StarVaders during our development.

We'd like to say a special thanks to all of our beta testers who’ve played a key role in shaping StarVaders into what it is today, and a thank you to everyone for joining us on this journey! We hope you’ll stick with us to see where the Pengonauts’ adventures lead next!

Compare decks, swap strategies, and prepare for battle with your fellow pilots in our Discord server[discord.com]!

We’ve been asked quite a lot in the run up to launch, and we’ve made both the Soundtrack and a Supporter pack available from today. If you’d like to support us, please consider checking them out.

Dig the soundtrack? You can pick up the full album of plasterbrain’s amazing tracks. Awesome beats to fight aliens to!

Want to support us develop StarVaders (and more!) even further? Pick up the Supporter pack and receive three custom cosmetic skins for Roxy, Shun and Iris!

Check out Fighter Ace Roxy, Biopunk Shun and Lil Witch Iris:

Hello Pilots,

It's launch week! So meet Sura - Our next Keeper Pilot!

"I don’t need eyes to see right through you."

Name: Sura

Place of Birth: An ungoverned corner of earth

Bio: Garu and Sura grew up in a poor family, in an ungoverned corner of the world. Both were born with a major defect - Sura was born blind, and Garu mute and deaf. As a result, their family quickly judged that they would be more of a burden than a boon, and so the two were abandoned at a young age and left to fend for themselves in the world.

To make a living for themselves, they became performers. Their trust was so strong, that together they could accomplish feats that others could not even with all of their senses.

Their talents were so impressive that they were eventually noticed by the Mech forces, and chosen to become pilots in the fight against the invaders.

• Cobalt Mask - You can get Stinger Cards and Artifacts
  
• Voltaic Coil - When a Shocked entity is destroyed or loses Shock, recharge each Summon on the grid
  
• Hydrokinesis - When you play a card that spawns an entity, draw the top Flow card in your draw pile.

Sura's unique Artifacts allow her to harness Stinger cards alongside her Keeper abilities.

Having unique artifacts and cards for each pilot really helps build diversity during your runs. Sura has some interesting cards like Hydrate which reduces the cooldown of each Spell by 1. This gets +1 repeat for each Flow card played this turn.

That's all for our Pilot features, but you can discover more of unique cards as you play!

Happy Hunting!

The Pengonauts Team

Hello Pilots,

We're approaching the last weekend before launch! So please say hello to Iris - Our first Keeper Pilot!

Compared to the Gunner and Stinger, the Keeper plays differently on the battlefield --Instead of a typical Mech, the Keeper possesses the entities it can summon! Weave powerful spells and use your summons to your advantage!

"I will bear any burden so that they don’t have to."

Name: Iris

Place of Birth: Irkutsk Zone 3-LR

Bio: Thrust into a motherly role from a young age, Iris grew up as one of the older kids in an orphanage. She spent her days helping the orphanage's director, a kind man named Qasim, and playing with the younger children there.

However, one child's anger resulted in a devastating explosion causing a huge fire. Qasim rushed in to save as many children as he could but found himself buried under the debris. Iris tried her best to lift him out but wasn't able to save him. He ordered her to leave him and look after the children.

In the aftermath of the accident, Iris is covered in burns but still alive. Tasked with the responsibility of protecting the other children, and frustrated with her own powerlessness to save Qasim, Iris makes the decision to sacrifice her human body in exchange for a robotic one. She lost the ability to feel from her prosthetic limbs, but in return has gained superhuman dexterity and strength.

• Sign Magick- The first time you cast a Spell each turn, gain a Poof! in your draw pile.
  
• Dark Medal - At the start of each fight, permanently add a Chant to your campaign deck
  
• Wild Magick - After you cast a Spell, reduce its cooldown by 1. Then, destroy another random Spell on cooldown.

Iris' artifacts are all about channelling her energies as a powerful spellcaster!

Having unique artifacts and cards for each pilot really helps build diversity during your runs. Iris has some interesting cards like Consecrate which has her destroy the topmost Spell, but draw +2 cards and receive +2 Mana the next turn.

That's all for Iris just now, but you can discover more of her unique cards as you play and we'll be back with another Pilot feature soon!

Happy Hunting!

The Pengonauts Team

Hello Pilot,

This is it. Our orbital scanners have detected something huge approaching Earth. Pilots are to be on high alert for its arrival in Seven Days. Our analysts have reported the exact dates and times across the globe.

Depending on your location, the invasion will commence on April 30 or May 1. Be sure to check your time and report to your nearest Mech Barracks for deployment.

StarVaders will be available in the following languages at launch!

• English
  
• French
  
• German
  
• Spanish
  
• Simplified Chinese
  
• Japanese
  
• Korean
  
• Portuguese (BR)
  
• Russian
  
• Turkish

United States - $24.99
Europe - €24.50
United Kingdom - £20.99
China - ¥78.00
Japan - ¥2,800
South Korea - ₩27,000
Russia - ₽880

For Launch week there will be a 10% discount on the prices above.

If you haven’t already, please consider wishlisting Starvaders so you won’t miss the invasion on April 30th. Until then consider reading up on our Pilot Profiles!

Compare Decks, Swap Strategies, and prepare for battle.

Join your fellow pilots in our Discord server[discord.gg]!

Thank you to everyone who has played, enjoyed, and supported StarVaders in the past four years! It’s been a long, but incredible journey for our entire team. StarVaders started as a small hobby project, but thanks to all of your support, we’ve been able to turn our hobby into full-time careers!

We’re super excited to share StarVaders’ launch with all of you—and we hope you’ll join us on whatever adventures come next for the Pengonauts!

One week to go! See you soon!

The Pengonauts Team

Hello Pilots,

15 Days to Go! Meet Hali - Defender of the Oceans and our third Stinger Pilot!

"The ocean can't fight back, but I sure as hell can."

Name: Hali

Place of Birth: A small coastal town.

Bio: Hali was born in a small coastal village. The village didn’t have many other children, so Hali often found herself playing alone in the ocean, making friends with the denizens of the sea. As such, the ocean became a source of comfort and a place of escape for Hali. Whenever she felt frustrated, angry, or sad -- the ocean was always there. A safe place. A place for her to escape from her worries, a place that did not judge her.

As an adult, Hali took it upon herself to protect the ocean that she loved so deeply. She dedicates her life to protecting the reef from any threats that face it.

Her village is too small to come under government rule. As such, they are self-sustaining and do not have the same level of support and regulations as the rest of the modern world.

• Coral Reef- Each turn, gain a card that spawns a Coral. It strikes random adjacent invaders on movement.
  
• Colony Morph - Your Corals gain an Activate ability that lets them move 1 tile or strike an adjacent invader.
  
• Nematocyte - Your Corals with Shock strike all invaders up to 2 tiles away when triggers.

Hali's artifacts utilize her strong connection to the ocean.

Having unique artifacts and cards for each pilot really helps build diversity during your runs. Hali has some interesting cards like X-Spike which strikes a Coral and ALL tiles diagonal to it.

That's all for Hali just now, but you can discover more of her unique cards as you play and we'll be back with another Pilot feature soon!

Happy Hunting!

The Pengonauts Team