View source for Patch Notes Summary (Category)

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= Page Context =
Due to the sheer number of updates I've had to be somewhat selective with including changes which I think are of the most interest. I suggest looking at the [https://neocron-game.com/patch-notes Official Website Update Notes] page and the [https://discord.gg/tcqAHpk Discord] for more detailed and comprehensive records.

== Latest Patch Notes Summary == 
* 14th December 2024 ''(2.5.589)''


= Balance =
== Armour ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Nerfed strength of armours

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Buffed armour stats
* Removed decimal values from armour modifiers

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Added ATH to underwear to tailor them towards speed builds
* Buffed the armour bonuses of high level armour
* Reworked armour requirements to create lower tiers of each armour set more accessible to other classes

=== 2024 ===
* Reduced Tech Level & rescaled values of Heavy Kevlar armour from Tech Level 63 to 60
* Increased DEX bonus on most PE PAs

== Class ==
=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Buffed strength of resist per skill point used and standardised between classes
* Buffed the viability of blessed PE
* Buffed the viability of HC PE
* Introduced a small delay before stealth can be activated
* Rebalanced APU to be a true glass cannon - highest damage, lowest durability
* Rebalanced PE to be more of a Jack of all trades
* Rebalanced Spy to be more of a glass cannon with technology
* Rebalanced Tank to be more of a true tanking character that takes damage but doesn't deal as much damage
* Reduced PAD shield strength & increased self-cast bonus to negate it's effect on the PPU
* Reworked resist caps to increase the difference between classes

=== 2022 ===
* Increased self-cast shield modifier for PE & PPU

== Drugs ==
=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Removed decimal values from drug modifiers

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Rebalanced and added new drugs

== Dungeons ==
=== 2023 ===
* Rebalanced Christmas seasonal dungeons to reduce difficulty

=== 2024 ===
* Rebalanced Crahn Church to reduce difficulty
* Rebalanced Mech Haven to reduce difficulty
* Rebalanced El Farid to reduce difficulty

== General ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Reduced broken leg malus
* Reduced Overall player damage and NPC healthpools

=== 2018 ===
* Reworked starting point allocation of classes

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Improved nanite QoL by buffing mixed variety and lowering nanite activity per dose
* Increased broken leg malus slightly
* Reworked requirements of many items for better progression

=== 2023 ===
* Buffed Crahn & Blessed booster modules
* Buffed resist point strength a little
* Nerfed foreign cast PPU shields by approx 5%

=== Equipment ===
=== 2024 ===
* Reduced activation delay of Jones stealth tool

== Implants ==
=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Buffed rare implant stats
* Removed decimal values from implant modifiers

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Rebalanced opposing tradeskill malus ''(generally removed)''
* Reworked implants to refactor them into serving a purpose ''(e.g. damage, resist, speed, utility)''
* Reworked many implants requirements for more standardised progression

=== 2023 ===
* Removed Hack malus from PSI Gloves

=== 2024 ===
* Increased Main Skill bonus on TL85 rare implants ''(SWAT, SF, RD, SS, CCC, CSC)''
* Increased DEX requirements of Reflex Boosters v1-4
* Reduced Body Health bonus of the Explorer CPU

== Items ==
=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Increased charges of v4 Booster/Medpacks from 10 to 20 (daily-mission items)

=== 2022 ===
* Increased charges of Medkit, Stam boosters, PSI boosters & HCK boosters

== NPC ==
=== 2018 ===
* Ranks of Grim Chaser & Grim Persecutor swapped
* Rebalanced NPC health ''(general reduction)''

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Reworked almost all NPC HP & damage to suit new player balance and offer predictable difficultly scaling

=== 2022 ===
* Rebalanced NPC damage ''(tethered to their Rank)''

=== 2023 ===
* Rebalanced Wasteland mob damage ''(generally reduced)''
* Reduced scale at which NPC HP scales so end game mobs aren't so bullet spongey

=== 2024 ===
* Rebalanced several low level & high level NPCs to improve damage output consistency through NPC ranks

== Vehicles ==
=== 2018 ===
* Nerfed Vehicle damage

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Buffed responsiveness of vehicles
* Rebalanced HP & armour of vehicles
* Rebalanced Vehicle weapon damage ''(tied to TL)''
* Reduced speed & agility of entry vehicles, whilst improving that of later vehicles to encourage investment to better vehicles

=== 2024 ===
* Standardised recoil between vehicle weapon types, and reduced the most extreme recoil

== Weapons ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* General
** Buffed accuracy & damage of AoE weapons
** Decreased self-damage modifier on AoE weapons
** Removed the bonuses added to epic, rare & WoC weapons to make more weapons viable
* APU
** Fixed DamageBoost so it works on NPCs
* PPU
** Nerfed strength of Absorber, Deflector and Protector
* Heavy
** Buffed anti-vehicle weapons
* Pistol
** Nerfed damage of Ray of Last Hope


=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* General
** Rebalanced weapons to fit the following general damage profile APU > Rifle > Pistol > Heavy > Melee > Drones
** Rebalanced weapon damage ''(more closely tied to TL)''
** Reworked ammo packs size, weight and number of damage types to introduce standardisation
** Reworked weapon class characteristic differences in order to give weapon classes a more distinct feel ''(range, recoil, stamina use, frequency)''
** Increased the bonus that higher combat skill has on weapon damage
** Increased  turret damage & price significantly
* APU
** Added AoE to APU ball and ball blast
** Rebalanced PSI cost of modules
* PPU
** Increased Holy Restoration heal strength
** Reduced Holy Heal strength
** Rebalanced PSI cost of modules
* Drones
** Reduced HP & range of drones
* Heavy
** Increased effectiveness of anti-vehicle rockets against vehicles

=== 2022 ===
* General
** Fixed accuracy on all weapons ''(every weapon should now hit approx 95% of shots with a fully closed reticle)''
** Buffed damage of none AoE weapons
** Increased self-damage AoE modifier
** Reduced range of shotguns type weapons
** Reworked some ammo packets so that they can switch to 40/60 damage split on a primary/secondary damage type
* APU
** Increased the cast time of antibuffs
* PPU
** Increased cast time of low-level shields to mitigate noob buffing
** Fixed a bug that made Soul Clusters almost invincible
** Reduced rez cast duration
* Heavy
** Reduced range of flamethrowers
* Pistol
** Buffed range of pistols

=== 2023 ===
* General
** Reduced the time it takes for the aiming reticle to close
** Reduced frequency of some weapons to make them easier to use ''(SWAT Pistol, Judge, Ionic Shotgun Rifle, Terminator, Rapture, Second Love, Ionic Shotgun Cannon)''
** Reworked hit chances to introduce a new standardised system between all guns in order to improve hit registration of single shot weapons
** Reduced quality % of MC5 weapon rewards in order to promote progressing to new weapons earlier
* APU
** Reduced damage & increased frequency of APU lances
* PPU
** Fixed low level PADs to be useful before achieving self-cast bonus
** Increased duration of Crahn & Blessed Boosters to 10 minutes
** Increased the PSI cost of DamageBoost

=== 2024 ===
* APU
** Increased projectile speed & splash damage size of PSI Ball Blasts
* PPU
** Increased Damageboost cast time & increased PSI cost
* Melee
** Increased damage of single target Melee weapons by approx 10%
* Heavy
** Increased damage of single target Heavy weapons by approx 10%
** Increased range of Ionic Shotgun Cannon
** Increased range of Freezer Cannons
** Increased range of Raygun Cannons
** Increased range of Gatlin Cannons
* Pistol
** Reduced stam cost per shot of Ionic Shotgun pistol
** Reduced clip size of 8mm Automatic Pistol
** Increased damage of Nailgun Pistols
* Rifle
** Fixed a Rapture damage bug and increased it's damage
** Increased damage of pumpguns ''(Terminator)''
** Increased range of pumpguns ''(Terminator)''
** Increased range of Ionic Shotgun Rifle
** Reduced damage of Plasma Rifles
** Reduced clip size of Plasma Rifles

= Content =
== Items ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Added new APU rare beam module ''(Holy Caustic Rain)''
* Added new Ionic Crossbow Rifle
* Added new rare junk knife ''(Blackmist's Remorse)''
* Added new rare pistol ''(Anarchist)''
* Added new rare pistol ''(Sucker Punch)''
* Added new rare PPU line of sight heal ''(Holy Restoration)''
* Added new rare rifle ''(Second Love)''
* Added new rare Stiletto (''Soligen's Finest)''
* Added new sets of furniture
* Added new WoC melee weapon ''(Warbots Bane)''
* Added new WoC PSI gloves

=== 2018 ===
* Added Halloween furniture
* Added new droner Power Armours
* Added new Tech Haven apartment, exclusive to FA players
* Added new tier (v4) of Medkit, Stam booster, PSI booster & Hack booster with higher number of consumable usage

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Added new spider & vehicles trophies
* Added new WoC 3 Power Armours
* Added new WoC melee weapon ''(Claw of the Lizard)''

=== 2020 ===
* Added new armour set ''(Viper King)''
* Added new furniture options
* Added new high level PSI bones ''(Apparition)''
* Added new missing Bat Queen bones to complete the set
* Added new tradeskill bones ''(Cryton's & Cryton's Best)''
* Added new WoC hovercraft vehicle
* Added new WoC INT tradeskill gloves

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Added Forte variants to Serumderibat & Thyronol
* Added Improved LoM pills that take less XP away when used
* Added new high level bones ''(Cyborg, Scorpion, Shaman, Soldier, Viper)''
* Added new levelling weapons which can be gained through recycling
* Added new rare APU lances ''(Holy Voltage, Holy Frostbite, Holy Corrosion, Holy Pyre)''
* Added new rare APU PSI Attack ''(Holy Evisceration)''
* Added new rare rifle with AoE effect ''(Rapture)''
* Added new seasonal Halloween weapons ''(Pumpkin guns)''
* Added new Trader Power Armours
* Added new trophies

=== 2022 ===
* Added new APU Crahn & Blessed anti-protector modules
* Added new cosmetic model variants of Monk Power Armour
* Added new cosmetic model variants of Spy Power Armour
* Added new seasonal Winter weapons ''(Snowball guns)''
* Readded missing trophies

=== 2023 ===
* Added new cosmetic model variants of Tank Power Armour
* Added new high level hand grenades ''(Pathfinder Incendiary & Pathfinder Frag Grenades)''

=== 2024 ===
* Added new cosmetic variants of Private Eye Power Armours
* Removed the XP malus and lowered the credit malus of the Law Enforcer implant
* Introduced a third generation nanite heal tool ''(for GenTanks only)''

== Missions ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Added new mission to attain new implants ''(WoC PSI Gloves)''
* Added new mission to attain new WoC melee weapon ''(Warbots Bane)''
* Reworked starter MC5 area with new missions

=== 2018 ===
* Added new daily missions for PvE kills ''(Job Centre)''
* Added new daily missions for Tradeskillers ''(Job Centre)''
* Added new Jones missions for Fallen Angel characters starting in Tech Haven
* Added new mission ''(NCPD Manhunt)''
* Added new terminal missions for each faction under Very Hard difficulty
* Added new terminal missions for Hacknet kills
* Reworked the job centre to serve as a mission hub for players. Daily missions on 1st floor, low level missions on 2nd floor

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Added new mission to attain new WoC 3 Power Amours
* Added new mission to attain new WoC melee weapon ''(Claw of the Lizard)''
* Added new missions to the Job Centre 3rd floor in Plaza 2
* Increased rewards for daily missions

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Added new mission (The Antique Heist)
* Added new mission to attain new AoE rifle ''(Rapture)''
* Added new mission to attain new Trader Power Amours
* Added Pathfinder missions to C08 & J05 to help leveling beyond rank 40
* Increased XP rewards from most missions
* Reworked every starter city so you can easily level to /40. Each city has new dungeons and terminal missions

=== 2022 ===
* Added Pathfinder missions to F04 & H08
* Reworked terminal missions to be more rewarding and suit new city dungeons

=== 2023 ===
* Added Pathfinder missions to J10 & E12
* Completed implementation of Pathfinder missions with the addition of K15 & I16 missions
* Various QoL updates to Pathfinder missions

=== 2024 ===
* The Canyon Challenge and Tactical Mercenary Run are now supporting "Warbot families" ''(You can kill any Warbot, not just 'Legacy Warbots')''
* Altered the silver WoC Power Armor script, you can now decide yourself you want to trade in a V-30 a or C-30 version Power Armor

== World ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Re-added Outzone 7 with a new wave mechanic. As you kill the mobs, stronger ones will spawn
* Reworked Club Veronique as a Faction Warzone. Hack the terminal inside to turn the guards loyalty
* Updated most outpost structures to be solid
* Updated numerous texts ''(descriptions, mails, infos, scripts, names)''

=== 2018 ===
* Added new dungeon ''(Mech Haven)''
* Added new high level Hacknet mobs
* Added new low level Hacknet dungeon
* Added new low level Hacknet mobs
* Re-added all four Ceres BioGenetic Laboratories 
* Re-added the GR at Escador Oasis ''(K15)''
* Reworked Tech Haven and moved starting location of Fallen Angel characters there

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Added new dungeon (Baneful Spider Cave)
* Added new dungeon (Plaza Abandoned Cellar)
* Added new FSM blackmarket where barters can buy from any FSM

=== 2020 ===
* Added new apartment complex in the Pepper Park Sectors 
* Added new faction specific titles for completing your epic
* Added new title of Ronin, attained by completing all epics
* Reworked J05 spawns and loot tables to create a new level hub

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Added new dungeon ''(Abandoned Brotherhood of Crahn HQ)''
* Added new dungeon ''(Seasonal Winter Wonderland map)''
* Added new HEW store to Via 1
* Added new mobs, new mob placements and new missions to target each stage of the levelling progress
* Added new Points of Interest around the Wastelands
* Added new tradeskill hub to Plaza 1
* Reworked every starter city dungeon to create better levelling experience and introduce progression through the city
* Reworked naming conventions to be more intuitive and cohesive
* Reworked several Outposts to create more varied OP fights

=== 2022 ===
* Added new additional exit hatches to all Outposts
* Added new mini dungeon in order to kill the MC5 Base Commander
* Added new variants of Warbots to the Wasteland along with trophies for each
* Disabled Mutant Faction takeovers from 18 Outposts

=== 2023 ===
* Reworked J01 spawns and added a terminal to create a new level hub
* Reworked several Outposts to create more varied OP fights
* Updated wasteland spawns to reduce chance of double spawning
* Fixed El Farid dungeon door so the Queen doesn't get stuck
* Added tech part drops back to swamp mobs found the Swamps
* Added tech part & improved the drop chance of Y Rep Cyborgs found in the Canyons
* Added tech part drops to Sandcrawlers found in the Desert
* Added new Christmas decorations
* Added new "Omega" boss NPCs for events

=== 2024 ===
* Reintroduced Reaperspiders (and the trophies) to the Wastelands
* Increased drop rate of Ceres modules ''(Spidercave)'' - The Queen now has a 100% drop chance for Ceres modules
* Updated NavRay with various dungeon locations
* Added Added new 2x2 junk - "Plant Fibers"
* NeoFrag 1 & 2 are now Safezones, with a GR & GoGo
* Updated profession descriptions in character creation menu
* Added new weather patterns
* Various fixes to content
* Various safe spots closed
* Various world actor fixes

= Graphics =
== Additions ==
=== 2018 ===
* Added new textures, decals & actors

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Added new game item models

=== 2020 ===
* Added a new BioGenetic Labs dungeon ''(WoC Launchers)''

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Added new clothing options for characters
* Added new icons for various items

=== 2023 ===
* Added new nanite buff icons
* Added new sync animations

=== 2024 ===
* Added new cosmetic model variants of Private Eye Power Armour
* Restored the Ocean in Viarosso Apartments

== Quality of Life ==
=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Reduced intensity of some weapon animations to reduce discomfort they cause

=== 2024 ===
* Optimised 106 models

== Remasters ==
=== 2018 ===
* Remastered drones and some world actors

=== 2020 ===
* Improved textures of all vehicles
* Improved visuals for all melee weapons
* Remastered GR model
* Remastered many world actors

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* Graphical overhaul of Plaza & Viarosso sectors
* Improvements to skybox rendering
* Remastered & reimagined El Farid dungeon introduced
* Remastered desert buildings
* Remastered textures used in Plaza & Viarosso sectors
* Remastered various objects in the world

=== 2022 ===
* Remastered Doomreapers family models ''(Grims, Doomreapers, Small Reapers)''
* Remastered Outpost structures
* Remastered several more Pepper Park connected zones
* Remastered several Pepper Park connected zones

=== 2023 ===
* Remastered more world actors & decals
* Remastered Pepper Park sectors
* Remastered the NC Subway & more outpost structures
* Re-created El Farid dungeon map
* Added new tool & PA icons

=== 2024 ===
* Fixed Soulcluster/Apparition hitbox
* Fixed incorrect Mechbeetle texture
* Fixed stealth effect icon
* Re-mastered NeoFrag 1 & 2 Map
* Created better quality temp effect icons
* Reworked over 500 world textures
* All indoor Sectors have been updated with HD textures
* Adjusted textures and several other issues in the Subway
* Adjusted textures and several other issues in Outzone Station
* Adjusted textures and several other issues in Desert Underground City
* Adjusted textures and several other issues in all Outposts

= Technical =
== Bug Fixes ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Fixed a bug which could cause some players to be invisible
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2018 ===
* Fixed a bug that stopped players seeing NPC animations
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Fixed weather effects
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2020 ===
* Fixed game crashing bug from multi-lightning
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2021 (2.5 Released) ===
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2022 ===
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2023 ===
* Fixed a bug where self-cast bonus & temp effects could be lost when zoning
* Fixed mouse scroll wheel in trader windows
* General bug fixes, client stability updates and QoL updates

=== 2024 ===
* Fixed speed on ladder, while using high FPS
* Fixed loot rights
* Fixed an issue which caused the game to crash when the client exceeds 2G of RAM ''(the cause of most crashes)''
* Various other bug fixes

== Improvements ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Improved dynamic lighting
* Improved game precaching to reduce potential stutter
* Improved netcode
* Improved numerous areas of the codebase
* Improved particle effect performance
* Improved the item description window
* Improved the weapon codebase
* Reimplemented the damage logs

=== 2018 ===
* Improved proxy network code
* Released a new game launcher

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Improved internal resource management
* Improved item tracking
* Improved language support
* Improved several AI scripts
* Improved sync performance

=== 2020 ===
* Improved NavRay code
* NPCs have a single rank instead of having CR & BR

=== 2023 ===
* Improved how self-cast modifier is calculated

=== 2024 ===
* Several improvements to how the engine handles lighting
* RPOS Improvements
** Improved vendor trade window to include; searching, more quantity options and sorting
** Added additional information to the Item detail page stating if an item can be dropped or loses condition after repair
** Blueprint info window will highlight parts you have in your inventory
** Improved the ingame settings window with more options and enabled auto saving of these settings every 30 seconds
** Improved the team/clan tags to be highlight white when that player is fully PAD 
** The RPOS Team Window now contains, loot right settings, clan tag options, and simple buff indicators
* Temp Effect Improvements:
** The temp effect progress bar now represents the percent time complete
** Temp effect icons now show time remaining in seconds
** Drug effect icons now display their drug icon, drug name, and time remaining
* Outpost Fight Improvements:
** Deactivated the Hacknet part for Outpost takeovers. Every layer is now hacked from the Output hack terminal
** Hack blocking is now disabled, each side have their own timers
** Increased the delay between hacks
** Created adjustable variables for layer amounts, layer delays, and hacknet involvment. NST can now easily modify these settings
** Created a custom message to indicate how much time is left before you can hack again vs just saying "please wait 60 seconds"
** Created a custom message to indicate if an Outpost is currently comprimised

== New Features ==
=== 2017 (2.3 Released) ===
* Added ability to move single & whole stacks by holding SHIFT/CTRL whilst moving items
* Added Item-swapping, except for items in your inventory.
* Added Loot-Rights. With ALT+0 to ALT+5 you can select who might be able to loot your NPCs. This applies just loot NPCs.
* Added new coloured damage indicators to show the damage types being inflicted
* Added new controls to drones. Droners can now control the distance to ground with Duck and Jump keybindings.
* Added vendor item sorting
* Team XP applies to secondary main skills

=== 2018 ===
* Readded Hint of the day

=== 2019 (2.4 Released)  ===
* Added item grades that allow us to create legendary like items
* Added Spanish language support

=== 2020 ===
* Added Borderless Fullscreen & Borderless game configuration options
* Team XP is now based of BR

=== 2022 ===
* Added 144+ FPS / >60HZ support
* Added HUD whilst in sniper scope

=== 2023 ===
* Added more Latin1 characters

=== 2024 ===
* Added ability to sort GRs alphabetically asc/desc
* Added a new slim HUD setting to the options window to reduce the bloat in the main UI
* Added a new HUD feature called target info. Player health and/or effects are now visible in the HUD when a player or NPC is targeted. This setting can be toggled in the options window
* Drop all now available in containers / GoGo ''(PTS exclusive pending further testing)''