v4.0.0

First of all, I want to say thank you to the beta testers on the PoA Discord server (join here!), who have shared some very thorough feedback with me so far. It has already proven indispensable.

This update focuses on the gameplay and tries to fix some of the flawed mechanics that were in the last version(s). Major changes include:

• 2-phase combat with auto-dodge
• New dungeon events with random penalties and multiple outcomes
• No more ability requirements on weapons/arrows/spells
• Limited inventory slots tied to STR/DEX/INT
• New xp system

For the full list, see the changelog. Enjoy, and please keep keep the feedback coming. Thank you!

Gameplay

• Rush, Sneak and Concentrate are no longer random opportunities, instead they are tied to magic rings
• Reduce armor numbers + remove defense from other than Dwarven armor
• Remove ability requirements from weapons/arrows/spells
• Nerf combat bonuses
• Remove random wounds and assign the damage buff mechanic to fire things (thus damage-over-time is removed entirely)
• Move shields to melee inventory slots and remove the shield slot
• Decrease number of goods and sales at merchants
• Ability checks follow a decelerating curve
• Add pit trap
• Add dark place
• Removed encounters where combat could be avoided with a successful ability check (they could be confused with encounters with ability checks for rushing/sneaking/concentrating)
• Add tunnel place
• Remove old dungeon passage place and maps
• Add story blob place
• Remove some of the bard places
• Add merchants to dungeon branch ends
• Shocking chests and sliming goblins reduces the ability check target
• Show specialty-item choices in story tab, remove indicators and choices from inventory tab
• Add specialty items to combat actions
• Statue places trade 1 favor for a weapon/arrow/spell
• Simplify favor system
• Switch to 2-phase combat: attack and defense separately
• Add defense spells
• Add 'defend' thing specialty + add shield item
• Add lockable inventory slots that are tied to STR/DEX/INT
• Add single heal potion that fully heals (but dont cure poison)
• Tweak heal places
• Add reward challenge places in lands (and remove old reward/trap places)
• Re-invent xp system
• Add bare-handed attack
• Disable item usage during combat (experimental)
• Tweak enemy stats, weapon/arrows/spell stats, max-hp, evasion, reward sizes

UI

• Add badges to inventory tabs and to each item in case of Hint or Offer/Sale and include price
• Add badges to inventory tabs and to each item in case of New (recently added to inventory)
• Removed counters from main tabs
• Show attack status effect of enemies in enemy block
• Move xp back to top-right as a bar
• Remove progress stat
• Show xp gain below paragraphs
• Show actual heal amount on item uses