Posted February 08, 2025 by reverse_mitts
Hello Battlebonders, and welcome to the monthly devlog!
Since gameplay won last month’s poll, that will be the focus this time, but there’s still a few other things we’ve been working on at the bottom of the post, including a new character design!
As mentioned in last month’s update, HP has been removed from the game, in favor of bondage more directly contributing to victory. Binding units is now the default offensive option. As a unit gains bondage, they lose Willpower. A unit will submit to an opponent whose Control exceed the unit’s Willpower. This has two functions: an opponent cannot be attacked by a unit that submits to them, and an opponent has the option to banish a unit that submits to them. Banishing removes a unit from play, transporting them to the capturing army’s dungeon for “safekeeping”. Of course, you’re free to keep a submissive enemy around until you’re ready to banish them…
A fully-bound Valerie, getting bullied for no reason.
Each unit type will have a “base” stats that are then modified by bondage and skills. Most of the stats work in pairs:
When performing a basic “bind” action, the attacker’s Binding minus the defender’s Resistance determine how much BP gets added. These stats are preferred by frontline units.
When a unit uses the “struggle” action, they subtract their Escape from the chosen restraint’s BP. Assistance is similar, but is instead applied when helping out another unit with the “assist” action. These stats are favored by support units, so it might be in your interest to deal with them first, before they can undo your progress on other units.
Units can use the “banish” action when their Control meets or exceeds the target’s Willpower. Leaders have high Control and Willpower, so they remain dangerous even when severely bound themselves, and they might require advanced planning to take down safely!
Valerie showing off her stats after making quick work of a Rubber Drone. This new infobox appears when hovering over a unit with the cursor, giving a more detailed view.
Units can gain experience from most actions, and after enough experience, gain a rank. Ranking up does not directly alter base stats, but units can select new skills, upgrade existing skills, or reduce the effects of negative skills when ranking up.
Most bondage now has a limit of 15 points (BP), with increasing penalties kicking in at 3, 8, and 13 points. The numbers have been tuned down so that +-/1 to a stat is a meaningful difference.
The Brat Corrector, reduced to standing around and trying to look intimidating. Her Movement and Escape have both reached 0, so hopefully a teammate is nearby to help her out before an enemy reaches her…
New concept art for Itsuki, a new hero ready to join Kira’s army!
In the original jam game, all enemies use the same AI when taking their turns. The logic behind this is currently undergoing an upgrade, allowing units to have different priorities to better align with their intended roles.