Cherry Blossom Festival

Don’t miss the new trial with unique rules, try your luck in a Roulette and unlock an epic “Golden Eraser” skin for Jack Bulwark or the other customization items. Celebrate the festival in the Shadow Fight Arena! 

Various fixes and improvements:

• You get rewarded with extra rating points for win streaks;
• New hero cards will be converted to gold or gems when you get to the hero’s level cap;
• Improved controls;
• Taunts are now less risky to execute, now you can end the animation much faster.

Tournaments

Events are coming to the Shadow Fight Arena! You asked us to add new activities to the game and we are delighted to finally introduce our very own tournament mode! You have to choose a randomly-selected squad of characters and fight against other participants in the Trial for rubies, gold and other valuable rewards, demonstrating all your skills while not risking your rating!

Balance Changes

This time the balance changes were made to Sarge and Marcus, among others. Like before, you can read through the detailed list of changes on our subreddit: https://tinyurl.com/4bbaqec9

New Customization Elements

We're adding new customization elements for your characters — stances and victory poses. Now you have the chance to really express yourself and your individuality. You can choose unique animations for your character at the start and end of the round. You can get unique stances using the Fight Pass as well as completing other activities.

Various Fixes and Fine-Tuning

• We've added the ability to view Character talents on the draft screen
• Ironclad can no longer use Special Move twice in a row
• The explosion zone for Marcus's ‘Explosive Will’ talent has been fixed 
• Hong-Joo can no longer recharge ranged attacks when Triumph is active
• The behavior of Hong-Joo's bot has been upgraded
• A multitude of other fixes and fine-tuning

Balance changes

Various balance changes, among them the nerfs for Sarge and Marcus. As always, you can find a detailed list of all changes on our section on Reddit: https://tinyurl.com/y5e8nbz9

Battle controller customization

The long-awaited ability to resize controls is now on Shadow Fight Arena! Choose one of three presets convenient for you to improve your skills on the Arena.

Various fixes and improvements

• Added in-game hints on the opponent search screen
• Improved screen shake on critical hits
• Fixed a bug when a jump hit could not be done 2 times in a row
• Fixed the visual effect of Marcus "Healing Invincibility" talent
• Minor UI fixes and improvements

Balance changes

Various balance changes, among them the nerfs for Sarge and Marcus. As always, you can find a detailed list of all changes on our section on Reddit: https://tinyurl.com/y5e8nbz9

Battle controller customization

The long-awaited ability to resize controls is now on Shadow Fight Arena! Choose one of three presets convenient for you to improve your skills on the Arena.

Various fixes and improvements

• Added in-game hints on the opponent search screen
• Improved screen shake on critical hits
• Fixed a bug when a jump hit could not be done 2 times in a row
• Fixed the visual effect of Marcus "Healing Invincibility" talent
• Minor UI fixes and improvements

New heroes

We're excited to announce two new heroes: Sarge and Midnight - indefatigable warriors from the opposing factions of the Legion and Heralds. After testing on the CBT server, heroes will be added to the public release.

Fights with friends

By popular demand, the Battle with a Friend mode has been added to the game! Choose the strongest heroes or fight on equal. Time to show all your friends who`s the real master of the Arena! Share a special message on socials — your friend will only have to copy the message and paste it into the code entry screen. Please note that the fight with a friend is only available to players from the same region.

Training mode

The long-awaited training mode is now in Shadow Fight Arena! Practice combinations and hone your skills in order to apply them on the Arena.

Jumping hits rework

We have changed the system of hits when jumping, and now the heroes have no choice between "light" and "heavy" jump. They are pre-configured and depend on the chosen hero. This change improves the sensitivity of hits (they can now be launched as a top hit, but using a joystick + kick combination).

Non-pick talents rework

We've reworked the odd tier talents. Now they give either "+5% physical damage and + 5% shadow damage" or "+15% armor". The change was made so that the strength of the heroes grows more smoothly with the level of progress.

Visual effects

We've added visual effects for jumps and falls, as well as animation when the hero is defeated, for example, from "wounds" and other effects that deal damage without hitting.

Various fixes and improvements

• Ranged attacks no longer disappear at the edges of the location
• Improved animations behavior when preparing to block

We continue working on each hero of the Arena. Here is a list of all the changes:

Fireguard

• Fire no longer deals damage after the end of the round

Emperor

• Updated the design of the Emperor and the Shadow Beast

Hong-Joo

• The "DANCING FOOL" talent no longer triggers inside paired moves
• Fixed a bug where the hero could make 2 Triumphs in a row
• Added names for special moves

Azuma

• Improved collisions of the "SHADOW BLAST" shadow move
• "SHADOW SUPPRESSION" talent no longer affects Helga

Helga

• Improved the behavior of the "SHINING DASHES"
• Shadow energy burning out icon due to other hero mechanics is no longer displayed
• Added names for special moves

Marcus

• Hits on Marcus's "UNSTOPPABLE WILL" talent are no longer considered as successful hits.

Jack Bulwark

• Fixed a bug when the hero kept the visual effects of "SHADOW FORTRESS" when the ability had already expired

Shang the Monk

• "SCOURGE ARROW" talent has been improved so that during Shang's ranged attack it would be easier for the opponent to roll.

We also decided to publish all balance changes separately, summarizing them in a single table for a good overview. Below you can see all the changes in detail: https://tinyurl.com/yygylu8r

Fight Pass

Meet the Fight Pass system! Complete in-game tasks and get valuable prizes (including unique skins and taunts). And with our special subscription, you can earn even more rewards!

Hero skins

We've added unique skins for some of the heroes that players have been asking for. Hurry up to stand out in an unusual look of your character in battle!

Taunts

Share your emotions during the battle! Special character animations (taunts), emojis and text messages are available and you can use them while fighting. Express yourself, cheer up your opponent or emphasize your superiority - the choice is yours!

Various fixes and improvements

• New camera animation at the start of the battle
• Added new sounds for some effects (gaining health / shadow energy, etc.)
• Added unique icons for the ranged attack button
• Slightly changed weapon hitboxes (attacking area): Guandao, Ironclad Fists, Katana, Kama, and the Shang the Monk arrows
• Bug fixes

We've also worked on some heroes, and here's a list of changes:

Jack Bulwark

• Added new visual effects for the Aggression talent

Kate

• Added new visual effects for the Criss-cross shadow move

Hong-Joo

• Increased damage
• Reduced the amount of the Triumph energy given out for kicks
• Improved Hong-Joo super hit: now if the hero takes damage during the jump, his falling animation is correct
• Added visual effect for the Triumph

And while you`re enjoying the circus etudes of our artist, we`ll take a look on the balance updates for the other heroes.

Ling

• Reduced damage
• Reduced critical hit chance
• Reduced time in shadow form
• Reduced additional time in shadow form for the "Perfect Balance" talent
• Reduced additional time in shadow form for the "Sudden Trick" talent
• Reduced the bonus damage for the "Powerful Slash" talent
• Reduced ranged attack cooldown for the "Improved Flask" talent
• Increased shadow energy gain for the "Shadow Flask" talent

Kate

• Increased health
• Reduced damage
• Reduced shadow energy "Drain"
• Increased shadow energy "Drain" for the "Skillful Liquidator" talent

Shang

• Increased health
• Increased damage
• Increased ranged attack cooldown

Fireguard

• Increased health
• Increased damage
• Increased critical hit chance
• Reduced ranged attack cooldown
• Increased damage of the shadow move "Spine Breaker"
• Increased explosion damage for the "Countdown" ability
• Increased burning time for "Flamethrower" ability
• Increased burning time for the "Raging Flames" talent

Kibo

• Reduced additional time in shadow form for the talent "Shadow Excellence"
• Reduced forward hit damage
• Reduced shadow damage

Ironclad

• Increased the amount of health restored with the "Shadow Respite" talent
• Increased the amount of health restored with the "Wound Bandaging" talent

Jack Bulwark

• Reduced damage

Marcus

• Increased damage
• Reduced ranged attack cooldown

Azuma

• Increased the duration of "Neutralization" for the "Long-term Neutralization" talent
• Added a delay for Azuma's shadow energy "drain" after entering shadow form for the "Countermeasures" talent

Below you can see the list of Hong-Joo's abilities and talents. Please note that the presence of the BLAZING BITE / BLAZING FLIGHT ability depends on the chosen tier 2 talent.

TRIUMPH ANTICIPATION

By continuously attacking the opponent, Hong-Joo builds up his energy. After filling his energy bar, Hong-Joo is ready to use his signature attack - Triumph.

BLAZING BITE

Hong-Joo uses his Firewok to attack his opponent with a burst of sparks.

BLAZING FLIGHT

Hong-Joo throws a Firework that explodes when he hits the opponent.

BLAZING BITE

Ranged attack - Hong-Joo uses his Firewok to attack his opponent with a burst of sparks.

BLAZING FLIGHT

Ranged Attack - Hong-Joo throws a Firework that explodes when he hits the opponent.

ACTING MASTERY

Hong-Joo gets a period of invulnerability when he uses Triumph.

ENCORE

Hong-Joo may end the Triumph with another attack.

DANCING FOOL

Hong-Joo doesn't fall when receiving a critical attack.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Hong-Joo Fireworks temporarily blind the opponent on hit.

REHEARSED COMBO

Hong-Joo Fireworks give him a full charge of energy on hit.

ACROBAT'S SECRET

Triumph restores Hong-Joo's health.

DRAMATURGY

Each time Triumph is fully charged, the damage of Fireworks and Triumph is increased. This effect stacks and persists between rounds.

SPECTACULAR LANDING

Triumph shakes the battlefield with force, stunning the opponent on the ground.

Graphics
We've received a lot of feedback concerning the performance of our game on your devices, so we've decided to add the option to switch back to the old graphics to get higher frame rate.

Machine learning bot

Our bot became smarter. This means now he acts different in general.

Sound effects

Improved some sound effects for the following heroes: Yukka, Jet, Shang, Jack Bulwark, Marcus.

Also, in the new version, we managed to work on the heroes, and even rework one of them:

Helga

We have almost completely redesigned the hero, trying to keep both his previous essence but make the hero more active in battles. Below you can see a list of all new Helga`s abilities and new talent grid:

SMITE

When the opponent enters shadow form, Smite falls upon them, dealing damage on hit.

POWER OF LIGHT

By attacking her opponent, Helga gains Power of Light. Having collected a full charge of the Power of Light, Helga can use a special attack - Shining Dash.

SHIELD OF LIGHT

When Helga takes fatal damage, the Shield of Light gives her a full charge of the Power of Light and also grants her full invulnerability for some time.

POWERFUL SMITE

Smite damage is increased.

SHIELD OF HEALING

Helga gradually restores her health while the Shield of Light is active.

SMITE SHOT

Helga's successful ranged attack triggers Smite on her opponent.

LIGHT IN THE SHADOWS

While her opponent is in shadow form, an aura of searing light burns around Helga, causing damage.

HEALING SMITE

If Smite hits her opponent, Helga restores some of her health.

SHINING MIGHT

Shining Dash damage is increased.

APOTHEOSIS OF LIGHT

While the Shield of Light is active, Helga deals increased damage. The duration of the Shield of Light is increased.

RIGHTEOUS WRATH

When an opponent enters shadow form, Helga gains a full charge of the Power of Light.

JUSTICE OF LIGHT

Shield of Light activates during Shining Dashes.

REPENTANCE

On hit Smite knocks down the opponent.

Ling

• Fixed a bug, when defeating an opponent, Ling could continue to drink from the flask and receive bonuses. Now, when the round ends, he automatically stops drinking.
• Slowed lower katana attack

Kibo

• Slowed lower katana attack

Azuma

• Slowed upper naginata attack
• Slowed lower naginata attack
• Changed opponent animation when hard attack is blocked

Shang

• Changed opponent animation when forward attack is blocked
• Changed opponent animation when backward attack is blocked
• Changed opponent animation when hard attack is blocked

Kate

• Reduced damage
• Increased shadow damage

Jack Bulwark

• Reduced hard attack damage
• Changed opponent animation when hard attack is blocked

Emperor

• Changed opponent animation when hard attack is blocked in Shadow Beast form
• Improved blocks animation

Ironclad

• Now Ironclad punches defines more precisely

Jet

• Improved blocks animation

Talent balance
We've rebalanced all non-pick talents. Talents have been reworked so that the pace of the game grows more smoothly according to the heroes level up:

• Swapped places on talent board for most heroes
• +15% defense talents now give +20%
• Level 13 talents now give +5% to all stats

Various fixes and improvements

• Fixed tutorial bugs
• Added notifiers that make it easier to navigate the game, as well as minor improvements to make it more convenient
• Improved shadow energy gain logic. Now for power hits (for example, for Ling's "Slashing strike" or a Shang` hit with the talent "Weak points") you will get more shadow energy (proportionally with power)
• Reduced damage from throws
• Improved the camera capture for screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Enough with general changes, so now let's talk about the work has been undertaken for each hero.

Ling

• Minor visual effects fixes of the "Slashing strike" ability

Azuma

• Reworked the "Precise lunge" shadow move: now it is easier for the opponent to dodge it. Also, the visual effects of this move have been fixed.

Kate

• Fixed visual effects of weapon traces
• Reduced the chance to brake enemy blocks during the "Legionary luck" talent

Ironclad

• Reduced the amount of health restored with the talent "Shadow respite"
• Reduced Unbreakable period for common attacks
• Added sound effects for the "Adrenalin" talent

Fireguard

• Fixed the visual effect of the "Countdown" ability

Jack Bulwark

• Reduced the amount of health restored with the talent "Fortress of healing"

Jet

• Increased damage
• Increased health

Emperor

• Increased ranged attack cooldown (for both Emperor and Shadow Beast)
• Reduced the chance of breaking through block
• Reduced damage
• Reduced shadow damage
• Fixed a bug when the talent "Smell of Terror" and Shadow Beast did not work properly together

Kibo

• Reduced damage of the "Shadow onslaught" ability
• Reduced the damage of the "Fierce onslaught" talent
• Reduced the chance of breaking through block with the "Unstoppable onslaught" talent
• Minor glowing katana visual fixes