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Post news Report RSS Build 6: I love swords!

Build 6 is out, and it contains a whole host of change - chief among them the fact that we've given swords gameplay stats and added an in-game currency system to buy them! Also: new swords, music, bugfixes and more.

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Hi guys!

Before I go on to say anything about the new Build, I wanted to thank you guys for donating to the Red Cross. The money you gave will undoubtedly be appreciated by the people of Japan in these trying times. Thanks for your generosity, guys! We'll be posting a receipt as soon as we get one back from the Red Cross.

It’s been a few weeks since the last Build, and we’ve been hard at work on a shiny new build of Blade Symphony! This time around, we’ve added a whole bunch of things to give people more of a sense of progress and make your duels actually matter - the biggest thing you requested - including a currency system you can use to purchase swords (PS: this means stats are being reset - just a heads-up).

Download and Beta

Blade Symphony Build 6 can be downloaded either here if you'd like a standalone installer (you do not need to download and install the Build 1 installer at this point) or you can just run Sidekick and update as usual!

(There's also a torrent download if you'd like to spare us a monstrous bandwidth bill.)

Oh, and... don't have access to the beta yet? You might want to go here and use this beta code: 2b9d0d54789ed0bb

Music

But also! I thought I should mention the very talented Tom Stoffel has started working on a soundtrack for Blade Symphony:


You can already hear his work ingame on the main menu, so please let him know your appreciation!

A brand new currency system!

The sword selector/shop.

The first of these is that we’ve added a currency system to build on top of the XP and ranking systems we’d already introduced. You will now earn in-game currency called Notes (using the ɲ symbol for short), which you can use to unlock character customisation options. For now, the only thing you can buy are swords, but we’re contemplating extending the system to things like character skins, pre-fight announcement soundbytes and other goodies. Let us know if you have any suggestions for things that could be unlockable, by the way - we’re always looking for good feedback.

Swords are no longer just cosmetic!

Grave Requiem on our stats site

They now have gameplay effects, too!

Each sword is tailored to a specific play-style and all of them are designed to be on an equal footing with the starting swords; but as a general rule, the more expensive the sword is, the more specialised it will be. As an example, the Legato Splice - one of the more expensive swords - charges its attacks 15% faster but only does 20/15/10 damage in exchange.

The three basic swords that players get for free (listed in the next section) have no stat modifications at all - they still use the 40/20/10 damage model that all swords used before this release. You can find a full list of the swords and their gameplay effects here.

You may also have noticed that we've added a new frontend to the stats site (pictured above). You can log in with your Steam community details (this is all handled securely through Steam's API, so there's no risk of your details being leaked to anyone) and buy swords straight from the website.

Unlockable swords!

We’ve added a few new sword models as well as drastically overhauled the sword selection UI to go with the new currency system - it’s still very WiP but it’s a small taste of the direction we want the Blade Symphony HUD to move in.

All players will now start out with three swords - the Black Rose’s Tone Death, the Vagrants’ Daito no Kagura and the Hokuten’s Serrated Serenade. Additional swords can be unlocked from the sword selection menu by spending the Notes you’ve won in battle!

Swords!

And that about wraps it up. Here’s a full changelog, for those interested:

"Build6_changelog" wrote:

    Additions & Changes:
  • Swords now have stats and each have different damage and abilities - see the stats site for a full list.
  • Sword selection UI is revamped. It now displays stat information, price, etc.
  • You can no longer change swords mid-duel. It will change the sword for you after the duel is over. FFA is not affected.
  • You now earn Notes (money) for duels. 100 Notes per win, 10 Notes per loss.
  • Added wind impact audio for moves which move the character forward very quickly. (Woosh!)
  • Added a new swords: Tone Death; Serrated Serenade; Daito no Kagura; Legato Splice.
  • Added second Phalanx skin, Dragoon.
  • Added music to the main menu, authored by the very talented Tom Stoffel.
  • Changed UI sounds to be stylized around
  • Removed Dyssonnance (Dystopia Katana,) Steve’s Iron Sword (originally Minecraftian Minuet,) and Cadeceus Chord until they’re properly balanced.
  • Combos and damage output are not displayed on the printout HUD.
  • Non combo attacks are no longer displayed, but can still be shown via bb_printdamageoutput to display all damage dealt. Debug only option to be used on listen servers.
  • Added a bb_debug_presstime to display the actual time between clicking and when an attack is executed.
  • Added a bb_debug_recovery to display how much time a player spent recovering from getting hit.
  • Simplified round start information.
  • Slight nerf to Reverse Left Tier 1 by increasing its cooldown time.
  • Simplified round start screen.

  • Bugs:

  • Fixed some scaling and alignment issues with the Caduceus Chord.
  • Fixed an issue with Ryoku not properly fading out in FFA.
  • Fixed a bug where attacking while noclipping causes you to become stuck charging.
  • Balanced Right Tier 2 now animates slower but the tracer is now more accurate.
  • Balanced Left Tier 1 and Balanced Right Tier 1 both have their warm-up time increased so they don’t deal damage when the arm is held behind the body.
  • Starting a duel in FFA will now cancel any charging attack.
  • Fixed a bug where tracers UV mapping was not being set correctly.
Post comment Comments  (0 - 50 of 61)
Dr.Worm
Dr.Worm - - 181 comments

I'd love to play I've been watching for a long time, but this Sidekick **** just doesn't work with me
It always stops updating at the same spot no matter what server I try

bin/client.dll
4156416 100% 1.18MB/s 0:00:03 (xfer#1, to-check=1330/1351)
bin/server.dll
4541440 100% 1.02MB/s 0:00:04 (xfer#2, to-check=1329/1351)
bin/stats.dll
988672 100% 2.71MB/s 0:00:00 (xfer#3, to-check=1328/1351)
cfg/config_default.cfg
5506 100% 13.21kB/s 0:00:00 (xfer#4, to-check=1326/1351)
maps/duel_monastery.bsp
29766548 68% 1.41MB/s 0:00:09
rsync: read error: Connection reset by peer (104)

rsync error: error in rsync protocol data stream (code 12) at io.c(760) [receiver=3.0.7]
*** Error : Error in rsync protocol data stream
rsync: writefd_unbuffered failed to write 4 bytes to socket [generator]: Connection reset by peer (104)
rsync error: error in rsync protocol data stream (code 12) at io.c(1530) [generator=3.0.7]

Done.

That's it, I'd like to know when you guys are going to stop the sidekick login updating I know why you do it, and it's great but I just want to play D:

but I can wait ^.^, keep up the good work, excellent read!

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mflux
mflux - - 180 comments

Sorry sidekick is breaking for you. Feel free to just download the installer and it should work fine.

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D-Tarded
D-Tarded - - 49 comments

Is the minecraft blade there :D

EDIT: read it...no its not...

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mflux
mflux - - 180 comments

We'll add it back in a future release!

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dsi1
dsi1 - - 157 comments

The Dystopia blade too right?!

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KindredPhantom
KindredPhantom - - 290 comments

Of course.

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KortalMombat
KortalMombat - - 391 comments

Give it 100 feet more range, true to its counterpart :D

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Domo01
Domo01 - - 450 comments

THANK YOU GAWD!

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Mkilbride
Mkilbride - - 2,784 comments

Tom Stoffel! HE does UnderHell's soundtrack, too!

Moddb.com

Guy is really good.

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tomstoffelsound
tomstoffelsound - - 30 comments

Thanks for the comment Mkil! I am excited about this new project :D

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wazanator
wazanator - - 761 comments

Needs hats

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NivX
NivX - - 2 comments

I just downloaded the build6 standalone installed and whenever I try to join a server it says Disconnect: Server uses different class tables. Also when I try to create my own server just to check out the mod it says
Host_EndGame: CL_ParseClassInfo_EndClasses: CreateDecoders failed. Any ideal how to fix this?

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mindstormmaster
mindstormmaster - - 18 comments

We've updated the official servers, and put "[Build 6]" in the server name. Try playing on one of those.

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Domo01
Domo01 - - 450 comments

I dont see the server in the server list D:

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Domo01
Domo01 - - 450 comments

dammit i see it but it still says Disconnect: Server uses different class tables.

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Highmist
Highmist - - 473 comments

Having the same problem. Did you get yours workin?

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mindstormmaster
mindstormmaster - - 18 comments

You can try checking the md5 sums of the installer and DLLs to make sure you have the correct ones. If you already have Blade Symphony installed, you might need to uninstall before installing Build 6.

The correct md5 sums are here: Punyhumangames.com

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WarlockSyno
WarlockSyno - - 226 comments

Different class tables usually refers to your client or the server not being updated to the same version.

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deagosane
deagosane - - 90 comments

I didn't have a previous version of Blade Symphony installed before this or anything. I'm getting the same error. I'm guessing this only works for PHAN club? I can't even create a listen server.

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KindredPhantom
KindredPhantom - - 290 comments

Try checking the md5 sums of the installer and DLLs to make sure you have the correct ones. The correct md5 sums are here: Download.blade-symphony.com

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deagosane
deagosane - - 90 comments

Why would that be a problem if I never had a previous version installed, and used the standalone installer...

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mindstormmaster
mindstormmaster - - 18 comments

Did you register for the beta? What's the exact error message you're getting?

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Halfmoon
Halfmoon - - 113 comments

So I got the game. Does it have bots to practice on?

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dsi1
dsi1 - - 157 comments

You can spawn your own bots in a listen server, but they don't do anything, people who play are nice as far as I've seen, the best way to learn is to play against better players and watch what they do. (or just hop in a server, unready yourself [R] and spectate them fighting)

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awesomepossum
awesomepossum - - 997 comments

So many sweet swords.

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Mkilbride
Mkilbride - - 2,784 comments

No, no bots, be tough to program, and they come out shoddy at best, see JA, the bots in that are terri-bad, you can't lose to them unless you honestly try.

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Halfmoon
Halfmoon - - 113 comments

Nah it wasn't just for "real fighting", it was my first time and I wanted to get used to the controls.

Also, played a duel game, lost once, didn't play again for 5 rounds straight :|

edit: FML didn't know there was a ready button.

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deadrawkstar
deadrawkstar - - 396 comments

woot. Tom might start doing OST reviews on Modinformer :D

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Templarfreak
Templarfreak - - 6,721 comments

Gonna take a look at this at some point. Question: does it require ep1 and 2? Or just Half-Life 2?

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Esoj
Esoj - - 48 comments

half life 2 will be enough.you just need source sdk base 2007 installed under tools which half life 2 gives you access to.

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Mkilbride
Mkilbride - - 2,784 comments

I believe you only get SDK base 2007 with Episode 2?

Then again, HL2 was updated to run on the Orange Box, so things may have changed.

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Esoj
Esoj - - 48 comments

pretty sure it did if that ever was the case. my second steam account has only ever had half life 2 on it and has always had access to base 2007 as far as I can remember.

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Tatsur0
Tatsur0 - - 1,068 comments

Any source sdk game (inluding hl2:dm) comes with the tools necessary to run total conversions on any 2006 or 2007 (OB mods), this wasn't always the case I know but is now.

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dsi1
dsi1 - - 157 comments

Why was my first reaction "This has to be a late April Fools!"?

Now the few wins I do get against better players will never happen because they'll have better swords compounded with their skill :/

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Mkilbride
Mkilbride - - 2,784 comments

Better weapons, sure, but nothing super OP.

Though I do believe they need to be tweaked. +50% damage is abit much guys, especially for the Tier 3 Melee which already does like 1/3rd a HP bar non-charged.

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dsi1
dsi1 - - 157 comments

If there is something off we won't be able to know for a bit, tons of playing required to reach them, even if you're winning every round.

It also seems like they all do less damage in 2 out of 3 categories, and iirc the 15% charge bonus does less damage in all categories. I guess it isn't all bad but ehhh

(Did ranks get reset btw, rank 5 all of a sudden lol)

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Esoj
Esoj - - 48 comments

yes stats were reset as part of the build 6 release.

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mindstormmaster
mindstormmaster - - 18 comments

Yes, ranks (and stats) did get reset to support the new changes.

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ansob Author
ansob - - 49 comments

None of the swords are *better* - they're all supposed to have advantages and disadvantages that put them on par with the three default swords. We're not 100% sure of the balance, though, which is why the beta exists, so if you find any sword that's broken, please let us know. :)

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.sverek
.sverek - - 97 comments

I find normal blades much more stronger and useful in more situations, than unlocks.

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Velancious
Velancious - - 1,978 comments

I installed Build 6, and am not able to join any servers. Can I please get some help here? They all act like they still run off Beta 5, but even if I try to create a server, it crashes back to the main menu.

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KindredPhantom
KindredPhantom - - 290 comments

Which way did you install build 6? Did you install it using sidekick or by using a full installer?

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Velancious
Velancious - - 1,978 comments

Installed via full installer.

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DuckSauce
DuckSauce - - 969 comments

Same, I installed with the torrent download, can't update with Sidekick, using the username and password still in my email inbox to the letter, case perfect and it won't accept it, so I can't update either.

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KindredPhantom
KindredPhantom - - 290 comments

When did you sign up to the beta? If you signed up in the past 24 hours your registration may have not gone through due to an issue, so re-register on the beta site and try again.

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DuckSauce
DuckSauce - - 969 comments

Works now, thanks for that :)
When I launched it through SideKick it seems to mess up the _english .txt file as localization stuff went missing, when I relaunched through Steam it was fine again though, thought I'd report that as I believe chat doesn't properly work anymore when that happens.

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gazornonplat
gazornonplat - - 388 comments

This looks absolutely fantastic, hope to see this on steam when it comes out of beta.

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DuckSauce
DuckSauce - - 969 comments

Oh I just spotted this type in the article summary, just HAD to post it:
"bufgixes"

What are buf gixes?
:P

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mflux
mflux - - 180 comments

Beature, not a gix.

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ansob Author
ansob - - 49 comments

No idea what you're talking about. *whistle*

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