Yay new abilities. As part of trying to make sure melee has the tools to be as viable and interesting as magic and support throughout the tower, these are the new abilities that got created.

Many of these are available on relics, allowing you to start using them right away. Others will show up on demons, waiting to be learned. Still others will join the ranks of those rare but powerful abilities you can only find on modified demons.

Things still appear to be on schedule for an Annual Roguelike Release Party weekend release of the build. Won’t be long now! Until then, enjoy this preview of the new abilities that are being added in that build. (Note: Yes, some of these aren’t melee. Improving melee a little is the main point of the build, but it isn’t the entire build. For example, some relics such as Faithful Heart and Hand of the Dead are getting expanded starting options, and some of these abilities are part of that. )

Absolving Cut: 70 Power attack. Removes Guilt, Mute, Pariah, or Hex from you or a nearby ally.

Bloodthrist: Heals you for 25% of the damage you deal with Slash, Impact, or Pierce abilities (affected by Body resistance).

Brain Knocker: Provides a 50% chance for your Slash, Impact, and Pierce attacks to delay the next turn of the target.

Calming Cut: 70 Power attack. Removes Stun, Panic, Sleep, or Charm from you or a nearby ally.

Crippler: Provides a 20% chance for your Slash, Impact, and Pierce attacks to apply Hex, which reduces physical resistances (not immunity) by one level, and reduces physical damage dealt.

Earth Break: 55 Power attack (Burst). Cannot miss.

Ember Burst: 70% chance to Ignite the targets (Area), causing damage over a short duration.

Guarding Cry: Briefly improves defense by 25% for you and your allies (Area).

Heavy Guard: Responds to blocking and parrying attacks by adjacent enemies with a 40 Power attack that has a 35% chance to inflict Stun, causing the target to miss their next turn. Cannot miss.

Leap Attack: Must target a character. Leap to the target with an 85 Power attack. Inflicts Stun, causing the target to miss their next turn.

Malleable: Improves natural HP regeneration and healing received (including from the Regen status effect) by 25%. Does not affect abilities that drain or heal based on dealing damage.

Maul: 85 Power attack split between two Slash attacks.

Numbing: Provides a 20% chance for your Slash, Impact, and Pierce attacks to apply Paralysis, causing the target to frequently miss their turns.

Piercing Thrust: 70 Power attack (Line).

Riposte: Responds to being missed, dodging, and parrying attacks by adjacent enemies with a 70 Power attack.

Silver Hand: Provides a 20% chance for your Slash, Impact, and Pierce attacks to apply Mute, which prevents the use of non-physical abilities.