Nova V'ger is a curious Air-Genasi Hexblade Warlock making her debut during Dragondown 3. Nova joins her companions on the Idle Champions roster, the Heroes of Aerois; Aila, Qillek, and Sentry.

I. Nova V'Ger

Nova V'ger has a voracious appetite for knowledge; she needs to know anything and everything about anything and everything. Her magic powers have been gifted to her by a mysterious entity called Tiangong. She dreams of traveling to the stars and discovering the location of the true genasi homeworld.

Nova is played by Kim Richards, a member of The High Rollers D&D crew, based in the UK. The High Rollers stream each week at the High Rollers Twitch page. For more info on Nova, the High Rollers crew, and the homebrew world of Aerois created by professional dungeon master Mark Hulmes, check out the High Rollers Aerois wiki.

Nova is a Tank and Support Champion who understands knowledge is power. She buffs her most intelligent allies for each monster killed, protecting herself with her Hexblade, Tiangong. When you want to add Nova to your formation, you can swap her with Jamilah (Slot 11).

II. Nova's Stats

Race: Air-Genasi	Alignment: Chaotic Good
Class: Warlock (Hexblade)	Gender: Female
Age: 20	Affiliation: Heroes of Aerois

STR: 7	DEX: 16	CON: 16
INT: 15	WIS: 8	CHA: 20

Role: Tanking, Support
Eligible for Patrons: Vajra Safahr, Mirt the Moneylender, and Strahd von Zarovich.

III. Nova's Design

It's always fun to work closely with a creator to make their character come to life, and Kim Richards was no exception. Kim provided us with a depth of material to draw from, including information about Nova's backstory that has still yet to be discovered on High Rollers(!). Like Kim, we've had a great time adding a bit of a science-fiction spin to D&D spells and abilities -- for example, turning 5E's Warlock Invocation, Tomb of Levistus, into Failsafe.

As a Champion, Nova is an explorer and a scientist, so we wanted to highlight those qualities in her Idle Champions design. Her main abilities focus around discoveries related to the internal anatomy of monsters and bosses, and sharing that knowledge with the party in the form of buffs to other intelligent party members.

With the addition of the final member of the Aerois team, Lucius Elenasto in Simril 4, Nova received updates to her Formation Abilities and her Aerois Synergy

IV. Nova's Abilities

Basic Attack

• Dissect — Nova leaps out and slices through the nearest enemy with Tiangong. The slash produces a spark of green flame. If her attack kills the enemy, and the enemy is a normal mob, it is guaranteed to drop a monster heart (once as Curiosity is unlocked).

Formation Abilities

• Curiosity — Nova is intrinsically curious about the world around her. When monsters are killed, there is a chance she will collect a trophy from it. Trophies augment her abilities and reset every run. Bosses always drop monster brains, which provide big buffs but only drop once per boss per run. Normal monsters have a 10% chance to drop monster hearts, which can be farmed indefinitely and provide smaller buffs.

• Discovery — Nova increases the damage of the five Champions in the formation with the highest Intelligence score by 100%. In the case of a tie for fifth place, all Champions with the given INT score are affected. This effect is buffed by 0.1% for each monster heart she has collected (stacking additively and then applying multiplicatively), and 10% for each monster brain she has collected (stacking multiplicatively and then applying multiplicatively).

• Close Encounters — Nova increases the effect of Discovery by 100% for each enemy attacking her and each point of enemy/boss enrage, stacking additively and then applying multiplicatively.

• Slow — Nova's attacks slow the movement of enemies she damages by 50% for 5 seconds. Enemies that are Slowed by this ability deal half damage to Nova. This effect does not stack if it is applied again before it expires, but the cooldown is refreshed.

• Failsafe — When Nova becomes Overwhelmed, Tiangong creates a protective barrier around Nova, giving her 250 points of temporary HP and stunning her until the shield is broken or she is no longer overwhelmed. This can only trigger once per area (changing areas resets it so it can happen again). The amount of temporary HP granted is increased by 5.75% for each monster brain she has collected, stacking multiplicatively.

• Protective Field — Nova increases the max health of all other Champions by 25% of her base max health.

• Cosmic Resonance — Heroes of Aerois are automatically buffed by Discovery and are not included in the calculations for highest INT score.

• Aerois Synergy — Nova contributes to the Aerois Synergy Pool as follows: 60% per Champion buffed by Discovery (multiplicative). Discovery is then increased by 25% of the total Aerois Synergy Pool.

Specializations

• Mass Appeal — Discovery — now applies to the top eight Champions by INT score, up from the top five.

• Journaling — Increase the effect of Discovery by 100%

Ultimate Ability

• Activate Tiangong — Nova levitates up in the air as Tiangong floats in front of the formation, releasing three waves of blue energy that deal big damage (each deals 1/3rd of her stated ultimate damage) to all enemies. The damage is increased by 1% for every 20 monster hearts Nova has collected, stacking additively.

V. Nova's Legendary Equipment

Slot 1: Global DPS	Slot 2: Global DPS	Slot 3: Max Health
Slot 4: Buff Discovery	Slot 5: Ultimate Damage	Slot 6: Ultimate Cooldown

VI. Conclusion

What do you think about Nova? If you have feedback, let us know in a Community Q&A or Champion feedback post on the Idle Champions Subreddit, on the Steam forums, or on the Official Idle Champions Discord!

Endangered Species

Habitats are changing, and it's endangering many different animal species. Carson Tiva has found that three different endangered species can currently be found in Bushwhackia, as they search for new places to live.

Apply your bush whacking skills to help them collect Conservation Data on these unique animals for the limited time they're here. To gather data, you just have to give them a whack with your sword or other whacking implement. With said data, Carson Tiva can use it to try and help what's left of these unique animals.

Which species you encounter will be random, so if you fall behind in finding one of the three animals, you can start one of Carson Tiva's pursuit quests. You can do one pursuit quest every 20 hours.

Your efforts will not go unrewarded! Carson Tiva will trade you for this data in their store, plus you'll earn a unique plaque for your contributions! Like event ribbons, this plaque will increase your maximum energy based on your performance.

Collect data, complete the achievements, and earn rewards!

Go to the event area of the Commons to get started, and gather as much data as you can before noon on Tuesday June 2nd, PDT!

Discuss this limited time opportunity on the forums!

The Desktop Launcher

Worried about how you’ll play BW2 after browsers stop supporting Adobe Flash next year? Worry no more! If you’re a Codename Games player, you can click the download button at the top of the game and download the Bush Whacker 2 Desktop Launcher for your computer.

You’ll still be able to play on the web for now, but playing on the Desktop Launcher has several benefits:

1. No need to worry about your Firefox, Chrome, Edge, or other browser supporting Flash! This version of Bush Whacker 2 runs right in the desktop.

2. A bigger, adjustable game window! Drag the edges or corners of the game window to adjust the size, or go full screen. It’s that easy!

3. Chat rooms! Turn on the chat sidebar to chat with your fellow Codename Gamers on the web in the main chat room, or step into one of the other chat rooms, exclusive to players using the Desktop Launcher.

4. Cross-platform chat! Select the “Facebook” or “Armor Games” chat rooms to chat with people on those platforms.

5. A free CNE Hot Air Balloon mount! When you first sign in via the launcher you’ll be given a unique mount!

Installation Instructions

There are two versions: Windows and Mac. Download the right one for your computer and get back to whacking! Here are some step-by-step instructions:

Windows

1. Go to the downloads page

2. Click the “Download Windows” button.

3. Find the "BushWhacker2.exe" file on your computer, typically in your Downloads folder, and double-click it to start the installation.

If you get a "Windows protected your PC" popup, click "More info" then the "Run anyway" button to continue with the installation. View the FAQ for more details on this message.

4. Follow the instructions (if you’re not sure, you can just keep clicking Next).

5. You’ve successfully installed the Bush Whacker 2 Desktop Launcher! Congratulations!

Alternative Windows Method

If you don't want to install BW2 to your computer, you can instead download the .zip file and run it from within the folder. Here's how you can do that:

1. Go to the downloads page

2. Click the "Windows Zip" text, underneath the Windows download button.

3. Find the "BushWhacker2.zip" file on your computer, typically in your Downloads folder, and double-click it to open the zip.

4. Drag the "Bushwhacker2.app" folder from the zip to where ever you'd like to put it. You can close the zip window afterwards.

5. Double-click the "Bushwhacker2.app" folder to open it, and double-click the "Bush Whacker 2.exe" file to run the game!

Mac

1. Go to the downloads page

2. Click the “Download Mac” button.

3. Find the "BushWhacker2.dmg" file on your computer, typically in your Downloads folder, and double-click open and view the contents in a new window.

4. Drag the "BushWhacker2" app into your Applications folder in your Dock or in Finder.

5. You’ve successfully installed the Bush Whacker 2 Desktop Launcher! Congratulations!

Other

For the tech savvy: If your system has Adobe AIR installed, you can use the AIR download instead of the Windows or Mac installers. You can find it at the bottom of the downloads page.

Using the Launcher

1. Start the Bush Whacker 2 application. On Windows, you can find and click it in your Start menu, or double-click the shortcut on your desktop if you chose that option on the installer. On Mac, you can find it in your Dock in the Applications folder.

2. Enter your email and password you use to log in on the Codename Games webpage.

3. Check “Remember Me” so you don’t have to enter it again.

4. Click the green “Login” button.

5. If your credentials are correct, then you’ll be playing Bush Whacker 2!

Discuss the new launcher on the forums.

Help & FAQ

If you encounter any problems or require extra support, please submit a support ticket. You can submit a support ticket in the Launcher via the Help Page button found in the in-game Options menu (accessed with the Gear icon.)

FAQ

Q: What is this a solution for exactly?
A: Most browsers, Safari, Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, will no longer support Adobe Flash Player near the end of 2020. Since Bush Whacker 2 needs the Flash Player to run, this will mean you won't be able to play it in these browsers! The Desktop Launcher doesn't need a browser to run, so with it you can keep playing well into the future!

Q: Will I lose my progress?
A: Nope! You can switch between playing on the Codename Games website and the Desktop Launcher. It's the same account, just in a different place!

Q: Is this only for Codename Games website players?
A: Yes. You log in with the same account you use to play on Codename Games.

Q: What about Facebook, Kongregate, and Armor players?
A: At this moment, the Desktop Launcher is only for Codename Games users. We'll address other platforms later on. For Facebook users, you'll be able to play in Facebook Gameroom.

Q: Will the Desktop Launcher work on Mobile (tablet/phone)?
A: No. The Desktop Launcher is only intended for Windows and Mac computers at this time.

Q: I get this message when installing the game on Windows! Help!



A: This message may occur as our app develops reputation with Windows Defender Smartscreen. The Desktop Launcher has a legitimate Code Signing Certificate, which you'll see after continue with the installation. Simply click "More info" then the "Run anyway" button to continue with the installation.

Q: When I open the launcher on Mac, I get a popup asking about a security key or something?

A: The Launcher needs permission to store your login information! Enter your password to grant it access, or simply deny it access. If you deny, know that the program won't be able to remember your login info.

You asked for more, and so we're giving you more -- MOAR VARIANTS!

Learn more about the latest challenging variants to come to Idle Champions below...

Grand Tour of the Sword Coast Variants

• Who Lurks in Lurkwood: Modrons in the Mud
  • Two lost modrons have taken up position around your formation. They're interesting, but they don't do much else. Only Champions with CHA of 14 or lower can be used.
  • Reach area 350.
  
  
• Orcs are Wild: Dino Nightmare
  
  • Illusory dinosaurs spawn in each area. They drop no gold and do not count towards quest progress. Champion base attack cooldowns are increased by 100%. Asharra, Azaka, Birdsong, and Jamilah each deal 400% more damage and are not affected by the base attack cooldown change.
  • Reach area 350.

Tomb of Annihilation Variants

• The Forbidden City: Fall From Grace
  • Every 15 seconds, the Champion with the highest damage has their damage reduced by 99.9% for 60 seconds. This effect can stack.
  • Reach area 350.
  
  
• Captured!: Underground Railroad
  
  • Three slots in the formation are taken up by various slaves who happened to be in the Prisoner Pens with you when you were rescued. Get 'em to safety!
  • Reach area 350.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist Variants

• Vault of Dragons: Vault of Poison
  • The Zhentarim have poisoned their weapons to properly prepare you for Manshoon's arrival. Anyone hit by a Zhentarim Spy is poisoned for the next 2 minutes. While poisoned, Champions lose a percentage of their max health every second based on their CON score.
  • Reach area 300.
  
  
• Champions of Waterdeep: Strike!
  
  • Champions are demanding better profit sharing after it was discovered that Jarlaxle is running an entire secret organization on the side! Champions with the Gold Find tag cannot be used. Enemies drop 99% less gold.
  • Reach area 300.

Baldur's Gate Descent into Avernus Variants

• Darkness Runs Deeper: Dark Doppelgangers
  • Every boss area, a Doppelganger disguised as one of your Champions attacks! You must defeat the Doppelganger to advance.
  • Reach area 300.
  
  
• Difficult Terrain: Madcap Adventures
  
  • Madcaps arrive in each area. If a Madcap deals damage to a Champion, another Madcap immediately spawns. These bloodspawned Madcaps do not drop gold or count towards quest progress. Each time a Madcap is bloodspawned, Champion damage is reduced by 99% for 3 seconds.
  • Reach area 325.

See the in-game Change Log for more information!

Over the past few weeks many folks playing on Steam have been affected by glitches affecting their progress. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this has caused and would like to take some time to explain what happened and what it means for the future of Idle Champions.

Why did everything break?

There was a perfect storm of things that caused the issues over the past couple of weeks.

The first issues were caused by a major overhaul of the game systems to support multiple adventures running at once, as described in our dev blog from the end of 2019. Changes were made to both the server and client code, and while they were tested internally quite a bit before being pushed, a number of non-trivial issues slipped through the cracks.

Additional issues cropped up later that week due to both our rush to fix the initial issues (for example a late-night 11pm update had issues that were missed in testing and persisted until morning), and other tech that was being worked on in parallel (for example Modron Automation, which will function hand in hand with multiple adventure mode). It's a small spoiler, but Modron Automation will be able to reset your adventure multiple times if you're offline for a while, so the reset code was being touched and that caused some of the issues around resetting.

Finally, with our launch on the Nintendo Switch we were attempting to do a fair number of optimizations to both the client and our server infrastructure. Some of those optimizations caused some unintended side-effects that affected saving, but on the flip side in the longer term they will end up resulting in much smoother gameplay and less issues with memory growth.

At this point, we are confident that we have addressed almost all of the major issues resulting from the initial push and we're preparing to move on to the next phase of testing of these upcoming features.

Why only on Steam?

Steam is often the first place we push new builds and content live, especially high risk ones like the system revamps for multiple adventure mode and modron automation. The reason for this is that we, as the developers, can control the client releases without having to go through an arduous or time consuming approval process (which are not designed to catch the types of issues that occurred anyway).

Other platforms, such as phones and consoles, have complicated release cycles that can range from 24 hours to several weeks before a submitted build is available to players. By releasing first on Steam and then observing the build for a few days we ensure that players on these harder-to-reach platforms will receive a generally well tested build without any major issues.

Why not test more before releasing on Steam?

While we make every effort to not release buggy clients by testing them internally, at the end of the day we are a small studio with a very ambitious release cadence. The occasional bug may slip through, and we always prioritize things that are affecting a large number of players for immediate fixes.

The magnitude of the issues these past couple of weeks on Steam was outside of what we find to be acceptable, and we have provided compensation to affected users as an apology of sorts. We will always endeavor to do better in the future.

What is coming?

One benefit of these growing pains is that we are now one major step closer to completing all of the new features outlined in our 2019 end of year dev blog. Multiple adventure mode and Modron Automation are closer than ever, and you will start seeing more information about them in the coming weeks. We are very excited about what the future holds for Idle Champions, and we hope that you are too.

Coppers of the Creature Collector

The eccentric Creature Collector has returned to the Commons, this time with a trio of unique fox kits!

Head to the event area and choose one to train. You have until noon on Wednesday May 27th to complete the collector's four daily quests, level up your chosen creature, earn Creature Coppers to spend in their store, and get another page to your Creature Collector's Compendium!

The Compendium Page will be given after the event ends at noon on Wednesday May 27th. If you don't have the Creature Collector's Compendium ranch item, you'll get it when you get your first page.

After the event, the collector will be taking their creature back unless you adopt it by purchasing its corresponding pet pack, available starting Monday May 25th.

Train hard, Bush Whackers!

Note: The VIP "Quest Reset" power does not reset these mini event quests, and they are not affected by the Time Turner and Timey Whimey Watch.

Ye Olde Creature Collector's Galleria - Pets

When you speak to Tanela Tiva in the event area, you can select the "What past mounts are for sale?" chat option.

This will open a new store, which will contain 3 non-event premium mounts you have never owned! They cost Bush Bucks, like in event stores. The selection will change next time Tanela Tiva visits to event area.

We've done this in response to players asking to see old premium pets they've missed out on, to help you fill out your pet collection. Snag those old-school pets you're missing out on!

Chat about this mini-event on the forum!

Congratulations to our Griddle Champions giveaway winner Tony A, from Colorado, USA. Tony is the lucky winner of a Dancakes Pancake Art Kit. used by legendary pancake artist Lee Goldberg every week on Griddle Champions.

All is not lost if you didn't win. If you'd like to get your own Dancakes Pancake Art Kit to make your own Champions pancakes, you can buy one at Dancakes' online store.

Guarding a tomb for all time might sound like an eternity of peace and quiet, but eventually some random Crusader will show up, interrupting your slumber.

On yet another daring excursion, Montana James finds himself face-to-face with a colossal stone behemoth carved in the shape of a Tyrannosaurus, with massive glowing crystals sprouting from it's back.

Luckily for Montana, Ichtaca, the Keeper has grown bored of their role of tomb guardian, and is eager to head out on an adventure.

It's time for another Trek Through the Hidden Temple! The Hidden Temple 5 runs until Tuesday, June 2nd at 12PM PDT, introducing Ichtaca, the Keeper and bringing back Kebos, The Mummy, The Holy Guardian, Polly the Parrot, Danni the Daring Damsel, Serpent King Draco, and Montana James!

New Tier 5 Crusader: Ichtaca, the Keeper

Ichtaca, the Keeper is a Crusader who specializes in boosting the potency of Orc, Supernatural, and Support-tagged Crusaders.

Mesozoic Born and Riddles and Keys boost Supernatural and Support Crusaders respectively. If your formation has any Orc Crusaders, Earthen Family will increase the DPS of Crusaders by 50% per each Orc tag in the formation.

Other upgrades include Good Stone (Increases the DPS of all Crusaders by 75%), Eternal Guardian (For every 25 levels over and including 200, DPS is multiplied by 4x), and Crystalline Veins (Increase all Gold found by 100%).

Ichtaca's final ability is Extinction Level Event, which buffs Mesozoic Born and Riddles and Keys by 100%.

New Tier 5 Objectives

• Recruit Ichtaca, the Keeper | Ichtaca, the Keeper takes up a slot in the formation. Spawn speed buffs and effects have no effect. Ichtaca, the Keeper steals 75% of your quest item drops. The Phase Skip talent doesn't apply.
  Reach area 400.


• Second Best | Only the second Crusader on each bench seat is available.
  Reach area 450.


• Cruise the Nile | Area quest requirements are increased by 10 fold. If you kill a monster that a Crusader has slowed, stunned or frozen, they drop 5 times as many quest items. Montana James starts in the formation and is the only Crusader who does DPS.
  Reach area 475.


• Sahara Bound | Try to stay hydrated! Each area starts with a supply of 15 water bottles. Additional water bottles will drop from killed monsters at random. 1 water bottle is consumed every 5 seconds for each Crusader in the formation. If you run out of water, the formation wipes and goes back an area. Covetous camelcorns attack the formation and cannot be killed.
  Reach area 500.


• Meteor Powered Portal | A goop monster takes up a spot in formation, moving every 100 areas. Crusaders adjacent to the goop have their formation abilities weakened. Additionally, every two minutes, a meteor hits your formation, removing a Crusader from formation and making them unusable for the next 15 minutes.
  Reach area 525.

Help! Where’s the Loot?

Equipment for event Crusaders can be found in Silver and Jeweled Hidden Temple Chests, which you can earn from objectives and the free play or buy in the shop. Each non-recruitment objective will drop a chest for its given tier of Crusaders, and free play will drop All Tier chests. Gear for Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 and Tier 5 Crusaders will only appear in All Tier chests once you've unlocked the respective Crusaders. You can select the tier of chest you buy in the shop when you go to purchase chests with real money or event currency.

What About Older Event Crusaders?

Previously-available Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 Crusaders are once again available to unlock as part of the Hidden Temple 5. For more information about those Crusaders, check out our Event Blogs from previous years:

• Montana James & Serpent King Draco (Tier 1)


• Danni the Daring Damsel & Polly the Parrot (Tier 2)


• The Holy Guardian (Tier 3)


• Kebos, the Mummy (Tier 4)

Players will have until Tuesday, June 2nd at 12:00PM PDT to complete The Hidden Temple 5.

A modron sighting is a rare occurrence outside Mechanus, the plane of true law.

At least, it's supposed to be a rare occurrence -- word has it that thousands of modrons have been seen on the march in the wilderness, and they are heading towards Waterdeep!

The Great Modron March 3 introduces Jaheira, the renown half-elf druid from Baldur's Gate, and brings back Qillek Ad Khollar and Evelyn Avalona Helvig Marthain. Players have until Monday, May 25th at 12PM Pacific to complete their event unlocks and objectives.

A Note Regarding Nintendo Switch

We're immensely excited to be on the Nintendo Switch, and chomping at the bit to share our corner of the Forgotten Realms with all of the new players that have joined us.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related delays, we were unable to release our latest build on Switch in time to launch the Great Modron March event. We are genuinely sorry for the delay. We're working with our partners at Nintendo to minimize future delays.

As compensation for missing the event, we'll be crediting players with the following when we can release the next Switch build:

• Unlocks for all three event Champions (Jaheira, Qillek, and Evelyn)
• 3 Silver and 3 Gold Chests for each of those Champions.
• 6 Time Gate pieces

You can follow us on our Twitter and Facebook to be the first to hear when the update (and Champion unlocks) are out on Switch.

Year 3 Champion: Jaheira

Jaheira is a noble-born half-elf who was raised by an enclave of druids after her family was killed. Having gained an understanding of balance, she resolved to serve nature with the skills the druids taught her. She was recruited by the Harpers, where she met her late husband, Khalid. Jaheira knows life isn't black and white. She lives in the balance, as nature demands.

Jaheira is a DPS and Support Champion who channels her anger into powerful DPS buffs for herself and her allies. Specializations amplify the abilities based on allied classes and enemy types. When you want to add Jaheira to your formation, you can swap her with Jarlaxle (Slot 4).

For more information about Jaheira, check out the Idle Champion Spotlight: Jaheira dev blog!

Year 2 Champion: Qillek Ad Khollar

Qillek is timid, meek and nervous, being a comparably young character in the party and thrown into a world he doesn’t understand with no wing to fly him out of a bad situation. His charisma, wit, and superiority ripped away when flying through the Valley of the Storms, taking his left wing and arm away but introducing him to H’esper, who gave him dark visions to push him forward. Inside him is an envious amount of courage and a stable sense of logic when things get dire, which has led other party members to consider him their leader. He doesn’t agree with the idea, but he’s not ready to let his friends down.

Qillek is a Support Champion capable of buffing allies while also debuffing enemies. He casts Prayer of Healing to heal the formation and Bless to boost their damage. When you want to add Qillek to your formation, you can swap him with Calliope (Slot 5).

For more information about our latest Champion, check out the Idle Champion Spotlight: Qillek dev blog!

Year 1 Champion: Evelyn Marthain

Caring, motherly, and endlessly optimistic, Evelyn has adventured across the realms as part of the Waffle Crew with Strix, Diath, and Paultin for many years. She's always first in battle, thanks to her flying boots, and will always take a hit to protect others. Short, yet tough, her devotion to Lathander has seen her through many perilous situations.

Evelyn is a powerful Tank and Support Champion. She buffs her allies with her Divine Prayer, Channel Divinity, Steadfast Might, and Conduit of the Light abilities. When you want to add Evelyn to your party, you can swap her with Asharra (Slot 6).

Year Three Variants

• An Unkindness of Ravens — Jaheira starts in your formation in slot 3. She can't be moved. Ravens appear in each area; Whenever any raven dies, 1-2 more spawn. Ravens do not drop gold, nor do they count towards quest progress.
  Reach Area 75.


• The Backwards Modron — Nordom the Modron joins the cause! Nordom takes up a spot in your formation and cannot be moved or removed. He is intent on helping Waterdeep with his lightning crossbow bolts, but instead of stunning the constructs, Nordom's lightning bolt accidentally empowers them!
  Reach Area 125.


• Chickens in the Deep — In each area, an armored Abyssal Chicken spawns after 10 enemies. Abyssal Chickens drop no gold and do not count towards quest progress. Every 10 areas (from area 11 onward), the number of Abyssal Chickens that spawn per area is increased by 2.
  Reach Area 175.

Year Two Variants

• Division — Every time a Modron is killed (including bosses) it splits into two copies of a Modron one level lower on the Modron hierarchy. You must kill all the split Modrons in boss Areas.
  Reach Area 75.


• Machine Learning — The Modorns have decided to stop bashing their melee weapons against the Champions with no results. All melee Modrons now throw gears at Champions while at range. Champions struck by four gears are stunned for 15 seconds.
  Reach Area 125.


• Messenger of Hope — Qillek has a dream that his god has granted him the power to overcome The Great Modron March. Qillek begins the adventure in the formation and cannot be moved. Only Champions within two slots of Qillek can deal any damage.
  Reach Area 175.

Year One Variants

• The Neverending March — Every time a Modron is killed in non-boss areas it shuts down for five seconds and then comes back to life with full health.
  Reach Area 75.


• (Hu)man vs. Machine — All human Champions get a buff called "The Human Spirit" which increases their damage by 5% in each area (stacking multiplicatively).
  Reach Area 125.


• Charge Into Battle — Enemies move extremely fast and deal massive damage to everyone except Evelyn. Evelyn starts the adventure at level 1 and in the front slot of the formation.
  Reach Area 175.

See the in-game FAQ for more information!

Hi Whackers!

The Gorgeous Garden Contest is now underway!

We want to see YOUR talented, artistic skills at gardening/art. It's super easy to get started, just start growing plants. When you've got enough, you can begin to lay out your designs in the event area. Once you've managed to get at least a D from each of the judges, you're golden for entering the contest!

How the Contest Works

When you're ready, talk to the photographer (he's got a yellow ! above his head) and have him take a picture of your fantasy garden. You can submit as many times as you would like, but only your most recent submission will get the votes. Each time you do submit a screenshot, your votes will reset to make it fair for everyone, so plan carefully! Submissions will be accepted until *Friday, May 22nd, 2020, - Noon PDT.*

You Get to Vote!

YOU get to vote too! The coveted 'User's Choice' award is picked by the Bush Whacker Community, and has a prize of 50 Bush Bucks! You can vote for as many submissions as you like, and at the end of the event the top submission as voted by YOU the players will be awarded the prize.

Notes about Voting!

• Asking to visit the contest or the voting page no longer takes you outside the game; it simply loads the contest/voting page over top it! Finished voting? You can easily return to the event area by clicking "Back to Game" at the bottom of the screen. Easy as pie!


• Can't decide between two layouts? That’s ok! You now have a way to say "Next Please," and two new images will be loaded up for you!


• Tired of seeing the same layouts previously? We've improved the system, you should see the same layouts repeated far more infrequently now.

You can vote until *Friday, May 22, 2020 @ Noon PDT.*

And the CNE winners are...

At the end of the event, the entire Codename Entertainment Studio will review the submissions and choose their favourites, with 3 lucky players per platform being awarded prizes of 250, 200, and 150 Bush Bucks for first, second and third. All winners will be published in the blog when we've made our decision.

Post questions and comments here!