Stoneshard Update - Two-handed Axes

Last week, we got a chance to check out the new two-handed maces coming to Ink Stains Games’ turn-based RPG Stoneshard as part of its upcoming early access update. And now, we can also take a look at the two-handed axes slated to join the fray at the same time.

By the looks of it, these new chopping implements will be great at causing bleeding and injuries, and act as the bigger and meaner version of their one-handed counterparts. Here are some additional details:

Hello everyone!

In today’s devlog we’ll tell you about the second new ability tree of the Equipment Update II: two-handed axes!

As always, let’s start with a general overview. This ability tree consists of 5 Actives and 5 Passives, focused around the same thing as 1h axes - damage, Bleeding, and Injuries.

Active Abilities

Wide Cut - the opening skill of the ability tree. It performs a strike with bonus Weapon and Armor Damage. Additionally, it affects three body parts upon a successful hit.

Dismember performs a strike to a random Body Part affected by a Minor or Medium Injury (or a random Body Part if the target is uninjured) with a huge bonus to Bodypart Damage and Crit Chance. If this strike worsens an Injury or applies a new one, it causes Bleeding, and the target itself loses 9% Max Health.

Reign in Blood performs a strike which prolongs active enemy Cooldowns by 1 turn for each Injury and 20% missing Health affecting them. Also has a chance to cause Bleeding on each Injured Body Part, replenishing 5% Max Energy for each Bleeding caused.

Rampage - a traditional stance-based skill. It grants stacking bonuses to Crit Efficiency, Bleed Chance, Bodypart Damage, and reduces Cooldowns Duration.

Just like with other 2h weapon stances, every 3rd attack with two-handed axes is granted a special effect: it deals bonus damage equal to 15% of the target’s Max Health (the damage has a threshold tied to the character’s level).

Make Space performs a strike on three adjacent targets with bonus damage for each degree of Injury affecting them. If this strike kills at least one target, performs a second strike on the same area (this effect can only trigger once).

Passive Abilities
  • Finish ‘Em - attacks against targets with more than 50% Health gain bonus Bodypart Damage. Attacks against targets with less than 50% Health gain bonus Weapon Damage.
  • Shieldbreaker - 2h axe attacks decrease their target’s Block Chance and Block Power for 5 turns. This effect stacks.
  • Maim and Kill - applying Injuries and Bleeding grants bonus Weapon Damage and Crit Chance for 4 turns.
  • Fatal Strike - while under the effect of “Rampage”, Critical Hits grant an additional stack of it and apply their target with extra Damage Taken.
  • Tool of Execution - activating “Rampage” grants bonus Crit Chance for each enemy within two tiles.
And finally, here are some of the two-handed axes which will be added to the game[...]

That’s all for now. Until the next time!