October 2025 Balance Update – Details & Release Notes

This month, the closing of our web forum is bringing up mixed feelings – nostalgia for the past and excitement about how we can always keep trying to improve the game experience. We took a trip down memory lane, revisiting some past balance updates, and we realized that some changes that made sense at the time don’t align with where the game is now. Luckily, no change is irreversible!

Insanity has become more manageable since it first entered the game, so we’re lowering the cost to self when Atwood and Penelope activate their special skills. Our slimy pal Gooric received a sizable buff back in the Spring, but it turned out to be an overcorrection. He ended up dominating in the upper tiers of competitive play, which put a damper on player choice when assembling teams. The previous change to his Slime Revive will be partly rolled back, while the other buffs will remain. Jove and Pepperflame, who once needed to be nerfed to ensure balance, are now receiving buffs to their damage and ailments to get back some of their lost power.

In our “business as usual” section, we’ve got adjustments for a couple of recently released heroes and buffs for past October HotMs.

Note: This balance change is planned to go live by October 6, 2025 13:00 UTC

Full details of the changes are as follows:

Atwood

• Insanity inflicted to self reduced: 55 -> 50

Penelope

• Insanity inflicted to enemies on dodge increased: 10 -> 15

• Insanity inflicted on self reduced: 55 -> 50

Gooric

• Slime Revive can now be dispelled

• Increased the duration of the Slime form after revival: 2 -> 3 turns

• Gunktus and Goorian are not affected by this change

Pepperflame

• Direct damage increased: 450% -> 470%

• Defense reduction buffed: -30% -> -35%

Jove

• Direct damage increased: 450% -> 490%

• Health boost reduction buffed: -50% -> -65%

Ratgrub

• Rat Princess Mega Minion

  • Health increased: 35% -> 40%

  • Damage on ally Special Skill increased: 240% -> 250%

Iron-Heart

• Direct damage increased: 500% -> 520%

• The first target of the Special Skill is no longer random

  • OLD: Deals 500% damage to 2 random enemies.

  • NEW: Deals 520% damage to the target. Deals 520% damage to a random different enemy.

• Mana and health gained on enemy defeat increased: +30% -> +35%

• Counterattack damage increased: 100% -> 110%

Aegir

• Defense buff increased: +35% -> +40%

Aegir (Costume)

• Defense buff increased

  • Base buff: +30% -> +35%

  • Max buff: +55% -> +60%

Kingston

• Direct damage increased: 445% -> 495%

Zulag

• Heal over time increased: 732 -> 852 HP over 4 turns

Russell

• Direct damage increased: 400% -> 450% -- OK

• Burn damage increased: 381 -> 501 damage over 3 turns

Celidana

• Health boost increased: 1000 -> 1100 HP

Uthragan

• Direct damage increased: 150% -> 180%

• Poison damage increased: 711 -> 822 damage over 3 turns

Zidane

• Direct damage increased: 355% -> 405%

We hope the adjustments above will help you field these Heroes in a wider range of situations. If you feel that your favorite Hero could really use a buff, please remember to let us know on the E&P Discord.

As always, we will continue to keep an eye on all Heroes affected by this update in case further adjustments become necessary. If you wish to share your feedback and discuss this update with fellow players, please feel free to join the discussion on our E&P Discord server.

Thank you for your continued interest and support. Best of luck in the battles!