Unified Fuel, Automated Drone Run, Overworld Tweaks and more

Unified Fuel, Automated Drone Run, Overworld Tweaks and more – Preparing for the Biggest Release Yet

Introduction

Rangers,

This update will be the most significant update since Illuvium's launch. We are making critical changes to test and refine the Unified Fuel system before it goes live on mainnet. To facilitate a smooth transition and thorough testing, we will temporarily disable Overworld runs and Fuel Exchange activities while we conduct full-scale testing on the Sepolia Testnet.

This testing phase is crucial for gathering player feedback, stress-testing the system, and fine-tuning mechanics before the live rollout. While this kind of test is always valuable, community participation is even more critical with a leaner team.

What’s Changing? (FAQ)

What features are being blocked in the Live version?

To prioritise testing and ensure everything functions correctly, the following features will be temporarily disabled:

• Fuel Exchange (Buying, Selling, Spending)

• Sending Fuel to self in Illuvium Zero

• Overworld Travel

• Overworld Crafting

When are these features being disabled?

They have already been disabled as of this announcement.

How long will these features remain blocked?

Until the upcoming update is fully tested and deployed to the live version. While we do not have a definitive date, we will monitor reports and feedback to ensure everything is functioning correctly before finalizing the update.

How can I access Sepolia Testnet?

Testing on Sepolia is currently limited to users who already have access. We may expand access in the future, but for now, only existing testers can participate.

If you don't have access to Sepolia, don't worry—you can still play Arena and Gauntlet on the mainnet public version while we prepare for the Unified Fuel release.

What is being tested on Sepolia?

This update includes significant changes across all products. Some updates, such as Arena Multiplayer, are not directly related to Fuel but require additional testing before release. Here are the main areas of focus during the testnet phase:

Illuvium Arena: 

Arena Multiplayer Server v1

• Performance & Speed of Gauntlet with the new multiplayer server integration

• Ensuring no desync or crashes

• Validating all Gauntlet functionalities on the new server

Drone Augments - v1

• New Drone Augments Selection Round

• Augments should apply correctly (see Arena balancing blog post)

• UI should display opponent's Drone Augments

Team Planner - v2

• Backend Integration

• Selected team Illuvials should correctly display the "eye" icon in the shop

Mini-Scouting / Opponent Information - v1

• Opponent information should display real-time match data

Private Lobby - v1 (out of testing for the public on testnet, we might organize small test sessions)

• Proper game performance when joining a private lobby

UI Redesign / Tweaks

• Shop, Top Panel, and Cosmetic Selection should function correctly with the redesigned UI

• Owned Illuvials should have a special VFX in the shop & on the board

• Drone size increases with win streaks

Full Balancing Update & Release Notes

• Refer to the Arena blog post for details:

  • Balancing Blog: https://illuvium.io/news/arena-gauntlet-balance-patch-notes-1-6-0

  • Release Notes: https://illuvium.io/news/arena-release-notes-patch-1-6-0

Illuvium Overworld: 

Fuel Changes & Balancing:

• Stage 1 Travel: 150 Crypton ➔ 24 Fuel

• Stage 2 Travel: 450 Crypton ➔ 149 Fuel

• Stage 3 Travel: 1350 Crypton ➔ 899 Fuel

• Reveal All is now on by default

• Reveal All cost: 300/900/2700 Solon ➔ 0 Fuel

• Weapons & Suits crafting costs reduced to 0 Fuel

• Fusion Costs adjusted for all Illuvials (e.g., Tier 5 Stage 3 cost: 32,000 Solon ➔ 6,000 Fuel)

• Illuvial spawn rates adjusted: Higher Stage Illuvials are much more common, and Higher Tier Illuvials are slightly more common

Bug Fixes:

• Illuvial stats are visible before capture

• Fusion button is now available in all window settings

Website

Automated Drone Runs - v1: (ADR Blog Post: https://illuvium.io/news/autodrone-runs-everything-you-need-to-know)

• Weights for Charged Run & Hyper Run (see ADR balancing blog post)

• Weights for Each of the 7 Regions  (see ADR balancing blog post)

  • Pity System (see ADR balancing blog post)

• TPI Power Rating Colour System

  • Event notifications when obtaining new Illuvials, Holo Illuvials, and Dark Holo Illuvials

• User Experience of the Automated Drone Run

• Automated Drone Run Purchase Flow

• Mobile Browser Flows

Unified Fuel - v1:

• Purchase Fuel via Stripe, Multichain Wallet (USDC, ETH), and Immutable X

• Fuel Purchase on Mobile Browser

• Buy cosmetics, Automated Drone Runs, and Beyond D1SKs with Fuel

• Fuel Migration Process

• Purchase of different bundles

  • Legacy Crate Claim

Illuvidex - Your Collection - v1: 

• New "My Collection" view with detailed lore on Illuvials

• Progress tracking for Illuvial collections

Illuvium Zero: (out of testing for the public on testnet as people don’t have land there) 

Fuel Changes & Balancing

• Removal of Sending Fuel to self

• Burning Fuel to get a share of the 5% of Fuel Revenue 

• Fuel Burning Information & History 

Bug Fixes:

• Plots and Megacities level cap has been removed

• Active plot in Megacity highlighted correctly.

• Settings menu isn’t stretched on iOS

• Upgrade pop-up should fit the screen on mobile devices when all builders are busy.

• Selling a Level 2 or 3 Data Storage should update the storage capacity

• Zero Point Transducer should benefit from the Path Bonus.

• Blueprint images remain consistent across all UI screens.

• Creating a Megacity is working in all cases

• Endless loading loop isn’t happening in Megacity plots.

• The conversion progress bubble displays the converted resource instead of the resource used in the process.

• Sound is played when construction is completed.

• Sequestration Plant plays the correct sound effect.

• Storage capacity number color updates after upgrading.

• Satinea plant’s shadow in Taiga Boreal isn’t cut off.

• Long fact descriptions displays without text being cut off.

• The building menu indicates when there are no free sites available for constructing an Extractor.

As you can see, this is a comprehensive list of all the changes we’ve been working on over the past few months, which will be rolling out to Sepolia in the coming days. Not all changes will go live simultaneously in the first testnet update, but we've included everything so you can stay informed about this upcoming major update.

Illuvium NFT Collections Going Forward

Changing the NFT collections of Illuvium is NOT part of the Unified Fuel update, but we want to outline the coming shift in their utility and availability. These changes will be enacted in future updates. Here’s how the changes will impact different NFT collections:

Collections That Will Remain Unchanged

These NFT collections will remain fully supported and unchanged:

• Illuvials

• Land

• Beyond NFTs (Illuvitars, Accessories, Disks, etc.)

• Arena Cosmetics

• Xenoprints

• Obelisk Codes

Collections With No New Supply After the Next Update

These collections will still exist, but their supply will be capped, and all newly crafted items in these categories will no longer be NFTs after a future update. We aim to provide utility for these items in the MMO only if they enhance gameplay. The higher a collection is listed here, the more likely it is to retain future utility:

• Weapons

• Suits

• Drone Attachments (currently have economic utility in Overworld Runs but are least likely to play a role in future games)

Collections Being Repurposed Due to Suit Changes

Since Suits will no longer be a key NFT collection, we need to modify how related NFT collections function. Currently, each Blueprint and Skin applies to a single Suit Line. Moving forward, for Arena we want for these to apply to the Ranger regardless of what they wear, making the system more accessible for new players. However, we are not yet certain how these skins will work exactly within future titles. Therefore, the transition for these collections will be implemented in a future update:

• Blueprints

• Skins

Collections Being Phased Out for Economic Adjustments

These NFT collections will be fully removed in a future update. The items themselves will remain collectible and usable but will no longer be tradable. Additionally, we are considering removing Equipment entirely, with Rangers defaulting to a full equipment setup. The Shard curing step may also be removed, and Overworld resources will be more bountiful to compensate:

• Shards

• Gems

• Ingots

• Essences

• Equipment

Shaping Illuvium’s Economic Future

With Unified Fuel rolling out soon, here’s what we are contemplating for the near future regarding the economic vision for Illuvium:

Arena Battle Pass

A Battle Pass will be added to Illuvium Arena Gauntlet with two key goals:

1. Establish a simple yet meaningful progression system within Illuvium Arena.

2. Allow players to earn and collect cosmetics through free and paid progression tracks.

Illuvial Burning

Illuvials are the core of our NFT ecosystem, and we are actively exploring a meaningful burning mechanism. A promising approach is granting experience in return for burning Illuvials. We are carefully evaluating progression systems in the MMO against the current leveling model to determine the best path forward.

Enhancing Illuvial Utility

We remain committed to the Free-to-Play + Battle Pass + Cosmetics + Leviathan model for the Illuvium Arena relaunch. However, depending on the success of this relaunch, we are also considering alternative ways to enhance Illuvial utility further.

Upcoming Town Hall

To discuss Unified Fuel, its mechanics, and this release, Perry and Rich will be hosting a Town Hall on Friday, February 28th 21:00 UTC. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and provide direct feedback.

Final Thoughts

The Unified Fuel update is a significant milestone for Illuvium, and we appreciate your patience and participation in testing. By helping us test on Sepolia, you directly contribute to a smooth and polished launch.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach deployment!

The Illuvium Team