Draft Mode!

Dojo Training and Tutorials!

User Interface overhaul!

Character balance changes!

Much, MUCH more!

Last week, we promised you some big news on Battleborn’s “Winter Update”, and we’ve already begun sharing the basics. On Tuesday, we shared a blog post on Battleborn.com that contained a high-level overview of the update and what’s in it. There’s a lot to go over, which is why we’ve planned a special extended stream today on the Gearbox Software Twitch channel ! Make sure to join us over there at 2pm PT (5pm ET)—a full hour earlier than normal— as we discuss a variety of subjects such as:

Can you tell we’re excited? Make sure to head over a few minutes before the stream starts and follow the channel. We’ll be giving away Battleborn MEGA Codes throughout the stream, but you have to be following the channel in order to win! We’ll be ready to give you all the details on the Winter Update and even clue you in to this week’s community event (more on that below).







Reduced initial range of Shock Taser by 30%, and increased sustain range to compensate











To make up for last week’s lack of lore, we thought we’d give it the respect it deserves and make it the main feature this week. It’s not created by the community, no, but we know how much you all enjoy it. This week’s marks a special appearance by someone we know you’re all looking forward to meeting.

Ahead of the upcoming update (which will contain more character balance changes), we added a hot fix this week that will adjust Kleese’s Shock Taser. This hot fix is slated to begin rolling out at 2pm CT today.

(Mail exchange retrieved from an archived investigation into the Mistress of Sciences, Lady Vurien, performed by Deande. Archived record is dated 19905.12 - .19)

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Approval Request

Lady Vurien,

At the urging of the Imperial Arch-Sciences division council, I’ve assembled a research team (despite my qualification to fill all necessary roles myself) and I’m prepared to move forward with a project, pending the council’s approval and grant disbursal.

Please see the attached proposal for an AI developmental program I’ve been tinkering with.

[Project JANUS: Jennerit Autonomous Networked Übermind Simulacrum]

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: Re: Approval Request

Dr. Lucavi,

While your youthful zeal is appreciated, it must be tempered with pragmatism. The experiments outlined in your proposal are monumental in scope; the costs alone are deterrent enough. Weighed along with the societal risks posed by a ”cybernetic viral intelligence” (as you so charmingly put it), I’ve half a mind to issue a formal rebuke for such audacity.

Your proposal is denied.

We’ve enough troubles with AI as it stands, thanks to those plutocratic half-wits in the LLC.

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Approval Request (REVISED)

Lady Vurien,

I feel it incumbent upon me to mention that in the face of others’ failure, we stand to gain all the more through success.

However, per your instruction, I have significantly reduced the scope of my latest proposal with comparison to the previous.

The attached proposal outlines what should be a much more amenable undertaking.

[Project NERGAL: Nullification of Entropic Reduction and Geostrophically Appended Longevity]

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: Re: Approval request (REVISED)

Dr. Lucavi,

What you “feel” incumbent upon you is irrelevant. You were not granted your station for your feelings, which are no doubt many, varied, and hyperbolic. You are here to work.

Bear that in your adolescent mind when you find yourself before the Arch-Sciences Tribunal for your most recent proposal. Undoing the Rite of Sustainment? What you suggest borders on treason.

Present yourself tomorrow morning, and consider yourself lucky that you are ineligible for excoriation, given your…condition. I continue to await a measured and reasoned proposal.

Recall the 4th Ray of the Astranogyon: “The difference between life and obliteration is but a respectful distance from the stars.”

I recommend you consider the merits of your fellow researchers’ projects, such as Dr. Drachus’ work in neometallurgic assault frame compositions.

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Approval Request (With Sugar on Top)

Most Esteemed Lady Vurien,

I would love nothing more than to work. To do so, I require resources outlined in my grant proposals.

After your earlier message inspired me to reflect on the Astranogyon, I began expanding upon some intriguing variances possible within the corpus of “holotwin” research.

[Project KALFU: Karyon-Appropriative Luminal Fabrication Unity]

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: Approval Request (With Sugar on Top)

Beatrix,

Project KALFU is two levels beyond your clearance—it is only by your mother’s misguided beneficence that you retain your position.

Tread carefully, child. You’ve no doubt drawn the attention of the Spymistress, and I will not have this division mired in controversy should an investigation be opened.

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Important Proposal

Tag: PRIORITY

O, Wise and Venerable Lady Vurien,

See attached.

[Project LIMOS: Lingual Impulse Modulation by Olfactory Supersession]

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: Important Proposal

Beatrix,

Is this a proposal to research the effects of chocolate on the behavior of Arch-Sciences researchers?

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Re: Re: Important Proposal

Everybody likes chocolate.

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Important Proposal

Dr. Lucavi,

We are not going to pay you to eat chocolate.

Find work that is suited to the Empire’s needs, or find work elsewhere.

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Place to Stand and a Lever

Lady Vurien,

It’s clear the Arch-Sciences division council is of single-minded vision with regard to the application of research. The only projects that get funding around here are military and defense contracts.

To that end, I’m petitioning for the renewal of the late Dr. Elzer’s work in genomic modification.

Grant me and my team your endorsement and funding, and we will elevate the Jennerit both militarily and societally.

[Project PHALANX: Phenotypic Alteration, Augmentation, and Neuronal Xenogenesis]

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: Re: Place to Stand and a Lever

Was that so hard?

Your proposal is approved; you’ll be working out of division lab number 42.

I leave the preparations of the space to your team. Let me know if you require more personnel or equipment. I’ve also petitioned the council for an additional stipend to be allotted to you monthly as compensation for the personal risk outlined in your proposal.

Lastly, you’ll be sharing a campus with Lord…Nert, I believe? Whichever buffoon is the newest project manager of that money pit they call Project HOTEP. Perhaps you can help one another; I see the previous project manager cited “structural deconstitution” as an ongoing problem with her subjects.

If you’re half as good as you say, you should have no problem supplying something of hardier stock from PHALANX.

One hand scours the other, so the saying goes.

From: b.z.lucavi@archsci

To: n.d.vurien@archsci

Subject: Re: Re: Place to Stand and a Lever

My Lady,

Hedronic Oscillation by Trans-Euclidian Phantasma was the focus of my 3rd dissertation. I assume Nert’s using precursor subjects from Jennar? I’ve said time and again, our focus on homogeny will be our death.

But don’t worry—my work will change all of that.

From: n.d.vurien@archsci

To: b.z.lucavi@archsci

Subject: (no subject)

Beatrix,

I expect great things of you before long.

May the Mother guide you.







This week is so full that we needed to commandeer the “Coming Up” section to fit it all in! As we mentioned above, we have a community event /coming up/ (there we go!) this weekend. Behold the return of the Lootpocalypse! Lootpocalypse will run from tomorrow (Friday, 12/9) at 8am PT until Monday, December 12th at 8am PT. As always, you’ll be seeing a lot more gear dropping and Loot Packs will be discounted in the Marketplace. On top of being “on sale”, Loot Packs will now offer an increased chance at higher-rarity gear, so spend those credits if you’ve got them!

We know what you’re thinking – what about next week? What’s actually coming up? More details will be clear after today’s stream opens the floodgates and the flow of information begins. There will no doubt be lots of discussion centered on the update into next week, and we’re looking forward to taking part in it with you.