Coming Soon: Faction Revamp
Greetings House Leaders,
As you are no doubt aware, there are changes to Faction Bonuses on the horizon. We first broached this topic in our Dev Diary: The Future of Team Building article; and after our beta, and digesting your feedback, we are ready to share what the true Future of Team Building will look like. Read on to learn more…
Feedback from the Faction Bonus Beta
Thank you to all players who participated in the Faction Bonus Beta back in December!
Multiple testers proposed a compromise where players can choose between a 5-member "Pure" bonus or 3-member "Mixed" bonuses.
We will not be proceeding with this. This goes against the intention of the change which is to reduce overall reliance on 5 Faction aligned Champion teams. The inherent synergies of these teams are in many cases still the best option for certain set-ups. This is intentional. We want players to be able to experiment more, rely less on Factions and more on the Champions they like playing with.
Concerns were raised that team building is now bottlenecked by the small roster of dual Faction Champions
We are going to be addressing this with a small batch of 8 already released Champions receiving dual Faction support. We will also be sporadically releasing new Champions with dual Faction allegiances. While we understand the concern, within our long-term testing and simulations, we found that the benefit of a dual Faction team does not outweigh a well-built team. We encourage experimentation here where possible and we will be monitoring Champion and team performance to ensure that dual Factions are not expressly dominant.
A strong consensus emerged that attacking in Raids and War of the Three Banners is now too easy.
This is something we are working on addressing now. We will first be adjusting the basic attack power of all defensive attacks as well as the defensive power of gem-focused Champions. This should feel like you are being hit slightly harder by enemies with their basic attacks, but damage from abilities will remain the same. Ideally, we want like-for-like Might matchups to be more reliant on team strategy and gameplay in order to win, and that players below Might-levels are still able to outperform higher Might teams with a more sound strategy or counter-team. Expect a phased roll-out as we want to observe a set of changes before releasing another.
Several players criticized the shift toward Gem Damage bonuses, noting that most players care about Champion Skills, not the match-3 board mechanics.
While currently the focus for players is almost exclusively on Skills, we are still a Match-3 RPG. To that end, it felt wrong that only one Faction (The Baratheons) were able to very successfully leverage it in gameplay. This effectively took away a core part of the game from a large portion of our roster. This change is more about empowering the rest of the Champion pool than about punishing the Baratheons.
Some players felt that removing the 5-member bonus has "gutted" their specialized teams.
This is something that we are addressing with the Leader changes and individual Champions. Moving forward, we will focus on releasing a diverse set of Champions who can better address different challenges within the game. We want Leaders to make our keywords like FIRE, ICE, BIRTHRIGHT, and others to behave in more specialized ways, as opposed to being required to bring 5 champions for a baseline of power. The initial launch of these updated Leader Abilities is a step in that direction, but we may buff more Leaders if we find that certain playstyles need a boost in power.
A Quick Summary of the Team Building Updates
The Faction bonus updates, Improved Leader abilities, etc, will be live to all players after February 17th. To recap, here is what will be changing in the new system:
Teams will go from a scaling 3-4-5 Faction bonus to a flat 3 member Faction bonus. The exact changes to each Faction’s bonus are listed below.
An initial selection of released Champions will receive dual Faction support.
A significant amount of Leader abilities will be significantly revamped to be an effective choice in changing the way a team performs
Faction Bonus Changes
The following updates will be made to Faction bonuses in the place of our current Faction bonuses. Please note that these new bonuses will be applied to all members of the team you have built - not just the 3 qualifying Champions.
New bonuses were selected based on the general playstyle of the faction. Targaryens are a slower, ramping team, therefore Durability (reduces Ability Damage) was chosen. Greyjoys need to execute combos, therefor their stamina costs were reduced.
Faction | Old | New |
Baratheon | All team members gain 25/50/100% gem damage | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +30% ATK |
Bolton | BLEED is 30/40/50% more effective against enemies | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +25% Durability |
Brotherhood | All team members gain 5/10/15/25% Critical Damage. | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +30% Crit Chance |
Free Cities | All team members have the Stamina cost of their skill reduced by 25/40/50% | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and 35% Stamina cost reduction |
Greens | BIRTHRIGHT is 30/40/50% more effective | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +25% Power |
Greyjoy | RAID HEALING is 30/50/65% more effective. | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and 25% Stamina cost reduction |
Lannister | Begin combat with 3/4/5 Coins in your Treasury | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +30% Durability |
Night's Watch | All incoming SHIELDS are 5/10/15% stronger | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +25% ATK |
Stark | ICE reduces enemy Stamina gain by an additional 30/40/50% | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +30% DEF |
Targaryen | FIRE does 30/40/50% more damage against enemies | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +25% Durability |
Free Folk | Gain 2/3/4/5% Tenacity | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +30% Crit Chance |
Blacks | Gain 30/40/50% Defense | At 3 Champions, gain +25% Gem damage and +30% Defense |
Important to note: If you have at least 3 members of 2 Factions represented in your team, your team will receive the bonuses from both Factions. Any bonuses that are repeated (such as the 25% Gem damage bonus) will be doubled.
For example:
You bring in 2 Blacks Champions (Corlys and Laenor Velaryon) and two Targaryen Champions (Grey Worm and Viserys Targaryen III)
Then add a dual Faction Champion such as Rhaenyra Targaryen (The Black Queen) who is in both the Targaryen and Blacks Factions
Your team will have 3 Targaryen and 3 Blacks represented. Thus, your team will receive:
+50% Gem damage bonus (+25% Targaryen and +25% Blacks)
+30% increased Crit Chance (Blacks)
+25% increased Durability (Targaryens)
Released Champions Receiving Dual Factions
The following Champions will be receiving an additional Faction assignment to grow the number of dual Faction Champions, and allow for more flexibility in the Faction Bonus strategy portion of team building.
Champion | Old Faction | New Dual Faction |
Aegon II Targaryen | Greens | Greens / Targaryen |
Arya Stark (Winterfell Returned) | Stark | Stark / Brotherhood Without Banners |
Benjen Stark | Night’s Watch | Night’s Watch / Stark |
Craster | Night’s Watch | Night’s Watch / Free Folk |
Euron Greyjoy | Greyjoy | Greyjoy / Lannister |
Thoros of Myr | Brotherhood Without Banners | Brotherhood Without Banners / Free Cities |
Lord Varys | Baratheon | Baratheon / Free Cities |
Viserys Targaryen III | Targaryen | Targaryen / Free Cities |
You may also be aware of other Champions who are already dual Faction, such as Joffrey Baratheon (The Future King), Gendry Baratheon, and Theon Greyjoy. We recommend playing around with the Faction filter in your Champion Roster to see which Champions are flexible between Factions. We will soon be adding a ‘Dual Faction’ filter option.
Leader Ability Updates
As previously mentioned, much of the power of the original Faction bonuses is going to be moved into Leader abilities for many Champions. Below are the exact updates for selected Champions’ Leader abilities. We recommend using the Find option in your browser to look for Champions of particular interest!
In the next section, Bold text represents a change
Champion | Original Leader Ability | New Leader Ability |
Tormund Giantsbane | When an enemy Protector drops below 50% HP, Tormund strikes them for 50% ATK Physical Damage., and they suffer a -25% DEF Debuff for 3 turns. | When an allied Champion uses a Skill, Tormund RAIDS all enemies, and then deals 100(200)% Physical Damage to all enemies who are SHIELDED. |
Samwell Tarly | At the start of combat enemy White Walkers suffer a -15% DEF for 6 turns. Whenever an enemy REINFORCES, Samwell strikes that enemy for 15% HP Pool Unnatural Damage. | Enemy White Walkers begin combat with -15% DEF. Whenever an enemy REINFORCES, Samwell strikes that enemy for 25% HP Pool Unnatural Damage. (Then he and all shielded allies gain a +5% Power Buff and 20% Stamina.) |
Grey Worm | When an enemy is debuffed by an ability, Grey Worms strikes that enemy for 25% DEF Physical Damage | When the enemy team is afflicted by FIRE, Grey Worm grants his allies an indefinite +3% DEF Buff. (Whenever a team member drops below 25%, Grey Worm TAUNTS his enemies for 3 turns.) |
Jorah Mormont | Jorah and all allied Protectors and Fighters gain an indefinite +10% ATK and +10% DEF Buff at the start of battle | Jorah grants his team an indefinite +5% ATK and +5% DEF Buff at the start of battle. (When an ally uses their Skill, the team gains another copy of this buff for 2 turns.) |
Gregor Clegane | When Gregor WOUNDS an enemy, he gains COUNTER for 3 turns and adds 1 Coin to the Treasury | Starts battle with 4 Coins in Treasury. When Gregor WOUNDS an enemy, he gains COUNTER for 3 turns and adds 1(2) Coin to the Treasury |
Ned Stark | At the start of combat, Ned afflicts all enemies with 1 ICE. Ned is immune to BRITTLE. | At the start of combat and every new wave, Ned afflicts all enemies with 1 ICE. (Ned is immune to BRITTLE.) |
Criston Cole (Personal Guard) | Criston begins combat with 75% Stamina. When Criston marks himself with CRISTON'S CHARGE he gains TAUNT for 6 turns. | Criston begins combat with 100% Stamina. When Criston marks himself with CRISTON'S CHARGE he gains TAUNT for 2(6) turns. |
Areo Hotah | Areo strikes the enemy Leader for 250% ATK Physical Damage at the start of combat. | Areo strikes the enemy Leader for 25(50)% Max HP True Damage at the start of combat. |
Ice Warden | The first time an ally is defeated, REVIVE them with 50% HP and PACIFY them for 3 turns. | The first time an ally is defeated, REVIVE them with 50(75)% HP. |
Daenerys Targaryen (Conqueror of Qarth) | When Daenerys is damaged by an enemy Skill, she grants all other allies +15% Stamina and she gains 2 WRATH. | When an enemy uses a Skill, she grants all allies +15% Stamina (and she gains 2 WRATH.) |
Melisandre | When an enemy becomes SCOUTED, Melisandre has a 50% chance to REMOVE a Debuff from each team member. | When the enemy team becomes Debuffed, Melisandre REMOVES a Debuff from herself (and each team member.) |
Aegon II Targaryen | Whenever Aegon II drops below 50% AND 25% HP, all Greens team members gain 4 BIRTHRIGHT. | The first time Aegon II becomes Debuffed each turn, he grants his allies 10(20)% Power Buff for 3 turns. |
Aemond Targaryen | Once 3 enemies are below 50% HP and again when 3 enemies are defeated, all team members gain +3 BIRTHRIGHT | The first 3 enemies to be defeated in combat grant all team members 2 BIRTHRIGHT (and 5% Power.) |
Tyrion Lannister (Lord of Casterly Rock) | When Tyrion or an ally with TYRION'S DEFENDER are Debuffed by an Ability, Tyrion spawns 2 Coin Gems. | Starts battle with 4(6) Coins in Treasury and 25(50)% Stamina. |
Benjen Stark | At the start of combat, enemy wildlings suffer indefinite -15% ATK and -20% Accuracy Debuff | Whenever Benjen starts his turn with a shield, Benjen and allied Fighters and Marksman gain 3(5)% POWER. |
Alicent Hightower (The Green Queen) | When any Greens team member is wounded or stunned, Alicent grants that ally 5 birthright | When any ally is hit by a skill, Alicent heals them for 5% max hp and grants them 1(2) birthright |
Bronn | Bronn COUNTERS enemies for X% ATK Physical Damage, and has a Y% chance to spawn 1 Coin Gem after an ally successfully Dodges a Skill attack. | Starts battle with 2 Coins in Treasury. When any team members Dodges an attack from an Ability, Bronn COUNTERS the source for 75(125)% ATK Physical Damage. When an enemy with BRONN'S DAGGER uses their Skill, Bronn spawns 3 Coin Gems. |
Criston Cole (Kingmaker) | Anytime Criston is struck by an enemy Skill, he has a 100% chance to grant a random team member +2 BIRTHRIGHT | Anytime Criston is struck by an enemy Skill, he attacks the source for 75(100)% ATK and grants all allies 1(2) Birthright. |
Craster | Whenever a team member gains a shield, Craster removes 1 ice and 1 debuff from himself and has a 50% chance to remove a debuff from the shielded ally | Whenever a team member REINFORCES, Craster grants all allies +15% ATK for 5(10) turns and a SHIELD equal to 15% of Craster's ATK. |
Khal Drogo | Khal Drogo and all Free Cities allies begin combat with +X% Stamina. | Khal Drogo and all Free Cities allies begin combat with +40(50)% Stamina. Every time Khal kills an enemy, allies gain +15(25)% Stamina |
Stannis Baratheon (Lord of Storm's End) | At the start of combat, Stannis grants all team members +25% gem damage. When an enemy Shield is broken, this gem damage buff is doubled for 3 turns | At the start of combat, Stannis grants all team members +25% gem damage. (When an enemy Shield is broken, this gem damage buff gains an additional 25% and 15% ATK for 2 turns.) |
Cersei Lannister (Queen of the Andals and the First men) | All enemies begin combat DECEIVED for 2 turns. When an enemy is afflicted with a Sustained damage effect, Cersei spawns 1 Coin Gem. | Start Battle with 3 coins in Treasury. All enemies begin combat DECEIVED for 2 turns. (When an enemy is afflicted with a Sustained damage effect, Cersei spawns 2 Coin Gems.) |
Robb Stark | When a BRITTLE enemy gains a buff from an ability, all allied starks gain 15% def, atk and tenacity for 3 turns | When an enemy gains a buff from an ability, all allies gain 3(5)% atk and tenacity indefinitely |
Gendry | If any team member Critically strikes an enemy, Gendry REMOVES a Buff from the target and that enemy suffers a X% DEF Debuff for Y turns. | Allies gain +15% Crit Chance. If any team member Critically strikes an enemy, Gendry REMOVES a Buff from the target and that enemy suffers a (15% DEF Debuff for 3 turns.) |
Euron Greyjoy | When a RAIDED enemy is defeated, a random enemy is afflicted with 5 RAID and FEAR x1. | When a RAIDED enemy is defeated, a random enemy is afflicted with 5 RAID (and FEAR x1.) Enemies have their ATK reduced by 5% for each Raid |
Beric Dondarrion | Beric begins the battle TAUNTING his enemies for X turns. When Beric is REVIVED, his TAUNT is renewed. | Beric begins the battle TAUNTING his enemies for X turns and all team members gain Y% crit chance for X turns. (When Beric is REVIVED, his TAUNT is renewed and all team members gain Y% crit chance for X turns.) |
Barristan Selmy | When an ally's shield breaks, Ser Barristan will sacrifice 10% current HP to spawn a random power-up | When an ally's Shield breaks, Ser Barristan will sacrifice 5% current HP to spawn a random power-up and give them 10% additional gem damage indefinitely |
Meryn Trant | Treasury (1): When an enemy uses their skill, Meryn stuns and wounds them for 2 turns | Start the battle with 3 Gold. Generate an additional Coin gem each turn. Treasury (2(1)): When an enemy uses their skill, Meryn stuns and wounds them for 2 turns |
Alliser Thorne | At the start of each turn, the Strongest and Weakest team members each gain a SHIELD equal to 2% fo Alliser's ATK | At the start of each turn, the Strongest (and Weakest) team members each gain a SHIELD equal to 4% for Alliser's ATK |
Theon Greyjoy | When a RAIDED enemy is defeated, Theon REMOVES 1 Debuff from each team member. The team member who landed the final blow has 3 additional Debuffs REMOVED. | When a RAIDED enemy is defeated, Theon REMOVES 2 Debuffs from each team member. Allies have their ATK enhanced by 5% for 2 turns each Raid application. (The team member who landed the final blow has 2 additional Debuffs REMOVED.) |
Thoros of Myr | Thoros of Myr HEALS for 10% HP when a team member REINFORCES the battle and grants the team member a 20% DEF Buff for 5 turns | Thoros no longer hurts himself when REVIVING an ally. Thoros and all allied Menders begin combat with an additional 25% Crit Chance. (When a Champion REINFORCES your side of the battle, they give an indefinite 100% Crit Chance buff.) |
Rhaenyra Targaryen (The King's Chosen Heir) | When an enemy afflicted with FIRE is defeated, Rhaenyra creates 2 random Power-Up | When an enemy afflicted with FIRE is defeated, all allies gain 3(5) Birthright and creates 2 random Power-Up |
Viserys Targaryen III | When a team member is defeated, all Targaryen team members gain an indefinite +10% ATK buff, and Viserys heals 7.5% Max HP for each Fire on him | When a team member is defeated, all Targaryen team members gain an indefinite +10% ATK buff, and Viserys gains an indefinite 2(5)% ATK Buff and heals 7.5% Max HP for each Fire on him |
Ygritte | At the start of combat Ygritte grants all team members an indefinite +25% Accuracy Buff. | The team starts combat with +15(20)% Dodge Chance. When an enemy afflicted with BLEED uses their Skill, 1(2) random team members gain STEALTH for 2 turns. |
Joffrey Baratheon (Protector of the Realm) | When an enemy drops below 25% HP, Joffrey WOUNDS them indefinitely. | At the start of battle, Joffrey adds 3 Coins to the TREASURY. Anytime an enemy gains a Buff (or Shield) from a Skill, Joffrey WOUNDS them for 2 turns. (Enemies that drop below 50% cannot gain RENEW) |
Tyrion Lannister (The Half Man) | When any team member uses a Skill, Tyrion is granted a Durability Buff for {turn_count} {turns, object, count}. If the team member is a Lannister spawn 1 Coin Gem. | When any team member uses a Skill, Tyrion is granted a +20% Durability Buff for 3 turns, and spawns 1 Coin Gem. (If the team member is a Lannister spawn 2 additional Coin Gems.) |
Alicent Hightower (Queen Dowager) | Alicent and her allies gain +50% DEF and +50% Fire Resistance for 3 turns when they drop below 25% HP. | The team starts combat with indefinte +15% Fire Resistance and +30(40)% DEF for 3 turns. All team members gain +30% DEF for 2 turns when they drop below (50% and) 25% HP. |
Otto Hightower | At the start of combat, the team gains +15% Stamina. | The team starts combat with +10% Stamina. Once per turn, when an ally damages the Strongest enemy with a Skill, Otto returns 40(50)% of their Stamina and grants them +25(30)% Power Buff for 2 turns. Limited to 5x per battle. |
Yoren | Enemy Marksmen are afflicted with an indefinite -20% ATK Debuff. When an enemy Marksmen uses their Skill, Yoren strikes them for 50% DEF and WOUNDS them for 3 turns. | Up to twice per turn, when an ally is Debuffed with an Ability, Yoren strikes their assailant and all enemy Marksmen for 100(125)% DEF and WOUNDS them for 2(3) turns. |
Jaime Lannister | At the start of battle, Jaime strikes the weakest enemy for 200% ATK Physical Damage. Treasury(1): Jaime repeats this strike at the start of each new wave | At the start of battle, Jaime spawns 3 Coin Gems and strikes the Weakest enemy for 200% ATK Physical Damage. (When a team member withdraws from the Treasury, Jaime spawns a Coin Gem and has a 60% chance to repeat this strike.) |
Cersei Lannister (Queen of the Seven Kingdoms) | When Cersei heals an ally, she has a 65% chance to spawn 2 coin gems. If the ally is a Lannister, she has a 65% chance to create an additional 3 coin gems. | Cersei begins the battle adding 2 Coins to the Treasury (plus 1 per Lannister ally on her team). Whenever she uses her Skill, she has an 80% chance to spawn up to 2(3) Coin Gems. |
Talisa Stark | When Talisa uses her Skill, she grants her allies +50% Tenacity for 3 turns. When a Stark ally uses their Skill, Talisa gains +10% Stamina. | When Talisa uses her Skill, she grants her allies +50% Tenacity for 3 turns and all BRITTLE opponents lose -15% Stamina. (When a Stark ally uses their Skill, Talisa gains +15% Stamina.) |
Roose Bolton | Roose cannot be DECEIVED. At the start of combat, Roose grants the Strongest team member TAUNT for 6 turns. | Roose cannot be DECEIVED. When an opponent afflicted with BLEED gains TAUNT, Roose has a 75(100)% chance to remove TAUNT and afflicts them with 1(2) BLEED. |
Arya Stark (Winterfell Returned) | Arya and all allied marksman begin combat in STEALTH for 10 turns. | Arya (and all allied marksman) begin combat in STEALTH for 10 turns. At the start of each turn, all STEALTHED allies gain an indefinite +1% ATK Buff. |
Lord Varys | 5 times per battle when an ally drops below 50% HP, Lord Varys grants that ally STEALTH for 4 turns. | At the start of battle, Lord Varys SCOUTS all enemies for 2(4) turns. 3(5) times per battle when an ally drops below 50% HP, Lord Varys grants that ally STEALTH for 4 turns. |
Sandor Clegane (Joffrey's Guardian) | Anytime Sandor or an ally marked with THE HOUND'S PROTECTION is HEALED he destroys 1 Gem(s), prioritizing Power-ups. | Anytime Sandor or (an ally marked with THE HOUND'S PROTECTION) is HEALED by an ability all team members gain +10% ATK for 3 turns then he creates 2 Coin Gem(s) and destroys 1 Gem(s), prioritizing Power-ups. |
Jon Snow (King in the North) | The first time Jon is defeated, he is REVIVED with 40% Max HP, and his allies gain +20% DEF for 4 Turns. | The first time Jon is defeated, he is REVIVED with 40% Max HP, (and his allies gain +20% DEF for 4 Turns.) Then all BRITTLE opponents are STUNNED for 2 turns. |
Joffrey Baratheon (The Future King) | When an enemy drops below 50% HP, Joffrey spawns 2 Coin Gems, and destroys 3 random Gems | At the start of combat Joffrey adds 3 coins to the Treasury. When an enemy drops below 50% HP, Joffrey spawns 2(4) Coin Gems, and destroys 2(3) random Gems |
Robert Baratheon (Protector of the Realm) | When any Power-Up is destroyed, Robert grants all team members 25% Durability Buff and 25% Tenacity Buff for 2 turns. | When any Power-Up is destroyed, Robert grants all team members 15(25)% Durability Buff and 15(25)% Tenacity Buff for 2 turns. If it was an Ally Gem, it also heals all team members for 15(25)% of his DEF. |
Ramsay Bolton | At the start of combat Ramsay has a 100% chance to inflict up to 2 BLEED on each opponent. | At the start of combat Ramsay has a 100% chance to inflict up to 3 BLEED on each opponent. (If an opponent takes damage from BLEED all team members gain +15% Stamina.) |
Jon Snow (Battle of the Bastards) | At the start of each turn, any BRITTLE enemy suffers -15% ATK and -5% Physical Resistance Debuffs for 1 turn. | At the start of each turn, all BRITTLE enemies suffer a stacking -5% ATK (and -1% Physical Resistance Debuffs indefinitely.) |
Catelyn Stark | Whenever an ally afflicts the enemy with ICE, Catelyn HEALS that ally and herself for 5% of her ATK. | Whenever an ally afflicts the enemy with ICE, Catelyn HEALS that ally (and herself) for 10% of her ATK. |
Craghas Drahar | The Strongest enemy has a 100% chance to begin the battle STUNNED for 2 turns. When an ally is defeated, the opponent who defeated them is STUNNED for 3 turns. | At the start of combat, Craghas STUNS the Strongest and Weakest enemies for 3 turns. (When an ally is defeated, the opponent who defeated them is STUNNED for 3 turns.) |
Community Response
We know these changes are substantial and will require time and resources to adjust. To help ease this transition, we will be providing all players with the following resources:
200 Novice Skillbooks of each class
100,000 Silver
1,000,000 Food
20 Splendid Tokens
In addition to the resource gift, we will also be running a new Summon, which will include the current and new dual Faction Champions.
February X at 1PM ET – March X at 1PM ET
Bound Together Summon – Featuring Legendary Champions Aegon II Targaryen, Craster, Viserys Targaryen III, Benjen Stark, Arya Stark (Winterfell Returned), Varys, Euron Greyjoy, Thoros of Myr, Joffrey Baratheon (The Future King), Sandor Clegane (Joffrey’s Guardian), Rhaenys Targaryen, Rhaenyra Targaryen (The Black Queen), and Gendry.
We thank you for your valuable feedback throughout the development and beta testing process of this update, and we cannot wait to see the new teams that the community builds, and look forward to the discussions ahead!
– The Game of Thrones: Legends Team
