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Homeworld 3’s latest update adds needed improvements

Harry November 22, 2024

What you need to know

Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox are launching Update 1.3 for Homeworld 3.
This update adds a number of gameplay reworks and improvements, while also bundled with all remaining DLC packs, allowing players to command Somtaaw and Taiidan forces in the War Games.
While this is the last major update planned for Homeworld 3, Gearbox will be keeping an eye out for server issues.

It’s a pretty bittersweet day in the world of space strategy.

Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Software launch Update 1.3 Home World 3 Thursday brings a number of significant balance changes to the experience, while also fixing some bugs and adding quality of life features. The team had previously confirmed that this would be the final content update for Homeworld 3. remaining promised DLC packs It comes with the update.

I had the chance to get a little early hands-on with the DLC and Update 1.3. I’m happy to say that the changes feel significant, especially since the armor system revamp shakes up the flow of combat.

New fleets and features

A Somtaaw fleet enters battle in Homeworld 3.

Somtaaw and Taiidan fleets need new strategies. (Image credit: Windows Central)

While there is a long, long list of changes introduced in Update 1.3, the most significant so far is the reworking of the armor system, where ships of different classes have a different armor level.

There are some differences, but in general, the heavier a ship is, the heavier its armor, which provides much more damage blocking. Armor can scale from just 10% on lightly armored assault vehicles to a battle-altering 30% on destroyers, even up to 50% on your Capital Ship.

This change comes with a new bonus for hitting ships from behind; This is something that was already present in the game but has now become even more prominent; There is a 2.5x multiplier for any damage a ship takes from its tail. During several battles, I managed to destroy enemy ships by ambushing them from behind; this was something that was technically possible before but now feels more reactive.

I also tried out the new DLC fleets, both of which play quite differently to the current offerings. Taiidanians use their Carriers to gather resources, which means you’ll need to be much more careful when achieving objectives. Meanwhile, Somtaaw fleets (fleets labeled “Pilgrims” and “Monster Hunters”, due to their history and role in the events of Homeworld: Cataclysm/Emergence) lack dedicated Support roles, but can use their Resource Controllers to repair other ships. Somtaaw in particular is really fun to play and I can see myself using them for a few more runs.

All in all, I’d recommend anyone who picked up Homeworld 3 and failed to give it another try, and I’m quite enjoying rerunning the War Games with these new fleets. Still, I wish we could have gotten so much more. Homeworld 3 wasn’t perfectbut I definitely had a lot of fun at launch, and it’s been a long-time hope of mine to see future campaign DLC. It’s clear that won’t happen as this update is the last of the new content.

Semainede4jours

Semainede4jours

Homeworld 3’s latest update adds needed improvements

What you need to know

Harry

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Homeworld 3’s latest update adds needed improvements

What you need to know

Harry

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