Back Issues #4: Waning Moon

Once upon a time, a rogue hero took matters into his own hands, seeking to dispel evil by any means. The Collector sought to return him to The Contest... via some unlikely allies.

Introducing Back Issues #4: Waning Moon

Available 10am PT, Wednesday December 11th!

As the Contest has grown and evolved we’ve introduced many Event Quests, each with their own unique stories, and many that have expanded on the mythos of The Battlerealm and The Contest of Champions. We want to give Veteran Summoners a way to relive those moments, and newer ones that weren’t with us at the time a chance to experience the stories of the Contest that they had missed out on!

This Event Quest is available in TWO difficulties:

CLASSIC difficulty is a recreation of the original quest. While not completely 1:1, the layouts, difficulty, and dialogue are all the same as you remember. Take a stroll down memory lane and see how far you've come, or experience a quest you never got the chance to play!

VARIANT difficulty is a new spin on the quest, available for Summoners level 45 and up. This version features extreme challenge, new opponents, some minor map layout updates, and Champion Requirements that will ask you to reach deep into your roster and pick up some old favorites. This quest will test even the mightiest of Summoners, so be prepared!

The Variant Challenges!

With each Back Issue Variant Difficulty, we aim to shake up the Summoners Roster, either through implicit, or explicit Champion Requirements. This time, we’re making Summoners dig deep into their Rosters, and reviving some of your old favourites through the use of Rarity Restrictions!

Each Quest will require you to bring only certain Rarity Champions. Remember, this is permanent Content, so if you’ve lost your lower Rarity Champions over time, you’ll have time to rebuild that Roster. To assist in this, Summoners over level 45 will regain access to the “Hero Crystal” in the Misc. tab of the store, which contains 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Quest 1: 5 and 6-Star Champions Only
Quest 2: 5-Star Champions Only
Quest 3: 4-Star Champions Only
Quest 4: 3-Star Champions Only
Quest 5: 2-Star Champions Only
Quest 6: 1-Star Champions Only

New Buffs
In addition to some challenging Buffs that you’ve probably already seen around the Contest, this Variant Difficulty will introduce 4 new Buffs:

Crackling Energy:
Striking the Defender with a Contact attack puts a Passive Energy Damage over time effect on the Attacker dealing 0.5% of their max health every second for 10 seconds, stacking up to 10 times. Striking the Defender with a Non-Contact attack Removes all stacks.

Fundamentals:
The Defender has a -100% chance to use Special Attacks, instead they gain a bonus based on their Current Power:

Less than 1 Bar: Reduce all incoming Damage by 95%
1 Bar: Gain +2100 Block Penetration
2 Bars: All Attacks are Unblockable
3 Bars: All Attacks are Unblockable and Charging a Heavy Attack deals 50% of the Defender's Attack as Direct Physical Damage.

Will of Konshu:
All of Moon Knight’s passive abilities are activated, regardless of the current lunar phase.

Echo Barrier:
Defender gains an energy barrier with 15 charges. Striking the Defender, applying a Bleed effect, or applying an Armour Break effect removes a charge. The Defender is immune to all damage while the barrier has charges remaining. Charges are restored to 15 every 20 seconds.

Rewards:

Like Back Issue #3, this Quest features 6 Individual Quests over 3 Chapters, unlike Back Issues #1 and #2, which featured 9. Quest Rewards reflect this.

For completing and exploring all of the Classic quests, you earn:
Tier 2 Generic ISO x3
Tier 3 Generic ISO x16
Tier 4 Generic ISO x9
Gold x9575
Units x150
Premium Hero Crystal Shards x8000
3-Star Hero Crystal Shards x2000
Stony Core x1

For completing and exploring all of the Variant quests, you earn:
5-Star Rank 2 → 3 Gem Crystal x3
5-Star Rank 3 → 4 Gem Crystal (2015/2016 Champs Only) x3
5-Star Rank 3 → 4 Gem Crystal x1
5-Star Rank 4 → 5 Gem Crystal x1
5-Star Awakening Gem Crystal x1
5-Star Crystal x2
Tier 5 Basic Catalyst Fragments x27000
6-Star Crystal Shards x2250
5-Star Signature Stone Crystal x42
Gold x2,100,000
Units x270

EDIT: Clarified the Collector Crystal is only available to Summoners: Level 45+

EDIT: There is a typo on the Fundamentals node that is displaying the wrong damage value for when the defender charges a Heavy Attack at 3 bars of Power. The actual damage value is 50% of the Defender's Attack. We have corrected that in this announcement and are working on getting this visual error corrected within the game as well.

Comments

LeNoirFaineant

So you want end game players to waste T4B to rank up 4* just for this variant....

Seriously?
End game players should have enough maxed out 4*s to get through it.
I haven’t gone above R3 on a 4* in years. Why waste T4B that are useful to 5/6*?

I have a lot of ranked 4*s but they are all older champs. None of the more recent god tier champs are ranked. Hopefully the old gods will work.

Kabam Miike

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol

We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.

DalBot

So you want end game players to waste T4B to rank up 4* just for this variant....

Seriously?
If you don't want to use those T4B, you can use ones that you've already ranked up, or if you're really skilled, not Rank them Past Rank 3 or 4. Of course it will be easier with Rank 5 Champions, but that's not necessary.

But if you really don't want to use resources on 4-Star Champions, you don't have to do this Variant. There will be others, and every single one of them will be about using Different Champions in your Roster. I'm really excited about this one, because I've been asking for one where we can use 1 and 2-Star Champions since we started making Variant Difficulty quests!

Cool. I'm all for breaking out the 1/2/3* champs, but when you create rarity gates in Act 6 telling us we can't use 4* and then tell us we can ONLY use 4* for a certain part of an end game level event, not a great look

Austin555555

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.

So no exclusive 2*s?

Kabam Miike

So you want end game players to waste T4B to rank up 4* just for this variant....

Seriously?
If you don't want to use those T4B, you can use ones that you've already ranked up, or if you're really skilled, not Rank them Past Rank 3 or 4. Of course it will be easier with Rank 5 Champions, but that's not necessary.

But if you really don't want to use resources on 4-Star Champions, you don't have to do this Variant. There will be others, and every single one of them will be about using Different Champions in your Roster. I'm really excited about this one, because I've been asking for one where we can use 1 and 2-Star Champions since we started making Variant Difficulty quests!
Cool. I'm all for breaking out the 1/2/3* champs, but when you create rarity gates in Act 6 telling us we can't use 4* and then tell us we can ONLY use 4* for a certain part of an end game level event, not a great look

We didn't say that this is the only place you can use them. There are plenty of people using their 4-Star Champions in Uncollected Difficulty, and there might be more cases of Content like this in the future.

We want to keep making content that encourages the use of more of your Roster, and this is one of the cooler ways I think we've done it.

Duo_Kulio

I really hope they don’t release a crystal with 1-2*’s. Will teach people a lesson. Don’t sell champs, even if they “aren’t viable”

9 1* champs
88 2* champs 47 of them max level high sig
142 3* champs 41 of them max level high sig

Not our fault you sold them.
I have 10 1* 😅
I hate you.

Who do you have that I don’t?
Gamora
Spider-Man
Vision
Hulk
Scarlet Witch
Juggernaut
Ironman
Black Panther
Colossus

I have 11☆
+Hawkaye nad The Vision

TheTalents

So you want end game players to waste T4B to rank up 4* just for this variant....

Seriously?
If you don't want to use those T4B, you can use ones that you've already ranked up, or if you're really skilled, not Rank them Past Rank 3 or 4. Of course it will be easier with Rank 5 Champions, but that's not necessary.

But if you really don't want to use resources on 4-Star Champions, you don't have to do this Variant. There will be others, and every single one of them will be about using Different Champions in your Roster. I'm really excited about this one, because I've been asking for one where we can use 1 and 2-Star Champions since we started making Variant Difficulty quests!

I don't think 1*'s was ever requested. I sold mine before I understood what the game was about years ago and I only have 7 1 stars.

Austin555555

I’m just wondering if it goes along with the rarity restrictions. That’s the only thing I’m scared about

RoninMan

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.

Can you clarify if there’s a way to acquire champs that don’t require units?

ChubsWhite

That’s your problem, not the team’s problem. You chose not to do that and now your complaining that you have to use the catalysts to rank up champs.
So it's my problem and not the teams that I chose to not waste resources on champs that have been mostly outdated for 2-3 years compared to my better champs, and now would need them for a single event, taking resources from more worthy champs?

You're saying you didn't rank up your champs because you felt like it was a waste of materials that you can use on 5/6* champions, as if T4B does not come a dime a dozen. You can literally get 18K T4B fragments from the Glory Store. At the end of the day, it does sound like a YOU problem, cause I have several R5 5* champs and multiple R5 4* champs

Kabam Miike

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.
Can you clarify if there’s a way to acquire champs that don’t require units?

Not right now, but we've run those crystals in other places in the past. They may come back in the future, but I don't know when/if that will happen.

Agent_Ghost

And just how are we suppose to get 1 star champions?

ChubsWhite

I can not wait for to do this Variant!

LMFAOOOOOOOOOO, at everybody who sold their 1* champions, that's what you get for selling champions. I hope they don't sell 1* champion crystals to teach y'all a lesson.

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RoninMan

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.
Can you clarify if there’s a way to acquire champs that don’t require units?
Not right now, but we've run those crystals in other places in the past. They may come back in the future, but I don't know when/if that will happen.

Got it. I haven’t sold any champs but I’ve heard there are some pretty exclusive 2* that I’d like to get my hands on but don’t want to spend units on them. Either way I’m looking forward to this variant. Disregarding V1, it’s probably my favorite content in the game. The team does a really nice job making creative content that doesn’t punish you unfairly like V1, but instead gives you very interesting buffs and scenarios to fight through for arguably the best rewards in game. Definitely excited to see how this one measures up to V2 and V3

Agent_Ghost

Why do you guys insist on making our lives difficult? Now we have to assemble a roster of lesser 1*-4* champions JUST for this? Ridiculous. Some of us sold are champs because we find it stupid to have 445 champs of the same champions. I personally only have one of each champion of the highest rarity. Unless I have a 5* & a 6* then I have 2. This is super annoying. As loyal as we are to you, you guys need to understand and incorporate all types of play-styles and what we want! There should be more than one way to play the game. Some of us also find it useless to have a base hero rating.

LeNoirFaineant

Why do you guys insist on making our lives difficult? Now we have to assemble a roster of lesser 1*-4* champions JUST for this? Ridiculous. Some of us sold are champs because we find it stupid to have 445 champs of the same champions. I personally only have one of each champion of the highest rarity. Unless I have a 5* & a 6* then I have 2. This is super annoying. As loyal as we are to you, you guys need to understand and incorporate all types of play-styles and what we want! There should be more than one way to play the game. Some of us also find it useless to have a base hero rating.

There is more than one way...but not all ways allow you to complete all content.

TorTinxD

Colossus in version 1* is with an old description (before beta) is there any reason for this?

RoninMan

What I don’t understand is why people keep selling champs. This isn’t even the first time Kabam has done something like this. They just had Danger Rooms last year where you needed a solid 2* and 3* roster and that was arguably more difficult because of the specific classes. Just keep all your champs and have some of each tier ranked up just in case.

LeNoirFaineant

Colossus in version 1* is with an old description (before beta) is there any reason for this?

They said something about wanting to keep it simple for newer players but I thought it made no sense. Most people don't use 1*s long enough for that to be a consideration.

becauseicant

Is colossus 1* going to receive the champion refresh abilities?

Buttehrs

My 1* roster is ready for this. Although im not sure how im missing aou vision lol.

Panchulon21

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.

Will there be anyway to not have to purchase these crystals? Like do quick match? I don’t like using my units on champ crystals. I buy cavaliers Cuz im a gambler sometimes (not often) but I don’t want to use my units to try and pull a 1 Star but end up with 2s. Or will the drop rate be worth it where I buy 10 crystals and actually pull a decent amount of 1 Star champs?

Thanks for responding to me Miike!

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GOLB

My 1* roster is ready for this. Although im not sure how im missing aou vision lol.

I don't have jug

Kabam Miike

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.
Will there be anyway to not have to purchase these crystals? Like do quick match? I don’t like using my units on champ crystals. I buy cavaliers Cuz im a gambler sometimes (not often) but I don’t want to use my units to try and pull a 1 Star but end up with 2s. Or will the drop rate be worth it where I buy 10 crystals and actually pull a decent amount of 1 Star champs?

Thanks for responding to me Miike!

Not yet, but maybe during special events in the future. This is permanent content, and we don't want to change the 1v1 Prize permanently, but do like having it change for special events from time to time.

Right now, the only way will be the Hero Crystal, which will be available in the store for players level 45+ for 50 units.

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Panchulon21

So how we getting those 1 stars. I don’t have any lol
We're bringing back the Hero Crystal. It's a special Crystal with 1 and 2 Star Champions. It will live in the Store somewhere, but you can purchase them for more 1 and 2-Star Champions.

Note that this is NOT the Collector Crystal, which includes "Exclusive" 2-Star Champions.
Will there be anyway to not have to purchase these crystals? Like do quick match? I don’t like using my units on champ crystals. I buy cavaliers Cuz im a gambler sometimes (not often) but I don’t want to use my units to try and pull a 1 Star but end up with 2s. Or will the drop rate be worth it where I buy 10 crystals and actually pull a decent amount of 1 Star champs?

Thanks for responding to me Miike!
Not yet, but maybe during special events in the future. This is permanent content, and we don't want to change the 1v1 Prize permanently, but do like having it change for special events from time to time.

Right now, the only way will be the Hero Crystal, which will be available in the store for players level 45+ for 50 units.

Dang that’s heart breaking lol. Thanks Miike

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SparkAlot

Is colossus 1* going to receive the champion refresh abilities?

They said no. He will be the original, without the buffs.