# 4.8 Update (Patch Notes) **URL:** \ **Category:** Official News\ **Created:** [March 10, 2020, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870 "2020-03-10T23:26:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Fizziepop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/fizziepop/32/58038_2.png) [@Fizziepop](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Fizziepop)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/104 "2020-03-11T01:09:50Z")
It takes hours to level a class up. Players put hours into the Sunspear class solely because of that storm every turn. There are plenty of other classes with that firestorm at the start of battle that we could have used instead, but we CHOSE the every turn version of the storm because it is better. We CHOSE to go through levelling an entirely new class, because of that firestorm every turn. It makes the whole class a worthy class option. RIP Sunspear. Sometimes I feel like you guys don’t actually PLAY this game. ---
**Author:** ![Mithran](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/mithran/32/18064_2.png) [@Mithran](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Mithran)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/105 "2020-03-11T01:10:37Z")
> [@TheIdleOne](#): > > LOL. … The permafire storm was part of the charm of Sunspear. Can we veto the change? > > Its not the same issue as with Stormcaller where the 3rd trait was 1:1 the same as its Level 1 unlock. Sunspear’s 3rd trait used to allow it to create a new storm every turn instead of the 9 turn timer starting with the storm provided. Yeah, hopefully before this change solidifies into permanence, I hope this can be addressed. There are a number of setups that either need to go beyond the fourth turn to win or _need_ the firestorm (to steal the storm from other storm creators) to work. There aren’t that many of them, but they include most practical applications of certain mythics (not _just_ Phoenicia). Those teams are basically dead now. Not that +2 red doesn’t give rise to some _other_ setups, but those are likely existing setups that work _better_, not unique setups that _need_ a permanent firestorm to work. This was brought up by a lot of people when it was previewed on stream already, but the new event stuff looks interesting… except for some of the restrictions. Having the hero slot unrestricted to play with to ensure my team _always_ has whatever missing role (not just color) is an essential part of team building for events. Restricting color to the same color already on your team is pretty close to what guild wars already does, so I already know the pace of matches this kind of setup encourages… its not _that_ bad with an enchant and explode with certain setups. However, restricting weapons to a those from a certain _kingdom_ sounds absolutely miserable. So does playing an event without access to certain roles (both the in game “roles” and the troops intended purpose within your team), _especially_ generator. If the paces of the matches because of these restrictions turns into basically nickel-and-diming the enemy with whatever damage source you have available, that is regress, not progress, a similar style of gameplay most common _before_ there were even color converters for every color or in arena. Restricting tools in this manner also brings forth the possibility of “stat checking”, ie, setting up a situation where you can’t use your tools to effectively punch up, which is probably intentional (hence event medals being a multiplier on _effective_ stats and not adding to it) but it also represents a big chunk of what most people dislike about high level pure faction delve runs (being completely at the mercy of whatever RNG mechanics and starting board you have forced onto you without a semi-consistent way to set up a win condition, thus _often_ being in the situation where you are playing defensively trying to avoid skull skyfalls to plink the enemy to death). The other thing I think might have missed the mark here is having post-event medals convert into an epic rarity medal. Within a few of these events, the threshold to get enough of these medals to _use_ will have already been crossed, leaving the main incentive for event participation medals that still can’t be effectively used where they are needed. The “collectible factor”, the very driving force at the core of the game, seems to be missing from the event entirely both short term (beyond the initial 3 seasons medals, which have nice stat boosts, but are still just stat boosts and don’t affect progress at all) and long term (no Zuul-like incentive to keep the rewards relevant). Slapping _any_ new weapon into the shop will ensure people keep putting in the 250 gems (or however many it is with these new events, hopefully nothing too oppressive or else I’ll be encouraged to ignore the event entirely and just soulforge it), but it may be underestimated just how much of a draw the troop was (even with its “filler” nature, being a potential progression block) for some people. Maybe the event participation rewards are otherwise amazing? I can hope, but historically they generally don’t add up to the amount of gems you have to buy in for. By my calculation using speed farming estimates, farming an epic medal takes about 2.5 hours in explore (and yields other medals and large amounts of gold in the process) so hopefully the rewards for the event are structured with that in mind given there are additional costs _other_ than just time associated with the event. And since we are still discussing Sunspear after I wrote this post, I’d also like to say that I’d like Sunspear trait restored **regardless** of what happens to Phoenicia. Phoenicia should have _always_ had an “any storm” double damage condition in my opinion, even now with medal stacking to boost her damage. I still need Sunspear for most my Champion of Gaard setups so he doesn’t fall flat if he misses a cast. The change to Sunspear still seems in the territory of “feedback gone wrong” (its been brought up a few times on the forums about firestarter doing the “same thing” as the class trait, usually by people suggesting the _firestarter_ talent be changed, with people explaining why that wouldn’t happen.) I don’t think _anybody_ honestly requested that Sunspear lose the permanent firestorm outside of maybe people spitballing in the release thread. ---
**Author:** ![Arg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5daacb/32.png) [@Arg](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Arg)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/106 "2020-03-11T01:11:16Z")
It’s a deception. What is stated in the patch notes isn’t the way it was. “Because the Sunspear has access to the Fire Talent Tree, it’s Legendary Trait is the same as the level 20 Fire Talent – Firestarter” This is a lie. Are we supposed to be fools to believe they were the same? ---
**Author:** ![Hoots711](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hoots711](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hoots711)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/107 "2020-03-11T01:11:18Z")
@Kafka I searched this whole thread for any mention of the switch update? Where? When? Didnt you guys specifically say you would do better communcating w the switch player base? ---
**Author:** ![redmist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/redmist/32/59905_2.png) [@redmist](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/redmist)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/108 "2020-03-11T01:11:22Z")
@Kafka, please stop mis-using ‘Legendary’ when you mean ‘Mythic’. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![xolid99](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/xolid99/32/66856_2.png) [@xolid99](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/xolid99)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/109 "2020-03-11T01:11:39Z")
> [@Smash](#): > > Also the complaints about the sunspear nerf being directly related to Phoenicia, I dont agree with 100%. Sure the constant red storm helps, but lets be real here, the troop can kill fast enough that you do not need the constant red storm. In fact I can kill faster with Hierophant due to the kingdom team buff to magic. > > It appears, again IMO, that it was simply the wrong trait that was changed. Not always true, and I use Hierophant for bonuses with Bright Forest and 3 red mana. AI overwrites red storm regularly when exploring. The below are very common in explores. Stringfiddler Qilin Skadi Harpy Mage (doesn’t start with dust storm but may as well) Harpy Elywyn Unberwolf All with starting storms without casting. Overwriting Hierophant’s red storm. ---
**Author:** ![Shimrra](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/shimrra/32/87_2.png) [@Shimrra](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Shimrra)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/110 "2020-03-11T01:11:49Z")
WHY did ANYONE think changing Sunspear’s trait was a good idea? I’ve just about had it with this kind of idiocy. I had [_this_ spreadsheet](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/improve-classes-full-analysis-problems-solutions/52673) up an entire year ago, with actual good ideas to make unplayable classes _useful_, and we get this silliness instead. What an actual slap in the face! Also patch during GW week, can’t wait to see how _that_ unfolds… ---
**Author:** ![Sossitch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/sossitch/32/60933_2.png) [@Sossitch](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Sossitch)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/111 "2020-03-11T01:11:59Z")
I’m already pot committed, being #1 on pvp leaderboard with my once beloved sunspear phoenicia team. I’ll think of you every time I retreat because my firestorm was overwritten. ---
**Author:** ![Kafka](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/kafka/32/33529_2.png) [@Kafka](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Kafka)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/112 "2020-03-11T01:12:03Z")
@Hoots711 we don’t have a date to announce for the 4.8 update on Switch yet sorry but when we do it will have its own separate official news post and patch notes. ---
**Author:** ![Tabu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/tabu/32/63708_2.png) [@Tabu](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Tabu)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/113 "2020-03-11T01:12:07Z")
It should have been changed with this update. You cannot expect anyone to believe you aren’t calling us idiots when you left that and changed something that didn’t need to be touched. @BaghdadBob aka @kafka “Propaganda Minister” ---
**Author:** ![Kafka](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/kafka/32/33529_2.png) [@Kafka](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Kafka)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/114 "2020-03-11T01:12:50Z")
> [@redmist](#): > > @Kafka, please stop mis-using ‘Legendary’ when you mean ‘Mythic’. > > Thanks. Sorry, internally it’s called a Legendary Trait ---
**Author:** ![T1MEK0DE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@T1MEK0DE](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/T1MEK0DE)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/115 "2020-03-11T01:15:58Z")
I have more 25000 renown and my tracking achievement shows 12% as well I get some new renown and it doesnt change anything ---
**Author:** ![Fizziepop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/fizziepop/32/58038_2.png) [@Fizziepop](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Fizziepop)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:26am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/118 "2020-03-11T01:26:53Z")
Yep, GW week too. Great timing to kill a class and all associated teams. ---
**Author:** ![igniteice](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/igniteice/32/67904_2.png) [@igniteice](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/igniteice)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:29am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/121 "2020-03-11T01:29:48Z")
You changed Sunspear, a RAKSHA troop class, meanwhile Stormcaller still has Storm Soul: **Conjure a Lightstorm when my turn begins** and Stormcaller is a STRYX troop class. Meanwhile… **PHOENICIA** deals double damage during a Firestorm, and is a STRYX… one might think you could use her, you know, with your Stormcaller hero, but noooo, you can’t, BECAUSE IT’S ALWAYS A LIGHTSTORM. How daft are you developers? ---
**Author:** ![Fizziepop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/fizziepop/32/58038_2.png) [@Fizziepop](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Fizziepop)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/123 "2020-03-11T01:30:43Z")
Don’t bring stormcaller into this, theyll kill it too. ---
**Author:** ![Razzagor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/razzagor/32/50037_2.png) [@Razzagor](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Razzagor)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/124 "2020-03-11T01:30:52Z")
> [@Shimrra](#): > > WHY did ANYONE think changing Sunspear’s trait was a good idea? I’ve just about had it with this kind of idiocy. > > I had [_this_ spreadsheet](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/improve-classes-full-analysis-problems-solutions/52673) up an entire year ago, with actual good ideas to make unplayable classes _useful_ , and we get this silliness instead. What an actual slap in the face! > > Also patch during GW week, can’t wait to see how _that_ unfolds… Ah, reminds me of someone foolish enough to expect a decent update on all gnolls after waiting for two years. Now that was one dumb son of a _beach_… 😜 ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:32am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/125 "2020-03-11T01:32:01Z")
> [@Razzagor](#): > > Ah, reminds me of someone foolish enough to expect a decent update on all gnolls after waiting for two years. Now that was one dumb son of a _beach_ … 😜 you may need to gnollify your expectations on this one 🤐 ---
**Author:** ![sprintfun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@sprintfun](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/sprintfun)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/126 "2020-03-11T01:33:29Z")
> Blockquote I literally created this account to voice my unhappiness with the Sunspear “change”. Perhaps a better direction would have been to lift up the corsair so it isn’t useless instead of bringing Sunspear down. This change completely devalues the uniqueness that the class brought to the table. ---
**Author:** ![Smash](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/smash/32/5574_2.png) [@Smash](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Smash)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/127 "2020-03-11T01:35:26Z")
Just want to say for @Kafka personally, I like the new 3rd trait, I think its gonna open up the class more in other ways. But I am annoyed at the changing of the 3rd trait, while ignoring the 2nd trait that is identical to the talent, which is why the 3rd was changed. I know you said it might be changed later, but please talk to the devs about changing it faster. I think it would go a bit of the way to making people a bit happier. I know I would be at least lol ---
**Author:** ![Kafka](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/kafka/32/33529_2.png) [@Kafka](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Kafka)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870/128 "2020-03-11T01:38:29Z")
Just a reminder: I understand many of you are upset but swearing still isn’t allowed on the forum and posts violating community guidelines will be deleted. Please also don’t make posts calling out players who asked for the changes as I feel the only thing it will do is incite a witch hunt which is not in the spirit of our great Gems of War community! Everyone is entitled to their opinion whether you agree with it or not, please be respectful to one another. [Previous page](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870.md?page=5) [Next page](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/4-8-update-patch-notes/61870.md?page=7)