For the last two months, we've been working on transitioning SSA to a faster meta that keeps the player more engaged in the game without sacrificing gameplay enjoyment. We started this journey with the 2025_1_3 update, which we previously announced as "Drastic Meta Change?"

🎯 Our Goals:

• Reduce average match time, increase average number of matches played
• Increase the amount of time a player is actively in the game

🔍 Key Considerations:

• Avoiding the snowball effect and making comebacks possible
• Not compromising the game feel

After 9 updates in 2 months, we are proud to present a faster and more competitive SSA with version 2025_3_3!

Players who have been playing during this time have already witnessed the meta shift.
SSA is now faster...

📌 Changes Implemented

⏳ Increasing Player Engagement Time

• Jump to Portal ability reworked:
• Players can now teleport to any Portal Drone placed by their team!
• This reduces travel times and enables more tactical gameplay.
• XBT acceleration and reverse speed increased.
• Certain slow XBTs now have better forward speed.
• More upgrade options that improve speed & acceleration added.
• Jet Fuel Buff added by the Spawn Zone.
• Speeds up battlefield engagement.
• Death Timer durations reduced.
• Players now spend less time inactive.

⏳ Reducing Match Duration & Increasing Match Count

• Minion HP & Vulcan damage reduced.
• XBTs clear lanes faster.
• Mantis buffs converted to offensive power.
• Mantis now acts as a stronger finisher.
• Minion damage to XBTs reduced.
• Faster lane pushing.
• Level XP requirements decreased.
• Players reach max level faster!
• Xalium distribution increased.
• Faster upgrade completion.
• Surrender option added.
• Players can exit unbalanced matches earlier.

🎯 Avoiding Snowball & Encouraging Comebacks

• More dynamic XBTs make early mistakes less punishing.
• Lane pushing speed helps teams transition from defense to offense quicker.
• Vulcan Armor Rework:
• All Vulcans (except Tier 1) take significantly less damage from XBTs when minions aren’t nearby.
• Prevents strong XBTs from ignoring waves and taking down Vulcans alone.
• Gives losing teams a chance to defend their Vulcans.

With these changes, SSA now offers a gameplay experience where positioning and movement matter more than ever!

SSA will continue evolving rapidly. See you in future metas! 🚀

SSA TEAM