Hello everyone!
The Bell Echoes has released the October 9 scheduled update.
This update brings significant adjustments to the Umbra Corruption system, including how Corruption accumulates, the acquisition and effects of Umbra Brands, the recovery mechanics of the 【Despair】 state, and the availability of Corruption-reducing items.
In addition, we have adjusted Talent choices during Contaminated Zone exploration, improved the progression conditions for a Chapter 6 story battle, added a new Ultimate Gauge indicator to character portraits, and fixed several enemy mechanics and English localization issues.
Umbra Corruption System Adjustments
This update reworks how 【Umbra Corruption】 accumulates and how it interacts with different difficulty levels.
The goal is to make Corruption pressure more manageable on Normal difficulty while preserving the additional challenges introduced by Umbra Brands on higher difficulties.
Umbra Brand Acquisition Adjustment
On Normal difficulty, characters will no longer obtain 【Umbra Brands】 through level-ups.
The level-up acquisition mechanic for 【Umbra Brands】 is now available on Hard difficulty and above through the corresponding difficulty modifiers.
Umbra Corruption Threshold Adjustment
The Umbra Corruption threshold limit for characters has been slightly increased.
Basic Umbra Corruption Gain Adjustments
During Contaminated Zone exploration, Umbra Corruption will now accumulate through the following fixed sources:
At the start of each turn during battle, 1 random allied character gains a small amount of Umbra Corruption
Upon entering an event, 1 random allied character gains a small amount of Umbra Corruption
Upon picking up a 【Jar】, 1 random allied character gains a very small amount of Umbra Corruption
【Despair】 State Recovery Improvement
Characters in the 【Despair】 state with 100% Umbra Corruption can now remove this state by reducing their Umbra Corruption outside of battle.
Contaminated Zone Shop Adjustment
Contaminated Zone shops will now always stock items that reduce Umbra Corruption.
This gives players more reliable access to Corruption recovery options, making it easier to manage Corruption pressure during exploration.
Umbra Brand Effect Pool Adjustments
The 【Umbra Brand】 effect pool has been adjusted.
Three previous effects have been removed, and one new effect has been added.
Removed Umbra Brand Effects
When there are no other allies within 1 Range of the character, Umbra Corruption +3 at the end of the allied turn
After more than 3 turns have passed, Umbra Corruption +3 at the start of the allied turn
Upon entering an event, Umbra Corruption +4
New Umbra Brand Effect
When using any item during battle, Umbra Corruption +5
Current Umbra Brand Effect Pool
After these adjustments, the current 【Umbra Brand】 pool contains 10 effects:
When there are 3 or more enemies on the field, Umbra Corruption +3 at the start of the allied turn
When there is exactly 1 enemy on the field, Umbra Corruption +3 at the start of the allied turn
When an enemy is within 1 Range of the character, Umbra Corruption +3 at the end of the allied turn
If no damage was dealt to enemies during the allied turn, Umbra Corruption +3 at the end of that turn
When taking damage from an enemy, Umbra Corruption +3 (once per turn)
Upon entering an Elite or Boss battle, Umbra Corruption +6
After defeating an enemy, Umbra Corruption +3 (once per turn)
After winning a battle, Umbra Corruption +3
Upon leveling up, Umbra Corruption +5
When using any item during battle, Umbra Corruption +5
Contaminated Zone Character Growth Adjustment
Talent Selection Count Reduced
When a character levels up during Contaminated Zone exploration, the number of available Talent choices has been reduced by 1.
This adjustment changes the available build choices and progression pacing during each run.
Chapter 6 Story Battle Improvement
First Battle Against 【Helleon】 Adjusted
The story progression requirements for the first encounter with 【Helleon】 in Chapter 6 have been adjusted.
Before:
The next story sequence would only begin after all 8 allied characters were defeated.
After:
The next story sequence begins as soon as any 1 allied character is defeated.
Although this battle can be won, it presents an exceptionally difficult challenge.
In the previous version, players who could not win had to continue fighting until all 8 characters were defeated, which could lead to an unnecessarily lengthy and frustrating experience.
This adjustment allows players to experience the intensity of the encounter while progressing through the Chapter 6 story more smoothly.
Battle UI Improvements
Ultimate Gauge Indicator Added to Character Portraits
A clearer Ultimate Gauge indicator has been added to character portraits during battle.
Players can now check each character's current Ultimate Gauge more easily, helping them plan when to use Special Skills and Ultimate Skills.
Enemy Mechanic Fixes
Fixed 【Ice Cave Guardian】 Damage Issue
Fixed an issue with the damage type of the Chapter 3 【Ice Cave Guardian】 passive effect 【Disguised Boulder (Object)】 when reverting to its original form.
Before:
The Special Attack triggered upon reverting dealt Physical True Damage.
After:
The Special Attack triggered upon reverting deals 100% Power (Strength) Physical Damage.
With the True Damage type removed, this attack can now correctly interact with defensive and evasion mechanics, including Vivian's 【Evasion】 effect against Special Attacks.
English Localization Improvements
Fixed and improved several English localization texts and skill descriptions to make related information more accurate and easier to understand.
Thank you for your continued feedback since the full release of The Bell Echoes.
We will continue to refine game mechanics, adjust combat balance, fix issues, and improve future content based on your gameplay experience.
— The Bell Echoes Development Team
