Every four years, a special leap year day follows Midsummer between Flamerule 30 and Eleasis 1. Known as Shieldmeet, this special day is celebrated across Faerûn.

In the city of Waterdeep, Shieldmeet also serves another important purpose. On this auspicious day every four years, the lords of Waterdeep meet with the Open Lord to reaffirm their rule.

As the Champions arrive in the City of Splendor on Midsummer, the day before Shieldmeet, they are summoned by The Blackstaff, Vajra Safahr. It seems that Open Lord Laeral Silverhand has gone missing...

Midsummer 2 introduces Shandie Freefoot, the Halfling Rogue and member of the Heroes of Baldur's Gate. Players will have until Monday, August 5th, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT, to unlock her!

New Champion: Shandie Freefoot

Shandie grew up on the rough streets of the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. She quickly learned that if she wanted to survive, she needed to be fast on her feet and even faster with her wit and weaponry. The first time Shandie saw a bowmaster gracefully launch an arrow into a bull's-eye, she knew she had to master archery. With years of practice under her belt, any opponents underestimating this stealthy halfling will soon realize how dangerous she is as a volley of arrows bear down on them unexpectedly from shadowy corners.

Shandie is an agile Support Champion. Her Dash ability can increase formation speed, while Explosive Arrows and Agile Allies offer potent formation buffs. When you want to add Shandie to your formation, you can swap her with Asharra (Slot 6).

For more information about our latest Champion, check out the Idle Champion Spotlight: Shandie Freefoot dev blog!

Year One Champion: Xander Cesso

Fascinated by magic at a young age when he lived in an orphanage, but lacking any ability or proficiency, Xander is not terribly good at much of anything, though something about his adorable clumsiness and childlike wonder anytime magic is being used nearby has been known to inspire those around him. Until recently, he was living on the streets of Waterdeep, scraping together just enough to survive. Now, he is a faithful member of your party, always ready to leap into the fray, even if he doesn't really seem to be able to hit much of anything.

Xander is a Support Champion. His Lucky Shot ability has a chance to double quest progress, and his Streetwise ability increases the damage of Champions behind him. When you want to add Xander to your formation, you can swap him with Calliope (Slot 5).

Year Two Variants

• Dreams of Grandeur — Jenks really wants to meet Vajra Blackstaff. From Area 12 onward, Jenks takes up a slot in your formation.


• Stay Back — Only Champions that attack with ranged or magic-based attacks can be used.


• Haunted Past — Only Neutral, Evil, or Champions with a Dexterity (DEX) score of 15 or higher can be used. Shandie beings the adventure in your formation and cannot be swapped out, moved, or removed. Strahd Vampires that can only be damaged by Shandie randomly spawn in non-boss Areas. Luckily, Shandie will prioritize Strahd Vampires over all others and attack twice as frequently when they are present.

Year One Variants

• Waterdeep Escort — The Waterdeep City Watch Officer insists that he accompany you on your adventure. He fills one slot in the formation, and if he is killed, your DPS goes down by 33% every 10 seconds.


• Drow Deception — The Drow said they were looking for a wizard, but the Champions seem like a more interesting quarry to chase! A Stealthy Drow Pickpocket appears on every level, and if they reach the formation, you fail the area and have to head back to the previous level.


• Commander Xander — Xander takes the lead as his childhood wishes of becoming a Hero have come true! Champions not adjacent to Xander have a 50% chance to miss whenever they attack (Xander isn't great at command). Those that are adjacent to Xander attack normally. He does enough missing for everyone.

See the in-game FAQ for more information!

It's time for our newest Champion Spotlight! Today, we're previewing the release of Shandie Freefoot, a halfling rogue, and member of Heroes of Baldur's Gate! Read on to learn about this new and exciting Champion releasing later today in Midsummer Y2!

Who is Shandie?

Shandie grew up on the rough streets of the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. She quickly learned that if she wanted to survive, she needed to be fast on her feet and even faster with her wit and weaponry. The first time Shandie saw a bowmaster gracefully launch an arrow into a bull's-eye, she knew she had to master archery. With years of practice under her belt, any opponents underestimating this stealthy halfling will soon realize how dangerous she is as a volley of arrows bear down on them unexpectedly from shadowy corners.

Shandie Freefoot is a member of the Heroes of Baldur's Gate, created by Jim Zub and Max Dunbar for the Legends of Baldur's Gate series by IDW. She joins her comrades Boo, Minsc, Delina, and Nerys Kathon as the fifth and second-to-last member of the team to join Idle Champions.

Shandie's Stats

Race: Halfling	Class: Rogue	Alignment: Chaotic Good
Age: 63	Affiliation: Heroes of Baldur's Gate
STR: 10	DEX: 18	CON: 15
INT: 13	WIS: 12	CHA: 14

To add Shandie to your formation, you can swap her with Asharra (Slot 6).

Basic Attack

Shandie fires an arrow at a random enemy.

Formation Abilities

• Agile Allies — Increase the damage of Champions within 2 slots of Shandie by 100% (multiplicative) for each Champion adjacent to Shandie with a DEX of 15 or higher.
• For reference that list currently includes: Aila, Birdsong, Black Viper, Calliope, Catti-brie, Xander, Drizzt, Hitch, Ishi, Jarlaxle, K'thriss, Korth, Minsc, Nrakk, Paultin, Regis, Rosie, Qillek, Spurt, Stoki, Tyril, Walnut, Warden, and Zorbu!


• Dash — Increases the game speed by 25% when the formation hasn't been under attack for 60 seconds. Early levels are quicker to get through with Shandie!
  
  Note: this will not increase speed beyond the current limit of 10x speed.


• Explosive Arrow — When the formation is under attack, Shandie fires Alchemist Fire-equipped arrows that explode and increase the damage of Champions in the column in front of Shandie for each enemy hit. Put your DPS Champions in front of Shandie!

Specializations

Shandie's Specializations allow her to choose where to double-down her abilities

• Ranger Training — Select Ranger Training to increase the effect of Dash by 100%. Zoom Zoom.


• Alchemist's Fire Expertise — Select Alchemist's Fire Expertise to increase the effect of Explosive Arrow by 100%


• Criminal Contacts — Select Criminal Contacts to increase the effect of Agile Allies by 50% for each Neutral or Evil Champion next to Shandie.

Ultimate Attack

Survivalist — Shandie throws smoke grenades and caltrops onto the battlefield, causing enemies to bleed and miss 50% of their attacks for 10 seconds.

Equipment

Final Thoughts

Like Deekin from Founder's Day, Shandie is a go-to speed assistant, helping your Champions advance through the early areas quicker. Put her in the center of your formation, and surround her with dextrous friends (see the list above) to maximize her contribution to the formation!

As always, feel free to send us feedback on via the Idle Champions Subreddit, Steam forum, or the Idle Champions Discord!

Summer Carnival Event 2019

The Carnival has returned to town! Get ready to play some games, help some Bushwhackian residents and win carnival tokens which you can exchange for cool prizes at the Carnival Event Vendor!

The Carnival Games

A staple of any summer carnival or fair, are those devilish carnival games. There are four different games which will unlock over the course of the event and they include "Balloon Popper," "Whack-A-Mole," "Baseball Throw," and "Duck Shoot." Don't worry, there's no skill involved with these games, you play them automatically when you interact with them.

- It costs 4 carnival tickets to play each game, and you can whack those tickets out of the bushes, or purchase them from Timmy in the Event area for Bush Bucks (30 Salvaged Tickets for 30 Bush Bucks)

- You receive Carnival Tokens based on how well you do. Now, we're not saying they're rigged in the Carnival's favour or anything, but you'll definitely want to ask your friends to help you rig these games to help you! (Platforms without Friend functionality are balanced accordingly.)

To get started, the Balloon Popper game is unlocked! As well, it seems William needs your help to satisfy his sweet-tooth!

A Teleporter to Somewhere...

The Pandaclaw was wandering around here somewhere....build the teleporter and complete all the quests and get your very own!

The Dunk Tank

The dunk tank returns! Can you dunk all 8 helpless Bushwhackian residents? NPCs you haven't dunked yet will have a yellow exclamation mark above their heads, to let you know you still need to send them plunging into the icy waters of the tank! It'll help them all cool off. Plus, the tank is always in need of cleaning, so try to keep up with Katherine's daily Dunk Tank Cleaning quests!

Clowning Around

Peat Bog, Pete the Carney's brother has some tasks for you to help him put on a show!

Testing Your Power

And how are your Power collection skills? Are you strong enough to win all the bonus prizes? There are 7 strength settings to beat, unlocking as the event goes on as Strong-Whacker Sabine continuously tries to increase the difficulty of her Strong-Whacker Strength Machine Game.

New for 2019

Once you complete the teleporter quest line and capture a Pandaclaw, Taban the Teleporter Engineer will offer to change your Pandaclaw companion's appearance, with science! There are two Pandaclaw skins to choose from.

Event Achievements- POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!!!

There are up to TWENTY possible achievements that can be picked up during the Summer Carnival 2019 event, depending on your game history.

Achievements Returning in 2019:
Step Right Up - Win a Prize Token gaming at the Carnival!
We have a Winner - Win 8 Prize Tokens at once at the Carnival.
Carnival Ace - Win 8 Prize Tokens at all 4 Carnival Games.
Gotta Try 'Em All! - Play all four games offered at the Carnival!
Big Time Bonus Buyer - Purchase 10 Bonus Prize Packs from the Carnival!
Sweet Tooth - Help William satisfy his Sweet Tooth. Or not.
Nostalgic Whacker - Repair the teleporter and fulfill your duty…
Dunk-a-Thon! - Dunk all eight unique Carnival Event dunk-ees!
Scuba Dunk - Dunk yourself while wearing a hefty diving helmet. (Helmet is found from fishing in the Windy Crest fishing hole.)
Daredevil Darer - Make Peat Bog risk his life for entertainment 5 extra times. Dunking Devs! - Dunk the four developer Carnival Event dunk-ees!

Added/Changed for 2019
Prize Proprietor - Purchase all the 2019 Carnival Event items.*


* The Circus Elephant Mini Golf Piece is NOT included in the Prize Proprietor achievement, and therefore it is not required to purchase it.

We have 7 achievements from previous years, which may be earnable by spending some Bush Bucks, if a player was not present during the initial year:

Carnival Customization - Buy all 6 player items from the 2012 Carnival
Party at My Place - Buy all 6 house items from the 2012 Carnival!
Carnival Collector - Purchase all of the 2013 Carnival event items.
Carnival Connoisseur - Buy all the 2014 Carnival event items.
Carni-Value! - Purchase all the 2015 Carnival Event items.
Carnival Compulsion - Purchase all the 2016 Carnival Event items.
Cashed Carnival - Purchase all the 2017 Carnival Event items.
Prized Prizes - Purchase all the 2018 Carnival Event items.

Pet Packs

New 2019 Pet Packs (Coming Soon!)



Post your celebration plans on the forums!

The event will run until Friday August 2nd at Noon PDT!

New 2019 Mounts!

To kick off the event, we're having a sale! Get 30% more on purchase of 50 Bush Bucks or more! Plus, all new mounts are available this weekend, from July 19th to July 22nd!

The Giraffe mount comes free with your first purchase of 100 Bush Bucks or more!

The Rainbow Giraffe and Glow Giraffe are in packs containing 100 Bush Bucks, 10 Pristine Feed Vouchers, and a VIP Voucher! These two mounts produce their own unique sparkly particles when you ride them!

Frequently Asked Questions

• When will the last quest unlock?
  All quests will be unlocked by the 10th day of the event.


• Where can I buy Last Year's items?
  There are two vendors. The one in the tent has this year's items. The other is the one with the party hat and will have all previous year items for Bush Bucks.


• What contributes to my 100% progress?
  You need 200 plays of any combo of the games to get 100%. Just whack up tickets to play the games, and turn in quests to get tickets as well.
  


• Why do I want to ask friends for help?
  It helps you rig the game and improve your chances of getting 8 tokens.


• Do I have to do the achievements?
  No. Completing the goals for the achievements is totally optional. You get either a large energy pack or a title for your character from them, no event progress.


• Where can I see all the achievements available and how to get them?
  Either on the holiday dialog, the achievements dialog, or on the blog.


• Where can I see progress on the Dunking Achievement?
  Click on the inventory icon and then click on the Achievements list (gold star). Look for the ones listed above in that list.