User:Csaros/Pumpkin Patch: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Gwenneth.png]]
[[File:Gwenneth.png]]


Pumpkin Patch is a mod for [[Horn of the Abyss]]{{-wh}}, intended to bring balance and QoL changes to the game. The changes are meant to be beautiful, balanced, bold, brilliant, benign and to sometimes benefit from a touch of buffoonery. One of the key drives for the design of the mod was increasing the variety of gampelay elements present when playing optimally. Naturally, as a result, game balance was one of the primary aims.  
Pumpkin Patch is a mod for [[Horn of the Abyss]]{{-wh}}. The key ideas include:
# Gameplay diversity,
# Quality of Life,
# Content restoration.
All of these goals are achieved through small, but meaningful changes.  




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Pumpkin Patch can be played using the online lobby. However, playing '''ranked''' games with it, for now, '''is not allowed''' by the HD lobby rules, and may result in bans or penalties. Starting from 1.4.3, an anti-cheat measure has been implemented, which ensures players can only play multiplayer using Pumpkin Patch if they have the same gameplay features enabled (but ignoring skins).  
Pumpkin Patch can be played using the online lobby. In the template name, a custom name for the host's gameplay settings or preset will be visible; make sure yours and the host's codes are the same.  




== Current Version ==
== Current Version ==
<div style="font-size:large; font-style:bold"> [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XuZ5PwzePxSIgP6uMOXN96jt0F5QpEBU/view?usp=sharing Download Pumpkin Patch Installer]</div>
<!--<div style="font-size:large; font-style:bold"> [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XuZ5PwzePxSIgP6uMOXN96jt0F5QpEBU/view?usp=sharing Download Pumpkin Patch Installer]</div>--->


Alternative download link: [https://www.mediafire.com/file/f0wqnsbm55vwtp3/Pumpkin_Patch_for_HotA_1.7.3.rar/file Pumpkin Patch for HotA 1.7.3 on Mediafire].  
<!--Alternative download link: [https://www.mediafire.com/file/f0wqnsbm55vwtp3/Pumpkin_Patch_for_HotA_1.8.0.rar/file Pumpkin Patch for HotA 1.8.0 on Mediafire].--->


The current version of the mod is '''1.4.a''' for HotA 1.7.3.
<div style="font-size:large; font-style:bold"> [https://www.mediafire.com/file/x0f010q9nk9pomc/Pumpkin_Patch.zip/file Download Pumpkin Patch Installer]</div>


If the installer doesn't work for you, because Windows Defender sometimes blocks exe-type files, or because you're drive C:/ is system-only, or you get a crash that mentions the address "'''0x0E4E54'''" you can download an alternative version using  [https://www.mediafire.com/file/8reg9zh693g4ydk/Pumpkin_Patch_for_HotA_1.7.3_-_v1.4.7_%2528MANUAL_INSTALL%2529.rar/file mediafire] or [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bgeDAwa6LAPMlgDmKDo47_Nv62qve9Pb/view?usp=sharing google drive].  
The current version of the mod is '''1.5.6''' for HotA 1.8.0.
 
If the installer doesn't work for you, because Windows Defender sometimes blocks exe-type files, or because you're drive C:/ is system-only, you can download an alternative version using  [https://www.mediafire.com/file/90095c2ee972osh/Pumpkin+Patch+1.5.3.zip/file mediafire].  


If the Windows Defender keeps on registering a false positive, open the Windows Defender notification (don't "Dismiss" it), open ''"Protection History"'', press the most recent threat (make sure the "Affected items" is the Pumpkin Patch) and choose ''Actions'' -> ''Allow''.  It's also recommended to open the installer as admin in case of permission errors.  
If the Windows Defender keeps on registering a false positive, open the Windows Defender notification (don't "Dismiss" it), open ''"Protection History"'', press the most recent threat (make sure the "Affected items" is the Pumpkin Patch) and choose ''Actions'' -> ''Allow''.  It's also recommended to open the installer as admin in case of permission errors.  
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=== Alternative Versions ===
=== Alternative Versions ===
Version 1.3.8 is available [https://www.mediafire.com/file/pcp7yr7g3v3enjz/Pumpkin_Patch_for_HotA_171.rar/file here].
Version 1.4.a for hota 1.7.3 is available [https://www.mediafire.com/file/t3epoh4dbdfvnw2/Pumpkin+Patch+-+manual+installation-1.4a+for+hota+1.7,3.zip/file here].
 
Version 1.3.8 for hota 1.7.1 is available [https://www.mediafire.com/file/pcp7yr7g3v3enjz/Pumpkin_Patch_for_HotA_171.rar/file here].


== Known Issues ==
== Known Issues ==
* [[Devil]]'s and [[Arch Devil]]'s skill, which reduces enemy [[Luck]], doesn't decrease the chance of random skills applying.
* [[Devil]]'s and [[Arch Devil]]'s skill, which reduces enemy [[Luck]], doesn't decrease the chance of random skills applying.
* In some very rare cases one of your towns, with a visiting hero, may disappear, provided you use the New Creature banks option and build citadel or castle.
** The solution to the issue has been found and will be published soon. For now, it is recommended to try to avoid the issue.


== Installation ==
== Installation ==
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;[[Creature]]s
;[[Creature]]s
* See [[User:Phasma/Pumpkin Patch/Creature Changes|Creature Changes]]
* See [[User:Phasma/Pumpkin Patch/Creature Changes|Creature Changes]]
;[[Hero]]es
* {{h|Gwenneth|Cleric|hero_link=User:Csaros/Gwenneth}} (replaces [[Sanya]] on random maps, which can be disabled via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Balindar|Wizard|hero_link=User:Csaros/Winstan}} (replaces [[Thane]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Athe|Heretic|hero_link=User:Csaros/Athe}} (replaces [[Olema]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Zenith|Warlock|hero_link=User:Csaros/Zenith}} (replaces [[Straker]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Archibald|Warlock|hero_link=User:Csaros/Archibald}} (replaces [[Jeddite]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* See [[User:Phasma/Pumpkin Patch/Hero Changes|Hero Changes]]




;[[Secondary Skill]]s
;[[Secondary Skill]]s
* [[Archery]]: Bonus Damage 10/25/50% → {{gt|20/35}}/50%
* [[Archery]]: Bonus Damage 10/25/50% → {{gt|20/35}}/50%
* Expert [[Ballistics]]: Shoots twice → shoots {{gt|thrice}}
** ''Matching Intelligence.''
* [[Eagle Eye]]: Pre-combat learning chance 10/20/30% → {{gt|20/35/50%}}
* Expert [[First Aid]]: Bonus Health 15% → {{gt|20%}}
* Expert [[First Aid]]: Bonus Health 15% → {{gt|20%}}
** ''Expert First Aid was still worse than Armorer, despite also being more situational.''
* [[Learning]]: Bonus [[Experience]] 20/40/60% → {{rt|10/20/30%}}
* [[Learning]]: Bonus [[Experience]] 20/40/60% → {{rt|10/20/30%}}
** Specialty bonus per level 5% → {{gt|20%}}
** Specialty bonus per level 5% → {{gt|20%}}
* [[Navigation]]: Bonus Movement 50/100/150% 50/{{rt|75/100%}}
** ''I found Learning bonus to be too powerful - more than 3 levels at times, while also allowing instant re-rolls on skills.
* [[Runes]]: Bonus [[Attack]] and [[Defense]] 2/2/2 → {{rt|1}}/2/{{gt|3}}
** ''First turn runes aren't as dominating as before, forcing rune users to commit to the strategy.''




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* Added a remastered version of [[Long Live the Queen]]
* Added a remastered version of [[Long Live the Queen]]
* [[Death Ripple]] no longer affects [[unliving]] creatures
* [[Death Ripple]] no longer affects [[unliving]] creatures
* [[Bloodlust]] is now considered a [[mind spell]]
 
 
;[[Hero]]es
* {{h|Gwenneth|Cleric|hero_link=User:Csaros/Gwenneth}} (replaces [[Sanya]] on random maps, which can be disabled via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Balindar|Wizard|hero_link=User:Csaros/Winstan}} (replaces [[Thane]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Athe|Heretic|hero_link=User:Csaros/Athe}} (replaces [[Olema]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Zenith|Warlock|hero_link=User:Csaros/Zenith}} (replaces [[Straker]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* {{h|Archibald|Warlock|hero_link=User:Csaros/Archibald}} (replaces [[Jeddite]] on random maps, which can be disabled via  via Hex Swapper)
* See [[User:Phasma/Pumpkin Patch/Hero Changes|Hero Changes]]
 


=== New Portraits ===
=== New Portraits ===

Latest revision as of 11:26, 3 February 2026

Pumpkin Patch is a mod for Horn of the Abyss Horn of the Abyss. The key ideas include:

  1. Gameplay diversity,
  2. Quality of Life,
  3. Content restoration.

All of these goals are achieved through small, but meaningful changes.


If you encounter an issue, please re-download the mod first (~60 MB) and re-install it. If the issue persists, contact me on the Talk page or on Discord.


Pumpkin Patch can be played using the online lobby. In the template name, a custom name for the host's gameplay settings or preset will be visible; make sure yours and the host's codes are the same.


Current Version[edit | hide | hide all]

Download Pumpkin Patch Installer

The current version of the mod is 1.5.6 for HotA 1.8.0.

If the installer doesn't work for you, because Windows Defender sometimes blocks exe-type files, or because you're drive C:/ is system-only, you can download an alternative version using mediafire.

If the Windows Defender keeps on registering a false positive, open the Windows Defender notification (don't "Dismiss" it), open "Protection History", press the most recent threat (make sure the "Affected items" is the Pumpkin Patch) and choose Actions -> Allow. It's also recommended to open the installer as admin in case of permission errors.


Changelog

The mod is subject to change and updates with further tuning of the balance changes are released regularly. If you have any suggestions as to balance or want to playtest the upcoming changes, feel free to message me on my Talk page or join the Pumpkin Patch Discord server.

Alternative Versions[edit | hide]

Version 1.4.a for hota 1.7.3 is available here.

Version 1.3.8 for hota 1.7.1 is available here.

Known Issues[edit | hide]

  • Devil's and Arch Devil's skill, which reduces enemy Luck, doesn't decrease the chance of random skills applying.

Installation[edit | hide]

If you want to be able to quickly switch between Pumpkin Patch and regular HotA, it is recommended to create a copy of your heroes 3 folder.

To install the mod, simply open the installer. The mod should be able to tell whether you are using a Polish version or not, and update accordingly. It is recommended to manually uninstall the previous version, if you want the mod to make an automatic backup - otherwise, the automatic backup may be faulty.

If you're using the file labelled "Manual Install", place all files in your game directory. If you want to use the Polish version, you need to copy the files from the folder "Polish" into your game directory. It is recommended to install the mod only after uninstalling the old version.

To uninstall the mod, simply replace all files with the contents of the backup zip archive created by the mod, or use the uninstaller.

Main Features[edit | hide]

  • New Launcher, HexSwapper, which you can use to edit your game. Simply double-click it to open it.
  • Balance tweaks, including spell balance
  • Improvements to Inferno's demon farming strategy
  • Quality of life
  • New combination artifact: ( Armageddon's Blade Armageddon's Blade)
  • New heroes: Athe, Gwenneth, Winstan, Archibald, and Zenith.


List of changes[edit | hide]

Core Gameplay


Towns & Buildings


Creatures


Secondary Skills
  • Archery: Bonus Damage 10/25/50% → 20/35/50%
    • Matching Intelligence.
  • Expert First Aid: Bonus Health 15% → 20%
    • Expert First Aid was still worse than Armorer, despite also being more situational.
  • Learning: Bonus Experience 20/40/60% → 10/20/30%
    • Specialty bonus per level 5% → 20%
    • I found Learning bonus to be too powerful - more than 3 levels at times, while also allowing instant re-rolls on skills.
  • Runes: Bonus Attack and Defense 2/2/2 → 1/2/3
    • First turn runes aren't as dominating as before, forcing rune users to commit to the strategy.


Spells


Artifacts


Optional Features


Adventure Map


Miscellaneous


Heroes


New Portraits[edit | hide]

Gallery[edit | hide]

Thanks[edit | hide]

  • HotA Crew - for the incredible HotA mod, for including my ideas into your actual game, and for adding my beloved Murdoch to All In. I love your work. Please treat this mod as a sign of appreciation, a post on Ideas and Suggestions and as an application to the HotA Crew.
  • The Wiki team - for this amazing website
  • DoR team - for the incredible support of my project and the kind words! I can't wait for DoR release!
  • void_17 – well done with the IDB, thanks for the help
  • Aphra - you've done more than I could ever repay for
  • Ponczek, krzyspasztecik12, guest_273 - for ideas and suggestions; look, I've incorporated a whole bunch of stuff you've asked me for!
  • Melkor, Eldrin - for ideas and suggestions.

Credits[edit | hide]

HotA - HotA Crew

HD MOD - baratorch

Pumpkin patch - CsArOs → CsArOs

Art - Aphra → Phasma

See Also:[edit | hide]

Visit the Pumpkin Patch Discord server

You can leave feedback via the feedback form.

A YouTube playlist with videos all about the Pumpkin Patch: YouTube - CsArOs