DNF Duel – Grand Balance Patch is Live; Buffs Dodging, Guard Gauge, and More

The Grand Balance Patch for DNF Duel is now available, bringing sweeping changes to the core gameplay mechanics and every character. Pretty much everyone’s HP and Guard Gauge has been increased, and Dodge now has reduced recovery while providing instant Invulnerability upon activation, which is useful when dealing with projectile attacks.

Some character changes include Berserker now being able to recover HP with existing white damage intact, making it easier to follow up with Frenzy during Awakening. Vanguard can now follow up Brandish with another attack and has enhanced attack interruptions. Striker’s Mountain Pusher makes her invulnerable against projectiles, while Shadowless Kick can immobilize opponents.

Check out some of the patch notes below and the full notes here. DNF Duel is available for PS4, PS5, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch version out on April 20th, 2023. The first Season Pass is also out next year, adding Spectre and four other new characters to the roster.

[Ver.1.09] Patch Notes

• Dodge – Reduced the recovery. Moved up the activation timing for Invulnerability against hits, effective immediately upon performing the skill. Moved up the activation timing for Invulnerability against Projectiles, effective immediately upon activating the skill.
• Guard Cancel Attack – Adjusted the recovery on oneself/stun on the opponent to reduce the hit/guard frame gaps.
• Airborne MS skills – Adjusted to face the opponent immediately after performing the skill.

Berserker

• HP – Increased to 980 from 950.
• Guard Gauge – Increased to 1200 from 1050.
• Awakening Effect – Adjusted to recover HP with the existing White Damage intact. (Before: Recovered the existing White Life first.) Added ‘Attack Increase’ effect. Added ‘White Life Damage on Block (Chip Damage) Increase’ effect.
• Jumping A – Increased hit stun.
• Ghost Slash – Expanded the hitbox. Increased the knockdown time for hit while airborne.
• Upward Slash – Can be jump canceled upon hit.
• Ashe Fork – The second hit can connect against knocked down opponents.
• Gore Cross: Expulsion – Reduced the recovery.
• Raging Fury (Standard/during Frenzy) – The last hit launches the opponent higher.
• Bloodlust (Standard) – Reduced the recovery upon hit. Increased the knockdown time.
• Bloodlust (during Frenzy) – Reduced the recovery upon hit. Increased the knockdown time.

Vanguard

• HP – Increased to 1100 from 1000.
• Guard Gauge – Increased to 1200 from 1050.
• Awakening Effect – Added ‘Attack Increase’ effect. Added ‘White Life Damage on Block (Chip Damage) Increase’ effect.
• Crouching Guard – Reduced the hurtbox.
• Standard B – Reduced the recovery. Can connect against knocked down opponents.
• Crouching B – Reduced the recovery.
• Cleave: Upper – Can be jump canceled.
• Brandish – Can be immediately followed-up by ‘Inferno Charge’, ‘Crescent Slash’ and ‘Behead’ upon activating the skill. ※ Possible even on whiff
• Inferno Charge – Reduced the recovery. Reduced the start-up for Invulnerability against Projectiles.
• Behead -Reduced the recovery.
• Earthshatter – Reduced the recovery. Expanded the knockback range of the second hit. Wall bounces the opponent upon the second hit.
• Devastate – Reduced the recovery. Removed the upper body hurtbox during the spinning move upon activating the skill. Reduced the start-up of the last hit. Expanded the hitbox of the last hit. The last hit launches the opponent higher. Increased block stun of the last hit. Increased the guardback of the last hit.
• Lunge Strike – Expanded the hitbox.
• Doom Glaive – Expanded the hitbox of the first hit. Increased the block stun of the first hit. Can be dash canceled upon hit.

Striker

• HP – Increased to 950 from 900.
• Guard Gauge – Increased to 1150 from 1000.
• Awakening Effect – Added ‘Guard Gauge Damage Increase’ effect.
• Added ‘White Life Damage on Block (Chip Damage) Increase’ effect.
• Crushing Fist – Can be canceled with various MP skills. ※ Possible even on whiff
• Low Kick – Reduced the recovery.
• Air Walk – The opponent bounces off the ground harder when hit while airborne.
• Shadowless Kick – Can be jump canceled upon the third hit. Decreased the knockback range.
• Mountain Pusher – Can be dash canceled upon hit.
• One Inch Punch – Can be dash canceled.