WX-78 Skill Tree Suggestions & Feedback

[Delta ONe]

Constructive feedback for the current beta/testing phase of the WX-78 rework.

Hi Klei team,
WX-78 is my absolute main and I've been thoroughly enjoying the new skill tree system. However, there are a few quality-of-life and balance improvements that would make the character feel significantly more complete and fun to play, especially in late-game. Here are my polished suggestions:

1º - Active Upgrade Indicator.
Please add a clear visual indicator (icon, HUD element, or floating text above WX or "Inside WX") that shows exactly which upgrade bonuses/effects are currently active. Right now it's very easy to lose track of which chassis perks or module combinations are providing benefits, especially when swapping parts frequently.

2º - Separate Skill Tree Configurations per Chassis.
Allow players to save/load completely independent skill tree builds for each chassis type. Being able to spec one chassis for exploration, another for combat, and a third for base-building without constantly respeccing would be incredibly convenient and open up a lot of creative playstyles.

3º - Roto-Mapper Chassis Transport.
Let the Roto-Mapper pick up any chassis and fly it to any location on the map, then drop it precisely where the player selects. This would make chassis swapping and repositioning much more fluid and strategic.

4º - Autonomous Zaptrocuter in Combat.
Make the Zaptrocuter able to act autonomously and assist in battles (attacking enemies, drawing aggro, etc.) instead of only functioning as a manual tool. This would give it much more value beyond its current limited role.

5º - Zaptrocuter → Roto-Mapper Camera Mode (Late-game Repurpose).
Allow the Zaptrocuter to take remote control of the Roto-Mapper and use it as a flying surveillance camera. Since this ability feels quite niche and loses relevance in late-game, it could be expanded to also highlight or mark boss respawn locations, making it a useful scouting tool even after the player has explored most of the map.

6º - Jimmy Upgrades.
Jimmy currently feels completely left out of the skill tree. There are zero upgrades or improvements available for him. At the very least, he could receive perks that make the Scanner work faster or increase Bio-Data drop rates/quantity. Giving him even a small skill branch would make the character feel more cohesive.

7º - Damage Amplifier/Combat Scaling.
As someone who plays WX-78 as their main, the one thing I was really hoping to see was some form of damage amplification or scaling through the skill tree. Right now it still feels like I’m forced to rely on a base-damage Ham Bat in late-game combat, which is a bit underwhelming for a high-tech robot character. A modest damage multiplier (or even a conditional one tied to certain chassis/modules) would make a huge difference in how satisfying WX feels to play.

 

8º - Portable Storage Unit

Recall Function Add the ability to call the Portable Storage Unit back to WX-78 at any time (similar to a pet follow command). This would greatly improve inventory management and prevent the frustration of having to chase the unit across the map when it gets left behind or stuck.

 

 

Thank you for all the hard work on the WX-78 rework! These changes would push an already great update into “perfect for my main” territory. Looking forward to hearing what the team thinks.
Best regards.

[Master_NiX]

54 minutes ago, Delta ONe said:

Roto-Mapper pick up any chassis

Actually that could be a great idea, since many complained that Mapper has no use once you revealed everything.

55 minutes ago, Delta ONe said:

8º - Portable Storage Unit

Recall Function Add the ability to call the Portable Storage Unit back to WX-78 at any time (similar to a pet follow command). This would greatly improve inventory management and prevent the frustration of having to chase the unit across the map when it gets left behind or stuck.

It would be also great if W.O.B.O.T and W.I.N.B.O.T could gather from storage units.

[Kvetevk]

Very nice ideas but I will say my concerns with some of the ideas:
 

1 hour ago, Delta ONe said:

2º - Separate Skill Tree Configurations per Chassis.
Allow players to save/load completely independent skill tree builds for each chassis type. Being able to spec one chassis for exploration, another for combat, and a third for base-building without constantly respeccing would be incredibly convenient and open up a lot of creative playstyles.

This would be basicly unbalanced and will make the skill tree basicly useless if you could choose differnet skills for different chassis, also the chassis would need to be base kit because you wont be able to use other chassis if you chose different skills.
 

2 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

3º - Roto-Mapper Chassis Transport.
Let the Roto-Mapper pick up any chassis and fly it to any location on the map, then drop it precisely where the player selects. This would make chassis swapping and repositioning much more fluid and strategic.

This would be fine in the later stages, but for early-game it seems op, maybe if you could upgrade your roto-mappers, then maybe it could work.
 

2 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

7º - Damage Amplifier/Combat Scaling.
As someone who plays WX-78 as their main, the one thing I was really hoping to see was some form of damage amplification or scaling through the skill tree. Right now it still feels like I’m forced to rely on a base-damage Ham Bat in late-game combat, which is a bit underwhelming for a high-tech robot character. A modest damage multiplier (or even a conditional one tied to certain chassis/modules) would make a huge difference in how satisfying WX feels to play.

This could be maybe possible with Gamma circuits or with affinities, but wx doesnt need to have bonus damage, you can already have massive health pool and super speed at the same time, for more damage you can use the electrification circuit for more retalation damage (wx78 at least have massive health while also dealing electric damage, for example wormwood have to deal damage with his bramble husk, that yes with skill tree does deal damage without getting hit but he cannot have massive health pool).


The other ideas sound really nice and feel like qol features and also look balanced enough.

[Ruperstiltskin]

2 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

1º - Active Upgrade Indicator.
Please add a clear visual indicator (icon, HUD element, or floating text above WX or "Inside WX") that shows exactly which upgrade bonuses/effects are currently active. Right now it's very easy to lose track of which chassis perks or module combinations are providing benefits, especially when swapping parts frequently.

You can hover the charge meter and the 3 circuits layouts shows, i think thats a good non-intrusive option already.

2 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

4º - Autonomous Zaptrocuter in Combat.
Make the Zaptrocuter able to act autonomously and assist in battles (attacking enemies, drawing aggro, etc.) instead of only functioning as a manual tool. This would give it much more value beyond its current limited role.

I said it too that maybe we could plug zaptrocuters in the gamma slot for minions that support in combat, would be cool.

Apart from that, what kvetevk said and yours would be so fun to play with!! ❤️

[Kacpert25]

3 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

4º - Autonomous Zaptrocuter in Combat.

6º - Jimmy Upgrades.

8º - Portable Storage Unit

I like these suggestions.

[Evelo]

1 hour ago, Kvetevk said:

This would be basicly unbalanced and will make the skill tree basicly useless if you could choose differnet skills for different chassis, also the chassis would need to be base kit because you wont be able to use other chassis if you chose different skills.

We already have the Celestial Portal. Not saying their idea should be implemented, it shouldn't, but making the skill tree useless because you can choose different skills is already in the game.

[AliceShiki]

4 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

2º - Separate Skill Tree Configurations per Chassis.
Allow players to save/load completely independent skill tree builds for each chassis type. Being able to spec one chassis for exploration, another for combat, and a third for base-building without constantly respeccing would be incredibly convenient and open up a lot of creative playstyles.

I feel like this one would be kinda messy, like... The chassis already give you a lot of flexibility as is, being able to also switch Skill Tree builds on top of it without even needing to go through the Celestial Portal just feel... Excessive?

I do get that this is essentially just making things more convenient and can be seen as QoL, but I think even QoL can become excessive at some point, and I personally think that this crosses the line.

4 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

7º - Damage Amplifier/Combat Scaling.
As someone who plays WX-78 as their main, the one thing I was really hoping to see was some form of damage amplification or scaling through the skill tree. Right now it still feels like I’m forced to rely on a base-damage Ham Bat in late-game combat, which is a bit underwhelming for a high-tech robot character. A modest damage multiplier (or even a conditional one tied to certain chassis/modules) would make a huge difference in how satisfying WX feels to play.

I also get the idea behind this one, but also... I think it's fair that some characters have x1 damage multipliers? Like... Some characters having higher multipliers indicate that they're better at combat, and this usually comes with them not having much in terms of non-combat features.

So... A very versatile character like WX is shaping up to be with this skill tree would make sense to keep the x1 damage multiplier, IMO.

That said, I really do get the point behind this one, especially as more bosses keep getting released, the game has certainly put a lot of focus on combat... But at the same time, WX-78 did get the Alpha circuits together with the chassis system to let you make a combat-focused build that lets him be very tanky or fast according to your combat needs, so like... I think that's good enough? I really don't think every character needs more damage than standard. It's fine if his combat benefits are more focused on survival or speed IMO.

[Delta ONe]

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  4 hours ago, Delta ONe said:

2º - Separate Skill Tree Configurations per Chassis.
Allow players to save/load completely independent skill tree builds for each chassis type. Being able to spec one chassis for exploration, another for combat, and a third for base-building without constantly respeccing would be incredibly convenient and open up a lot of creative playstyles.

This would be basicly unbalanced and will make the skill tree basicly useless if you could choose differnet skills for different chassis, also the chassis would need to be base kit because you wont be able to use other chassis if you chose different skills.

Thinking about it, you're absolutely right about this; your way of thinking makes perfect sense!

Quote

I also get the idea behind this one, but also... I think it's fair that some characters have x1 damage multipliers? Like... Some characters having higher multipliers indicate that they're better at combat, and this usually comes with them not having much in terms of non-combat features.

So... A very versatile character like WX is shaping up to be with this skill tree would make sense to keep the x1 damage multiplier, IMO.

That said, I really do get the point behind this one, especially as more bosses keep getting released, the game has certainly put a lot of focus on combat... But at the same time, WX-78 did get the Alpha circuits together with the chassis system to let you make a combat-focused build that lets him be very tanky or fast according to your combat needs, so like... I think that's good enough? I really don't think every character needs more damage than standard. It's fine if his combat benefits are more focused on survival or speed IMO.

I understand, my focus in playing Don't Starve Together is to practice Boss Rush, I believe a more consistent source of damage would greatly help to make the battles less long, that's all.

[Kvetevk]

1 hour ago, Evelo said:

We already have the Celestial Portal. Not saying their idea should be implemented, it shouldn't, but making the skill tree useless because you can choose different skills is already in the game.

I ment the concept of a skill tree, players have to wisely choose theire skills depending on theire playstyle. Having different skills in chassis that you have easy access to would make players always pick the chassis skill first, because then you can make other body that will have the rest of the unpicked skills (basicly you have access to all skills).

[Dr.Webber]

I was also thinking about finding some way to make the Roto mapper still useful after you uncover everything on the map

let me know your thoughts:

 

I think the alignments should be WX using the respective powers to make there chassis adapt in battle plus a Jimmy abilities and maybe something to do with Terramites and clockworks but you probably have to an additional skill to each affinity if you did that (also when I say something to do with Terramites I mean specifically gain the ability to craft Gyroscopic Transduction Core)