Version 3.4.4 Alpha Released

Version 3.4.4 Alpha introduces Shields as a complete tenth equipment category. The review covered the data model, loot generation, equipment profiles, Weapon Mastery, Forge filters, Set and Unique catalogs, save migration, persisted Gear Sets, stored market/trade items, localization, responsive UI and the complete navigation matrix.

Build ID: version-3.4.4-alpha-shield-slot Save Schema: 34 (unchanged) Historical browser save key: unchanged

Implemented repair

• Added a dedicated shield slot between Weapon and Helm for every Job Card.
• Kept Weapon, Shield and Relic as independent equipment positions.
• Moved ordinary, Set, Unique and Forgotten shields out of the Relic category.
• Added normal, advanced and endgame shield base pools.
• Added dedicated shield artwork, inventory labels, filters and Forge categories.
• Updated defensive Sets and relevant traders to produce real Shield pieces.
• Updated shield-specialist Weapon Mastery: a matching Sword contributes 12%, and an equipped Shield contributes another 8%.
• Added a level-appropriate starter Sword and starter Shield so Vanguard can use the intended combination immediately.
• Preserved Save Schema 34 and the historical browser storage key.

Legacy migration

During profile normalization, shield-tagged items previously stored as relic are changed to shield. References are then migrated in:

• inventory records;
• active and per-card equipment profiles;
• saved Gear Sets;
• Auction listings;
• incoming and outgoing simulated trade records;
• other nested stored item records.

A genuine non-shield Relic remains in the Relic category. Migrated profiles were saved, reopened and checked again to verify persistence.

Automated runtime matrix

The final source tree completed 418 automated checks in Chromium:

• all 26 primary routes;
• 1366 x 768, 390 x 844 and 1920 x 1080;
• fresh profile;
• fully discovered Unique and Set Binders;
• legacy Version 3.4 shield profile;
• save, migration and reopen cycle;
• ten Gear controls including separate Shield and Relic positions;
• English and German Shield labels;
• Shield Forge filter;
• 120 forced procedural Shield drops;
• every dedicated Unique Shield template;
• Sword + Shield + Relic equipped simultaneously;
• Vanguard's complete 20% matching Weapon Mastery contribution.

Result: 418 passed, 0 failed.

No JavaScript page errors or console errors were captured. No tested route produced an empty screen, duplicate DOM IDs, visible unlabeled buttons or document-level horizontal overflow.

Static and asset validation

• node --check game.js: passed
• node --check data.js: passed
• node --check playtest.js: passed
• 35 raster images decoded successfully
• 7 SVG files parsed successfully
• 24 local runtime asset references resolved
• 0 missing or invalid assets

External test targets

The automated matrix uses Chromium. Firefox, Safari and physical iOS/Android devices remain manual compatibility targets. Existing players should still download a portable save before replacing an itch.io build.