Back up your current worlds. If you ARE planning to play in an old world, you will likely need to manually run the following command if the FTB Quest does not do it automatically:

/execute in dimdoors:public_pockets run setworldspawn 0 102 0

General Fixes & Stability

• Attempted to fix a rare issue where first spawn sometimes failed to place the tutorial platform, causing players to fall into the void.
• Updated to Dungeon Now Loading 2.2 after fixing an issue with an unkillable mob.
• Fixed a floating point error.
• Attempted to address OpenGL-related instability.
• Fixed a potential Scorching Sun desync where crashing could leave the heat modifier stuck after relogging.
• Added the new "Area Threat" system:
  • Difficulty increases if players stay in one area too long.
  • Values/difficulty modifiers should now survive crashes properly via a "/set #" system.
• Refreshed configs/datapacks so pistols should no longer jam.
• Removed disabled mods so they won't randomly enable for some players.
• Removed the "Better Chunk Loading" mod after discovering it caused broken Dimensional Doors generation and possible TPS freezes.
• Removed the Recruits mod for now until it receives updates.

Gameplay Changes

Area Threat System

• Added a major "Area Threat" difficulty system:
  • Staying in one area too long gradually increases mob difficulty.
  • Leaving the area slowly reduces the modifier again.
  • Difficulty scaling is averaged between nearby players.
  • Encourages multiple bases, mobile bases/trains/vehicles, or heavily fortified main bases.
  • Veteran/end-game bases can effectively become dangerous high-level zones.
• Added an "Area Threat" HUD counter with rising/falling indicators.
• Pollution-based difficulty scaling is now per-player rather than global.
• Removed distance-based autoleveling from mobs entirely; mobs no longer get stronger farther from 0,0.
• Slightly slowed the scoreboard HUD refresh for performance (probably negligible).

Horde Defense

• Horde Defense coordinates and timers now persist through relogs.
• Horde Defense rewards now stack crates rather than spreading them out.
• Added a Horde Defense countdown timer.

Miscellaneous Gameplay

• Added Create Schematics to the Tech Market for easier access.
• Removed the Golden Dimensional Door in favor of the Quartz/private version.
• Added a new Horror mob (currently stable in testing).
  • Removed for now until an Eradication Quest is developed for it.

Scorching Sun Changes

• Force Fields now protect against the Scorching Sun event.
• Force Fields also block the high-sun/exposure horde trigger.
• Optimized Force Field overhead checks by caching results.
• Fixed event timing so Scorching Sun won't begin immediately on new worlds.
• Updated event text from "Seek shelter" to "Seek cover" for clarity.
• Added hoverable chat hints/details instead of large chat dumps.

Umbrella Functionality

• Holding an Umbrella protects against Scorching Sun damage.
• Umbrellas take durability damage while protecting you.

Respawn & Tutorial Dimension

Respawning

• Reworked respawning:
  • Death now always routes players through the safe tutorial dimension.
  • Leaving the platform returns players to their bed/spawn anchor or world spawn.
  • Intended as a guaranteed safe cooldown/rest area.

Tutorial Dimension Changes

• Exiting the tutorial dimension for the first time now:
  • Clears dropped items there.
  • Clears Curios items.
• Fixed an issue where the tutorial sheep wasn't low enough HP to capture.
• Known issue:
  • The tutorial sheep currently does not count for the Study Quest.
• Removed the pop-up bridge item from starting gear since Scorching Sun no longer starts immediately.
• Added a brittle wooden pickaxe to starting gear to prevent edge cases where starter chests are empty or non-instanced.

Quests, UI, & Progression

• Fixed hover text in the introductory "Click This!" Quest.
• Moved the "You Died!" Quest into the Supply Drops & Quick Kits chapter for visibility.
• Moved the "Getting Iron: The New Ways" Quest directly into the required progression path.
• Added new quests.
• Updated various quest/market text.
• Removed the Misc. section and reorganized it into a new "??? Market" under "Tactics".

Balance Changes

Soldier Quick Kit

• Increased armor by 3 points.
• Increased armor toughness by 0.6.
• Upgraded knife damage from 4.9 to 7.
• Improved Tec-9 reliability.
• M24 sniper now uses FMJ ammo and holds 9 rounds instead of 6.
• Replaced Shrapnel Grenades with Incendiary Grenades.

Pollution

• Reduced pollution accumulation speed slightly.
• Planning to add a pollution tutorial or better introduction later.

Crafting & Economy

• Energy Condenser/Condenser Chest now requires a Living Core instead of steel.
• Added a new… area… to help (or hurt) your wallet.

World, Environment, & Visuals

• Re-added DimDoors dungeon pocket temperature offsets.
• Adjusted morning/evening shadows to avoid overly bright shader shadows.
• Removed Terralith's world creation toast/welcome message.
• Added Macaw's Furniture.

Miscellaneous

• Carry On can no longer pick up:
  • Casino games
  • Boomboxes
  • Waterframes
  • railways:smokestack_diesel
• Fixed an issue where Soulbound coins weren't consolidating properly in other dimensions.
• Fixed a bug where merely holding a cage item completed most of the Humanoid Faction quest.
• Attempted to fix rare missing-chunk generation in Dimensional Doors dungeon pockets.
• Probably other stuff.

Known Issues

• Still occasional TPS freezes :/
• Green tutorial sheep still doesn't complete the photography quest (may be an issue with the mod being used).

Future Plans

• Improve the preparation/starting chapter so it introduces major chapters/features more naturally and reduces aimlessness.
• Add cooldowns to some Deployable Pop-up Structure purchases.
• Possibly add a battery to the Force Field deployable structure.