You can now assign a Random faction selection while in the battle room to either a human or AI player, or Legion if the `experimentallegionfaction` modoption is enabled. Currently SimpleAI is the most functional when assigned to Legion but there is work being done for Barb AIs to make better use of Legion. Read more:

We’re testing Cloudflare Pro to speed up map downloads—fill out this form: https://forms.gle/J2Ah8Uecfh2Zgb6y7 to let us know if it helped; otherwise, we’ll assume it’s not worth keeping.

The default balance algorithm will now pick `split_noobs` as the balance algorithm when there is either at least one party, or at least one new player. This will have the effect that parties are now more likely to be respected. `split_noobs` will keep parties together if it can find a combination where team ratings are roughly equal and team standard deviations are roughly equal. The prior algorithm, `loser_picks` , would only keep parties if it could create a counter party of equal size and roughly equal skill and standard deviation. Often it couldn't create a counter party which meant disbanding the original party. If you are still experiencing your party getting disbanded, you can also try the command: `!balancealgorithm respect_avoids` This algorithm keeps parties together if it can find a combination where team ratings are roughly equal. It doesn't check for standard deviation so is even more likely to keep parties than `split_noobs`. It also tries to keep players you are avoiding seperate from you - but avoiding takes lower priority than parties. You can use `$explain` to see what algorithm is being used.

An issue was discovered with multiplayer games that had a player or AI with the above chosen as faction swapped to another after pregame placement, and queued buildings removed.

luaui\Widgets folder has had all non-widget Lua files moved out of it

If you enable `experimentallegionfaction` in modoptions, Legion will be added to the menu that appears when you right click a user or AI and Change Faction. This means AIs can now have Legion assigned as their faction, however AI performance when assigned to Legion is still a work in progress, as this faction is still in development.

Simple Skirmish is an interface that offers step-by-step guidance to setting up a Singleplayer game. New installs will get the new simplified mode when the Skirmish button is clicked, existing installs can opt-in via the "Simplified Skirmish" lobby setting. Read more:

Discover the latest Recoil Engine release featuring the new RmlUI framework, enhancing UI design with web technologies. Explore major graphical upgrades, improved gameplay mechanics, and key bug fixes. Special thanks to the dedicated contributors! Check out the full patch notes for detailed insights.

This is a summary of significant changes to the lobby made this month. Read the full post for details. Thanks to kroIya, Damgam, FIr3baL, and robertthepie for the contributions.

The lobby has received an update that makes it so raw links clicked in the lobby chat will now ask for a confirmation before opening the URL.