Here comes Touhou LostWord's first social feature!
New Feature Alert!
Fresh off Dev Letter #27 was the announcement of a brand new system to Touhou LostWord known as the Buddy System, the first social feature to be introduced for the game! With players mostly restricted to sharing information about team builds and strategies for end game content thus far, this system introduces a new dimension for players looking to enjoy the game with a friend...by borrowing their Friends!
What is the Buddy System?
At this point, everything we know about the Buddy System is restricted to what was revealed in Dev Letter #27 linked below as well as the recent JP Live Stream. For a summary of the Buddy System, keep reading on!
Players will be able to add each other in-game
The Buddy System
To differentiate them with your Friends from Gensokyo, these players will be collectively known as your Buddies. Based on the screenshots we've seen, it looks like players will be able to have a limit of 50 Buddies. Do you have 50 friends at your beck and call?
Favourite Friends and Comments will show up on Buddies' lists
Tied to the Friend you decide to set as your favourite, this numero uno companion will now be featured alongside your name on Buddy Lists. A great chance to brag about your favourites!
Also remember that odd little section on your Player ID page you could edit? This space now serves a purpose with the Buddy System, with any messages you input there now showing alongside your name on Buddy lists. This could range to an explanation of the Helper you have set for your Buddies (more on them later) to summaries of what your setup would work best for in the current available content. Or you could just tell everyone why you think Aya should be the next Friend to be part of the Music Video Project. The possibilities are endless!
Bring Helpers to stages!
Lend your Buddies a helping hand!
Most importantly, the Buddy System allows you to loan out a Friend to your Buddies for help with clearing stages. These Friends (referred to as Helpers) appear to occupy a slot in your usual 6-Friend team, and can be called upon to assist you with the stage. You will be able to select Helpers that aren't from your Buddies as well, although picking a Buddy's helper will be of greater benefit to you (see Buddy Points section below).
The following rules apply to Helpers for both parties:
- Helpers cost Spirit Points to field, just like any other Friend.
- Parties that include a Helper cannot use the Spirit Point Cost Cut feature.
- Helpers are unaffected by Morale. While you don't have to worry about overworking your Buddy's Helper, keep in mind that your own Friends will need to rest!
- Helpers are always displayed in their default costume, regardless of what is set for them by your Buddy.
- If the Friend you have set as your Helper is used by another Player, their Morale & Friendship Level will not change.
- You can have two of the same Friend in your party if one of them is a Helper, opening up some new and interesting strategies for players to try out!
- Fantasy Rebirthed Friends cannot be used at the moment. We may see this change in the future as the team continues to fine-tune the system.
- Helpers come equipped with Story Cards set by Buddies. Be sure to outfit your Helpers properly for others!
There are limitations to where Helpers can be sent out. At the moment, Helpers cannot be used in:
- Hakugyoku Arena (Daily)
- Hakugyoku Arena (Weekly)
- VS Divergent Spirits
- Daily Quests
- Scarlet Devil Tower
- Mirror of Rebirth stages
- Ruins of Memory stages
- The Witch of Scarlet Dreams special stage.
You will also be unable to set Helpers in replays and rematches. After all, your Buddies might want to swap out their Helpers!
The amount of content where Helpers can be used is poised to change in the future as the team continues to work on making more stages available so look forward to this!
Exchange Buddy Points for rare and powerful materials!
The Buddy Points exchange shop
So why use the Buddy System? There are incentives to being a great Buddy to your pals beyond just being there for them. This system also awards players with Buddy Points whenever:
- You bring a non Buddy Helper along in a stage (10 points)
- You bring a Buddy's Helper along in a stage (100 points)
- Someone outside your Buddy list brings your Helper along in a stage (10 points)
- Your Buddies bring your Helper along in a stage (100 points)
In total, players will be able to collect 1,000 points per day by using Helpers, and 1,000 points per day by having your Helpers be used by others. Enterprising players will be able to earn a maximum of 2,000 Buddy Points a day. The more popular your Helper is, the faster you will be able to accumulate points!
These points can then be used to obtain Exchange Shop rewards including exclusive 5-Star Story Cards, Incense Burners, Divine Paper Dolls and more! Having lots of Buddies will also make the process a lot faster, as the chance of your Helper being used increases the more they are available!
Buddy System Giveaway
Post a screenshot and show off to everyone your favorite Friend!
With the release of the Buddy System imminent, the 
Official Discord Server is currently running a Giveaway. Here's how you can participate:
- Join the server with the link above.
- Find the #buddy-system-giveaway channel.
- Post a picture of your Player Profile screen
Players will have until 10 November, 00:00 UTC to participate. 10 players who post screenshots will be randomly selected to receive a reward pack containing upgrade materials, 30,000 coins and 50 Seal Crystals. The perfect gift for players looking to pray for more Friends!
Looking for Buddies?
With the game offering players the chance to team up, you'll want to get your friends together so you're ready to experience Touhou LostWord together as a group when the time comes! If you're looking for new Buddies however, the Official Discord Server is always a great place to start.
Drop on in and introduce yourself to the vibrant community of players. You can be sure to find a Buddy or 50 there!
