From the patch notes:
Evolution System
- The evolution system progression was advancing too rapidly from tactical battles and less from with time - we are changing this to be weighted more towards the time component making the whole progression a bit smoother.*
- We are adding a difficulty component to evolution progression effectively slowing down Pandoran evolution (encountering elite units) for easier difficulties.
How does this fit in, bearing in mind that I am currently “testing” the patch in Rookie mode? Not even 3 in-game days the first encounter with aliens are highly evolved. (Though on the upside, I get a grenade launcher earlier than I ever did in other playthroughs.) Also, bear in mind that my units are level 1.
My 2nd encounter (6 in-game days), the Arthron has de-evolved and no longer has a machine gun and acid grenade launcher. However, the Triton now has evolved even further, as it can now regenerate. The latter is something I never witnessed in my prior games pre-Leviathan. All within 1 mission and 3-4 in-game days. None of this seems correct based on the patch notes or from the Feedback site:
Overall difficulty is getting a rework in the patch alongside DLC 1. Firstly, the Dynamic Difficulty will be adjusted to be more forgiving on easier difficulty levels. We are also changing the way that mission outcomes are evaluated in favor of the player. This means that completing certain missions with fewer injuries is less likely to increase the difficulty.
Pandoran evolution will now also be tempered by the passage of time and not just player performance, meaning that Pandorans will take longer to get tougher!
For the record, no I didn’t lose any units during the missions. However, in both cases, heavy injuries where incurred. Due to the over-powered Arthron in the 1st mission, one unit had to use 2 medkits to survive. Again, we were led to believe that DDA was being toned down for at least the 2 easier difficulties. I just ate some pudding and I am not finding an proof in it.