0.9.6

Cleaver whirl, HD boss first-draw, elite Splitter minis.

docs/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,16 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ---
 
+## [0.9.6] — 2026-08-15
+
+### Changed
+- **Cleaver Cadence** — wider, harder whirl (`sweepRange` 90→110, `sweepArc` 2.4→2.85, `dmg` 34→42). Magazine stays 26 / refill 10. The butcher spins ~2.5 turns during the swing. Dual-arc blood/spark VFX and hit gibs; yellow gun muzzle is suppressed.
+- **Elite Splitters** — now leave 2 Minis on death, same as a normal Splitter (instant, no telegraph).
+
+### Fixed
+- **HD Remaster first boss-room hitch** — `drawBossLoad` now first-draws the 4× floor/wall caches and blits the boss sheet onto the game canvas under the overlay, so combat starts without a first-frame GPU stall. SD and re-visits are unchanged.
+
+
 ## [0.9.5] — 2026-08-15
 
 ### Added

docs/enemies.md

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Ranged kiter. Holds 190–250 px away from you — approaches if you're farther
 | XP | 1 |
 | First appears | Floor 2 (spawn weight 16) |
 
-Chaser that **splits into 2 Minis on death** (non-elite Splitters only). Slightly tankier than a Shambler. Explosions and AoE that kill the Minis with the parent are valuable here.
+Chaser that **splits into 2 Minis on death** (elite and normal). Slightly tankier than a Shambler. Explosions and AoE that kill the Minis with the parent are valuable here.
 
 ### Mini
 

docs/gameplay.md

@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ Full formulas are in [enemies.md](enemies.md) and [bosses.md](bosses.md).
 | Screen | What it offers |
 |---|---|
 | **Title** | INITIATE DESCENT, PRESSURE DIAL (−10…+10), HD REMASTER ON/OFF tag, control reference, best score, confirmed desktop exit |
-| **Boss approach** | Full-screen hold on first boss-room entry: boss name + FRESH MEAT APPROACHES, ≥1s, then combat |
+| **Boss approach** | Full-screen hold on first boss-room entry: boss name + FRESH MEAT APPROACHES, ≥1s (HD first-draw paid under the overlay), then combat |
 | **Pause** | Jukebox (track cycling), SFX/music volume + HUD opacity sliders, resume/swap/auto/mute hints, Field Manual (`H` / `?` button) |
 | **Mutation Draft** | 3 perk cards, random cut, reroll, auto-draft |
 | **Game Over ("BUTCHERED")** | Floor, kills, score, NEW BEST CUT tag, restart |

docs/weapons.md

@@ -106,18 +106,18 @@ Shotgun. Up to 66 damage per trigger pull at point blank before multipliers, but
 
 ### Cleaver Cadence
 
-> *A wide, dramatic melee sweep*
+> *A wider, gory whirl of steel*
 
 | Stat | Value |
 |---|---|
-| Damage | 34 |
+| Damage | 42 |
 | Fire interval | 0.55 s |
-| Reach | 90 px |
-| Arc | 2.4 rad (~137°) |
+| Reach | 110 px |
+| Arc | 2.85 rad (~163°) |
 | Ammo | 26 (refill 10 per pickup) |
 | Recoil | 0.95 (heavy) |
 
-Melee sweep: one wide swing across the aim direction hits every enemy within 90 px inside a ~137° arc for 34 damage with heavy knockback.
+Melee sweep: one wide whirl across the aim direction hits every enemy within 110 px inside a ~163° arc for 42 damage with heavy knockback. The butcher spins ~2.5 turns during the swing. Blood and sparks ride the arc; there is no yellow gun muzzle.
 
 ### Sawblade Launcher