class-mechanics
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Neverwinter details the Oathbound Paladin
Paladins are sort of a thing in any setting you claim to name. The very name conjures images of a fiercely devout warrior with heavy armor, heavy weaponry, and boundless dedication to a cause. Neverwinter's next class, the Oathbound Paladin, is certainly meant to play off of that image. It's a class that can specialize in tanking or healing based on the Paragon path it chooses, and it mechanically centers around helping allies without thought for itself. The central mechanic of the Oathbound Paladin is Divine Call, an ability that gathers energy passively and through certain Paladin actions. When used, it can taunt foes or offer big area healing. The more regular abilities for the class allow it to aura-buff the party, place damage shields on fellow party members, and absorb damage only to unleash it upon enemies shortly thereafter. Find out more about the class with the official preview.
World of Warcraft unleashes its full patch 6.1 patch notes
The first major patch for World of Warcraft's latest expansion is here! If by "here" you mean "on the test realm," anyhow. So not here at all. The opposite of here; still preparing to be here. One might even go so far as to say it's there. But the full (preliminary) patch notes for the test realm are available right now for those who'd like to see what's around the corner aside from brand-new Blood Elf models. Garrison fans will have plenty of things to enjoy, with new visitors offering quests, new follower missions, and a new music box available. Players can also make use of a new Twitter integration feature and the new heirloom collection tab. Several classes are also seeing talent and balance adjustments, including across-the-board buffs to healer damage output for adventuring in the world. No word yet on when the patch will drop, but you can see what it contains from the patch notes.
Skyforge demos the Paladin and the Cryomancer in a solo dungeon
The latest video from Skyforge isn't a trailer. It's all gameplay footage, and it's all about showing off how two of the classes function in combat and what players can expect from the game's solo dungeons. Development director Eric Demilt and class designer Aidan Karabaich take two of the game's starting classes, the Paladin and the Cryomancer, through the Lanber Catacombs while narrating how the combat systems and ability mechanics work. The Paladin, as you'd likely expect, is as tanky as you'd like and features a variety of sword swipes, holy bolts of damage, and drawing in enemies for large attacks. The Cryomancer, meanwhile, focuses on control, creating decoys, and blasting groups down after they're frozen in place. The video also shows off solo mechanics like environmental puzzles and solo bosses. If you've got a chunk of time to sit down and watch it (it's 14 minutes long), check the whole thing out just past the break.
The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's E3 revelations
Let me open off with an apology: Last week didn't feature a Mog Log column, and that happened without warning. This was a calculated decision; I figured last Monday it would be silly to talk about a game promised many exciting E3 reveals before those reveals when there was a game that had just launched. So I held off talking about Final Fantasy XIV until this week, but I am sorry if anyone had a fear this column was being unceremoniously dropped. But oh my, was it ever worth it. Here we are in the wake of E3 fit to burst with new information, new revelations, all the fun stuff you could ask for from the convention. It's ever so joyous. So let's talk about what we've learned about the next patch, the patch after that, vague rumblings of the future, and... um... darn. There was one big thing that got unveiled at E3, wasn't there?
Wowhead introduces class guides
Wowhead has just launched a new feature for players new to the game, and players new to a different class as well -- class guides written for virtually every class and spec in the game. The guides act as a brief overview of what you'll need for the class you play, covering spells, talents, glyphs, enchanting, gemming, reforging, and even topics like tackling the Proving Grounds and Challenge Modes. Some guides also include basic DPS rotations for each spec as well. Written by familiar faces from around the WoW community, the guides themselves are fairly basic -- you won't see any number crunching or theorycrafting. Instead, they act as a quick reference for players wondering what they should be doing with the character they play. That said, it's a wealth of quick-reference information that I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep bookmarked. Check out the class guides for yourself over on Wowhead.
New class rises to join Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen
The second class revealed for Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen isn't the hero that the world of Terminus needs, but it's the one the world deserves. The Dark Knight is exactly what it sounds like on the tin: Aside from striking fear into the cowardly and superstitious lot of Terminus' monsters, it's a fusion of melee abilities and destructive spellcasting that draws upon unholy might. It's a class with plenty of toys to mix with extensive martial training, and it serves nicely as a peek at the conceptual space of Pantheon's classes. Dark Knights have access to several choices of both weapon and armor, generally focusing on heavy plate armor along with two-handed swords, shield, and axes. They also possess the ability to drain life and strength from their foes, apply diseases, summon necromantic minions, and possibly hang upside-down from gargoyles. There's a bit more lore to be found in the official reveal; keep your ears open for more classes so that you'll be properly prepared.
Take a little look at TERA's newest class
The newest class in TERA is live on the Korean servers right now, and even if you don't normally play an Elin, you might be curious to see what it's all about. That's a little more problematic if you don't speak Korean, but lucky for you there's a whole preview of the upcoming class available now on Steparu. It should give you a good idea of what to expect when this update comes out stateside. Dark Elin start at level 55 and have a variety of new skills and abilities for players to use. Embedded past the break is a preview of a Dark Elin fighting one of the game's signature BAMs, showing off the class mechanics in brief and giving an idea of what it's like to play one. Check out the video past the break, and take a look at the full preview for a more in-depth look at the class.
WildStar unveils its final two classes
WildStar has really drawn out this reveal as long as possible. We've known the game had six classes since more or less forever, that's fine. And we've known about four of them for a very long while now. So we've spent several weeks in the game's long, drawn-out reveal for all of the game's classes, which of course dealt with the four we already knew about first, leaving the lingering question marks of those last two classes. Finally, we can talk about those guys too. And those last two classes are pretty cool. You could guess some of the details from what we already know, but just like with WildStar's other classes there are some tricks and surprises along the way, and neither of the two previously unrevealed classes are one-trick ponies. So jump on past the break to finally find out the last two classes. What, you didn't think we were going to put that before the break, did you? We can draw out a reveal too.
The Daily Grind: Do you have a class (or type) you tend to play in games?
I will freely admit that WildStar has made the Esper look pretty attractive this week, but the fact remains that it's probably not going to be one of my main classes. Sure, it looks cool, but I tend to be more likely to play melee classes, and even more likely to opt for hybrid classes where they're an option. I like being able to kill things with weapons with magical backup, that's just how I roll. Some people tend toward certain roles. Some tend toward certain class types, like "the stealth class" or "the heavy armor guy" or "the pet class where I don't have to really pay attention." Some just have certain archetypes that keep showing up. Do you have a class or type that you tend to play in games no matter what? Or do you just wind up playing whatever strikes your eye during character creation? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
WildStar's livestream serves up a big helping of Warrior fun
Are you looking forward to WildStar's big Warrior livestream? Because... we've got bad news for you then; that was yesterday. It happened. You missed it. But there's no need to fret. The livestream is still archived, and you can take a look at the full thing just past the break. And what does it contain? A whole lot of Warrior time as well as a whole lot of time looking at what's changed compared to previous game builds. For starters, this build has a chance to show off both the new ability enhancement and AMP systems, replacements to the original Milestone setup (although the interface for both is still obviously in beta stages). The Warrior also gets to demonstrate some of the new elements of the UI, like telegraphs serving as cast bars, allowing you to know just when dodging out will be absolutely vital. No need to take our word for it, though; check out the full video just past the break!
The Daily Grind: What role would you eliminate from the trinity?
MMO designers around the world have flocked to your home. The trinity of MMO roles will be forever altered, but you don't get to add or alter. No, you can only do one thing: You can subtract. Tanking, DPSing, or healing will be forever removed based upon your decision. This might not seem like much of a question, but think about it. Without a tank, all DPS and healing players would have to pay attention to what's going on, and there would be room for things like distinct pulling, crowd-control, or burn roles. Without healing, survivability takes on a different role, and without DPS, groups become smaller and focused on a wider gap between tanks and healers. Time is running out. What would the face of World of Warcraft look like with no tanks? What is Final Fantasy XIV without healers? If you could remove one role from the trinity, what would you pick? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Forsaken World adds its first new class since launch
New classes are kind of a big deal, especially as a game goes for a longer time without adding new ones. The longer the gap between new classes, the more time players have to get used to the existing balance and get thrown off by a new addition. So Forsaken World's new class is going to shake up the game's structure pretty thoroughly, as the game has had the same core lineup since it first launched. The new class is dubbed Blood Reaper (possibly not the final translated name) and focuses upon crowd-control. It's exclusive to the Lycan race and appears to be part of the game's next major expansion, which will also increase the game's level cap to 90. Given Perfect World Entertainment's track record, it shouldn't be a significant delay before Western players can begin exploring this new addition to the game.
Breakfast Topic: Which is the hardest class to play?
I have been informed by The Management that the answer to this question is a rogue. This is probably objectively true. Rogues are a finicky class to play. Gearing can be an inordinate pain, with new pieces of gear often requiring complete regemming and reforging for optimal DPS output. Rotations, priorities, and situational attacks are also quite complex, and I have a lot of admiration for accomplished rogues. I have a rogue myself, and if I'm away from her for even a few days, it takes me a little while to get back into the rogue play style groove. However, I cannot truthfully say that a rogue is the most difficult class for me. My main is a druid, and I have played feral spec since I started WoW (though I raid and run dungeons mainly as Restoration - I prefer healer queue times, who doesn't?) so roguish game mechanics are pretty familiar to me. No, to me, the hardest class to play would be a death knight. I have never been able to make sense of death knight mechanics. I can recite them: abilities consume runes, which produce runic power, which is necessary for other abilities. In practice, though, when I play a death knight it always eventually boils down to button mashing, which is not fun at all. So, despite having rolled a death knight at least three or four times, each in an attempt to finally stick with the class, I've given up. Death knights and me, we just weren't meant to be. I still don't understand why, though, because honestly the concept behind both death knight and rogue mechanics is really similar! It doesn't make any sense that I'd be perfectly at home with one class but not the other. What gives, brain? I feed you and give you sleep when you need it, the least you could do is be more consistent in your virtual-world data processing, okay?! Alas, I cannot change the natural order of things, and death knight mastery will likely remain my World of Warcraft white whale. What about you, fair readers? What is the hardest class for you to play?
The Nexus Telegraph: Bringing class into WildStar
Last week's column was all about unpacking the Dominion, something that I'll be doing more of over the course of this week, but not every reveal was focused around the more aristocratic side of WildStar. I suppose that the Stalker could be seen as aristocratic with the right concept, but the point is that Stalker is the fourth class revealed and the first new one we've heard about since the original three. Knowing the name alone gives a pretty clear picture of what the class is all about, but we've also had a chance to see a little of the stealthy claw machine in action. Of course, at the moment we don't know much beyond those basics. They're sneaky, they're dangerous in close combat, and they apparently play very well with the Draken philosophy. So let's talk about the classes in general and how they relate to what we know of the game thus far, including the obvious question about whether or not this is all we get in terms of classes to play.
Neverwinter unveils the Devoted Cleric
There's a lot of devotion running around in Neverwinter, and usually it's not something to be fond of. Most of the game features a plethora of foes devoted to the idea of ripping your character limb from limb, for example. But devotion isn't all bad. Take the newest class for the game, the Devoted Cleric, a beacon of healing light that will hinder foes, help allies, and always remain faithful to you even if you wear that hat he absolutely hates. Devoted Clerics have two at-will abilities under normal circumstances: a standard attack and a lighter attack that also heals allies for a small amount. As the Devoted Cleric attacks, he builds up Divinity, which allows him to shift into different at-will abilities -- a channeled beam of damage or a channeled heal that restores both the target and the cleric. Take a closer look at the class mechanics on the official site, or see the class in action in the trailer past the cut. [Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]
Lord of the Rings Online previews Guardian changes for Riders of Rohan
Guardians in Lord of the Rings Online are tanks. That's pretty much their entire purpose in life. But with the upcoming Riders of Rohan expansion, the class is seeing a substantial revision that will allow it to also take on a DPS role. The latest development blog on the class explains the new skills that Guardian players can look forward to as well as the changes implemented to allow Guardians a different role in groups. The biggest change is the removal of Parry Stance and the addition of Overpower Stance, which grants all of the benefits of the old stance as well as increased damage and lowered damage mitigation. Several skills also have new or enhanced effects in Overpower Stance. Furthermore, Guardians will receive a new Legendary Trait to improve bleed effects and a few improvements to threat generation. Players anxious to see what new tricks are granted to the familiar tank-heavy class should look at the full blog for the details on the alterations.
Firefall ramps up for its summer milestone
The upcoming milestone update to Firefall is a big one that revamps several core areas of the game based on player feedback. That includes multiple frames seeing a large-scale revisions. Designers Justin Hanson and John Deshazer elaborate upon some of the changes wrought upon the Engineer in the newest video, explaining that the class had some serious problems before -- it wasn't mobile and generally wasn't considered desirable within group composition because of its limited utility. Meeting the new and more functional Engineer will turn that impression around. Engineers have gotten a new weapon that ramps up in damage as it scores repeated hits on a single target. They've also been granted a number of better build items, such as mini-turrets that can be tossed in odd locations and instant-build forcefields. And that's just a sample of what the milestone is improving in the game, something detailed in two recent development blogs outlining the philosophy behind the changes and what players can expect after the dust clears.
SWTOR: So you want to play a Bounty Hunter
So you're thinking of being a Star Wars: The Old Republic Bounty Hunter, are you? It's a fine choice of profession. Challenging work, definitely. Requires a lot of travel, a quick draw, and a willingness to take on impossible odds. Some Hunters might see themselves as the avenging hand of the law, some just want to get paid, and some of them genuinely care about the Sith cause. But at the end of the day, every Bounty Hunter lives according to the same code: Find the mark and get paid for the job. Of course, the in-game Bounty Hunter has all the tools needed to make that happen. With a plethora of tricks in his suit of armor, Hunters can do everything -- provide field medical support, keep targets occupied long enough for others to take them down, or even just waste everything with a plethora of missiles. There are a lot of options available to players who go down the route of the Bounty Hunter, and it doesn't hurt that the entire class oozes with style and intrigue from the start.
Massively Exclusive: WindSlayer 2 developer diary looks at ranged classes
WindSlayer 2 has kicked off its closed beta, giving a select group of players the chance to see how the game plays before it goes live. But for everyone else, the game's previews are the only clues as to how the game will play once you can log in. Here at Massively, we've been posting a series of exclusive diaries straight from the team over at Ignited Games to show off what the game will have to offer players fond of the side-scrolling sprite format. Our last diary, of course, dealt with the game's three classes devoted to getting within arm's reach of monsters and pounding them senseless -- the melee classes, to be more prosaic. So it's appropriate we have a new exclusive today previewing the game's three ranged classes. Click on past the break for discussion of the Archer, Mage, and Priest -- what they're able to do, how they're meant to play, and what players can expect from each.
The Daily Grind: What class would you cut from your game of choice?
There's a budget shortage at your favorite class-based game. It doesn't matter whether your favorite game is Final Fantasy XI or RIFT, the fact is that one of the classes has to go. Assume that said class is asking for unreasonable benefits, deferred signing bonuses, shares of the gross profits per expansion, whatever you want. What's important is that one of the classes is getting cut, and it's up to you to decide which one gets banished to the land of wind and ghosts. So in said favorite game, which class gets the axe? Is it a class that you feel gets over-represented anyway that your specific game can live without (Final Fantasy XI's Ranger)? Is it a unique class without enough solid mechanics or interesting elements to keep itself afloat (Guild Wars' Ritualist)? Or is it a solid class that just feels like an unnecessary addition to an already-crowded landscape of different playstyles (Dungeon and Dragons Online's Favored Soul)? Which class seems like it would be missed the least if it were removed? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
