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NCsoft announces Valiance, Lineage II's next expansion
NCsoft has just announced Valiance, a new content expansion for Lineage II set for launch at some point before the end of the year. According to the company, the new content includes a storyline that "wreaks havoc across the lands" and brings big mechanics changes and skill updates. Valiance marks the return of the Hellbound zone, which has been upgraded with new areas and hunting parties. NCsoft has added 25 new skills to the game, tweaked a number of existing skills, and entirely reworked the core skill system. Additionally, the studio is implementing an abilities system that allows players to customize skills to make characters more specialized. Some of Lineage II's most popular raid bosses are also on deck to return. More information should be forthcoming as Valiance edges toward launch. Lineage II just celebrated its 10th anniversary in Korea; April 2014 marks 10 years of Lineage II in the west. [Source: NCsoft press release]
Lineage II: behind the gates of the Steel Citadel
Here at Massively, we've always striven to provide you with as much information as we're able to gather about our favorite games. Well, we were lucky enough to catch up with Tim Tan -- North American Producer for NCsoft's Lineage II property -- and had the chance to discuss with him his views on Lineage II itself, the Hellbound expansion, and his feelings about the game's fourth anniversary. With him was Jessica "Alyra" Folsom, Community Manager for Lineage II, so we took the opportunity to pick her brain, as well.For those unaware of the excitement, Hellbound went live on 23 April, the same day the Lineage II team launched Luna, their brand-new European server. Tie both of those events in with the fourth anniversary of their title, and you can see why Tim's so excited about the success of this labor of love. Okay, labor of love, and a lot of coding. Closing the last link in the chain of the First Throne saga, Hellbound brings into existence the horrors and triumphs foreshadowed in earlier installments.
Hellbound transformations shake things up in Lineage 2
MMOs are fun. Our hope is that you feel that way, otherwise you wouldn't be reading the site. That said, they can get a little same-y. You play the same game for long enough - hours and hours of time - and you want something a little different. The Lineage 2 update Hellbound just recently dropped onto the live servers, and yesterday the game celebrated its fourth anniversary. In honor of these events (and to shake things up a bit) the folks at NCsoft sent over a dev diary all about the additions to the Transformation system.Essentially, players who want to play the game at a bit of a different angle will have the opportunity to do so. The Kamael update introduced this system, which allows players to collect forms reshape their characters for a limited amount of time. Hellbound added new high level transformations to the game, including some extremely rare transforms you'll need to raid to obtain. Among others, this new category includes the ability to transform into some of those same monsters you'll be raiding against - like Ranku or Kenchi. For full details on the system and its newest additions, read on below the cut.%Gallery-19265%
Lineage II to offer main/subclass switch-ups this summer
In the coming Hellbound expansion for Lineage II, the level cap will be increased to 85 for main classes, and 80 for subclasses. Because a lot of players have grown more attached to their subclass than their main, having it lagging 5 levels behind would not be a desirable situation. To address this, an event dubbed "Choose your Destiny" will take place this summer, allowing players the opportunity to switch one of their subclasses with their main class.Understandably, such a major change to a character is subject to a lengthy list of eligibility requirements, limitations, and consequences. There are a handful of main classes that cannot take part in the event, and certain sub and main class combinations won't work either. Subclass certified skills are reset, and certificates are removed. Above all, this process can only occur once, so you'll need to be sure of your decision. Check out the full details at the "Choose your Destiny" page -- we're expecting more date and time details to be given some time soon.
What's so great about being Hellbound in Lineage 2?
We've been following the development of the Lineage 2 Hellbound expansion, and it sounds like there's some interesting stuff in there for veteran players. A brand new pet upgrade system, new mounts to carry you into battle, and of course the perils of the Steel Citadel itself. Facing down Beleth sounds like a truly epic encounter. Today NCsoft has sent over a dev diary running down the numerous features we'll see in next week's release of the expansion and the 4th Anniversary edition of the game. Along with all the expansion goodies (a new level cap included), the 4th Anniversary edition has some nice toys, like half-mask, a piggie friend, and discounted veteran rewards. Fun fact: did you know that you can change your avatar's gender in Lineage 2 for the price of $10?Read on for the full details on Hellbound and the 4th Anniversary edition of the game (and pine with us that we in the states don't get anything as cool as the EU Collector's Edition.)%Gallery-19265%
The expanded pet system of Lineage 2's Hellbound
The newest Lineage 2 expansion, Hellbound, is currently in test, and with its improvements and new content come changes to the pet system that fans will love. For example, people who have wolves as pets will be able to evolve it to a mountable form called a Fenrir. This change isn't merely cosmetic -- it will get special attacks and more powerful skills, and also confers its power to its owner while mounted. Clan members have further customization available to them, able to upgrade their wolves to Great Snow Wolves, Red Striders, and Snow Fenrirs.For the other pets, the level caps have been raised to 85, concomitant with players' level caps. Once the Baby Buffalo, Baby Kookaburra, and Baby Cougar pets have exceeded level 55, they, too, can evolve into more powerful forms. Each one is geared toward a particular class, and grants buffs accordingly. Visit the Lineage 2 site for more information, and check out these evolved pet screenshots!%Gallery-20677%[Thanks, Cynthia!]
More L2 expansion details and teaser site revealed
The latest Lineage II newsletter came packed with information about the new Hellbound expansion, including a link to the notes for the expansion's update from the test server. The notes are extensive, providing detailed information about new class skills, the rare transformations that are being added, the pet system additions, and a long list of quest and item updates. The new transformations come from books found on raid monsters, and the names of these monsters are kindly given, along with the name of each transformation and its level requirements.We're also ushered in the direction of a teaser site for Hellbound, which opens with a sharp animation and kicks into a trailer for the expansion -- fans of big swords and evil-looking dudes getting chopped to pieces ought to go have a look.
Lineage II expansion announced: "Hellbound"
Our friends at NCsoft have informed us that the next Lineage II expansion, titled Hellbound, is on the way. This will be the final chapter of the First Throne, and will continue on from the last expansion The Kamael which was released a few months ago. Headlining the features for Hellbound is a raise of the level cap to 85, as well as new high-end content culminating in a raid boss, Beleth (pictured).%Gallery-19265%
