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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.
The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's big fanfest reveals
Christmas came early for the forward-looking Final Fantasy XIV player this year. I know some people are upset at the fact that there were more revelations in the Japanese fan festival than in the ones in Vegas or London, but the timing is different. (I'd also point out that the expansion was announced in Las Vegas.) We've gone from having only a dim view of what's coming to having a pretty clear picture of what awaits through the next few month. One of the things that awaits is, of course, endless yelling about Machinist. Because boy. So let's start unpacking the stuff we learned from Tokyo. I say "start" because there is no way to get everything in one column, certainly not with deadlines and other considerations to take center stage. It's going to be a few months, but there's a lot to chew on just about 2.5, even if we ignore all of the expansion stuff, which I have no intention of doing.
Kukulkan, Serpent of the Nine Winds slithers into SMITE
We really wish that the Mayans were around today to ask why they would worship a giant flying snake instead of freaking out because, well, giant flying snake. It's probably a good thing that Mr. Kukulkan, Serpent of the Nine Winds, is on the side of the playerbase in SMITE as the newest god in the game's pantheon. Kukulkan isn't actually a new character for the game but a reworked Ao Kuang (who has been temporarily retired). While Kukulkan enjoys a new look, the abilities transferred over from Ao Kuang remain the same. Players who previously owned Ao Kuang will see that character transform into Kukulkan instead. We've got the full god reveal video after the break, so welcome in your newest nightmare and ally! [Thanks to Sorenthaz for the tip!]
Vindictus highlights its new character with fashion silhouettes
When you think about it, catwalk struts are seriously underused as a means of introducing new content to an MMO. Vindictus is taking the genre in a bold new direction with its latest reveal. The Korean reveal page for the new character makes it clear that Arisha is bringing a whole new style to the game. That style is... well... style, perhaps? Seriously, the trailer doesn't reveal anything but a silhouette. Datamining has revealed that she's a hybrid melee/magical character, although that could go a lot of different routes. Still, you can get a very shadowy peek at her in the trailer past the break. Based on that, she'll attack primarily with six-inch heels and fishnet stockings because hot pants, heels, and plunging necklines are crazy useful in combat.
Neverwinter's next new class is the Scourge Warlock
Perfect World Entertainment has just announced that the Scourge Warlock will join Neverwinter's class roster on August 14th when the previously revealed Tyranny of Dragons module launches. How does the new class with its special Curse mechanic work? The Scourge Warlock is a powerful magic user who plies dark magical abilities, communing with shadowy benefactors to destroy all who would dare stand in their way. A powerful striker who focuses on dealing heavy damage to both single and grouped foes, the Scourge Warlock wields a myriad of options to deal with adversaries using their powerful Warlock's Curse. The class will be available to all players. [Source: PWE press release]
Silver Surfer hangs ten into Marvel Heroes
Is more than one color for a superhero costume maddening to your sensibilities? Do you look at caped crusaders and wonder, "If only they used beach sports equipment for physics-defying purposes?" Are you the sole die-hard fan of the second Fantastic Four movie? Then today, my friend, is your day. Marvel Heroes has added the Silver Surfer to its in-game hero roster. The Surfer is an alien who used to work for the planet-eating Galactus but has since defected to the forces of good. The new hero has two costume options, including the Savage set, and is available to purchase either with money or Eternity Splinters.
Vindictus EU introduces playable Lynn
Vindictus Europe has a good cause to cheer today, as Nexon introduced a new playable character to the roster. The fresh face is Lynn, the so-called Princess of the Lost Kingdom. She's a lightning-fast fighter who uses a spear to strike out and quick reflexes to dodge attacks. Some of her skills include Swift Assassin, Five-Fingered Death, and Jade Fox. The addition of Lynn coincides with an in-game event that gives out special awards at specific times and the opportunity to win gifts. You can see Lynn in action in a video after the break!
Trove adds the Fae Trickster class
Sparkle sparkle, my butterflies! Trove's alpha program has expanded to include a new class, the Fae Trickster. The new class skews to the magical, with illusion and pixie dust being its primary weapons against foes. The Fae Trickster uses an Ego Blast to attack, Blinks to teleport forward while leaving a clone behind, and shakes its wild thing during a Faerie Dance to bring out additional clones. The Fae Trickster is Trove's third class, and is available in the store for 1050 credits or 5000 source. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]
The Road to Mordor: What could LotRO's new class be?
Wow. A new class was at the very top of my wish list for 2014, but to be honest I never thought it would happen. However, last Friday Aaron Campbell confirmed on a livestream that the team is working on a 10th class to put into the game sometime this year. Instantly, speculation exploded among the Lord of the Rings Online community as to what the class could be and how it will fit into the game. Campbell gave us a few clues to guide our speculation: The new class would be in accordance with the lore (Turbine talked to Tolkien Enterprises about it), it has been mentioned in the trilogy several times, and it will be a freep (PvE) class and not a creep class. He also thinks it's a "great fit" for the game. I'm absolutely overjoyed that the game will finally be expanding its hero roster and giving us vets a good reason to go back through the entire journey, but I'll admit that I don't see a clear winner among the possible candidates. Let's hunker down together and look at the possibilities for this LotRO's newest class and see if we can sort out a lead candidate.
Lord of the Rings Online is getting a new class in 2014
The character selection screen in Lord of the Rings Online will see a major shake-up in 2014, as a new class is reportedly on the way for the game. LOTRO Players announced the news on Twitter: "LotRO is getting a new class later in the year. [Executive Producer] Aaron Campbell just said it on livestream. No other info is known at this time." Speculation is wide open, although Campbell did drop a few clues according to livestream listeners: "He did state that he had a conversation with Tolkien Enterprises and it's within the lore of the trilogy. He said that it was mentioned in the books several times."
Bring out your dead with Black Gold Online's necromantic Conjurer class
Black Gold Online's steampunk faction just got a new mage -- one who mixes dark magic with steam technology. Called the Conjurer, this class provides long-ranged DPS and crowd control using necromancy that brings reanimated cadavers to the battle field. These scepter- or staff-wielding magicians can also summon demons and rip the souls out of their foes. Unlike the controversial Occultist class, Conjurers can be any gender; they are, however, limited to only the Buvont and Lokemean races. And although they wear medium armor, they are the quintessential glass cannons that cannot endure sustained solo battles. For a look at the new class, check out the four new images in the gallery below. [Source: Snail Games USA press release]
Black Gold Online introduces female-only Occultist class
If you prefer to play female avatars in game, Black Gold Online has a new class just for you. Snail Games unveiled the new Occultist class, a female-only support healer and ranged DPS that sports leather armor. With a low resistance to damage, Occultists rely on sapping and stunning their enemies while replenishing the stamina of her group and providing heals. The Occultist joins Black Gold's line up alongside the recently revealed Spellsword class, the Pyromancer, the Assassin, and more. For a chance to check out this class when beta starts, sign up on the official site. [Source: Snail Games press release]
Aethertechs arrive in Aion January 29th
If you thought you'd have to wait until the end of Q1 for Aion's Steel Cavalry expansion, NCsoft has a surprise for you! Once dubbed patch 4.5, Steel Cavalry -- with its new Aethertech class, two new instances, and all-new skills -- is launching next week. As of January 29th, players can slip into the long-awaited final new class that uses a mechanized suit as a weapon. Daevas can also adventure through The Illuminary Obelisk and Iron Wall Warfront, the two newest instances to open in Atreia. Want a taste of what awaits you next week? Check out the trailer below. [Source: NCsoft press release]
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.
TERA is creating a flying scythe-user class
TERA's taking terror and pre-adolescent creepiness to the skies with an upcoming class, tentatively called the Flying Scythe-user. Details about the new class are a little spotty due to the translation from Korean (so don't take that class name as gospel), but it looks as though the Elin-only class will be a ranged character that harnesses dark magic and flings scythes and chains across the battlefield. The Flying Scythe-user will be unlocked once a player hits level 40 on another character, emerging into the light as a level 50 toon. Some of this class' skills include chain attacks, a dark explosion, an AoE whip, spinning blades, and a dark shield. The class will be very nimble, with abilities to ignore attacks, quickly dodge, and swap places with the enemy. The class will be first available in Korea, with a presumable jump to other regions thereafter. [Thanks to Vunak for the tip!]
The Aethertech class will debut with Aion's Steel Cavalry expansion
Mech-lovers, rejoice: The Aethertech class is finally on its way to Aion! Although we don't have an exact date, NCsoft has just announced that the third new class for the free-to-play fantasy game will arrive in the first quarter of 2014 as part of a new expansion dubbed Steel Cavalry. That means that players will be able to suit up as an Aethertech before the end of March. Previously referred to as patch 4.5, Steel Cavalry (so named for the battle machines that are joining the fray) will be also adding two dungeons to Atreia: The Illuminary Obelisk and Iron Wall Warfront. In The Illuminary Obelisk, players work to regain control of a shielding device in Katalam in order to repair it. The Iron Wall Warfront is a new battle to claim the Eternal bastion from the weakened forces of Pashid. We'll keep you posted as we learn more! [Source: NCsoft press release]
Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to Drakensang Online the dwarves go
Do you like guns, machinery, and beards? Then Drakensang Online's newest addition is exactly what you want to play. The dwarven Steam Mechanicus has just been added to the game, offering a new play option for those who prefer to reach out and touch someone with projectile death rather than the more traditional fantasy options. In lore, the dwarves are purely fascinated with mechanical gadgets for their own sake, not usually concerned with the larger world's politics. But a swarm of evil dragons descending over the land kind of forces even the gadget-happy to take notice, since they'll probably trash the local Fantasie Beste Buyye. The Steam Mechanicus carves his gameplay niche in the mid-range area, using a variety of projectile attacks, self-built turrets, and rocket-powered jumps to pull together a victory. This new class is exclusive to subscribers for two weeks, at which point it will lose its exclusivity but retain its overall fiddly qualities. [Source: Bigpoint press release]
Dawn of the Hunter Rangers: Touring Neverwinter's Shadowmantle module
Considering all of the exciting reveals of Neverwinter's second module, Shadowmantle, I think it's prudent to start with the unknowns. No, we don't have a specific date of release (although it will be "by the end of the year"). No, we don't know whether Druids or Warlocks or any other Dungeons and Dragons classes are in development for next year. And no, we can't tell whether there's a massive honey badger conspiracy in the city of Neverwinter. With that said, there's plenty that Lead Designer Andy Velasquez had to reveal to us for this upcoming module. For starters, it's 100% free, just in case you were wondering. Sure, Cryptic will continue to run a robust store (and doesn't seem to have any inclination to rein in the lockbox invasion), but all of the content of Shadowmantle will be available to the entire playerbase on day one. It's shaping up to be an even meatier update than Fury of the Faewild, believe it or not. The big star of Shadowmantle is the first new post-launch class: the Hunter Ranger. But this flexible fighter won't be hogging the entire spotlight; Neverwinter will also be adding a new zone, additional paragon paths, and a spiffy artifact skill system. So read on and prepare for the stampede of players rushing to be the next online Legolas-slash-Drizzt.
Infinite Crisis trailer introduces Atomic Green Lantern
Sometimes, being a hero is more than a difficult job, it's a downright painful experience. Such is the case for the newest champion to join the Infinite Crisis line-up: Atomic Green Lantern. Hailing from a destroyed civilization, this Hal Jordan's ring has been powered-up with a radioactive isotope after being mysteriously deactivated (and the subsequent loss of his right arm). Unfortunately, that new power source comes with a cost -- a shorter, more painful life. In game, Atomic Green Lantern is a melee bruiser with skills that inflict that deadly radiation on others, such as Scorched Earth and Meltdown. Catch some tips and hints for using these skills and more in the Atomic Green Lantern spotlight video after the break. [Source: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment press release]
EQII's Tears of Veeshan opens beta doors today
Waiting until the launch of the latest expansion of your favorite game can be torture -- especially when that expansion adds a new class! Luckily for EverQuest II fans, there's no need to wait until November 12th to get a taste of the new Channeler class, the dragon-themed AAs, or the new zone and dungeons; as of today, Tears of Veeshan is in open beta. To jump in and check out all the new incoming goodies, players use the live launchpad to change game version and download the entire beta, which requires the same amount of space as the regular game install. Players can even copy characters from the live servers to use on the beta server. Full instructions on the process can be found on the official site.
