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TERA pounds out patch improvements
Patch 18.10.08 may not be the biggest content update in the history of TERA, but its humble offerings are nothing but good news to the playerbase. The newly available patch includes a couple of highly useful drops as well as additional bonuses for inexperienced dungeon runners. Gamers can now fiddle with their gear's bonus options with semi-enigmatic scrolls, which are found as players defeat the big-ass monsters in various parts of the game. Those monsters also have a chance to drop complete crystalbind scrolls, which keep crystals from breaking due to death for a limited time. The team really wants players to invite new people into group runs, which is why a trio of additional rookie buffs have been added. These buffs protect crystals from breaking, allow for a one-time on-the-spot resurrection, and increase attack power by 12% for the entire group.
Choose My Adventure: Chasing TERA's BAMs with Rielene
Higiri will be delving further into the depths, seeking that fundamental alchemy that separates a generic implementation of mechanics from a standout one. I wish her luck, but this week doesn't focus on her adventures. No, it's time for Rielene to once more take center stage, complete with her twin blades and her dangerous game. Rielene's destiny was to hunt the great beasts of TERA, the monsters whose colossal stature relegates them to assault by groups or fearless individuals. I speak, of course, of BAMs. OK, for the epic names that could have been chosen for these creatures, that's probably not one of the better ones. But they're still pretty distinctive. They're these roaming monsters that don't just wing you a bit if they connect with a hit; they shred you to pieces. They're bosses that roam around, daring you to try and take them on alone. And I did just that, and I emerged victorious, and it was undeniably worth the price of admission.
TERA's Chris Lee shares the trials and joys of transforming an MMO
What was En Masse VP of Publishing Chris Lee's favorite memory of working on TERA? According to a new dev diary, it was when Lee got his hands on the first English-translated build of the game: "At that time we were learning first-hand the strengths and weaknesses of each class, how a balanced party made a difference in the instances, and how much damn fun it was to kill a BAM." Saying that it was a "different game" when the studio first got involved with TERA's Westernization, Lee said that the team had to identify problem spots that would need changing in order to bring it to market in North America and Europe. One of the biggest changes was making the game far more solo-friendly after level 20. Lee shared a few anecdotes about life at En Masse, including a competition between team members to level as quickly as possible in beta and then again in live. He's excited to see the game gaining traction with a diverse community: "What's really interesting is the variety of people that TERA has drawn. In addition to our strong community, we have seen tweets from NFL players, Penny Arcade editors, and even Felicia Day about playing the game."
TERA ramping up the early-level challenges
We all know that TERA's combat does things a little differently from the MMORPG norm. According to a new update, though, that's not all there is to the game's unorthodox approach. En Masse Entertainment is highlighting something it calls improved early play, which in a nutshell means that fresh-face Arborean avatars won't be killing 10 rats or delivering 10 rat tails while serving time on the TERA equivalent of a newbie island. Instead, the game's playable prologue "starts you right in the middle of the action: a beachhead under assault by demonic forces. It's not just a cutscene," En Masse says. "You'll be fighting big-ass monsters within minutes, learning the controls as you go." The piece goes on to talk about how challenge in TERA is actually challenging thanks to new tactics and deadlier attacks from low-level critters. Read all about it on TERA's official site.
New TERA videos highlight BAMs, again
Oh TERA, forever teasing us with new press releases about BAMs in lieu of meaty gameplay details (or heaven forbid, a release date). The latest blurb comes courtesy of Frogster, the fantasy title's European publisher, and it features three new videos that provide a sneak peek at three more of the game's ubiquitous big-ass monsters. Each video runs for about a minute and each gives future denizens of Arborea a good look at the ovolith, the teralith, and the kumas BAMs in their native environments. Whether you're into creepy spiders, giant rock dudes, or beer-bellied behemoths that shoot death rays out of their stomachs (really), you'll probably find something to your liking in one of Frogster's new clips. Head past the break to see them all. [Source: Frogster press release]
En Masse talks more on Creatures of Magnitudinous Derrieres
Mmmyes, quite. TERA's press onslaught continues in full-force (though still sans release date) as En Masse Entertainment has released some new information regarding -- you guessed it -- Big Ass Monsters. Of particular note in the article is the ovolith, an arachnid BAM that transforms into a cocoon and is capable of spraying players with a lethal venom. Players, of course, can't just rely on the random number generator to save them. They have to actively dodge the poison as well as the monster's quick pincer attacks. The game's Monster Concept Lead Artist, Junghyun Kim, says there are certain challenges that arise when designing new creatures. Kim states that "The monster's outer shape matters a lot in combat because TERA lets players aim their attacks naturally. Auto-targeting games only need a normal attack with different attack motions, but we have more aspects to consider because the player's character actually gets hit in TERA. But this extra challenge is one of the joys of creating monsters for TERA." Well, that's great, but can we get a release date please? Pretty please? [Source: En Masse Entertainment press release]
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: A day in the life of a Naga Clawrider
Yesterday, we teamed up with En Masse Entertainment to unveil TERA's Naga Clawrider and Naga Bloodscale, two "big ass monsters" that players will face off against come the game's launch in the U.S. next year. Today, we'll give one of those baddies a bit more character with a tale spun by one of TERA's own writers. This exclusive day-in-the-life story is told from the perspective of Silvatuhr, a typical Naga Clawrider -- one of the elite Naga soldiers who do battle from the backs of massive crabs. Silvatuhr explains the extreme risks he took with his own offsprings' lives in order to become a Clawrider, and then he cavalierly outlines the penalties he doles out to those who disrespect his race and his order. Don't take our word for it -- skip past the cut and let Silvatuhr himself fill you in.
TERA unleashes serpentine BAMs
The Naga is more than just an awesome gaming mouse or a deity of the Indian subcontinent, although the latter likely inspired the En Masse devs responsible for today's reveal of yet another pair of TERA BAMs. Massively's scored a look at two "big ass monsters" of the Naga variety, both the Naga Clawrider and the Naga Bloodscale. Clawriders, you'll be unsurprised to learn, are proficient at riding enormous clawed crabs that spit steam and kick butt. Should his skills fail him, the Clawrider dies the same death as his mount. Bloodscales, on the other hand, trample each other's bloodied corpses in their quest to be chosen to undergo what has to be the worst skin graft operation of all time. Then again, wouldn't you let a priest scrape off all your skin to make you thrice as powerful? Yeah, maybe not. Check out the gallery below for the visuals, and head past the cut for the official descriptions of these two baddies.%Gallery-86517%
TERA shows off two new BAMs: the forestwalker vulcan and vulcan juggernaut
Raise your weapons, TERA fans, because today we've got another pair of BAMs for you to contend with. This month we're stepping away from the icy wendigos to the hulking vulcans, which act as servants to the mysterious cult of Lok. The spotlight shines first on the vulcan juggernaut, which -- as the name implies -- is a gargantuan creature more than capable of tearing your arms off and bludgeoning you to death with them, and more than willing to do just that. Between fireballs, foot-stomping earthquakes, and a general sense of unbridled malice, the vulcan juggernaut is a force to be reckoned with. Next is the juggernaut's distant cousin (twice-removed), the forestwalker vulcan. Though these vulcans aren't as large as their juggernaut counterparts, they make up for it with their enormous and deadly horns. Facing off with a forestwalker vulcan is a lot like the running of the bulls, only your chances of survival are even lower!
Massively Exclusive: TERA shows off two new BAMs
Last month we brought you exclusive news of two new TERA BAMs (that's an En Masse acronym for big-ass monster, if you're wondering). This month we're moving on from the fimbrilisks and vampirs and cozying up to a pair of new cold-hearted killers that inhabit the icy wastes in the far reaches of Arborea. First up is our friend the wendigo, and what a clever, inventive, and unabashedly large friend he is. Despite being a BAM, the wendigo is known for his nuance, particularly when it comes to his unique vocalization techniques. Next we have the ice giant, and as his name implies, he's also quite massive. Unlike the wendigo, ice giants are about as lacking in subtlety as it's possible to be, and most examples of the species spend their days plotting the return of their glory days while trampling unwary adventurers who stray too close their domains. Read up on both new BAMs and check out the exclusive screens after the break.
Massively Exclusive: Two new TERA BAMs
En Masse has provided Massively with exclusive information for its upcoming game TERA! Following hot on the heels of the reveals of the powerful Gula Bardragul and the gluttonous, food-centric Kumases, two new monsters enter the fray. But these aren't just any monsters -- these are some BAMs, and you do not want to be on their bad sides -- if they even have good ones. To start, we have the fimbrilisks, which seem to be lumbering warmachines of creatures that leave nothing but death and destruction in their wake. So, in other words, pretty much par for the course for TERA's BAMs. Next up, we have the vampir retiarius, the fighting force of the vampir nobles. For the full information on these two new BAMs and some lovely pictures to illustrate the point, head on past the cut.
Massively's Exclusive TERA lore: It's Good to be the (Slave) King
Yesterday's exclusive TERA screenshots shone the spotlight on the Red Lash pirates (both their swashbuckling foot soldiers and their fearsome Gula commanders). Today, Massively brings you the latest Day in the Life TERA lore snippet, and with it a deeper look into the world of one Bardragul. Bardragul, in addition to being grossly overweight and in need of a toothbrush, is also fond of trading slaves and playing with his food (which is usually sentient, alive, and aware of the fact that it's about to be a Gula's next meal). Head past the cut for more on this Red Lash brigand and the grotesque family of TERA AI monsters to which he belongs.
Massively's Exclusive TERA screenshots: Pirates and BAMs
Massively's got a pair of new TERA exclusives coming your way this week, the first of which deals with both BAMs (En Masse Entertainment parlance for big-ass monsters) and pirates. With all due respect to the ninja fans in the audience, pirates reign supreme, particularly the Arborean pirates on display in our new screenshots. These cultured gents are representatives of the Red Lash and are composed mainly of Castanic rogues that do the bidding of their Gula overseers. That's right, the BAMs are running the show, as the cutthroat and corpulent Gulas currently direct the buccaneers that make up the rank and file of the Red Lash. Head past the cut for some pirate and BAM-flavored lore, and don't forget to check out the four exclusive new screens in our gallery below. %Gallery-88481%
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Day in the Life - Kumas
Yesterday we got a glimpse of two new BAMs courtesy of En Masse Entertainment. Intrepid explorers ranging far and wide across the vast reaches of Arborea will no doubt run across a Naga or a Kumas in their travels, and today En Masse brings us a new Day in the Life lore snippet focused on the latter. Penned by Stacey Jannsen, Day in the Life -- Kumas takes you inside the one-track mind of the titular creature as he attempts to make a meal out of a wayward Popori and finds himself face to face with another (equally hungry) BAM with a similar goal. Head past the cut for more, and don't forget the three new screenshots in our TERA gallery. %Gallery-88481%
Massively Exclusive: En Masse shows off new TERA monster lore and screens
TERA's media blitz has been focused on BAMs and smart AI of late, so it's only natural that Massively's latest exclusive from the world of Arborea has a certain monster-centric bent. En Masse Entertainment has given us the details on two of the mobs you're likely to encounter during your travels, as well as a couple of new screenshots that show off just how big these BAMs really are. First up is the kumas, and as you can see in the header image above, he's more than happy to be crossing paths with an adventurer (i.e., a potential meal). "Kumases exist to consume, it is their only function -- their place in the world, as it were. Forever striving to sate the Hunger, their bodies slow down into near-hibernation when there is nothing nearby to eat," En Masse tells us. Kumas territory is typically bare of plant and animal life, and the beast's keen sense of smell alerts it to the presence of nearby prey and brings its body back to a waking state. Nagas are a bit more proactive and are prone to hunting in areas occupied by kumas. As a result, the naga has learned to control its scent secretions, the better to avoid conflicts with its deadly rival. "Nagas are a violent bunch," according to En Masse. "Their primary concern is hunting for the sake of fighting. Food is occasionally useful too." Jump the cut for the full descriptions. %Gallery-88481%
En Masse talks more about TERA's BAMs and achievements
This year's GDC didn't bring us any revelations when it comes to TERA. Even though we got to roll through the Smuggler's Hideout and chat with producer Brian Knox, most of what we saw were refinements for the forthcoming fantasy MMO. We did learn that the devs at En Masse Entertainment are a fun bunch, though, and this sense of humor was on display as the team regaled us with footage of various BAMs -- company shorthand for Big Ass Monsters. Today En Masse has released a bit more information on these big bads, which it describes as "bigger than a house, tougher than an armored car, and meaner than a dentist with a grudge." You see, TERA's AI is smarter than that of your average MMO, and the game's BAMs will circle around players as well as recognize attacks and avoid them. Additionally, TERA's mobs bring their own unique and situational attacks to each battle. As players begin to wear down a BAM, the creatures will go through various phases that add further challenge and necessitate strategy adjustments. En Masse also offered a brief nugget pertaining to TERA's achievement system in a press release sent out this morning. "You'll earn achievements no matter which parts of the game you prefer. Story, monsters, player-vs-player combat, economics, and politics all earn you achievements to help you keep track of the great deeds you've done –- and to give you something to shoot for," says En Masse. %Gallery-88481%
