Desert of Flames and Combat Changes Update

[Blackguard]

The combat changes have been progressing very well both internally and on our laceType w:st="on">DesertlaceType> of laceName w:st="on">Flames BetalaceName> server. At this time, we are past the point where we can safely push a major update to Live servers without also partially pushing the combat changes. As the combat changes are still undergoing frequent updates, they won't all be ready for Live servers for a few weeks.

To ensure that the combat changes all go in at the same time and to avoid potential complications, we'll be releasing Live Update #13 along with the first expansion, laceType w:st="on">DesertlaceType> of laceName w:st="on">FlameslaceName>, on September 12, 2005.

Please be aware that this will not hinder our ability to hotfix data to Live servers between now and then. If something needs to be addressed, it will be.

Watch the Test server for updates or, better yet, play a character on Test server if you would like to keep track of what's changing or being added to the game in the mean time. We will continue to update Test regularly until Update #13 hits Live servers.

Here is a small taste of things to come in Live Update #13:

In Live Update #12, we removed status and level loss for guilds. In the next big update, we will be removing the concept of Patrons from guilds entirely. Earned status is now divided by the number of unique accounts in your guild (minimum of 6, maximum of 24). Example 1: If you have 40 members in your guild (10 of which are alts) you'd have 30 unique accounts. That's over the maximum cap of 24, so any new guild status earned would be divided by 24. Example 2: If you have 4 members in your guild and you earn guild status, it will be divided by 6 (the minimum number).

You will also be seeing a revamped Persona window in Update #13. The Persona window will now have three tabs to better organize information about your character. The Stats tab shows your level progress, vital stats, attributes, and resistances. The Details tab shows your character's last name, house location, and bind point. It allows you to choose from any prefix and suffix titles you have earned, and lets you enter your character's biographical information. The Factions tab displays your standing toward any factions with which you have gained or lost favor. Whenever you perform an action that changes a faction from neutral, it will be automatically added to the Factions tab.

Of course, the highlight of Live Update #13 will be the combat changes. For details on the combat changes as they make it to our Test server, keep track of the Test Server Update Notes board.

Again, please monitor the progress of Update #13 and the combat changes on Test server over the coming weeks, as we will be updating the server regularly.