Friday, April 29, 2011

Final April Friday PvP Party

Beyond the Spiral: If KBB's Avatar Lived in the Real World...

...and was a female, this is most likely her outfit (mouse over each item that you see):

http://www.polyvore.com/kevin_battleblood/set?id=30947618

Thanks for the amusement and laughs, Cassandra Hexthorn!  She discovered the site on Wednesday of this week, and started out on one for her Wizard.  Then she went above and beyond, per my challenge, to recreate Perfect Catch, and then some others.  I consider it a new type of art...the Top Model-ism movement.  Check out her profile for more outfit collections based on female-counterpart concepts of us.  (Be sure to click on each picture on there so you can interact with it, to read the pop-ups.)  Ronan Dawn was brought to literal tears when he saw his; I wish I could have heard the laughter, hah!  I'm sure she'll be happy to make you one...if you ask nicely :)

There's even one for Friendly ;)  Who else would like to see her attempt one for Ditto Wizard, and/or Stephen Spiritcaller?  I say those should be her next projects!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Test Realm: Waterworks Run #1 a Success!

About an hour and forty-five minutes after entering, Perfect Catch manages to solve and emerge victorious from the Legendary Tower "Waterworks" on the Test Realm!  While not the first team to complete the tower, we had no help or tips from others who have...coming in there was a fresh, new puzzle to us all.  Here are some screenshots:

First Room:  Fight two groups of Elite mobs to activate a lever...

Second Room:  Fight Luska Charmbeak, a squid that "squirts" you with corrosive and blinding "oil"...  21,000+ HP

Second Room:  Luska Charmbeak is telling you that if you ARE NOT blinded, DO NOT use any spells on him, or he will  punish your entire team with a strong Power Nova.
Second Room:  With Fallon's new Storm Spell (Supercharge), we manage to hit him for 10k+ damage without traps...still not enough...  So then he proceeds to blind everyone from first Wizard up to Fallon.
Second Room:  Second hit...still too short...

Second Room:  Third time's a charm...break...ha...ha...   >_>
Final Stage:  Three bosses, who cannot be stunned, will force you to "dance" with them.  When a bubble is placed up, you are allowed to EITHER trap OR blade...but never at the same time.  In other words, one bubble allows for positive Charms (blades), while the other allows for negative Wards (traps).  Listen to the boss to find out when you can do whichever.  Try to take out the hammerhead and eel ASAP; they love to Critical hard on their spells.  I went in first to take the attention of all three bosses at the beginning of the battle.  Fallon used a combination of Supercharge with Ronan's Donates to ensure we could create 100%+ blades on her, and allow her to strike hard.  Since Sylvester changes the bubble up around every three rounds (before a turn starts), we had to use Cleanse to ensure Fallon's hit does make it through the Smokescreen.
Final Stage:  With only a few blades and turns available to us, we decided to strike all three bosses with a huge Storm Lord...

Final Stage:  Storm boosts on the Eel boss....
Final Stage:  5,700+ Damage wasn't enough to kill the bosses...but it was definitely a huge dent in them!

Final Stage:  Ronan then proceeds to clean the Critical-Hitting bosses up with his Gargantuan Power Nova...

Final Stage:  K.O.'d!!!

Final Stage:  Bye bye, Hammerhead!
Final Stage:  After a few more bombardments of attacks (make sure that there's at least one trap up when the Trap Bubble is up; the same for blades when the Blade Bubble is up), we're finally able to use Lady Judgment to win...
Final Stage:  No need for traps with just 300 HP left on Sylvester...he isn't going to Cheat back, this time!
Final Stage:  See ya, don't wanna be ya!

Aftermath:  And Level 60 Ice Boots drop!  Compare the difference between the new Legendary Gear and the old!

Aftermath:  You may find the quest line bugged, especially for those who did not turn/touch the final valve.  The good news is, everyone who beats the instance will get the badge:  Waterworks Warrior!

Test Realm: Wintertusk and Updates

Introducing Wintertusk!

 
 
 
 


The Story of Grizzleheim Continues with Wintertusk!
Word of your deeds in Grizzleheim has reached the ears of the greatest of the ravens, none other than Grandmother Raven herself. She's calling you to rescue her from the Coven....

You will begin your journey in Wintertusk after you have completed the "Everwinter" quest in Grizzleheim. When you begin your quest to rescue Grandmother Raven, you will be sent to Hrundle Fjord, the main area in Wintertusk.

Hrundle Fjord is a small walled Viking-style village, primarily inhabited by bear warriors and traders. There is a small dock outside where merchants and warriors enter the area. It’s remote and cold, perpetually covered in snow, and it’s among the older places in Grizzleheim. The surrounding areas are full of wild creatures and barbarians.

Wintertusk contains 5 main areas: Hrundle Fjord, Austrilund, Vestrilund, Sudrilund and the areas of Nordrilund & Nastrond are bundled together. Each of these areas are Premium areas that will require a Membership to enter, or individual areas will be available to be purchased with Crowns when Wintertusk arrives in the Live Game. Each area will be 1995.
 
 
 
 

Roaming Mounts and New Pets!

 
 
 
 
Roaming Mounts
Set your Mounts free! Just like pets, mounts can now be placed in a house and allowed to roam about, and yes that includes the brooms and wings!
New Pets!
New pets can be obtained through a quest given to you by your school Professor! You must be at least level 58and have completed the Grizzleheim quest "Blackbird in a Cage" to obtain this quest.
For a sneak peek at these features, watch this video.
 
 
 
 

New Spells!

 
 
 
 
New Spells for All Schools!
New spells are available for players at level 35 and 55. If you are above the level requirements, and have completed the required quests listed below, speak to Baldur Goldpaws in Northguard.

This is a departure from how spells are usually trained, so please follow the instructions you are given.

The spells for players who are a minimum of level 35 will be a new utility spell inline with the other spells players are used to seeing from their class. For example, Storm Players will gain access to a new Stormblade that allows them to dump power pips to make their next spell even more powerful. Nobody beats in a Storm Wizard when it comes to pure damage right?

Players who are a minimum of level 35 and who have completed the Grizzleheim quest "Blackbird in a Cage" will be invited to speak to Baldur Goldpaws in Northguard who will give you a quest named "I Know a Guy...". 

The spells for players who are a minimum of level 55 spell will be an upgrade of an existing spell that makes it even more useful to high level players. For Fire Wizards this means that Link will now be upgraded to Power Link; a much more effective version of the old spell that allows Fire Wizards to heal themselves considerably better while dropping a big damage over time spell on their opponents.

Players who are a minimum of level 55 and who have completed the Grizzleheim quest "Thief of Spells" will be invited to speak to Baldur Goldpaws in Northguard who will give you the quest "The Spell Trade".
 
 
 
 

A Return to Crab Alley

 
 
 
 
Return to Crab Alley!
If you are level 12 or higher, speak to Sohomer Sunblade in Triton Avenue for a special assignment called "Trouble Underfoot". Remember Sohomer is at the top of the set of teleporters behind Blad Raveneye. This assignment will lead you to Crab Alley where you will learn what became of the residents after their brush with fame. Be sure to pick up your rockstar outfit while you're there.

AND

Are you Legendary enough?
A new dungeon for high level Wizards in Crab Alley called the Waterworks! Blad Raveneye needs help with an emergency in underwater Crab Alley! Something strange is going on in the river depths, threatening the whole street! Venture into dark, unknown tunnels beneath Triton Avenue and set things right! Solve complicated puzzles, battle vicious underwater minions, duel tricksy bosses, and stop a sinister plot!

Crab Alley is no longer a free to play area, and will require Membership or Crowns when it opens in the Live Game. This area will cost 750.
 
 
 
 

Crown Shop Updates

 
 
 
 
Crown Shop Updates
The Crown Shop has some updates that should make it easier for you to find the item you are looking for in a faster manner.
  1. More tabs! More tabs for all the items you want to shop for make it easier for you to see everything available.
  2. Search! Look in the upper right corner for a search function to help you find an item by name.
  3. Saved Preferences! If you prefer to view in list mode these preferences will be saved so that next time you open the Crown Shop, you'll see what you want to see.
  4. Combat Tab! In combat, when you open the Crown Shop, the Henchman tab will be the tab that appears. This should make choosing a Henchman faster and easier.
 
 
 
 

Wand Stitching

 
 
 
 
Wand Stitching
Eloise has been improving her skills and she can now take the stats of one casting implement (wand, sword, etc) and place it onto the appearance of another casting implement (wand, sword etc.) Just like stitching clothing, follow her instructions carefully to ensure you choose the right items for the right effects! This transaction costs Crowns.
 
 
 
 

Privacy Update

 
 
 
 
Hidden from Friends
A new feature in the Options Menu is the ability to set yourself to be Hidden from Friends. If you set this option, your friends panel will not be accessible and you will not appear as being online to your friends. To turn this option off, you can simply click on your friends panel to become available again.
 
 
 
 

Quest Updates

 
 
 
 
Quest Updates
  • Players will no longer be able to decline main line required quests in Wizard City & Krokotopia.

  • Some quests in Marleybone, Mooshu, Dragonspyre and Celestia now have minimum level requirements to receive the quest.


  • Marleybone - The following quests in Marleybone require that you be a minimum of level 20 to receive the quest:
    1. The Right Combination
    2. Gate is Enough
    3. If you Build It...
    4. It's Alive!
    5. Metal Madness
    1. More Metal Madness
    2. Stealthy Stuff
    3. No Entry
    4. Safe Crackers
    5. Purloin the Plans
    1. Bully the Boss
    2. Knock on Wood
    3. War of the Weird
    4. The Invincible Man
    5. The Crime Machine
    Mooshu - The following quests in Mooshu require that you be a minimum of level 30 to receive the quest:
    1. The General
    2. A Strong Defense
    3. ...is a Good Defense
    4. Scouring for Scouts
    5. A Soldier's Duty
    1. Battle of Evermore
    2. Warlord Katsumori
    3. Stone Cold
    4. Passing Stones
    5. Left Behind
    1. Quest of Faith
    2. Tree of Life
    3. River Temple
    4. Summoning the Spirit
    Dragonspyre - The following quests in Dragonspyre require that you be a minimum of level 40 to receive the quest:
    1. Bridge to Over There
    2. Jail Break
    3. The Den of the Dean
    1. Cloak and Danger
    2. Staff Direction
    3. The Lesser Evil
    1. Back to the Beginning
    2. The Vault of Fire
    Celestia - The following quests in Celestia require that you be a minimum of level 50 to receive the quest:
    1. Dark Side of the Moon
    2. Pylon Raiders
    1. Tears of the Sun
    2. The Sun Also Rises
    1. The Big Guy
    2. Trail of the Spheres
    Wintertusk
    1. The quest "The Dragon Gate" will require you to use a transformation that will be given to you when you interact with a cauldron. If you already have a transformation on you when this quest transformation is given, your old transformation is put in "Stasis" until the new one is removed. For example, if you have 17 minutes remaining on a Gobbler Transformation that was a Crown purchase and you accept the quest that grants a Raven Transformation, then once the Raven Transformation wears off you will still have 17 minutes remaining on your Gobbler Transformation.
     
     
     
     

    Spell Updates

     
     
     
     
    Spell Updates
    Several spells have changed, so please pay close attention to this section.
      General
    1. Notification on Stun Fail - Bosses can’t be stunned, now there is notification of such fact!
    2. Spells can now both be a damage spell and a charm, which means they will react properly to enchantments.
    3. Many spells that are variations of the original will now look more like they should - ie the Life Banshee will be green and not look like the Death Banshee. Look for these updates in various spells.
    4. Being stunned now only generates one stun shield.
    5. Fire
    6. Link card now does damage and heal on first round.
    7. Ice
    8. Ice Colossus Spell will have its damage increased from 460-540 to 500-580.
    9. Stun Block Spell now gives 2 Stun block shields, is only available through Diego the Duelmaster and requires a rank of Private to train.
    10. Life
    11. Sprite Queen's heal over time now heals for 60, then 333 over three rounds.
    12. Lifebane will no longer be cast by the Sprite Guardian, or available as a Treasure Card.
    13. Death
    14. Empower cards can no longer critical.
    15. Doom & Gloom will now do -65% to all healing spells.
    16. Players will no longer become stuck on the wrong team when Beguile is cast back to back on both teams.
    17. Accuracy and damage enchantment cards can now be applied to Drain spells.
    18. Storm
    19. Cleanse Charm now cost 0 pips.
    20. Myth
    21. Earthquake no longer removes stun shields.
    22. Pierce now cost 0 pips.
    23. Balance
    24. Minion donated pips will no longer disappear if the Mander minion dies in that round.
    25. Accuracy and damage enchantment cards can now be applied to Power Nova.
    26. Treasure & Pet
    27. Some Spell Cards had their spell card descriptions updated to accurately reflect how much damage the spells actually do - please note, the actual damage has not changed, just the text on the card is now accurate.
      1. Heckhound Treasure Card will now correctly state 135 damage per pip over 3 rounds.
      2. Storm Hound Treasure Card will now correctly state 150 damage per pip over 3 rounds.
      3. Storm Hound Pet Card will now correctly state 150 damage per pip over 3 rounds.
     
     
     
     

    Miscellaneous Updates

     
     
     
     
    Clothing Updates
    1. Diego now sells Stun Resist gear.
    2. Some clothing items lost their special patterns, and those patterns have returned to the following items:
      1. Krohotep's Vestment
      2. Krokopatra's Silent Cloak
      3. Krokopatra's Garments
      4. Karanahn's Parched Tunic
      1. Scavenger's Radiant Robe (female version)
      2. Quixotic Robes
      3. Shroud of Rationality

    Pet Updates
    1. The spell card information you see when an egg first hatches will now be visible in the Pet Section of your Journal

    Gardening Updates
    1. Grandmaster Gardening Rank progress bar appears properly filled.
    2. Gardening Spell now casts at point initially clicked.
    3. Enchanted Soil spells now remove the correct amount of energy.
    4. All plants within an area of effect spell circle now are all affected by spell.

    Crafting Updates
    1. Sandstone will now be available as a very rare reagent harvest when you harvest Stone Blocks.
    2. Many Celestia crafted wands are improved! The following wands have been updated:
      1. Staff of Stasis
      2. Wicked Wand
      3. Volcanic Staff
      4. Rod of Rime
      1. Everlasting Staff
      2. Storied Spyglass
      3. Trident of Typhoons

    Miscellaneous Updates
    1. School Mastery Amulets are now available as drops from boss creatures in Wintertusk.
    2. Statues are no longer "Limit 1"
    3. The phrase "Please may I join" has been added to Menu Chat
    4. Diego will no longer prompt players to freely join a duel in progress.
    5. Odji Sokkwi now has the correct resists and boosts.
    6. The Tutorial will now have a progress bar to indicate how long new players (normally those on slower connections) will have to wait before Merle summons them to his office.
    7. Auction house will now update quantities on a failed purchase.
    8. Players will no longer be able to add themselves to their own friends list, and those who encountered this bug will automatically be removed from their own friends list.
    9. Dark Sprite Queen is no longer dropping pet snacks.
    10. The Marleybone Quest "Burning Books" will have a much more helpful Quest Arrow
    11. The following emoticons have been reintroduced to Text Chat:
      1. :-D
      2. :D
      3. ;-D
      1. ;D
      2. XD
      3. :-P
      1. :P
      2. ;-P
      3. ;P