Runes of Magic, the upcoming fantasy MMORPG from Frogster, is quickly approaching its closed beta stage. In anticipation of this, the developers have provided a press release containing information about the character choices in the game, as well as eight new screenshots! If you'd like to learn more about this game, Ten Ton Hammer invites you to take a look at our Runes of Magic Portal, as well as Danny "Ralsu" Gorley's thoughts on the game in his Top Ten Free-to-Play Games. Meanwhile, have a look at the press release and screenshots below!
One Character Thousands of Choices
Immense variety in the character development and skill system of Runes of Magic
Berlin, 2008/08/15: Runes of Magic offers a very interesting system for character
development besides its dualclass system already explained. To equip a character in
Frogsters upcoming fantasy MMOG with unique abilities, players may take skills and spells
from three basic categories.
Amidst the general abilities and spells players will find callback spells, crafting skills, melee
attacks and a PvP flag to enable or disable the player versus player mode. The second
category in Runes of Magic, the so-called primary skills, may only be used by the primary
class. Among these abilities special skills like the exceptional attack combinations of warriors,
reanimation of priests or sneaking up of rogues can be found. Players can use the secondary
skills with both their primary- and secondary class. If a player chooses to play a Rogue as
his or her secondary class, he may for example apply Training: Assassins weapons to
throw daggers.
At any time, players can change their primary and secondary class. But a player will only
receive experience and talent points for his active primary class, which means that only this
class will level up. To upgrade the secondary class, players will have to switch between the
classes first.
By defeating enemies and via regular level-up the player will receive talent points, which can
be used in Runes of Magic to upgrade most skills and spells. The Mages fireball for
example will only reach its true destructive power, when it has been enhanced with talent
points. The multifaceted crafting will be trained by regular practice just like the combat skills,
e.g. one-handed swords, wands or bows.
Each class in Runes of Magic possesses a special ability, which is already available at level 1, but has a long cooldown time of one hour. Warriors for example increase their Fury by using
"Rage", Scouts fire their arrows with an increased attack bonus by using the "Arrow of
Essence', which does not consume physical arrows and Mages transform their spells into
instant spells by applying "Elemental Catalysis". While a Rogues normal attack changes into
a murderous instrument by the use of "Assassinate" for 30 seconds, a Knight endows all of
his companions with a protective shield for 15 seconds via the use of his "Holy Shield". Some
skills in Runes of Magic may be used at any time, others need a certain conjuring time, a
few have a cooldown period and for others the correct type of energy is needed (Warriors
use fury, Rogues energy, Scouts focus and Knights, Mages and Priests use mana). Beside
the active skills, players in Runes of Magic also have passive abilities that enable them to
use certain equipment like a bow or armor.
Even skill combinations are possible when starting with the right opening attack. The correct
sequence of each skills assigned element - fire, water, wind, earth, light and darkness - can
trigger mighty combination attacks that deal immense damage to an enemy or complement
a skill or spell with a special effect. Thus, a normal spell can for example affect a whole area
when applied within such a sequence. By using several skills in the right order, players
trigger such a combo effect. The best way to figure out which combinations work best, is by
playing together with other players fighting against the many creatures and monsters in the
gaming world of Runes of Magic.
The first region of the ambitious online roleplaying game can be played in an early test
version at the Games Convention at booth A10 of Publisher Frogster Interactive in hall 5.
Further information, a registration form for beta-signup and a new action-trailer are available
on the official website: www.runesofmagic.com.
Runes of Magic a world full of wizardry and adventure
With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games. Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing
story in over 600 quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose from six
main classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character
classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can
use mounts in the later stages of game play. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and
players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks
to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons
and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has
developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of
three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months
with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find first pictures and a registration form for
the newsletter on the official teaser site www.runesofmagic.com.
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To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Runes of Magic Game Page.
