The third Closed Beta Test for Skyforge has been announced, and is scheduled to begin on April 22^nd at 7am PST. This test will run slightly longer than previous test, with a three week window concluding on May 13^th. As with previous tests, players who have purchased one of the available Founders Packs for Skyforge will be able to join, as well as those who have received a Skyforge beta key.

If you’ve participated in CBT2, you’ll retain any character progress made heading into CBT3, and will also be able to simply patch your existing client to participate in the upcoming test.

Another list of new features and maps are being rolled out for the third test, further extending the scope of the vertical slice of Skyforge gameplay available for testing. The new includes consist of the following:

• Two Additional PvP Zones:
  
  • 8v8 map Alcedon Facility – Payload Game Mode
  • 12v12 map Esten Quarry – Capture the Flag Game Mode
• Open World Zone – Milene Caves
• Squad Adventure – Alakur Island
• 5 Player Adventure – Phoreus Test Area

If you haven’t participated in previous events, you’ll still have an opportunity to participate in CBT3 as more keys will be sent out to randomly selected players who have signed up for the beta on the official Skyforge website. Founders Packs are also still available, and come bundled with access to all upcoming beta tests, including CBT3.

As a final note, the official announcement graphic for CBT3 (shown above) features the necromancer class, and is pretty badass. Based on my experiences with the necro in Skyforge so far, it retains hints of the archetype that should feel familiar to those of you who have played necros in previous games, but takes it in some interesting new directions.

This conceptual shift reminds me of the first time I got my hands on the necromancer in the original Guild Wars. That game retained plenty of life force manipulation skills, while placing a greater emphasis on corpse manipulation, curses, and disease-based skills.

Aspects of each of those can be found in Skyforge, and while the necromancer does still retain an emphasis on Damage-over-Time skills, the playstyle remains just as active as the other classes in the game. I’m looking forward to continuing the path of Necro Domination in CBT3, and hope to see you there!

To sign up for the beta, don’t forget to visit the official Skyforge Website, or you can still purchase one of the Founders Packs which grants full access to the CBTs.