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Tim Tan: We’ve been working on Hellbound since the start of development for the 1st Throne.  In terms of size, the new update is physically smaller but the content itself introduces some new systems and enhances existing game mechanics. Hellbound represents the completion of the 1st Throne in The Chaotic Throne series of Lineage II.

Tim: We’ve added new main class benefits through your subclasses, additional transformations, new pet evolutions, new hunting areas in Hellbound (such as the Steel Citadel), and new raid bosses to fight.  The focus of this particular update was primarily higher level players.  With that said, there are still many things, such as the monster parade on Fantasy Isle, that everyone can enjoy.

Tim: You will see a significant power increase from 80 – 85.  The level 80+ skills that you will be able to acquire will further specialize each class as well as increase leveling efficiency.  In order to unlock the higher levels of Hellbound and therefore reach the new raid bosses, players will need to level up closer to the new cap.

Tim: The biggest and most powerful new raid boss is Beleth.  He is a scholar and master of magic who desires to surpass even the gods themselves in power and knowledge.  The common theme in the new era of the Chaotic Throne is power.  More specifically, the acquisition of power to rule the land.  Beleth is no exception, and he is willing to pull allies from other dimensions into the world of Aden to achieve the power he needs.

Tim: The way the entire Hellbound area is designed, getting to fight Beleth will require players to unlock multiple different levels.  Each level will have its unique challenges such as having to fight Beleth’s most trusted bodyguard Darion at later levels.  The actual encounter with Beleth himself with will be on par with the other signature raid bosses in game if met at the appropriate level.

Tim: The best way I can describe Fantasy Isle is that it’s just for fun.  I see it as a place that players will hop to when they want a short diversion from every day hunting or PvP.  In future updates, we hope to add mini games to the area to further solidify it as an amusement park zone. Fantasy Isle not completely devoid of the signature PvP touch of Lineage II, though—the Underground Coliseum is also located there.

Tim: The Underground Coliseum is a new way to test your PvP skills against another group of players in a fun new environment.  Matches can be started in various different level ranges.  There are some minor tweaks to how fortresses and castle sieges will work, but no major game play changes.  An example of a minor tweak is that only clans of level 5 and above can now register for a castle siege.

Tim: I think the biggest thing players have been requesting that they’ll find in the update are the changes and enhancements to the subclass system.  In this update sub classes will provide benefits to a character’s main class.  This will effectively remove the independence between a player’s main class and subclass, and increase a character’s playability and overall strength.  Another added benefit, along the same lines, is a high level class-specific transformation that is available to a player’s main class when they have sufficiently leveled up their subclass.

Tim: Your gear is extremely important in Lineage II, and the latest S80 gear is the pinnacle of what can be currently obtained.  You will definitely notice a difference between these and any other equipment.

Tim: Along with the content update, we have a couple of exciting promotions.  I’m happy to announce that there is a brand new European server available – Luna.  I hope that players will pass the word on to their friends and come check out Lineage II if they haven’t before.  We even have a new retail box in stores (starting now!) called the 4th Anniversary Edition. This comes with exclusive in-game items and a ton of game time, so definitely go check that out!

We have also just set up a bring back a friend program.  If a player refers a previous player and they reactivate for at least 30 days, they both will receive some game time.  It’s a great time to check out the game if you haven’t seen it in a while.