Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Ten Ton Hammer: Will any Magus be able to summon any of the elementals? Or will they be something that's unlocked through the specialization system?

HH: Although they gain them at different levels, any Magus will be able to summon any of the elementals. However, for the majority of these elementals, the lore is that the Magus will merge with the elemental to become a new, more powerful creature. Part Magus, part elemental, this being will be able to perform actions more powerful than any Magus could achieve on their own.

The exception to this is the Ice Elemental. For the most part, a Magus will not want to merge with this elemental. Instead, they will send the Ice Elemental into combat to act as a tank. The Magus is then able to use their control over Ice to empower the Ice Elemental and transform it in to a multiple-target tank, equal in ability to a Protection Soldier or Guardianship Ranger.

Ten Ton Hammer: Can you give us some examples of Magus offensive spells? Are we talking single target destruction or are the Magus able to throw down AoEs as well?

HH: A Magus will have both single target spells, like the Flame Bolt spell that hits a single target, and area-of-effect spells, like Ether Boil that creates a rolling field of destructive energy and boils the very soul of any enemy foolish enough to stand inside it. They also have spells that fall somewhere in between, like Chain Lightning, and Flame Ball.

Flame Ball is a great example of a spell which is effective as both an area-of-effect spell, and a single target spell. The weakest rank of Flame Ball will do approximately 220 points of damage - more damage than a Flame Bolt spell available at the same level. However, Flame Ball will share this damage amongst all targets in a 10 unit range. This means that if there is only one target in this area, it is a powerful single-target spell. If there are multiple targets in the area, it acts as an area-of-effect spell, damaging all the enemies at the same time.

Ten Ton Hammer: What about defensive spells? How do those work compared to a Healers buffs or healing spells? Are they like character blocking walls?

HH: For the most part, a Magus's defensive spells will be buffs and heals that effect only the Ice Elemental. A Magus that specializes in Ice will find these abilities greatly enhanced.

A Magus that specializes in Storm will also find them able to control the threat of themselves and their party. If your tank has difficulty keeping aggro because of your crazy-mad DPS, consider bringing a Storm Magus along to make things easier.