Dungeons and Dragons Online went to a free to play model earlier this
month, re-titling itself as Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron
Unlimited, and if the crowds of players I've run into every time I log
in are any indication, it was a good move. One of the more interesting
aspects of this new DDO version are the two classes available for
purchase, the Favored Soul and the Monk. For those that choose to fork
over a small amount of cash for each class, you're in for an
interesting ride.

 



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The Favored Soul



Not to make you feel like you're studying for your SAT's again, but the
Favored Soul is to Clerics what the Sorcerer is to Wizards. That is to
say that like their Sorcerer counterparts, the Favored Soul has a more
limited selection of spells than the Cleric, but can cast those spells
far more often. In other words, it's a perfect class for those players
that enjoy the feel of a Cleric, but want their spell pool to last a
while longer in the depths of a dungeon.



The Favored Soul class has access to powerful healing magics just like
their fellow Clerics, but rather than spending inordinate amounts of
time praying to their gods, they are directly connected to the divine,
thus able to call upon its power at will. This is why they are able to
cast more often from a more limited spell set. Another important
difference to note is that Favored Souls can only change their spells
once every few days, rather than every time they are in a tavern or at
a rest shrine.



Like Clerics, both charisma and wisdom are important to the Favored
Soul class. High charisma grants a Favored Soul access to higher level
spells and gives him or her more spell points. Wisdom determines how
difficult a favored soul's spells are for enemies to resist.



For those that are comfortable with the way the Dungeons &
Dragons character creation mechanics work, feel free to create your
character with the custom option to keep complete and total control
over the way your avatar is built up. The majority of players will be
happy to find the developers have included three pre-built paths: Angel
of Vengeance, Beacon of Hope, and Divine Avenger.

 

Angel of Vengeance

Suggested
Race:
Human

Solo
Ability:
Good



As an Angel of Vengeance, your concentration will be centered around
raining destruction down upon the poor souls dumb enough to offer
challenge or block your path. While you still have some minor healing
capabilities, you have many more offensive spells than your fellow
Favored Souls.

 

Beacon of Hope

Suggested
Race:
Halfling

Solo
Ability:
Challenging



If you choose the to take the Beacon of Hope path, you're going to be
in for a heavy challenge if you try to solo, but if you take the role
of party healer, you will be unmatched by any class, including a
Cleric. Replenishing hit points, removing harmful effects, and boosting
the abilities of your fellow adventurers... no one is better at this
role.

 

Divine Avenger

Suggested
Race:
Elf

Solo
Ability:

Excellent



The Divine Avenger is closer to a Paladin than the other Favored Soul
paths. Blending equal parts melee and spell chucking, the Divine
Avenger lives up to their namesake in the throes of battle. One second
they're bashing in the skull of a raging ogre and the next, they're
saving the hide of an overly frisky wizard with a well-timed heal.





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The Monk



Monks are the quintessential warriors, in both body and spirit. Casting
off the need for armor and weapons, they are living instruments of
destruction that will be welcome in any party. Through intense physical
training and mental discipline, monks have also learned to harness the
power of ki to empower their attacks and grant themselves mystical
abilities.



Between managing their ki for various abilities and switching between
stances depending on the situation, the Monk class may take players
more time to master than others. The ability to switch between roles on
the fly is crucial for this class. Those that spend the time necessary
to do so will find themselves welcome in any party and able to solo
more effectively than many other classes.



Those choosing to play the Monk class will find that strength and
wisdom are their two most important stats. Strength affects melee
attack chance and damage, and high wisdom boosts a Monk's defenses and
amplifies many special attacks.



For those that are comfortable with the way the Dungeons &
Dragons character creation mechanics work, feel free to create your
character with the custom option to keep complete and total control
over the way your avatar is built up. The majority of players will be
happy to find the developers have included three pre-built paths: The
Path of Shadow, Two-Headed Heron, and The Path of Light.

 

The Path of Shadow

Suggested
Race:
Human

Solo
Ability:
Good



Those that choose to follow the Path of Shadow will become a source of
pure devastation on the field of battle. Unlike other monks, you will
not have any healing abilities, but that's not why you chose this path
anyway. These Monks focus their ki into attacks designed to crush the
enemy’s body and spirit. Able to cast paralysis, blindness,
and more, a Path of Shadow Monk is a dangerous adversary indeed.

 

Two-Headed Heron

Suggested
Race:
Human

Solo
Ability:
Very Good



The Monks that follow the Two-Headed Heron path are similar to their
Path of Light brethren, but devote a majority of their time to the
mastery of the kama weapon. Placing one in each hand, you will become a
blur of steel and death over time, wreaking havoc upon your enemies.
Your party will welcome both your weapon and healing skills in a fight.

 

The Path of Light

Suggested
Race:
Human

Solo
Ability:
Very Good



The Path of Light Monk is what most of us picture after watching too
many badly voiced over kung fu movies in our youth. They are highly
focused on purity of the mind and spirit, able to perform amazing
feats. These Monks are no pushovers and are able to hold their own in a
fight, but they will do less damage than their Path of Shadow brothers
and sisters. What they lack in pure damage though, they make up for in
restoring the health and spirits of their party.





To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited Game Page.

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2016

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