style="background: rgb(57, 65, 76) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; overflow: hidden; float: right; display: table; width: 300px;">

I spent the majority of my play time last week making preparations to
captain my own starship, but my character(s) resembled tribbles more
than they did a Vulcan or a wise ass from Iowa. While the AAA space
faring title known as
Star Trek Online may be getting all the headlines this
week, I couldn’t pull myself away from my Gibberlings long enough to
give it much of a trial run. And while I am sure that the final
frontier that STO players are voyaging off into this week is
compelling, I can't see giving up what precious little beta time there
is left in Allods Online
to give it more than a cursory session. 



Normally I try not to play too much during a beta, but few games have
been as fun so far as Allods
Online has, and that's why it retains this week’s number
one spot. Continuing in the Allods
theme, this week’s feature will be the second part of our class
preview, featuring the cloth wearing classes of the game.



The top ten list didn't see too much movement this week, but expect DDO
to make a push back towards the top next week with update #3 set to go
live on February 3rd 

style="background: rgb(57, 65, 76) none no-repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; overflow: hidden; display: table; width: 632px;">

Allods Online Class Preview - Part 2

A couple weeks ago, before we resurrected a recouring free-to-play
column, we brought you a the first in a series of class previews for
Allods Online where we focused on Melee damage and tanking classes. So
without further ado lets take a look at the next segment of style="font-style: italic;">Allods archetypes
-  ranged DPS.



Ranged DPS, the pure DPS classes at least, are split into two
archetypes - The Mage and the Psionicist, while not considered a hybrid
class, both have some utility in addition to being able to dish out the
pain.



Mage



The Mage archetype is similar in role and play style to many of the
more popular of today’s fantasy-based MMOGs--deal maximum damage and
stay at maximum range. The Allods
mage can pick up some interesting utility abilities via quest which
allow them to become invisible, resurrect allies, and teleport their
parties out of combat (similar to the Call of the Heroes spell that
made EverQuest
mages so useful.)

cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
Name Race Description Sorcerer Arisen As a race the Arisen are far more skilled in summoning
magics than they are in the controlling of elements, however through
diligent instruction that natural ability has given the Sorcerer
formidable powers. This persistence has paid off in the form of in the
intermittent ability to channel their power into an astral blast
dealing extra damage to their foes. Archmage Elf The most skilled of the races in the use of magic, the
Elves begin their magical training at a very young age.  With
magic being a core part of their lives its easy to see why the Elven
Mage is the most formidable of the races with the ability to increase
their Intelligence by 30% through the use of their special
ability.  Magician Kanian Magicians
of Kanian heritage are viewed with a measure of awe amongst their
people. Kanian Mages have to make in tenacity for what they lack in
natural magical aptitude. The Kanian mage is rewarded with a racial
ability that allows to ignore interruptions when casting periodically.

While all Mage classes will play very similarly, the Elf
 tends to get the most benefit from their racial abilty and
tends to be the most popular race for the archetype.



Psionicist



One of the most intriguing archetypes in the game, the
Psionicists are among most technically demanding classes to play. One
part DPS, two parts crowd control and a hundred parts annoying to
their opponents, Psionicists use powers of mental control to defeat
their opponents.

cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
Name Race Description Mentalist Xadaganian Another group shrouded in mystery and feared by their
opponents are
the Mentalists. Using their formidable power to bend others to their
will,  the Mentalist uses a foes own powers against them. The
Xadaganian practitioner of the mental arts is able to temporarily
become immune to any melee damage. Occultist Arisen One of the most powerful weapons in the Arisen arsenal,
the
Occultist is another true mind control expert. The Occultist is
particularly effective against other mental casters with the ability to
clear their mind, freeing it of enemy spells and effects. Seer Gibberlings Religious beliefs have turned the Gibberlings mental
powers from a
mere dalliance to a true art form. Recognized as the true masters of
 mental magic, the Seer can sometimes predict their enemies
actions, allowing them to dodge melee attacks with surprising accuracy.

Both "caster" archetypes offer an interesting role to play in Allods
Online, for those who enjoy the complexity of keeping their enemies
incapacitated or the thrill of nuking them into oblivion.



Stay tuned for the next installment of the series where we will focus
on the healer class and the game’s remaining hybrids.



alt="" style="border: 0px solid ; width: 600px; height: 319px;"
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/80169">

style="background: rgb(57, 65, 76) none no-repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; overflow: hidden; display: table; width: 632px;">

• Metin2
  Announces Valentines Day Events
  
  The next series of in game holiday events kicks off this week, expect a
  deluge of these events in every game.
  
• gPotato
  Launches Another Free-to-Play Game
  
  New game is browser based and looks to be standard faire. As Ralsu so
  eloquently stated in our forums, maybe these guys should stick to
  making a handful of really solid games instead of a metric ton of
  unremarkable ones.
• Dragonica
  To Launch New Dungeon for European Client
  
  New content focused on players level 26-30, but the launch also signals
  the re-opening of a high level dungeon as well.