RIFT MMO News, Guides, and Features at Ten Ton Hammer

Rift: Planes of Telara will be entering its first beta phase this December and four new Souls have joined the fight to defend Telara. New details and screenshots have been revealed for the Archon, Paragon, Shaman and the Riftstalker Souls. Each Soul will offer players a chance to utilize their powers to benefit their playstyle in a number of ways ranging from healing to damage and even tanking with the mobile Riftstalker. What does each Soul offer players? Keep reading to find out.

Archons are support class specialist that can draw on an enemy's strength and convert their raw energy into beneficial magic to aid their allies. But the Archon is most vulnerable between these transfers, making them susceptible to attack. Paragons are duel wielding attackers that move swiftly and never give their opponents a chance to regroup. They specialize in dealing consistent damage up close and at a distance, but the Paragon is most vulnerable against healers, who can outpace their steady damage.

Riftstalkers are defensive specialists that can bend the planes to enhance their constitution and shift out of physical dimensions. They are tanks with an interesting twist. While being a highly mobile fighter with great defense and the ability to appear in the right place for a fight, the Riftseeker is best utilized in short fights. The longer a fight goes, the more vulnerable the Riftstalker becomes. The final Soul to join the fight is the Shaman, a Soul capable of binding with the power of ice and becoming a true elemental force. The power augments the Shaman's attacks to make his melee attacks more powerful and provide a shield and reactive healing. But Shamans lack the ability to bolster their defenses and heal heavy wounds, making them weak against a foe with strong defenses.