Perfect World Dev Diary #2 - The Genie System

The second target="_blank">Perfect
World International expansion, “Age of
Spirits,” introduces a new layer of gameplay for even the
most experienced PWI player to explore. With the Genie system, players
can use a Genie to compliment their chosen class and round out their
gameplay. The genies are non-corporeal entities that can assist in
battle by casting buffs, debuffs and using new and unique abilities.

There are four different Genies, one of each season: Longevity
(Summer), Discipline (Winter), Zeal (Autumn), Infliction (Spring). Each
genie has a unique nascent skill when you first receive them, however,
all other skills must be obtained through upgrading.



Genies can level up along with their masters. In addition to increasing
their base stats, players can upgrade a Genie’s elemental
affinity, with any of the five elements: Metal, Wood, Earth, Water and
Fire. The elemental affinity will become important because different
affinities will be the key to unlocking certain skills. Genies can have
a maximum of 26 affinity points. If need be, a player can reset the
Genie’s affinity points at the new NPC “Elemental
Ambassador” in any of the five main cities.



Every Genie skill has 10 levels. The majority of the level one skills
will have a requisite one point of a certain element. For example:

Adrenaline Surge requires one Metal point. This skill will
make your character immune to Sleep. Knack of Qi requires one Wood point. This skill will
constantly drain a target’s mana. Sandstorm requires one Earth point. This skill will blind
targets, reducing their accuracy and casting speed. Heal Ripple requires one Water point. This skill will
regenerate the health and mana of friendly targets around you. Explosion requires one Fire point. This skill will deal
fire damage to all enemies near the target.

One interesting aspect of Genie skills is that some are location
specific. Some Earth skills can be used only while on the ground, many
water skills can only be used in Water and some Metal skills can only
be used while in flight. Additionally, some skills are race
specific— Hollow Fist is reserved for Venomancers only, or
the skill Rainbow Blessing is restricted to the Winged Elf race.



Genies can learn new and forget old skills at the NPC Elemental
Ambassador.



With the Genie system, there are almost no limitations to what you can
improve. Strong class attributes can be strengthened or weakness
negated. It is up to the player, and we feel this next level of
customization will continue to elevate the PWI gaming experience.