Last week we target="_top">took a look at the upcoming
free-to-play MMOG –
Allods Online. This week we delve a bit deeper into the game as we
explore the
classes available. Allods Online features 28 total classes spread
amongst 8
archetypes with unique names based on the race chosen. This sounds like
a
ridiculously large number of classes but no “class”
name is duplicated, and
while no two members of an archetype are exactly the same the overall
utility
the class brings stays relatively constant. So what are the classes of
Allods
Online and what roles do they serve? What race and archetype
combination sounds
the most compelling? Over the next two weeks will help shed light on
these
questions as we break down first the melee and then the caster
archetypes. Let us waste no more time and dive right in
with the first part of our two part series – a look at the
classes of Allods
Online.

Warriors

The Warrior archetype is the main tank archetype of the game
and is broken down into four subsets –

style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse;"
border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Name

style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Race

style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Description

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Vanquisher

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Xadaganian(Empire
Humans)

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Not
considered the strongest or most powerful of the tanking classes, the
Vanquisher relies on cunning and innate abilities to reduce the amount
of damage they take, especially from magic-based enemies, to protect
their party.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Brute

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Orc

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">The
most prototypical of the tank classes, Brutes are big strong and
fearsome. With the ability to increase their own strength the Brute is
among the most lethal of the tanks.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Brawler

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Gibberling

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">The
popular saying “you can’t judge a book by its
cover” may be the most adequate description of the Gibberling
Brawler. This tiny furball trio may not look like your ideal
meathshield, but the Brawler relies on excellent combat skills,
superior evasion and a firm belief in the mantra that three is better
than one to overcome the odds.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Champion

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Kanian(League
Humans)

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Unmitigated
pride and a sense of superiority are the drive behind the Champion.
Relying on confidence, smarts, and a ton of armor—the
Champion is among the most capable front line defenders in the game.

style="margin: 10px; border-collapse: collapse; float: right; width: 136px; height: 165px;"border="1">

href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/79301"> style="border: 0px solid ; width: 73px; height: 148px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/79301">

While each of the four has a slightly
different means, the
end result is the same – protect your allies and take the
brunt of the beating.
Each faction offers a rough-andready or a finesse version for those who
love to
be the center of attention, which helps alleviate that dreaded faction
envies
that can occur when forced to play a class you don’t like in
order to play a
race/faction that you do. All Warriors can use plate armor once they
reach
level 20 and will be clad in leather in the early levels.

Paladins

style="margin: 10px; border-collapse: collapse; float: left; width: 136px; height: 165px;"
border="1">

href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/79300"> style="border: 0px solid ; width: 93px; height: 135px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/79300">

While Warriors are the primary choice for tanking, there is
another option for those who like some versatility. The Paladin
archetype,
similar to the Paladins of many other fantasy games, is a magic-based
plate
wearer that is comfortable in several roles. Imbued with a sense of
duty and
destiny from the deity of their people, the Paladin believes their
powers to be
a divine manifest and their mission to be sacred. All Paladins start
with
leather armor and upgrade to plate at level 20.




 

style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse;"
border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Name

style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 62.65pt;"
valign="top" width="84">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Race

style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;"
valign="top" width="486">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Description

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: top;">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Avenger

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 62.65pt;">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Xadaganian

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;"
valign="top" width="486">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Through
a divine plea, the Avenger reduces all damage taken by their party to
help achieve their personal crusade as a protector. One of the younger
classes in game lore, the Avenger is a capable tank, decent healer and
can be called on to resurrect fallen allies if need be.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Reaver

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 62.65pt;"
valign="top" width="84">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Orc

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;"
valign="top" width="486">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">The
most offensive-minded of the group, the Reavers are an odd convert to
the Paladin family. While most Orcs dismiss the teachings of a Kanian
deity, the Reavers embrace the holy light as a method of gaining even
more power. Reavers take the fight to the enemy and use special
abilities to inflict heavy damage as well as drain their
opponent’s mana.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Templar

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 62.65pt;"
valign="top" width="84">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Elf

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;"
valign="top" width="486">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Vanity
and pride were the impetus for the Elves’ conversion to the
powers of light. Elves, much like the Orcs, are not native followers of
the holy teachings of the Kanians but rather converts who have used it
as a means of gaining status in their personal pursuit of perfection.
The Templar relies on melee power to subdue their enemies and hamper
the effectiveness of the healing their foes receive.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Crusader

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 62.65pt;"
valign="top" width="84">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Kanian

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;"
valign="top" width="486">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">The
original holy warriors, Crusaders have battling threats to the Kanian
way of life for many years. Relying on a balanced attack of magic and
physical damage the Crusader is the embodiment of the traditional
definition of a Paladin.

Every Paladin in the Allods universe derives their power
from the same source, as fanatics from both factions justify their
actions
under the guise of devotion – a somewhat scary parallel to
the real world.Players will again find the subtle differences that will
cater to a
preferred
play style without locking them into a particular faction.

style="margin: 10px; float: right; width: 136px; height: 165px;" border="1">

href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/79299"> src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/79299" alt=""
style="border: 0px solid ; width: 160px; height: 120px;">

Scouts

The final melee archetype, the Scouts are a diverse bunch
who brings utility and raw DPS to their parties. Scouts
rely on evasion and surprise attacks
and are restricted to leather armor.

style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse;"
border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Name

style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Race

style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Description

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Stalker

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Xadaganian

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">The
Stalker is a balanced mix of stealth and power and they comprise the
bulk of the Xadaganian forces. A skilled tactician the Stalker uses
many tricks to subdue the enemy, and even if the Stalker itself is
visible to the opponent, traps laid for the unsuspecting attacker may
not be.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Marauder

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Orc

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Orcs,
as a rule, are an honor-bound society; the Marauder is the exception to
that rule. The Marauder is a vicious killer who can lock onto a foe and
prevent their escape, even if they could normally stealth or hide to
retreat.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Trickster

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Gibberling

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">This
sly and stealthy pack of hurt is among the most versatile in the Scout
world. A master of all aspects of subterfuge, the Trickster thrives
equally on stealthy attacks, tracking enemies or scouting an area for
early detection of enemy forces. Their trapping ability is lethal and
highly annoying to their prey.

style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"> style="">Ranger

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Kanian

style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;"
valign="top">

style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">The
Ranger relies on quick and devastating attacks with their bow as well
as the ability to get in and get out quickly using stealth. Rangers are
master tacticians and are particularly lethal in numbers, using
coordinated attacks to disorient and disable their enemies.

While comprising less than half of the game’s total number
of classes, the melee combat archetypes are an essential and
devastating
component to each side’s war effort. Join us next week as we
break down the
final 16 classes of the game – the Caster archetypes.