File Planet
We’ve got some rather big changes coming up in the next week, concerning how the Vanguard beta client is distributed and accessed. Beginning next week, the Vanguard beta will be hosted exclusively by FilePlanet.
The Bad: Sometime next week, your Vanguard login client will become invalid and you will need to re-download and reinstall the game.
The Good: The reason for this is that we are working to streamline beta and make it a much easier process for both the user AND the Sigil and Microsoft teams as we gear up for phase 3 and beyond.
FilePlanet contacted us a while ago and asked what they could do to be involved with the project, even graciously offering to host our beta client (I bet next time they ask how big it is first!). As this move will free up more of our resources for actual development (a very good thing), we agreed.
You will need to have a FilePlanet account to download the game. You will not need a premium account, though if you already have one or want to get one that is perfectly fine too. We know many folks have had issues with slow download speeds and excessive queues in the past but we have been assured steps have been taken to prevent this.
Why is there a new client?
Because we fundamentally changed both the front end and the back end of the game. Even if FilePlanet didn’t host this, there would still be a complete reinstall. We just chose to do it at this point because it was convenient timing. The front end now contains a lot of the billing, authentication, CD-key data (that stuff has to be tested too) that will be necessary for launch. The backend contains huge amounts of new assets and is organizationally different (things we can't just patch in).
Why FilePlanet?
Because they are the standard at present. We can use them to reach more people, although we do not intend to do so at this time. The system is not pay-for-play, and will not be.
The beta will be securely hosted. This means you will receive a key, the site on FilePlanet will require that you consume that key in order for you to gain access to the Beta download.
You’ve probably seen a lot of reference to Beta 3 in the past few days as well. However, Beta 3 is NOT starting yet. Right now, we’re just updating the way we distribute our beta client, nothing more. Don’t worry, when Beta 3 starts you won’t have to hear about it first from anyone but us.
Class Changes
Significant changes that have been introduced recently:
Shaman
Changed the way spirit bonds work – no more swapping forms to gain abilities – no more slow endurance drain
Choose a spirit totem – this is a specialization of sorts.
Choose one of the three patron spirits as your totem – gain access to unique spells and abilities.
Summon pets that take on the form of your patron.
Take on the image of your patron by changing into their form.
Tuurgin the Bear – The close range melee patron. Strength and endurance are Tuurgin’s specialty
Rakurr the Wolf – Balanced between melee and spell casting. Speed, dexterity and strength are gifts that Rakurr will grant you.
Hayatet the Phoenix – Fiery destruction. Shaman of Hayatet dislike engaging in melee combat and prefer to stand back and rain fire down on their foes.
Form bonds with hostile spirits to augment your fighting abilities. Bond with Krigus the Fly, Nag-Suul the Viper or Skamadiz the Vulture
Psionicist
New system for Psionics. No more escrowing psionic points
Larger Psionic Pool
Concentrations – Alter the way your spells work. Deal more damage, gain protection from mind controlling spells and even drain the thoughts of your opponents.
More Crowd Control options – Make an illusionary clone of your opponent and make them fight one another. Charm an opponent and make him do your bidding.
Join minds with all of the other Psionicists on the server in a private chat channel and gain incredible psionic regeneration as a side effect to this mental link.
Sorcerer
No more elemental forms arbitrating spell options.
Cast spells using fire, ice or mystical energy.
Lock opponents in arcane shackles, pummel them with a barrage of mystical knives, or blast them from incredible range with a fireball.
Protect yourself and your allies with counter-spell shields and runes.
Channel Ice, Fire or Arcane energies to augment your damage, grant you and your allies protection from the elements, or debilitate foes.
Rogue
Much higher damage
More focuses attacks
Build up critical hit points and exploit them using your assassinate attack. Multiple Rogues can work together to build points faster
Lower the opponents that your group has to fight by incapacitating one or more before combat even starts
Remain in stealth mode during the entirety of combat – just don’t gain too much of your opponents attention.
The Disciple
Introducing…The Disciple
Disciples are martial healers. Though they focus their efforts on healing, they have a large selection of martial weapons they are able to wield, including hand wraps, wind blades and crescent staves. They have great discipline over their bodies and through this, they gain the ability to bond with other players and enemies within the world.
Attack Chains
A disciple has a great variety of attack chains at their disposal. Using a few attacks as openers, they are able to elaborate upon them into a wide array of actions. When using abilities as openers they perform a specific function, but while using the same ability as a bridge the effect is magnified and in some cases has added effects.
Blessed Wind
This attack strikes at the faith of your opponent.
If used as an opener, you deal a small amount of damage and heal your defensive target over time.
If used as a bridge, you deal a small amount of damage and heal your defensive target for a moderate amount.
Focus Bonds
As mentioned earlier, disciples have great control over their inner energy, so much so that they can impart some of it into others and form metaphysical bonds with them. These bonds are called focus bonds and they consist of two types: Dissonant Bonds and Harmonic Bonds. A dissonant bond is a bond formed with an unwilling opponent - generally a debuff or drain. A harmonic bond is a bond formed with an ally that imparts positive energies to them, often restoring their allies spent resources in exchange for their own.
Touch of Woe
This ability forms a bond with your opponent forcing them to take damage every time they attempt to attack. Your enemy will no longer take damage upon attacking once the bond is severed.
Counter Attacks
Being focused has its advantages. The disciple can quickly react to their opponents and often times deliver a swift counter attack that makes an enemy wish they had never attacked in the first place.
Paralyzing Touch
This ability counter attacks your opponent, paralyzing them for a long duration or until they are hit again.
Heals
Even though disciples are very offensive oriented healers, they are still practiced in the ways of directly imparting health into their allies.
Breath of Renewal
This ability heals an ally for a small amount of health and splashes health to your group members close by.
Discipline of Harmony
This ability instantly heals an ally for a small amount of health. This ability becomes more effective with each successive use.
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