Sicil: The Abyss Walker

As promised a week ago, Sicil will become an Abyss Walker, and here he is.

Thanks to Gracia's Vitality Points, and upgraded quests, it's so much easier to level up this time. Unlike the last time, I had no 3 million adena nor clannie to help me out. This was done by me alone. I completed the three quests to become an Abyss Walker:

• Testimony of Seeker
  
• Testimony of Fate
  
• Testimony of Searcher
  

Here's a tip: always start your second class change quest at level 39. If you start it around 35 or 38, you'll have an extremely hard time and just get frustrated.

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Lineage 2 NA Gracia Part 2 PTS Notes

It's been confirmed! Lineage 2 NA will get the Gracia Part 2 PTS on October 28. In support, they've also provided Patch Notes! No more mistranslations here anymore! This is what we get for Gracia Part 2!

Hunting Grounds

Kamaloka - Labyrinth of the Abyss

1. The instant zone hunting ground "Kamaloka - Labyrinth of the Abyss" has been added.
2. To enter Kamaloka - Labyrinth of the Abyss, you must meet the following requirements:

• Entry NPC = Guard Captain
• Group = 2-9 member party
• Type of Instance = Beathrough Type Raid Boss Battle
• Duration of Instant Zone = 45 Minutes
• Entry Restriction = Each PC can only enter once per day
• Instant Zone Reset = Zone resets after 5 minutes if no PC’s are inside

3. Entry NPC locations and required levels for Kamaloka – Labyrinth of the Abyss:

• Gludio / Captain Bathis (levels 24-34)
• Dion / Captain Lucas (levels 34-44)
• Heine / Captain Gosta (levels 44-54)
• Oren / Captain Mouen (levels 54-64)
• Schuttgart / Captain Vishotsky (levels 64-74)
• Rune / Captain Mathias (levels 73-85)
  

Pailaka

1. The instant zone hunting ground "Pailaka" has been added.
2. Only characters who are in the process of a Pailaka-related quest and who meet the entry level requirements for the corresponding instant zone can enter.

|| Classification || Level || Required Quest || Time Limit ||

|| Pailaka – Forgotten Temple|| 36-42 || Pailaka – Song of Ice and Fire||60 mins. ||
|| Pailaka – Devil’s Isle|| 61-67 || Pailaka – Devil’s Legacy|| 90 mins. ||
|| Pailaka – Varka Silenos|| 73-77 || Pailaka – Injured Dragon|| 90 mins. ||

Kratei’s Cube

1. The competition-type PvP hunting ground "Kratei's Cube" has been added.
2. You can teleport to the entrance of Kratei's Cube through the NPC Paddies on Fantasy Isle.
3. Characters level 70 and above can register individually through the Kratei's Cube Entrance Manager.
4. There are 3 Kratei's Cube arenas set up by level range. Each arena can hold a maximum of 25 characters at a time. The level ranges are as follows:

• Level 70-75
• Level 76-79
• Level 80+
  

5. Characters who are chaotic, in possession of a cursed sword or currently in a party may not participate.

Kratei’s Cube Rules

1. A Kratei's Cube match begins every 30 minutes from the top of the hour, and lasts for 20 minutes.
2. Once you have requested entry into Kratei's Cube (through the Entrance Manager), you will be moved into a waiting room 3 minutes before the match begins.
3. You can receive Kill Points through PvP and PvE inside Kratei's Cube. Even if a character is killed, there is no death penalty.
4. A character who is killed during a match is moved to the waiting room and can re-enter through the Kratei's Cube Match Manager.
5. Registration ends 3 minutes before each match.

Rewards

1. At the end of a Kratei's Cube match, you will receive Experience, SP and Fantasy Isle coins.
2. The exact amount of your reward depends on the match results, the number of participants, individual ranking and cumulative result values.
3. You are ineligible to receive any reward if you score less than 10 Kill Points.
4. Fantasy Isle coins can be exchanged for various items through NPC Paddies of Fantasy Isle.

Leaving During a Match

You will be removed from the registration list and/or will be ineligible for any rewards for the following reasons:
1. If you request to participate in a match, enter the waiting room, and then cancel the match through the Kratei's Cube Match Manager and leave.
2. If you use a Scroll of Escape for a village, castle, hideout or fortress during a match.
3. If you die during a match and do not return through the Entrance Manager (meaning that you do not complete the match).

New Quests

Pailaka – Song of Ice and Fire

• Level 36-42
• One-time quest
• You must infiltrate "Pailaka - Forgotten Temple," find the cracks in the Sprite energy that are developing inside the temple, and repair them.
• Starting city: Gludin
• Contact NPC: Inspector Adler
  

Pailaka – Devil’s Legacy

• Level 61-67
• One-time quest
• You must infiltrate "Pailaka - Devil's Isle" and defeat the dark power that has engulfed the island.
• Starting city: Giran
• Contact NPC: Devil's Isle Survivor
  

Pailaka – Injured Dragon

• Level 73-77
• One-time quest
• You must infiltrate "Pailaka - Varka Silenos," find the Soul of Fire trapped in darkness inside the barracks and free it to return to the world of fire.
• Starting city: Goddard
• Contact NPC: Ketra Orc Shaman
  

Items

When armor is over-enchanted to +4 or higher, each item will give the character a bonus to HP.

Item Enchant Window

The interface for Item Enchantment has been made more intuitive.

Vitality

• A new instant item, "Vitality Replenishing Herb," has been added.
• It gives you a 5 minute boost to your Vitality Level while hunting. During this 5 minutes, you gain the normal experience for killing a monster (regardless of your current Vitality level). However, also gain points in Vitality, allowing you to increase your Vitality level.
• Vitality no longer decreases while hunting monsters for characters below level 9 who have the "Lucky" skill.

Mini-Game Addition

• A simple and enjoyable mini-game has been added.
• It can be accessed using the "/minigame" command or by clicking the "Mini-Game" icon in the Action Window.
• The game requires you to create an icon chain of 3 in a row, either horizontally or vertically.

Changes to Existing Skills

• Once the "Invincible" skill effect is applied, it cannot be re-applied for a certain amount of time. Related skills include: Celestial Shield, Flames of Invincibility, Sonic Barrier, Force Barrier, Servitor Barrier, Sublime Self-Sacrifice
• The bug concerning HP/MP not being fully restored when a character is revived through the "Salvation" skill has been fixed.

Other Changes

• An "Adventurers' Guide" NPC has been added to Hunters Village.
• An "Underground Coliseum Helper" NPC has been added to the Underground Coliseum.
• A bot reporting button has been added to the Actions window.
• The Personal Teleport icon has been added to the Action Window under "Basic Actions." This button is not functional yet. But once it is, we will give you more information regarding its use.

Miscellaneous Fixes

• The weight of common items has been reduced by 2/3.
• The name of the "Double Cutter" skill, which can be used with the Demonic Sword Zariche, has been changed to: Power Slash - Inflicts a powerful slashing attack with the cursed sword.
• The bug affecting the "Morning Star" item appearing twice in the shop sales list has been fixed.
• The bug preventing changing a sealed Foundation or Masterwork Majestic Circlet Robe item into heavy armor has been fixed.
• The bug preventing some dualswords from being normally refined has been fixed.
• The bug concerning the Wolf Summoning Bracelet's total magic power not displaying properly has been fixed.
• The bug concerning some Dynasty Armor shoulder decorations not equipping properly has been fixed.
• While an item is being enchanted, it can no longer be dropped.
• The incorrect effect explanations for some Dynasty armor sets have been fixed.
• The following effects of the Dynasty Platinum - Force Master set item have been changed: Existing: Str +1, Dex +1, Con -2 / New: Str +2, Con -2
• Demon's Gloves and Boots are now sold by vendor NPC’s.
• The bug concerning ‘Chance’ augments triggering when an incorrect skill type is used has been fixed.

Honestly, I don't know how they will implement the bot reporting button, as this maybe abused by players who just want to hassle their clan enemies, but we'll see soon (if this gets implemented in L2 SEA as well!).

If you'd like to read the reactions of the players in L2 NA, click here.

Technorati Tags: Gracia, Lineage 2, Gracia Part 2, Patch Notes

Cadmus: New Lineage 2 SEA Server

The splash page is up at Lineage 2 SEA's site and we got a confirmed date as well. Cadmus will finally be opened. Concerns abound that players will transfer to the new server and both Aria and Blackbird's population will go down. This is an eventuality as players will want to rise in the new server and become Heroes or at least "legendary" toons.

Will I be transferring? Yes.

See you at Cadmus, folks!

More details here.

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Technorati Tags: Cadmus, Lineage 2 SEA

Fifty

Welcome to my 50th post.

Coincidentally Alcarcalimo also hit Level 50 a few hours ago! Whoa! Never thought I 'd make it this far. Here's to the next levels and posts, may it be more fruitful than the ones before it.

Special thanks go to: Infinity XT, Blackprince of Indigo, and ArmeaSilverleaf of Istar.

Technorati Tags: Alcarcalimo, Lineage 2 SEA

Postcards from Ether:Cruma Tower

For our next set of Postcards from Ether, I present you: Cruma Tower.

It's supposed to be known as one of the ideal dungeons to level in when you're around level 30 to 40. However with the Gracia update notes, thing shave changed a bit:

• Rewards in Cruma Tower have been increased.
• New event monsters that can change or help the hunting flow have been added.
• Characters that are level 56 and above can no longer enter Cruma Tower.

Here's what it looks like when you enter the tower's ground floor:



Notice the Matrix-style symbols running all over the pillar.

Here's a screenie of the second level:



Is it me or are dungeons inherently eerie? Isn't there a dungeon full of rabbits and rainbows? LOLZ!

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Technorati Tags: Lineage 2 SEA, Lineage 2, Cruma

The Perils of Pay-to-Play

aw!

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Party or die

I was there when the RPG movement shifted from the board to game consoles. Back then, the game only had one hero: you--everybody else was just a support. It was easier to know who had to do all the work as well. LOL.

RPG Console mindsets have to go

With the rise of MMORPGs players were introduced to parties. That meant sometimes taking a backseat or supportive role to those in the frontline. That didn't sit well with me during the early years, therefore I didn't join the bandwagon then.

Eventually, the games got to me, and decided to be a damage dealer (DD). Unfortunately that meant lots of grinding and time was not on my side then (I was in College). In short, I was a new fish in a tank full of veteran whales. Learning the ropes as soon as possible would save you from a lot of scamming and grinding.

With Lineage 2, I can safely say that I've learned enough to leave the mindset of being an RPG console player to an MMORPG one. Although I now play a buffer, that hasn't stopped me from getting into party with other players, whether they be clanmates or not.

Have party, will quest

There a lot of quests that require you to go to locations where aggressive (aggro) monsters are. In this case, I would check if my clanmates (clannies) were online and request them for help. In the same sense that any of them require help from their quest, I'd go there too. It's a mutual relationship if you go into a clan.

However, turning down some party requests is an option. Cases like this is a very good point.

Partying with other players is a way to make your MMORPG experience grander.  For more details please see this article on the Party Search System in Lineage 2.

See you in Ether!

Technorati Tags: Lineage 2, Lineage 2 SEA

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Alcarcalimo: The Bladedancer

Alcarcalimo: the Bladedancer

From Alcarcalimo's Travels in Lineage 2 SEA

Yes, I finally made it! I am now a full-fledged Bladedancer. This is all possible because of Cole, a clanmate of mine in Infinity, lent me 3 Million adena, served as my guide in completing the 2nd Job guide in a matter of minutes, and provided me with some armor to start with!

It may seem like cheating but here's the guide on how to accomplish the 2nd job quest in Lineage 2 within 15 minutes. If you've got clanmates or rich friends in-game this is the way to go. If not, you may have to do it the hard way in accomplishing your Bladedancer job change quest.

I remember like it was just yesterday when I was starting out as a Dark Elven fighter, then eventually becoming a Palus Knight, and now a Bladedancer.

My next problem is that since I graduated the academy I'm suddenly clanless. Yikes! Anyway, while I wait to join them again, I'll do some quests in Ether.

See you around!

UPDATE: Zitti of Infinity XT invited me and I'm back with Infinity.

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Technorati Tags: Lineage 2, Lineage 2 SEA, Alcarcalimo

Postcards from Ether:Execution Grounds

I'll be starting a weekly posting regarding the landscapes of Lineage 2 called : Postcards from Ether. I'll start with a scary one (well scary for those who are Level 30 and below):the Execution Grounds.

From Alcarcalimo's Travels in Lineage 2 SEA

From Alcarcalimo's Travels in Lineage 2 SEA

Most mobs here are aggressive so better bring a lot of HP potions or some buddies if you're going to do a quest here.

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Return of the Comeback Dark Elf

Coming back to Lineage 2 SEA

Click here to subscribe to this blog.

Soulshot Dependency Syndrome

Hi, I'm Alcarcalimo and I'm addicted to Soulshots.

I initially disdained using these things except for large yellow mobs but now, I even use them on blue ones--yes blue ONES. I don't know why, but it maybe because of the large blue lights that sparkle when you hit a monster or the additional damage it does but definitely, I cannot move without at least 2.5 k of it on me.

I am now on a long road to being a Blademaster but has chosen not to continue until I get enough soulshots to end my tasks. I want to buy 5,000 just to finish the second task, and a further 5,000 on the last one.

I need help....

Technorati Tags: Soulshot, Lineage 2 SEA, Lineage 2, Bladedancer, Alcarcalimo

First Castle Defense Experience

The other day, I participated in my first castle defense. I was at Goddard along with my clanmates at Infinity and the other alliance members, setting up positions within the castle. It was a surprise to know that there were only 2 of us from the academy that was there. The others may be in hiding because they don't want to lose their precious exp points.

I knew that the battle would start at 8 PM and was very excited. Unfortunately the worst happened. The time came and I got suddenly disconnected.

I immediately went to work to restarting my PC to get back into the game. When I reappeared I was with the Goddard Castle Teleporter. I then read on the Alliance chat that the throne room was being attacked--the enemy got in!!! I raced to the throne room and it was swarming with opponents and their alliances. I was very surprised to see so many characters in one place. Probably the same reason why it lagged like hell as well.

Eventhough it would take damage, I jumped from the balcony straight to the the location of the Seal. Unfortunately, an Orc hit me and I died right there and then. I was expecting to be revived in the throneroom but was surprised to see myself in Goddard Town. The castle was lost!

Our Clan Leader Jercouzen then reorganized us to attack the castle-wave after wave. Unfortunately on my third time the disconnection again happened. This time, there was no going back. My ISP said that they were repairing the damage but it would take time. There was a strong rain outside and could not leave my family.

It was only today that I knew the castle was permanently taken over by our foes. Trash talking was all over the forums today. I decided not to post there anymore as it would further enhance the flame surrounding that thread.

Yes, I lost 25% of my exp that night but it was something I'll never forget.


Technorati Tags: Lineage 2 SEA, Castle Siege

Ashlianna: The Immobilizing Guardian

There I was, going to and fro Giran, Dion, the Dwarf's Village, and the Execution Grounds to fulfill my quest to be a full-blooded Bladedancer when all of a sudden I saw a very unfamiliar site.

In the Dark Elf's Guild was an elf. She was wearing a formal gown of some type. I just had to look and see what someone from the opposite side of the race was doing there. Lo and behold it was a Guardian, Guardian Ashlianna...

Her name would be familiar to Lineage 2 SEA Forumers as she has been sought after by many of the male population. She even has a fanclub thread devoted to her.

After a few chats, a little dance, and an immobility spell (that held me to the ground while she prances away), I found out that behind that elven smile was another person who would just want to make our playing lives in Lineage a bit better.

So guys, ease up on her.

Technorati Tags: Lineage 2 SEA, AMDG

Gracia Update: Gates Open on August 26

Here's what I've gathered so far:

• There will be no PTS: Yes folks, it goes straight to the retail servers.
• Part 1 will be implemented: Vitality Points, lower equipment costs, and unlimited teleport for newbies!
• There will be no Item Malls (yet): It'll be implemented globally when Part 2 comes in.

Whew, can't wait for August 26!

Technorati Tags: Gracia, Lineage 2 SEA, Lineage 2

NCSoft's saving grace

It's been reported in Businesswire that NCSoft gained a profit this second quarter 2008: $78.6 M to be exact. Compared to the same quarter last year, it's 7% better this time around.

The reason, according to NCSoft are the massive closures of Lineage 2 private servers and the Gracia update.Here's a breakdown of game title and sales:

1. Lineage 2: $33.6 M
2. Lineage: $27.2 M
3. City of Heroes/Villains: $5.5 M
4. Guild Wars: $4.9 M
5. Tabula Rasa: $1.9 M

Considering that Lineage 2 is supposed to be an "aging" game, it's still kicking butt out there.

With Aion coming out late this year, they may even be able to make more profit. I hope that this will mean more content created for Lineage 2.

Source

Technorati Tags: NCSoft, Lineage 2, Lineage 2 SEA, Aion

AMDG puts its foot down on RMT

For those unfamiliar with Real Money Trading (RMT) look here first.

AMDG just floored the community with news last night regarding its fight against RMT/Adena sellers.

On to date, AsianMedia is standing firm to address the RMT concern in Lineage II. A total of 50,000 characters have been sanctioned for third party program usage and over 30 billion adena has been seized from 19 accounts in both Aria and Blackbird servers. This action was based on the continuous intensive investigation from the Lineage II SEA GM Team in which the said “bank” accounts are the ones responsible for fueling RMT spammers in town, which cause item price increase (economic inflation) and too much botting.

AMDG finally shows its teeth and muscle! I'm hoping that the company continues it's streak against these sellers.

Kudos to you guys!

Source


Technorati Tags: Lineage 2 SEA, Lineage 2, AMDG, iPlayAsia, bots, cheats, RMT

Gracia Update: Kamaloka

Since we're still waiting for AMDG to give us the Gracia update, we'll have to content ourselves in the meantime with what others in NA and Korea are going through now.

It's a treat then that Lineage 2 Fansite has a vid of Kamaloka, the new instanced hunting ground. Guys from Lineage 2 SEA, see the future here, now!

Gracia - nová hunting zone - Kamaloka from Lineage2.Fansite.cz on Vimeo.

Technorati Tags: Alcarcalimo, Lineage 2 SEA, Lineage 2, AMDG

Lineage 2 SEA is a year old

Yep, according to HGM Gilrain, it's Lineage 2 SEA's first birthday. Congratulations to AMDG, iPlay Asia & Trade, Cubetech, and NCSoft for bringing to us such a grand game.

There's been a lot of challenges (crit errors, bots, RMT), we've a lost a lot of people (both on the players and management side), but we're all still here. I hope that we can continue to expand and grow in population.

To celebrate this event, below is the first sighted Lineage 2 ad. Please remember to pause the mp3 player on the right bar.

Thanks to the guys at Lineage 2 Fansite!

Cheers!

Technorati Tags: Lineage 2 SEA, Lineage 2, AMDG, iPlayAsia, Cubetech

The road to level 40: Bladedancer

Yes, I know, I've been remiss in posting for a long time, but the reason why I haven't been doing so is that I've been busting my chops to get to Level 40 and on my way to becoming a Bladedancer.

I'm currently at Level 38 doing all I can to reach 39 so I can finally do my Bladedancer quest. I know that I can do them earlier, but I read that doing them at Level 39 would make it a bit easier. There are three quests that needs to be completed before you make the jump:

1. Trial of Challenger
2. Test of Fate
3. Judgment of Duelist

Right now, I'm at Trial of Challenger. What made it such a treat finishing this quest is that a couple of clanmates have helped me out along the way:

Bab--for lending me his D-grade armors
Cole--for helping me in dispatching the enemies on the first part of the Trial of the Challenger.Technorati Tags: Alcarcalimo, Lineage 2, Lineage 2 SEA

Gracia Update: Details on the Exp and Vitality System

Since the Gracia Teaser site was up last July 7, there's been a steady buzz of excitement among gamers regarding the new update to Lineage 2. Most notable among the changes welcomed by most players is the Levelling part of the game.

Lineage 2 has always been touted as a hardcore grinding game. This has been its strength and weakness at the same time. Strength because only the hardcore players will be able to appreciate the constant fighting, while leaving those who aren't so hardcore biting the dust. This resulted into a situation where there were a lot of mid to high level characters and not much new ones. With the changes in the exp and addition of the Vitality system, newbies (like me) will have a chance to catch up with the rest of the population in L2.

For one thing, experience rewards for killing creatures and accomplishing quests has been increased across the board. This means that you’ll gain a lot more for generally doing the same things you always do. Running out of quests trying to gain experience, or continual creature farming, is not nearly as big of a factor any more. Also, new repetitive quests have been added in each race village to help out players even further.

You consume Vitality when you kill ordinary creatures and gain experience, though Vitality won’t get spent if you’re taking on a quest creature, if you don’t get experience for killing a creature, or if you’re taking on a boss. When Vitality is spent, your experience and SP bonus is greatly increased, depending on how much Vitality you currently have. If you’re maxed out in Vitality points (Vitality Level 4), your bonus will be 300% of the normal experience and SP gain. If you have a few thousand Vitality points (Vitality Level 1), the bonus is 150%. Because Vitality is so easy to earn, players will be in the bonus consistently and the overall experience gain can be huge.

So for those who are thinking of Lineage 2, please wait until Gracia update.

Source

Technorati Tags: Gracia, Lineage 2, Lineage 2 SEA, NCSoft, Gracia