Lineage II Chronicle 5: Oath of Blood Preview

Since the launch of Lineage II in April of 2004, the game has seen a lot of changes, the evolution of the community and strong changes along the way.

Much of the criticism has been addressed. Players who have violated the EULA (end-user licensing agreement) have found that NCsoft has cracked down hard. In fact, as of the middle of September, approximately 50,000 accounts will have been banned for infractions. There are been four ‘chronicles’ or major updates to the game.

Enter Chronicle Five: Oath of Blood. Chronicle Five has launched and provides strong content for upper level players, though it does cater to - and portend to enrich the experience of - younger players as well.

Adam Davidson, the North American producer for L2 and several members of the NCsoft staff and development team conducted a media walk-through of one area of the new zone, Freya’s Palace, and the associated quest that is part of this new zone. The event, held Wednesday, included some avatars created to fit the zone and took place on the test server.

For players in the upper 50s and 60s, this quest (the culmination of several precursor quests and requirements) takes place in an instanced zone. Only one team (and you will need a full team for this) can do the quest at any given time. There is a queue for those teams not actively in the zone, and once one team finishes the 35-minute timed quest, the next team in line will be allowed to enter.

The zone was based on an icy theme, but the minions and raid bosses could range from buffalo to bears to demons and fairies. The second raid boss is the Ice Fairy Sirra, and she is not only one tough fairy, but comes with a healer and guardians.

This will require tactics and skill to succeed.

Davidson said that “As by design, this is supposed to be a challenge, so that 35 minutes is not easily accomplished.”

Chronicle 5 adds two new castles, five or 6 new areas to Schuttgart – in all, 10 zones are being added. The new zones in Schuttgart scale for groups starting in the mid-20s. A big part of chronicle 5 is the look and update to the clan structure. High level clans can add an academy

Chronicle 4 added contestable clan halls, and Chronicle 5 keeps that going with a new contestable Forces of the Dead Clan Hall.

Other features (according to the press release) added to the game include:

• A better experience for solo hunters and new players: Prior to Chronicle 5, the life of a new player or solo hunter in the world of Aden could be an unforgiving and frustrating experience. New items and changes for solo players and low level characters offer a more enjoyable experience without sacrificing the renowned challenge of Lineage II.

• Revitalized player vs. player combat: In Chronicle 5, class balance is the focus. Every class can now win through skilled manipulation of its own strengths and the enemy’s weaknesses.

• Enhanced clan system: Clans can now have more members through the addition of the Royal Guard and the Order of Knights. Also, through the creation of their own Academy, clans can bring new players into the clan and rapidly train them (advance them in level). Also added are new clan-based skills that aid each clan member, new clan halls, and a variety of other social benefits.

• New castles and territories: Several new adventuring areas are introduced in Chronicle 5, including the castles of Rune and Schuttgart. These massive fortresses present fresh challenges for experienced siege planners. New creatures populate these unconquered territories, including Frintezza – an immortal being of immense power, offering an entirely new style of battle to seasoned veterans.

• Increased level cap: Players can now advance to level 80.

There will be new quests, as well. The look and feel of the game remains basically unchanged – apart from the new areas, but Lineage II continues to grow and to create an environment that is not only challenging, but entertaining as well.