New Dev Journal Released for Runes of Magic

September 11, 2008

New Dev Journal Released for
Runes of Magic

Combat system of Runes of Magic
in detailed dev journal

The combat system of Runes of Magic
relies equally on the advancement of fighting skills and good equipment. The
quality of weapons and armor has an impact on attack as well as defense, but the
proper use of the characters skill set is just as important. For normal attacks
it is important to master the weapon skills like two handed swords, bows, axes
or magical staffs, because they are directly responsible for the accuracy of
that weapon. You will have difficulties with a weapon you are not accustomed to.
While you are inflicting primarily physical damage to your enemies when using a
weapon, spells of mages and priests deal magical damage. This is due to the mage
having control over the elements fire and wind, while the priest can call upon
Narfas, the god of spring water, who gives his followers control over the
element water. Interested online warriors can still register for the beta phases
on the official website
www.runesofmagic.com
.


Click here to download a new Runes of Magic video.

Skills and Combos

The core of the combat system in
Runes of Magic is build by the many different attack skills, which give each
character class its own distinctive strength. Combat is not only about beating
down the opponent’s vitality with brute force, expert adventurers use special
effects to win a fight. Using roots or chains of light, players can tactically
gain time to escape from a hopeless fight. Sometimes that’s necessary, because
bleeding wounds are not only painful, but can become a dangerous problem. There
are sinister professions specializing in blinding, stunning and poisoning
weakened enemies like that.

A lot of skills in Runes of Magic
depend on each other and demand constant attention and fast reaction. Warriors
can use opening attacks to position their enemies in a way, where special follow
up attacks are possible. However players have to react quickly which attacking
possibility is opening up in combat. Knights can place so-called “Glowing Seals”
that can release certain effects depending on which skills are followed up with.
Mages can protect themselves by “Electrostatic Charges”, before they hurl these
as spell charges against their enemies. Mages as masters of elements should
watch out for any resistance an enemy may have against the base element of their
magic. A spotted weakness here can be utilized to turn a fight around very
quickly.

Within theses combo sequences in
Runes of Magic it is important to keep an eye on the interaction of the
elements. Every attack is assigned to a hidden element and certain sequences of
elements bear magical extra effects. They are quite inconspicuous for short
combinations, but the longer players can extend the sequence, the more
spectacular the combo effects become. The mixture of elements on the target is
essential and groups of adventurers can work together tactically to generate
extra damage and special effects ranging from fear to fields of flames. But
first they have to find out which combinations have an effect at all.

Building a group

Together with the specialization for
certain skills the selection of primary and secondary class determines the role
of a character in the combat system of Runes of Magic. A solo player will use a
wide range of melee attacks, ranged attacks and healing skills, while in
contrast groups work best with strict task-sharing. In a well-built group,
warriors, knights and their variations should stand in the front line at best to
stop their enemies from breaking through and reaching the mages and priests, who
are very vulnerable to physical attacks. While doing that, they need to keep the
attention of the enemies by using their attacks and skills and of course have to
deal as much damage as possible with their swords and axes. The ranged
combatants like mages, priests and scouts who are trying to do damage from the
much safer second line with volleys of arrows and fire. Priest can join in
combat action from time to time, but most often they are busy healing the front
line fighters and keeping them alive. While the scout can help in the front line
if the need arises, rogues are mostly on the move. They can deal a lot of
damage, but must always be alerted to evade incoming attacks because they can’t
bear much damage themselves.

Tactics

An approved method for defeating
many strong enemies is to lure single fighters out of the group by well directed
taunts or ranged attacks. If their rush is stopped by the front line of a well
organized group, it usually doesn’t take long before they meet their demise.
Combat groups can repeat this again and again, but it’s not always so easy to
separate leaders from their bodyguards. In this case, the best tactic is to keep
the most dangerous enemy busy, until his helpers have met their maker. Character
classes like knight or scout are suited for this task in Runes of Magic, because
they can root an enemy to a place and delay a fight that way. But they always
have to keep the attention of their opponent. That can be arranged by one or two
well directed attacks. This game of attack, root and retreat has to be kept up
long enough for the group to get their hands free to sort out the situation once
and for all.

The fruits of victory

Victory over dangerous monsters not
only yields experience and fame for the winning hero, but with some luck he
might capture seldom and precious items as well. The loot in Runes of Magic can
range from the “bear-skin” and other hunting trophies over rune stones, tools,
clothing and up to weapons and armor, which in certain cases might have special
properties. From time to time even glowing magical spheres emerge from fallen
enemies. These grant special powers for a certain period of time to the
victorious adventurers.

Runes of Magic – a world full of
wizardry and adventure

With an extensive range of features
Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games.
Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing story in over 600
quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose from six main
classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character
classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo
attacks and can use mounts in the later stages of game play. A particularly
attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their
own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting
and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons and
boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker
has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time
frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every
three to four months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find more
information, pictures and videos on the official website
www.runesofmagic.com.

Runes of Magic features

  • Free2play, no monthly fees, free
    download

  • Dual class system with switchable
    primary and secondary classes

  • Enthralling background story

  • Already over 600 quests and level
    comprehensive quest series on launch

  • Instanced and persistent dungeons

  • Individually developed skills and
    spells

  • Armor sets with special bonuses

  • Dynamic item system: Upgrades with
    hundreds of runes

  • Activatable PvP system (Player vs.
    Player duels)

  • Epic crafting system with the
    possibility to improve existing items

  • Individual coloring of clothes and
    armor

  • Housing: personalization with
    individual furniture for players and guilds

  • Special zones for guild houses

  • Reputation system

  • Scalable user interface based on
    the users preference (development of your own add-ons possible)

  • In-game map and radar system to
    find dealers, resources and quests easily

  • Auction house: auction and
    purchase items

  • Teleporting possibilities via
    runes, different and unique mounts

  • Controlling with mouse (point &
    click) and keyboard (WASD or arrow keys) possible