Patch Message for September 26, 2002
September 26, 2002 3:00 am
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** Planes of Power Pre-Order Bonus **
If you pre-order the PoP expansion you will be able to purchase the Planes of Power original soundtrack CD for just an additional $4.95.
*** Important Notice about Alternate Advancement ***
- When a character has 30 or more AA points, they will receive a red message stating:
Warning: You are currently over the earned Advancement point limit of 30. Please spend some of your stored AA points. You will not be able to earn further AA points until you have fewer than 30. On October 21, 2002, all points over 30 in your AA pool will be deleted.
It seems appropriate that Advancement points earned prior to the release of Planes of Power be used for abilities from earlier expansions. In addition, many of the Luclin abilities are pre-requisites for Planes of Power abilities. When the servers come up on October 21st, all unused Alternate Advancement point pools over 30 will be wiped.
** New Spell Effects **
We are implementing a few new spell effects using our new particle effects engine with this patch as a way of easing into the new system. The new effects are faster and give you more control over how they look. We have changed the Display Options menu to accommodate these new options.
On the Display tab of the options window you will now find four options regarding particle effects. The first three, listed under Spell Particles are Near Clip Plane, Density and Opacity. These are the options for controlling the new particle effects. They will not change the old particle effects. The old particles are controlled using the Other Particles option.
Note on Near Clip Plane: This option chooses how close to you particles cease to be visible. So Near allows particles to be seen right up to the character. Farthest will clip out particles near the character and only show those at the 'farthest' distance.
Note on Opacity: This feature works at all settings for cards that support TnL. For other cards setting Opacity to 0% will turn off the effects and any other setting will show them fully.
We'll leave it up to you to discover which spells have the new particles...
** Alternate Advancement **
- Beastlords now have access to the Mend Companion ability.
- Beastlords now have access to three unique class alternate advancements.
- Permanent Illusion used with Wolf Form should no longer result in a wolf tinted by the Enchanter's robe.
- Updated Finishing Blow -
"This ability gives you a chance to finish off an NPC that is below 10 percent health and fleeing with a single blow. The first level works on NPC's below 50, the second on NPC's below 52, and the third on NPC's below 54. (Non-Warriors must first train one level of Combat Fury to use this ability.) "
- Improved Combat Fury for non-warriors to give more value to the points spent after level 1.
** Spells **
- New Druid and Shaman heal spells are available.
- The "Your XXX Spell Has Worn Off" messages for DoT spells will now go to the right character.
- Illusions that are of a character type that can't wear armor, such as werewolf, will no longer cause the character to be naked when the illusion drops.
- Fixed the Illusion wolf form swimming animation.
- Shaman and Beastlord Shrink spell has had its location restriction removed.
- The outcasts of Echo Caverns have deciphered new magics that allow Dark Knights to channel the essence of terror into their enemies minds. While their initial findings have proven very powerful, rumors exist of even greater magics that might channel the nightmares of Terris Thule herself into the minds of mortals. Where that power might be found is not yet known.
** Items **
- Items that grant bonuses to bandage skill should be working now.
- Guise of the Hunter no longer makes the user appear to be naked.
- Validus Custodus Battle Axe no longer looks like a bard mandolin when equipped by a pet.
** PvP Servers and Gameplay **
- The recent resist changes have been adjusted for PvP. They will not be exactly as they were prior to the resist change, but they should be reasonable now. Please let us know if you feel they need further adjustment.
- Player characters will no longer lose experience in the Arena areas on the Sullon Zek server.
- A player character can no longer tell his pet to attack another player's horse when not on a PvP area or in a duel.
- Kael, Skyshrine, and Thurgadin on Sullon Zek no longer have the newbie protection code active.
- Players should once again be able to use level-restricted clickable buffs on the Sullon Zek server.
** Pets **
- Improved Beastlord pets to scale more reasonably with the level of the Beastlord after level 40. This also puts them into line with the last round of pet balancing, which did not improve beastlord pets at the time.
** Horses **
- Locate corpse songs/spells should now work on horseback.
- Detect traps should also now work on horseback.
- Fixed a bug that was preventing manipulation of inventory items if a character died with coins on the cursor.
- Invisibility on horseback should now make your horse invisible to NPCs as it does the rider.
- Zoning with Levitate/Levitation and horse no longer causes the levitation to fail.
- Fixed a bug that would cause the horse 'buff' to disappear when zoning in some zones.
- Player characters on horseback can now be hit by various missiles, such as arrows, thrown weapons or the various bolt spells from PCs and NPCs.
- Call of the Hero should no longer put people under the world when the caster is on horseback.
- Dragging a corpse while on a horse will no longer cause the corpse fall under the world.
- You can now right click on spells to arrange your spell book when on a horse.
** Zone Specific **
- We believe that we fixed the major source of lockups caused for players in certain zones such as the Great Divide and Shadowhaven.
- Hierophant Oxyn in East Cabilis will be showing up again.
*** The Following User Interface Files have been changed with this patch ***
Updated:
equi.xml
equi_aawindow.xml
equi_optionswindow.xml
New:
equi_gemsgamewnd.xml
** User Interface **
- The New User Interface will default to ON. Officially, it is now just The User Interface and the other interface is now the Old User Interface. :)
- The Fade to Transparency option should now affect all bags.
- PC/NPC name on/off settings will now be saved when leaving the game.
- CTRL key being pressed while looking up or down no longer creates a cycle of constant panning up or down of the camera.
- Wrapping in the middle of the first word in an Item Tag no longer causes all text from then on being included in the tag.
- Fixed bug with Item Tags for items that contain comma's in their name.
- Pet sit button will now change to stand button if the pet is already sitting.
- Added Item Tags to list of buttons in the Chat Options page, you can now change the color of the tags.
- Item Tags now appear as part of the standard "You have looted an X" messages.
- Hair should no longer disappear in Character Creation of Female Ogre with Luclin models on.
- The Tracking window selection color is no longer the same as a yellow con mob.
** Miscellaneous **
- Fixed a bug with /hidecorpse making corpses invisible, but still be targetable.
- /Gems is now available in both User Interfaces.
** An Ancient Arises **
Deep within the recesses of a cave yet unknown to the world at large, a dark, menacing figure parts with the slumber that has kept him silent for ages. The eyes of a magnificently ominous beast pierce through the darkness, his memories flowing freely once more. In the depths of this beast's mind sparks the knowledge that his prophetic savior has been released from the ancient magiks of time, let loose upon an unsuspecting world where the kin shall once again reign supreme.
"My master's shackles have been trounced, and so it is written that in this world that has been so deftly overrun by pitiful mortals, he shall bring power back to those of the scale." The deep rumbling voice of the beast lingers throughout the cavernous hideaway, the barely distinguishable figure of a mighty lizard moves through the stone and dirt and dust as if to leave the gloomy surroundings and find his place once again upon Norrath proper.
"For far too long have I been a prisoner to the overwhelming might that kept me in a state of secluded sleep; for far too long have I been victim to the ancestral elemental forces keeping my master at bay. Now I awaken and bring life back to the disciples; now shall the lifeblood of the Four once again spread the word of prophecy!" The footsteps of this great beast are slow but sure, moving through the depths of the gaping mountain retreat towards the surface. Along the walls, pebbles and stones that have remained dormant for years crumble and crack, falling to the ground as the immense beast walks past.
A maze of dead ends and broken paths twists and turns in the expanse beyond the figure's resting place. The skeletons of those who had tried - and failed - to make their way to him in the years he spent in forced slumber remain, tumbled landmarks of heroes long lost. Slowly he moves, his reptilian eyes darting back and forth looking for any meager meals that may still be available. As he proceeds, he steps atop a mighty echelon, overlooking the bodies that could not defy the magical properties of the cave; fools of mortal thought, incapable of fathoming the power that lay beyond them. "Time has been good to you, my faithful warren... let us both pray that I no longer need you. The time for the revival is at hand."
posted by Faeadari at 11:50 AM
POP AA ABILITIES, SEPTEMBER 24, 2002 Note the new Alternate Advancement abilities listed below are currently only on the Test Server. They may not go live at all and may be changed significantly as they are tested.
This list is not divided into specific classes as yet.
Planar Power
This ability raises the maximum that your statistics can be raised to, with items or spells, by 5 points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Planar Durability
The planes demand a certain hardiness of those who adventure within. Each rank of this ability adds an additional 5% to your maximum hit points. You may train in this ability once each level, beginning at level 61
Advanced Innate Strength
This ability raises your innate Strength by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Innate Stamina
This ability raises your innate Stamina by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Innate Agility
This ability raises your innate Agility by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Innate Dexterity
This ability raises your innate Dexterity by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Innate Intelligence
This ability raises your innate Intelligence by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Innate Wisdom
This ability raises your innate Wisdom by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Innate Charisma
This ability raises your innate Charisma by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Innate Enlightenment
Those who have meditated on the plains of Tranquility find themselves able to expand their capacity of both Insight and Intellect. Each rank of this ability raises the maximum that you may raise your Intelligence and Wisdom by ten points. You may train in this ability once each level, beginning at level 61.
Marr's Protection
This ability raises your base resistance to magic-based spells by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Warding of Solusek
This ability raises your base resistance to fire-based spells by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Blessing of E'ci
This ability raises your base resistance to cold-based spells by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Shroud of The Faceless
This ability raises your base resistance to poison-based spells by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Bertoxxulous' Gift
This ability raises your base resistance to disease-based spells by two points per rank. You may train in this ability twice each level, beginning at level 61.
Advanced Spell Casting Mastery
This ability increases the chance of making your specialization checks by five percent per rank. The effect reduces your chance to fizzle and increases your chance of using less mana when casting a spell. You may train in this ability once each level upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Advanced Healing Adept
This ability increases the maximum effectiveness of your healing spells by five percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Advanced Healing Gift
This ability increases your chance to score an exceptional heal by two percent per rank. An exceptional heal doubles the healing value of the spell. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Hastened Divinity
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Bestow Divine Aura by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Resurrection
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Divine Resurrection by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Turning
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Turn Undead by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Purification of the Soul
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Purify Soul by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Gathering
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Gather Mana by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Rabidity
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Rabid Bear by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Exodus
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Exodus by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Root
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Strong Root by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Mending
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Mend Companion by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Banishment
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Turn Summoned by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Call of the Dead
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Call to Corpse by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Sleep of the Dead
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Dead Mesmerization by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Elemental Translocation
No text set
Hastened Instigation
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Area Taunt by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Furious Rampage
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Rampage by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Purification of the Body
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Purify Body by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hasty Exit
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Escape by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Hastened Purification
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Purge Poison by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching level 63.
Coup de Grace
This ability gives you a chance to immediately slay an NPC that is below ten percent health and fleeing with a single, well placed strike. The first level works on NPC's below level 55, the second on NPC's below 57, and the third on NPC's below 59. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Fury of the Ages
This ability further increases your chance to score a critical blow against your opponent. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Flash of Steel
This ability further increases your chance of doubly riposting your opponent each time you score a successful riposte by ten percent per rank. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Mastery of the Past
This ability makes it impossible for you to fizzle a spell. The first level affects all spells below level 54. The second, on all spells below level 56. The third, on all spells below level 58. You may train in this ability once each level, upon reaching levels 62, 63, and 64.
Suspended Minion
This ability grants the summoner the ability to suspend and recall their existing pet at will. The first rank suspends the pet at its current health only, while the second rank suspends the pet with all of its beneficial effects as well as its weapons and armor. You may train the first rank upon reaching level 62 and the second rank upon reaching level 64.
Spirit Call
This ability calls a number of spirit companions into existence directed at a target. The companions attack the target without question until they are called back to their home plane 60 seconds later. The initial rank of this ability calls three companions. Additional ranks add one companion each. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Celestial Renewal
This ability grants improvements to your existing Celestial Regeneration. You may train in the two ranks of this ability at or after levels 63 and 64.
Allegiant Familiar
This ability will cause your existing Improved Familiar to summon an even more powerful companion. This familiar provides even greater benefits to its owner than its predecessor. You may train in this ability at or after level 63.
Hand of Piety
This ability invokes the direct blessing of your deity upon all of those nearby. All in range are healed 750 hit points in the first rank, and successive ranks each add 250. You may train in this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Lightning Reflexes
This ability further increases your chance of completely avoiding incoming melee damage. You may train in this ability once each level after reaching level 61.
Innate Defense
This ability further increases your mitigation of incoming melee damage. You may train in this ability once each level after reaching level 61.
Mithaniel's Binding
This ability further increases the amount of healing provided by a single bandage while binding wounds. The two ranks of this ability may be trained at or after levels 63 and 64.
Mending of the Tranquil
This ability further increases the chance of performing a superior mend. The three ranks of this ability may be trained once each level for levels 63 and above.
Raging Flurry
This ability further increases the chance of performing a flurry attack upon successfully scoring a triple attack. The three ranks of this ability may be trained once each level for levels 63 and above.
Guardian of the Forest
This ability transforms you into an exceptionally bloodthirsty wolf that attacks with lightning speed, for a brief time. You may train the three ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Spirit of the Wood
For a brief time, you are able to commune with the woodland spirits who provide you r party with exceptional regenerative abilities and a protective shield of armor and thorns. You may train in the three ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Bestial Frenzy
This ability grants you a chance of performing a double attack in any given combat round. You may train in this ability once each level after reaching level 61.
Harmonious Attack
This ability grants you a chance of performing a double attack in any given combat round. You may train in this ability once each level after reaching level 61.
Knight's Advantage
This ability grants you an increased chance of performing a double attack with two-handed weapons in any given combat round. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Ferocity
This ability grants you an increased chance of performing a double attack in any given combat round. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Animation Empathy
Progressive ranks of this ability grant you finer control over your animations. At its initial level, you are allowed to give your animations ‘guard’ and ‘follow’ commands. At the second rank, ‘attack’ commands. At the final rank, ‘back off’ commands. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Unfailing Divinity
The most devout find that their calls are answered with much greater frequency. This ability grants your Death Pact-type spells a second chance to successfully heal their target. Additional ranks of this ability cause said spells to do a portion of their healing value even on a complete failure. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Resonant Warcry
This ability significantly improves the duration of your Warcry and lessens the time required between uses. This ability can be trained at after attaining level 63.
Viscid Roots
Root spells applied by the owner of this ability are significantly less likely to break when the victim takes damage initiated by anyone, unlike previous abilities which only affect damage caused by the caster.
Sionachie’s Crescendo
This ability provides an even greater extension to the range of group songs. The three ranks of this ability may be trained once each level for levels 63 and above.
Ayonae’s Tutelage
This ability allows for further improvements in the use of all instrument types. The three ranks of this ability may be trained once each level for levels 63 and above.
Rizlona’s Chorus
This ability allows for further specialization and improved use of your voice. The three ranks of this ability may be trained once each level for levels 63 and above.
Rush to Judgment
Training in this ability shortens the time between uses of Divine Stun by seven seconds per rank. The three ranks of this ability may be trained once each level for levels 63 and above.
Feigned Minion
This ability allows you to instruct your pet to feign death via the '/pet feign' command. Three ranks of this skill are available, causing your pet to succeed 25%, 50%, and 75% of the time, respectively. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Boastful Bellow
This ability allows you to bellow with a force that causes physical harm to your enemies as well as potentially interfering with their spell casting.
Vanishing Blade
The ability allows you to strike your opponents with such speed that they are frequently left dumbfounded, not entirely certain of where the blow originated. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Fervent Blessing
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Lay Hands by twelve minutes per rank. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Touch of the Wicked
This ability decreases the amount of time required between uses of Harm Touch and its upgrades by twelve minutes per rank. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Unstoppable Force
This ability grants you the chance to score an additional attack with two-handed weapons. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Speed of the Knight
This ability grants you the chance to score an additional attack with two-handed weapons. You gain the ability to train an additional rank at levels 61, 63, and 65.
Shroud of Stealth
This ability provides a previously unheard of level of stealth. The Rogue is able to draw shadows about himself so completely, even creatures that are normally not fooled by such trickery are frequently unable to see him. You may train in this ability upon reaching level 63.
Nimble Evasion
This ability grants you a chance to hide or evade while moving. Each rank provides an increasing chance. You may train in this ability once each level after reaching level 61.
Technique of Master Wu
Under the tutelage of Wu, Monks are able to hone their skills to the point of being able to execute a second and sometimes even third strike when scoring a hit with their special attacks. This ability grants a ten percent increase in the chance of scoring multiple special attacks, per rank.
Host of the Elements
This ability calls an assault of elemental minions into existence directed at a target. The minions attack the target without question until they are called back to their plane 60 seconds later. The initial rank of this ability calls five elementals. Additional ranks add two elementals each. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 63, 64, and 65.
Hobble of Spirits
This advancement gives you the ability to imbue your pet with an attack that is reputed to slow its enemies' movements.
Frenzy of Spirit
This ability gives Beastlords the power to send themselves into an animalistic frenzy, bent only on slaughter, for a brief period of time.
Paragon of Spirit
This ability allows the Beastlord to share some of his natural attunement with his party in the form of health and mana.
Radiant Cure
This ability grants its wielder the ability to cure their party of many afflictions, poisons, curses, and harmful magics. You may train in the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Hastened Stealth
This ability reduces the time between which you may attempt to hide or evade by one second per rank. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 62, and 63.
Divine Arbitration
Using this ability balances the health of your group such that all group members end up with the same amount of damage taken. The first rank does so at a 20 percent penalty to the average, the second rank does to at a 10 percent penalty, and the final rank does so at no penalty. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Wrath of the Wild
Developed by the denizens of Tranquility as a deterrent to potential attackers, this ability will shield you with a single-hit, large damage barrier of thorns. Additional ranks of this ability increase the amount of damage that is inflicted. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Virulent Paralysis
This ability causes your target to succumb to a sudden, violent attack, after which they are frequently unable to move for a time. Each rank of this ability increases the amount of time that the victim remains immobile. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Harvest of the Mind
This ability gathers streams of additional mana into your being. You may train this ability at or after level 63.
Servant of Ro
This ability calls a loyal servant into being who will repeatedly hurl fire at your target. Each rank of this ability increases the amount of time that the servant is able to remain by your side (45, 70, and 90 seconds). You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Eldritch Rune
This ability provides Enchanters with an additional line of defense in the form of an added self-only rune. Each rank of this ability provides a stronger rune than the previous. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
Wake the Dead
This ability calls the shade of a nearby corpse back to life to serve the Necromancer. The soulless abomination will fight the target, until called back to the afterlife some time later. The slave summoned by the first rank of this ability serves for 60 seconds, and each increasing rank adds 15 additional seconds. You may train the ranks of this ability at or after levels 61, 63, and 65.
posted by Faeadari at 4:17 PM
