Phase 2 of Tempest Rising and City Sieges

Before I start with my experience in the Tempest Rising World Event, let me say few other things about this whole patch. Although, 1.11 brought many, many changes which made many, many people angry, what we actually have here might be just a part of history. History of Rift, Telara, Trion and the whole MMO genre. Something that will go down like a turning point of the game. Something that will have players, years after Storm Legion expansion, talking about this Tempest Rising adventures and how they led to the new continents.

And no, this isn't the worst Rift patch. And yes, I got this after I let go of my old Pyromancer build and accepted the changes with full arms. No, I can't be mad at something I love so much more than one day. It's might be selfish and subjective, but what the hell.

Now, about the Second Phase of Tempest Rising. It's actually pretty cool. People from the 'far away land' are setting in Iron Pine Peak to help my currently favorite team - the Icewatch. Highly suspicious Queen Miela (she really looks like the human form of Crucia) is also there, and she needs help from you, the Ascended. Her and her people, along with the Icewatch are fighting the Storm Legion forces, who are building settlements around Iron Pine Peak. There are few daily quests in which you aid the friendly people with barricades, ballistas and you're even releasing Yetis at the Storm Legion camps. Poor Yetis, it really broke my heart the way I dragged them there. I never had anything against Iron Pine Yetis, I even have a Yeti pet. Never tried to understand what wrong did they meant to those bastards who gave me quests to kill them.

Anyway, Yeti fur aside, we're getting to City Sieges. The quests from Iron Pine led me to Asha Catari in Meridian which actually opened the City Siege Instant Adventures. Pretty much like 'normal' IA's but these are inside the town! And they are everywhere, of course, Storm Legion themed. You'll be fighting various 'stormy' creatures like owls, elementals, build barricades to defend the city, recruit soldiers... you know, the usual thing when your city is under a goddamn siege. The Storm Legion is actually inside Meridian which makes is kinda not-that-cool because only players and nearby NPCs are involved. I mean, it's a city siege and it's a small city, you know! You're fighting of a bad ass massive boss for your achievement (you'll probably grind for a while to get it) in Meridian Training Yard and freaking Trena is across the street teaching people how to fish! Not saying that every single NPC should be in battle, but why not place the Storm Legion camp elsewhere? Like, outside of city walls? However, this whole City Siege thing is neat, but it might get boring after a while.

I really cannot wait what will the next phase bring. This one is so good so far and I'm loving it. And if anybody's counting, Storm Legion is coming live in three weeks!

Tempest Rising, Corgi Rifts and other 1.11 rants

Tempest Rising, the 1.11 patch update is here, bringing many 'stormy' changes to the world and the game in general. Besides the new World Event that eliminated the grind of currency, 1.11 also brought major overhauls to all Callings and Souls.

To be honest, I've never been unhappy with Rift before. Never, ever. Over the past year and a half, or let's say, two years, people ranted about everything. PvP, endgame, Souls, balance, story - everything. I never had anything to "qq" about, I accepted every change as a part of an ever evolving game. Well, until now.

It isn't the first time Trion is changing the souls. But when my main character is almost unplayable, yes, I have a problem. I played 51 Pyromancer / 15 Warlock / 0 Archon. Since I enjoy playing solo, especially on locations such as Ember Isle when survivability is crucial, I was a Reconstruct (ab)user. Reconstruct was one of the most used spells by my dear old Mage. A spell that can return a portion of HP in exchange for Charge? Neat boost for a solo player, isn't it? They also removed Flame Jet, which was a blast for PvP.

At the moment, I'm still trying to get this 51 Pyromancer to work fine. The Combust is fine, but doesn't add up for the lost spells. It isn't just a change I need to adapt to, it's a totally different gameplay that doesn't fit my style at all. I'll try to find a decent replacement, but it's not everything about DPS. I like Fire, I like playing my Pyromancer with total control. I don't want to roll an Elementalist or a Stormcaller. Luckily, the Chloromancer isn't changed that much, still works fine in Library of the Runemasters.

Now, I'll wait and see what will Storm Legion brings to the Pyromancer when all the spells are available. I will be playing the Harbinger too, of course, but the Pyro is still in my focus. Until then, it's time for a break for regularly playing. I'll login just for the World Event quests and that's all.

And yes, Corgi Rifts. Spend few hours opening Life Rifts with a raid group and guildies. Had fun for few hours and got the title and achievement. Probably the most positive thing in Tempest Rising so far. Other than that, I personally think this is the worst patch ever. Sorry, Trion.

One month to Storm Legion

Time seems to pass slowly, yet we're at one month to the Storm Legion expansion. 4 new souls, 10 more levels and two massive continents will be available exactly one month from now. And of course, Dimensions.

As a casual-to-hardcore player I achieved most of the things I wanted in Rift. Did some raiding for fun and progression (never completed Hammerknell, though), completed most of the story quests I wanted, got my notoriety with the three biggest factions besides Ember Isle and collected tons of artifacts and companions.

I also never set foot in Infernal Dawn and I really hope I will drag my casual ass there before Storm Legion hits. I have my Endless Saga left incomplete, and notoriety with factions like the Runeguard. Although I wanted to complete all the quests I could find, seems impossible now with my tight spare time.

Storm Legion will offer a ton of new things to do. I won't be rushing to level 60. My plan is to take things slowly, enjoy questing, stories, crafting and clear the zones one by one. At least my main character will be leveled this way. I have one year subscription and I wouldn't like to sniff up the content the first month.

I really hope Storm Legion will bring some fresh blood to Telara. More populated zones means more fun, both on PvE and PvP shards, especially PvP shards because most of them seems kinda deserted. And I must say the lack of new Warfront announcement makes me kinda nervous. We got trailers, previews, live events about almost anything, except the PvP goods. Conquest is just not enough. It's a different approach to PvP, maybe even less enjoyable then "classic" Warfronts to me. Although now Guardians and Defiants are at some kind of truce, I hope Trion will find a way to get these factions to combat for some cause.

If dreams come true, let us have some lore dose in the form of comics, books and other merchandise. I know Rift has a small market, but give us something special. Give us something that will take out the game out of our computers.

And please freeze me in carbonite until the Storm comes.

That quiet place in Moonshade Highlands

Telara is crowded. In fact, too much crowded. All zones seemed overrun by various mobs and empty areas are quite rare. Areas when you can open your book collection and read about The Day the Rifts Came, listen to the environment sounds and enjoy peaceful music. I really hope Storm Legion will "fix" this and explorers like myself will have something to fill their hearts.

While on my Endless Saga quests, I found a place in Moonshade Highlands that I simply couldn't remember. Although I got the Every Nook and Cranny achievement over a year ago and explored Moonshade the first time I stepped there, this place was new to me. Some quests I missed (or can't remember) might lead there, but I was empty when I got there. No mobs, no NPCs, just a lonely artifact.

The views are just perfect,  especially if you take your time to stand on that old bridge.

 

While on the bridge, I noticed something. It looked like a house, so I decided to see what's there. Naturally, I jumped and died instantly. There's some sort of a cave entrance, covered in spider web. Unfortunately. my Soul Walk was on a cooldown that I couldn't wait, so I respawned in the center of Moonshade. Until my next visit, this place will remain mystery to me. 

Storm Legion map from the Tactician Soul reveal

At the end of the Tactician Soul reveal live event, we've been shown a sneak peak of the Storm Legion map. The map has more details on the zones of the two new continents, Brevane and Dusken. The world seems HUGE, I counted 12 zones along with the Tempest Bay island. Check out the screengrab.

Click on the map for large version

However, the most priceless detail here is the shot of Adam Gershowitz and his beer. :)

UPDATED: Strat Varius posted the revealed map in the comments. There it is.

Tactician Soul Reveal Video

Trion revealed the new Rogue soul, the Tactician. For those who missed the live event last night, there's a video for you. Check out the brand new Rogue as well as some previously unseen zones.

The Tactician adds deep and situational versatility to the Rogue calling. Offensively, the Soul combines bolts of withering energy with a devastating set of elemental torrents that erupt in arcs of fire, ice, and death. The Tactician’s group healing skills are just as enviable, as are its fire-and-forget cores and robust support abilities. 

For Tactician lore, click here.

What happened to the Shadowlands?

When Trion announced Storm Legion and it's two new continents people were asking many questions. One of the most discussed topic on the official forums was the destiny of a the Planetouched Wilds. The Wilds were a zone included in the early map, east of Droughtlands. There is even videos of it, but no sign that we will roam there in near future. Trion said they were stopping the development of Planetouched Wilds and that we won't be seeing it in Storm Legion.

But there is even more mysterious place in Telara that might be stuck into development hell or completely canceled. Have you ever heard about the Shadowlands? There is even an early video of it, you can check it right here. What happened? Is Freemarch the updated Shadowlands? Is Stillmoor Shadowlands?! Part of the geography really looks like Stillmoor. Despite the low quality of the video (the color is abysmal), it looks freaking awesome on the screenshots I found.

Whatever happened to the Shadowlands, that place looked cool. The trees are giving a whole new atmosphere to the game, especially if this was meant to be a starting zone for the Defiant. And I'm sure the tree models and coloring was used in some Death Rifts, at least similar coloration.

I don't really think that we'll ever see Shadowlands, but as a part of Rift's history it's a good thing to document. I guess this was an early work of the game previously called Heroes of Telara. However, any info is welcomed, even more screenshots and videos.

Storm Legion Closed Beta on October 5th

Trion published on their Facebook page that Storm Legion's first Closed Beta Test begins this Friday, October 5th!

The new continents, Brevane and Dusken will be open for testing! Also, they will be releasing new Rogue soul info on the same day. Although I'm not sure if I want to participate in the Beta, because of spoilers, I wish everybody a fun time while testing the upcoming expansion.