Darkness Rising

Wushi

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Nov 24, 2004
Messages
95
All i did was copy, so don't thank me for this...


Darkness Rising FAQ V0.12, compiled by Iarn with contribution of Bardic Goddess, Bourric, Curzon, Fingoniel, Kunou, Phall1, Sapphic, Sharee, Twinkletoes, Ulfhednar (in alphabetical order) as well as the Herald and the patchnotes

What is Darkness Rising all about?

It´s the latest expansion for DAoC, featuring horses, champion level sub class ablilities and champion weapons. The capitol cities will be
revamped as well. There will be new quests and tasks as well.

Will there be non - English versions of this FAQ?

Yes, when enough volunteers are found Ayny is about to translate this FAQ into German

Can this FAQ be distributed freely?

Yes, when the NDA is down, you can post this FAQ anywhere you like but not alter a jota. If you want to add corrections please pm me
(Iarn.Greiper @vn for example). As long as the NDA is intact you can give this FAQ to know beta testers as long as they understand that this
FAQ is for their eyes only.

When will Darkness Rising be released ?

11th of October 2005 is the US release by Mythic. For non US servers like those run by GOA no date is given, but the timeframe from
chrismas till February seems realistic.

What are the minimum specs for Darkness Rising?

Pentium III 1.4GHz or AMD equivalent
512 MB RAM
Requires compatible 3D Acceleration card with 64 MB Video RAM
DirectX 9.0 or later

How much does it cost?

US $19.99 [corrected in v0.02, thanks Kunou],no specifics yet for oversea versions.

Is this a box or a download?

This is a download. It is save to assume that there will be ways to get a CD, too. No specifics yet for oversea versions.


Do I need any previous expansions?

You need catacombs. However, if you buy them bundled, you get both for US $ 29.95. No other expansions needed so you can in theory get
the 14 day trial and buy Cats&DR bundle and be fine. However there will be soon a boxed package with a new account key and all expansions for shop sale.

Do I need to buy DR for all my accounts?

If you want to use the new features on the characters on that account or want to enter the new zones, yes. You need to have Catacombs
enabled on every account you want to have DR enabled. For buffbot accounts see below.


Is DR needed for buffbot accounts?

Not really in my personal opinion. The only advantages are minor:
- your BB can ride as fast as you can
- you can enter a few zones botted, but right now the content of the new zones is more quest orientated, so I personally don t expect much
farming there
- your BB might get a new minor buff like a low powered damage add via subclassing (see below)
In the end you have to dicide if you want to spend 20 or 30 bucks on DR. However in no way, DR is as mandatory for BBs like TOA was because of health and mana fonts.


Which patch version will introduce DR?

1.80, so for US server players whis will be the next patch.

Horses were promised since day one. And now I have to buy an expansion for them?

There will be two kinds of horses. One will be free (only in RL terms, you have to pay for it in game). It is aimed for medium level (35) players
and of moderate cost in game (250gold). Then there will be advanced horses which have higher costs and other requirements (see below).
You need to have DR enabled on that character account to own or ride such a horse.


Will Darkness Rising feature new races?

No, but it will bring new lore for existing races.

Will Darkness Rising feature new classes?

No, but you can aquire sub-classing ablilities as you progress champion levels (see below). These abilities are supposed to round your
character, but you will not gain much in power.

How do you advance your character in Darkness Rising?

Once you have spoken to the king´s advisor (see below) you have a new exp bar called Champion Level Exp. See a full description below.
You will start a new quest of epic dimensions as well. Completing the quest will give you benefits like levels you will gain from CL Exp.
Furtunately they interlink and you will get CL Exp for this quest as well. (I haven t checked but all quests seem to net over 2 levels of CL Exp)

What are the mechanics of CL exp?

You will get champion level exp for everything that will give you normal exp. That is killing mobs (grinding), doing quests (level 50 quests tend
to give tons of exp, now we now why), or killing players. You get a better CLexp / exp ratio for killing other players but it will be very hard to
gain champion levels by RvR. Doing you champion quest will give you enough exp for some champion levels.
The CL exp needed is the same for any level in contrast to normal exp. There are 5 champion levels. You start at champion level 0.

This is NOT quest based, it has no requirements other than you speak to the king and start earning experience. You get Champion Level Experience (CLXP) the same way you earn current experience, it's based on a formula that converts from normal exp to CLXP - with a bonus for RvR experience. There are 5 levels in all. Each level will unlock you more horses, the ability to equip different horse armour & barding, one point for subclassing and more power/hits. At level 5 you unlock the Champion Weapon whether or not you have finished the Quest Chapters (below). If you get to CL 5 before you finish the Weapon Chapter 3, you unlock the full weapon with both procs/effects.


"How do I check the Champion level xp it doesn't seem to be anywhere on the UI?"

If you arent using any custom UI's, you can click on the exp bar, it will cycle between EXP, Champ exp, and rvr exp (realm ranks).

It actually already works on normal (non-DR) clients too, cycles between rvr and normal xp.

What are champion levels needed for?

Purchasing special horses, purchasing and using horse equipment (see below), getting a hot champion weapon (see below) as well as a
subcassing ability point per level (see below as well).


What do I gain from doing my champion quest?

First you gain champion level exp for every step (the low level steps give little exp, expect to see better number as you advance the quest).
Second after you helped your realm in need of a hero, you get your champion weapon at the start of Chapter 3, but it doesn't have the final proc on it at this stage.You get the full weapon after Chapter 3, if you haven't already reached CL5.
As an alternative way you can get that weapon by getting to champion level 5 alone.When you have your weapon, you can change it as often as you like (crush to thrust or to 2hand slash for example) or change the Proc when you are CL5 or have done Chapter 3.

Any specifics of the quest?

This divided in the form of 3 Chapters (level 30, 40 & 50). You get the full weapon after Chapter 3, if you haven't already reached CL5. You get One-Time Drops along the way, and the Instance Dungeons that occur during the Chapters also drop items. This is not linked to the CLs - however completing this does significantly boost your CLXP.

What are the requirements for the Champion quest?

You need to be level 30 to start it and be level 50 for the final steps. Obviously the level 50 steps will be the hardest and best rewarded ones.

You can start the Champ quests at level 30. I understand you can't finish them at this level, but I assume you could still gain Champ XP through PvE/RvR and thus gain Champ levels?
In other words, at level 30, I could be a L5 Champion? But not be able to get my champion weapon until I'm high enough to do the quests?

You can't start your champion levels until level 45. The champion quests will only start giving you champion experience after you start your champion levels (i.e. talk to the King at level 45).

How do I start the champion quest?

To begin your journey in Albion, seek out an NPC within your Profession's halls (for example, all members of the Defenders of Albion should
speak to Sir Amren). In Hibernia, those of the Paths of Essence and Focus should look in Mag Mell, while those of the Paths of Harmony and
Affinity should look within Alainn Cuir. In Midgard, consult with the Visindakonas within the Temple of the Aesir. They will send you to the
advisor of your realm´s king.
Be careful as those NPC are also connected to the new armor epic intorduced in version 1.79. This used to confuse quite a few players.

How hard is this quest series?

You can master this quest series with a solid group. No über group required, but certainly having a balanced class setup helps a ton. You can
do the low level steps mostly on your own. The first steps are a lot of Fed Ex work, but the excellent story helps.. Farther down the steps
beome more group and combat orientated, with some nice extras like large scale battles with NPC support.

How do I subclass?


At each of the five Champion Levels, you will be given an opportunity to increase your skills and knowledge by selecting Subclass abilities.
These abilities are taught by base-class trainers in the starting cities (for example, the Acolyte trainer in Cotswold), and you may learn the talents of any base-class except your own.
At the moment this is a problem for Midgard since Migard has only a single caster baseclass, but Albion has two. Maybe there will be some
changes later.

Is there a list of subclassing abilities?

Excel: http://www.dateihosting.de/upload/fobazuce.xls
PDF: http://www.dateihosting.de/upload/dumesumu.pdf
Move the mouse pointer over the items to get additional info!
Information is top -> down BTW.

How can I combine subclassing abilities?

You choose a branch of the subclass you chose from a selection of 4 or 5 [?]. With every level you advance you can get deeper in that branch
and get another ability. You can not choose an ability form a different branch. As an example when cou train Midgard Seer A1, A2, A3 you
can not train E4.


Where can I put my champion points?

Players are allowed to purchase abilities through champion points from any subclass OTHER THAN THEIR OWN (i.e. Armsmen cannot subclass in Fighter). You must purchase from top-down: meaning, the first ability in the line must be purchased before you can purchase the next ability in the line. With branching lines (Y), you only need to purchase one side of the branch in order to access the third ability in the line.

I can only pick one of the lines under my primary class? For example, my paladin can only choose one of the lines under fighter?


You cannot sub-class in your own base class, so a Paladin cannot subclass as a fighter. You could conceivably have two level 1 abilities in two different sub-classes, and abilities 1-2-3 in a third, but in order to have a level 2 ability in a line, you have to have the level 1 ability *in that line*, to get a level 3, you have to have levels 1 and 2 *in that line*, etc.

Can I mix and match between subclasses?
Certainly so. For example, you can put 3 points into one subclass and 2 into another.


Are the subclassing abilities game-shaking or most haves?

No, but depending on your character template, they can come quite handy. However don t expect high delves, most spells are more level
20-25 effetcs. However they are not resisted as much.

Do the subclassing abilities follow the the mechanics as standart abilities?

First they delve lower, and have lower values on every aspect (range, radius, other percentages like lifedrain return). Second they have fixed
cast times.

Do subclass buffs stack with existing buffs?
No, these subclass abilities are set up with exactly the same behaviors as the spells the classes of that originating base class receive.

How do I cast these subclassing abilities if I don't have power/concentration?

Once you are champion level 1 (and receive a champion point to spend in subclassing), any class that does not have a power or concentration pool will receive one (albeit, a small pool). Your power pool will grow slightly with each champion level (this is also true for classes that already have power).

Since Vampiirs are any base class, what are they counted as, for subclassing?

Vampiirs, for the purposes of subclassing, are considered as having the Guardian (Way of Arms) base class.


Do subclass styles require a particular weapon?

Subclass styles are set so that you can use the style with any weapon. Additionally, upon receiving Champion Level 3, you will gain the ability to wield* all one handed, mainhand weapon types (Crush, Slash, Thrust, and equivalents) and the ability to equip a small shield.

*This does not increase your damage with the weapon type, like putting spec points into a weapon line would. This is just the basic "you can equip" the weapon type ability/proficiency.
What happened to the ability to equip different weapon types?

What happened to the ability to equip different weapon types?

At CL3, you will be able to equip one handed weapons: Crush (Blunt, Hammer), Slash (Blades, Sword, Axe), Thrust (Pierce). However, since Midgard weapons work different, you will be able to wield both 1h and 2h wepapons since each weapon proficiency opens up both 1h and 2h. No bows etc. You can not spec that weapon as well.

Will this in any way allow classes to activate weapon artifacts that normally would not be allowed? Battler, Malice, etc...?

No artifacts are class coded not weapon coded

Where do I get these abilities?

From base trainers - simply interact with one, once you are champion level 1.

How much does a mount cost?

You get a basic mounth at level 35. It's 250gold. You need to complete a small quest for it, nothing tough.
At level 45 you have access to the next grade of horse, you buy this in the Throne Room and it costs 1plat. I believe you can use this horse in the frontiers (the level 35 one is PvE only).
There are more horses available, these are linked to Champion Levels.
Champion Level 1 - Coloured Horses 2plat
Champion Level 2 - Coloured Horses 3plat (different colours)
Champion Level 3 - Coloured Warhorses 6plat
Champion Level 4 - Coloured Warhorses 8plat (different colours)
Champion Level 5 - Quest Horses 15plat + Quest - These are special horses that have partical effects on hooves, in mouths/eyes etc. They include - Fire, Ice, Earth, Undead, Nightmare, Unicorn (Black, Grey, White & Rainbow) & Storm
It should be noted that there is no difference in use, utility or advantage between the 2plat horses and the 15plat quest horse - it's all about looks.

You don t need to purchase horses in any order, just pick the one you like.




How do I use a horse?

You have a new button called "Mount" on your central charater screen. When you click it a new window opens. You can also use the /mount command. You can place a horse from your inventory in the specific slow as well as equpment (armor, barding and saddle bags). Then you need to drag that horse in your hotbar as
well. When you click your hotbar or press that hotkey you whistle and after a few seconds you appear on top of your horse. On your horse
you can move as normal but use mounted animations.When you jump your horse jumps.

How do I dismount?

Ideally by clicking your hotkey. However if you take damage you dismount forcefully and take extra damage. In my personal experiences
mobdamage dismounts you as well as lava. Falling seemed to not dismount you, but this could have changed. Dismounting does not show an animation.


Can I emote on horses?

Yes, there are a few new emotes for rider and mount. Some traditional emotes like /dance have a mounted animation as well.

new ones:
rider lookfar: /lookfar - horse/standing
rider stench: /stench - horse/standing
rider halt: /horse halt - horse only
rider pet: /horse pet - horse only
horse_courbette: /horse courbette - horse only
horse_startle: /horse startle - horse only
horse_nod: /horse nod - horse only
horse_graze: /horse graze - horse only
horse_rear: /horse rear - horse only
emote_rider_trick: /horse trick - horse only

What are the benefits of horse equipment?


Armor and barding are fluff, saddle bags allow you to carry more weight as you can put items there.You get access to better looking armours and barding as you increase your CL.I "think" that you get access to the first saddlebag (4 slots) at CL2 and then one each level to CL5. Barding can be dyed or embossed with guild logos, Armour can be dyed also.

Where I can buy horse equipment?

At the local crafter of your choice. All recipes are skill 1000 for various trades.
Armor = 1000 metalworking
Saddlebags = 1000 leatherworking
Barding = 1000 clothworking

What are champion tasks?

The name is highly misleading. In fact this is another way to get exp on your way to level 50 via short mini-quests; you will be able to choose
the type of task that you wish to perform from various categories. Look for Lieutenant Mauvere in Tir na Nog, Lieutenant Lomnar in Jordheim,
or Lieutenant Purgis in Camelot for more information.

What can I expect from my champion weapon?

You can expect a weapon that is looking very nice in most cases. You can see a lot of threads of various message boards featuring the graphics like this one: http://vnboards.ign.com/Darkness_Rising_Discussion_Forum_/b23027/92002740/?23
Only few are not appreciated by the player base (berserker and to a lesser extent friar), maybe they will get revamped soon.
However, there is one thing you have to be aware of: because the weapons are unique to a class, friend and foe can learn your class from your weapon. However their stats are nice even compared to the most powerful artifacts and truely stunning on alternate ruleset (so-called Classic) servers.

What kind of weapon can I get? Is this choice final?

You can get any weapon that your class can wield per default. You can choose 2h or 1h if your class can and any kind (slash, pierce etc) if your class can use such weapons.
You can exchange your weapon for a different kind at any time at the throneroom of your realm. The weapon needs to be in perfect condition,
so you can t safe repairs by trading a weapon.

Do champion weapons decay?

They can be repaired as many times as needed. If you want to trade it for a different type (see above), you need to repair it first.

What stats can I expect?

All champion weapons are 100% qua level 51 weapons. Most are slow with a few classes that tend to like fast weapons. Caster stats feature 4 casting speed and damage, most melees have 4% melee speed and damage. Healer types have spell range and speed. All weapons have a souple of + stat and + pool, too.
All weapons have two useables. Most casters have a power replentish /use like Tartaros staff. The second useable is unlocked by finishing the champion quest or reaching cl 5. Just trade your weapon in.
You can see some stats in this thread: http://vnboards.ign.com/Darkness_Rising_Discussion_Forum_/b23027/92065446/?22
 

enkor

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Dec 22, 2003
Messages
2,383
champ weapons suck, selfbuffs for skald dont!
 

enkor

Can't get enough of FH
Joined
Dec 22, 2003
Messages
2,383
did phoebee teach you how to be a retard or did you learn it yourself?
 

Wushi

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Nov 24, 2004
Messages
95
hmmm, u can get all resists +10% or selfbuffs :p dunno what to pick yet, as i dont have a bb =/
 

FallycSymbol

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Oct 26, 2004
Messages
877
I'm taking disciple dex+d/q and acolyte str, str/con and con buffs for my scout :D
 

FallycSymbol

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Oct 26, 2004
Messages
877
Champion levels are earnt through PvP as well as PvE, at least that's what I read.
 

Righthandof

Fledgling Freddie
Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
1,332
seems like all the champ weapons have bonuses like this
"Bonus to style damage: 4%

- Requirement: vs. all

Bonus to melee damage: 4%

- Requirement: vs. all"

- i believe this means its pve only ? that would be stupid
 

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