In case you missed it, Albion Online, the fantasy sandbox MMORPG developed by Sandbox Interactive, unveiled its new server, Albion East, catering to the Asia Pacific region, back in March of this year. Besides providing a fresh start in the Albion world, this server delivers significantly faster connection speeds and optimized event schedules for players across the region.
Fast forward to October 16, the game introduced a major content update titled Wild Blood. This update has brought an array of new features and content, including Shapeshifter Weapons, Tracking, Awakened and Legendary items, and more.
Shapeshifter Weapons
Shapeshifter weapons enable players to transform into entirely different beings known as Shapes, adding a new dimension of versatility as players can shift between human and Shape forms, each with distinct capabilities.
In human form, Shapeshifters excel at manipulating raw energy, which can be harnessed to deal damage, disrupt enemies, or support allies. By accumulating "Shift" charges through energy usage, they can then transform into the Shape associated with their weapon.
Each weapon corresponds to a unique Shape, accompanied by a set of abilities that can be further empowered using previously accumulated Shift charges. As both human and Shape forms yield different stats and abilities, Shapeshifters are encouraged to fluidly switch between forms to assume different roles on the battlefield as they see fit, further optimizing their battle capabilities.
Tracking
Tracking is an exciting new open-world activity that challenges players to embark on a quest to locate specific targets within the vast open world of Albion. This activity emphasizes not direct PvP combat but rather aims to increase player engagement in the open world, fostering unexpected encounters for groups of varying sizes.
To participate, players must first craft a Tracking Kit, enabling them to interact with tracks scattered throughout the open world. Reading a track reveals a location that players must explore to uncover additional tracks. During their search, they might discover additional tracks, the ultimate target, or encounter other random events. However, do take note that each tracking step comes with a time limit.
With each step, the chances of successfully locating the target increase, often leading to a confrontation. Bringing too many players along can intimidate the target, causing it to flee, therefore requiring the hunters to continue the chase.
Initially, players can track down and battle rare creatures that corresponds to Shapeshifter weapons. These creatures have the potential to drop new Artifact Items, which can then be used to craft Shapeshifter Artifact Weapons. Additionally, they may drop new Alchemical Ingredients, which can be used to create a set of rare potions, contributing to a broader potion enchanting rework.
Awakened and Legendary items
Awakened and Legendary items bring unique, player-crafted treasures with their own narratives into the game. These items won't come pre-designed; instead, players will craft them personally, and they will be exceptionally rare, each one carrying the weight of a significant piece of Albion's world.
The creation of Legendary Items involves a two-stage process: initially, an item must be Awakened, and then it can eventually ascend to become Legendary. A weapon must first possess the Pristine Enchantment before being awakened. By earning attunement points through PvE combat, they can be invested in rolling for additional or improved traits on the Awakened weapon. As the modifications become more complicated, they also become more expensive. Consequently, players have the opportunity to forge weapons with unique combinations of traits, and the escalating modification costs promote a variety of trait choices.
As weapons accumulate more potent traits, their Legendary rating increases. However, this also raises the likelihood of losing or destroying them upon death. Lost items may reenter the game as loot, bearing the name of their creator. Subsequently, they can be further attuned, with additional players contributing their names to the weapon’s history.
Wild Blood is available now in Albion Online! The game is currently accessible on Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and Mac OSX platforms, featuring cross-platform gameplay.
