Spending your free time in the training ring may not seem like as much fun as the Casino, but with the Battle Arena it will be! See this article for more details about this exciting feature coming to PSO2 NA on August 5th!
That’s right Arks. Want to test your mettle against your fellow operatives, or sharpen your “adapt-and-conquer” skills? If so then you’re in luck, because the BATTLE ARENA has arrived with Episode 4!
NEW ARKS ON THE BLOCK
Your PvP experience will begin by using the Block Transporter to take you to the BATTLE LOBBY on the UNIVERSAL SHIP. Yes, you heard that correctly. The Universal Ship is a Ship accessible by all Arks, regardless of their home Ship. Players from different Ships can thus play together—or against each other-- in the Battle Arena or Challenge Quests. Navigation to the Universal Ship can be accomplished via the Quest Counter or by using the Teleporter.
A NEW PVP EXPERIENCE, EVERY TIME
In addition to being matched with different people to test your skills against, each PvP experience will also see you using different Photon Arts, Techniques, and weapons that are all particular to the combat area (map) you selected. As in Challenge Quests, you do not bring Mags, Units, Weapons, Class habits, Photon Arts, or Techniques from your home Ship to the Battle Block; just the outfit or layering-wear on your back and your will to prevail. You are dubbed a “Battle Warrior,” and the equipment given to you at the start of each match will be random. Depending on your success in the arena, you’ll earn BATTLE COIN and ARENA POINTS. Battle Coins can be traded for very rare items at the BATTLE COIN EXCHANGE SHOP, while Arena Points will determine your BATTLE RANK.
WHERE DO YOU RANK?
All Operatives are ranked based on their total Arena Points earned between 7:00 AM (PDT) on the 1st of each month and 7:00 AM (PDT) on the 1st of the following month. Beginning at 7:00 AM (PDT) on the 1st of the current month, operatives can receive their Ranking Rewards from the ARKS League Officer on their Ship. Ranking Rewards usually consist of STAR GEMS (SG) and can be seen below. You can also view your own Battle Ranking Information by utilizing the Main Menu, then highlighting Content Information, and then selecting Battle Arena Information. The Battle Lobby also features a Battle Monument where you can view overall Battle Ranking information. Battle Rank is determined by accrued Arena Points (ARP), and correspond to the the ranks shown below.
TO RANK, OR NOT TO RANK
- Ranked Matches are random battles, where you’ll be randomly matched with ARKS Operatives from any block in the Battle Lobby, based on an operative’s BATTLE RANK. Battle Ranks are determined according to the total Arena Points that an operative possesses, with those who win more often in Ranked Matches being likely to be of higher Battle Rank. In these Matches, you cannot choose your opponents, but you will acquire Battle Coins, Reward Items, and your Arena Points will be affected by the outcome. The higher an operative’s Battle Rank is, the more Battle Coins they will receive when a battle ends. Also, those with higher Battle Ranks will find themselves receiving more extravagant rewards when the ranking period is done.
- Password Matches allow you to enjoy private battles with friends and other operatives by making password entry required in order to join. Therefore, you can choose who you battle. However, in these Matches you will not earn Battle Coins or Arena Points.
MULTIPLE MODES TO CONQUER
As if all this wasn’t exciting enough, ARKS HQ isn’t just going to throw you all together in one type of melee. Oh no, you’ll have the choice of battling in EMBLEM SCRAMBLE or 4 VS 4 VR ARENA, with the winner being declared after the allotted amount of time has passed.
- Emblem Scramble consists of 12 operatives who selected the quest at the same time on the selected Field (Map). The operatives will be split into 2 teams. Operatives cannot select their opponents or allies. Each operative will earn EMBLEM POINTS and when the allotted time has passed, the team with the most total Emblem Points will win! Teams will each consist of 6 Arks, and weapons are randomized. When an operative is defeated, the vanquisher will steal 10% of the of vanquished player’s points.
- 4 VS 4 VR Arenas can only be selected when selecting Password Matches. The rules are the same as a normal Emblem Scramble, with the team who collects the most Emblem Points being declared the winner and teams consisting of four players. There are five possible weapons you can use: swords, assault rifles, rods, jet boots, and bows.
SHOW ME THE REWARDS
BATTLE COIN BARTERER RALAF, on the second level of the Shopping Plaza, has a few neat items available for the right amount of Battle Coins. Here are a few!
Battle Coin Rewards
Rappy Suit Mini | Outfit, Unisex, All Races
* Battle Twin Daggers | Weapon Camo, Twin Daggers
Rappy Makeup | Makeup
436: Ninja
The Battle Arena is just one more feature ARKS HQ is thrilled to introduce to PSO2 NA alongside Episode 4, and we can’t wait to hear of the heroic feats that are sure to take place during these brawls! See you in the Battle Lobby, Arks!
- The PSO2 Team