Hi folks,
With the release of Ancient Ruins a few weeks away, it's time to talk a bit in more detail about what the expansion is all about. And have a look at some spoilers.
But before that, I feel I should reiterate that the paid expansions won't be including playable classes, species, and organizations. But that doesn't mean they'll lack new options for your characters.
Both this and future expansions will be expanding on the world itself. Ancient Ruins DLC will be adding new Challenges, bosses with new tactics you won't face elsewhere, (overall) deadlier enemies, and areas with rewards you can only find by exploring these specific areas.
Let's see a few examples of what'll be in it
There will be 102 new Enemies (42 Boss, 60 Normal). While 19 (old bosses) that you'll meet in new challenges updated with new tactic cards.
There will be about 61 new Enemy Card (Tactics).
27 updated or entirely new locations. Which include lots of new areas and additional points of interest.
Ie. A meeting in a backwater village...
...can lead you to a whole new quest chain in a deadly dungeon...
Overall, there will be about 55 new Challenges. (Bringing the total challenges in the game to about 150). It's probably obvious, but I will say it anyway, these challenges aren't there to do them all, but so that you can go and do different things each time.
There are about 205 new Allies, including some potent Unique allies, that you may only get by defeating the corresponding boss in Challenges, their assorted cards, and more. So give or take 350-400 new cards.
Ever wanted to have a manticore for a mount? Well, you may get one. Who knows...
First, you must fight with it.
Then, if you are lucky, you may then recruit it to your party.
There are many mini factions. Like Belphegzul's Cult. You don't join them at this point, but all these allies can "drop" by exploring specific areas. Some will, for example, in Veara'acthon ruins, Jarakkal Oasis & Deimos Chasm, or by doing their respective challenges.
Or the Mountain Tribe:
Last but not least, the game's modding engine is constantly updated to include all the new tools I am using to create this expansion, and modders can use them regardless of DLC ownership.
That's all for now, folks! When it releases, I'll be giving you a round-up of the new DLC mechanics.
The estimated date of release is late March or mid-April.