The anniversary update brings with it a few major changes that will affect the way adventures are completed. They are the Invasion Atlas and an updated Nightmare difficulty. Today we will tell you more about these changes.
Invasion Atlas
When the Phytonide invasion begins, Flavius's Laboratory will be removed from the game, and players will get access to a new system of character development – the Invasion Atlas. The atlas is different for every invasion. It changes from season to season, and players can pick a new development path every time. The atlas has more than a hundred nodes, and it depends on you which path you will take and which bonuses will be unlocked first. Some nodes will strengthen certain classes, others will replace the bonuses of Flavius's Laboratory. You can decide what's more important to you – increased damage to enemies from the invasion army or boosting some of your classes. Or perhaps upgrading your companion or receiving some Might.
How do I unlock nodes?
Fulfilling directives and completing operations will earn you a special currency that can be used to unlock atlas nodes. The cost depends on the bonus – some are cheaper, others are more expensive. Plan your development and think ahead. The atlas has no limitations – with a bit of effort, it should be possible to fully develop it and unlock all its bonuses over the course of an invasion. Operations at Nightmare difficulty are the best source of the new currency...
New nightmares
It's time to talk about another new feature. The anniversary update will include changes to the difficulty system. "Nightmare" will have several levels, and each will be more difficult than the last. Are you interested? We'll share more details with you.
How the new Nightmare works
After installing the update, logging in, and selecting a group adventure, players will see two main modes: warm-up and trial (depending on the adventure type, character's rank, and schedule, of course).
To access the Nightmare difficulty, players will need to prove their skill by completing a trial. If they succeed, each character in the group will receive a special key that unlocks the first level of the Nightmare difficulty for one of the adventures depending on the current schedule. You can have up to two keys – one for a Squad adventure, the other for a Group one. Every night, these adventures change according to the server schedule, which makes it easier to find a group. After completing the first level of Nightmare, all characters in the group receive new keys that unlock the second level.
A player that has a key to the Nightmare difficulty can invite other players to their group regardless of their level and whether they have a key or not. If they succeed, all characters in the group get a key, its level matching the Nightmare level +1.
The higher the Nightmare level, the harder the adventure will be. Every day, adventures will have different modifiers that add variety and make them more challenging. Enemies will get extra bonuses or have their mechanics slightly changed, and players will have to switch tactics and look for ways to take them down. For example, one of the modifiers forbids using divine form, but the bosses will drop sparks that allow you to activate it for a short time. Other modifier grants certain enemies an aura that increases the health and damage of their allies. Another modifier multiplies the threat generated by one of the immortals and increases damage dealt to them. Each modifier will impact the tactics and play style of players, forcing them to make an effort if they want to access the next level of Nightmare.
Where does this new system work?
After the update, Nightmare difficulty will be disabled for Party adventures. It will remain the same for the other types. But we have changed certain adventures from Squad to Group. Thais Temple, Lanber Catacombs, Factorium, Saffire Air Dockyard, Donholk Glacier, Port Usuni, Phoreus Test Area, Thetin Rift, and Darnic Village have become more difficult. It adds variety to the game and allows players to get equipment in group adventures. Each equipment piece can now be obtained in two Group adventures.
Operations should be completed on Nightmare difficulty – the higher the difficulty, the more operation points you can earn. And the higher the chance to win and receive a great reward.
Updated Nightmares and Invasion Atlas are connected. These changes are meant to add more variety to the game. When completing adventures on Nightmare difficulty, you will earn currency for unlocking atlas nodes. Unlocking atlas nodes will make completing these adventures much easier.
We can't wait until players can try these new systems. Let us know what you think. We will try to incorporate your suggestions.
Good luck!