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Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis News

WHAT’S NEW IN EPISODE 4

Ready for Episode 4, but still trying to figure out what you’re most excited about? Check out this article for a review of the features and content arriving in our first episode release in the West!



The time is finally here, Arks! The next major content update, EPISODE 4, arrives on August 5th!

Give those arms a stretch after coming out of Cryo-sleep and make sure you don’t feel any lingering effects of corruption from your encounter with the Profound Darkness in Episode 3. About 2 years has passed, and Fleet Oracle has a new commander. Some oddly-behaving Arks have recently been spotted among the Ships, and Commander Ulc needs you to investigate to ensure they are who they say they are. She’s also tasked you with finding out if there’s any relation between the odd Arks and the recently discovered planet, Earth.

Under the new command, a few things have been added, and ARKS HQ wants to make sure you’re apprised of what to expect when Episode 4 arrives. Please keep your hands and arms inside the Gateway Ship, as we start off on a brief tour of the included content!



[h2]WHAT’S NEW[/h2]
Some of the new changes and features include:

  • Global access for an additional 33 countries
  • Player Level cap increased to 80
  • Photon Art and Technique Levels increased to 17
  • New Skills available from Player Level 76 to 80
  • Introduction of PvP in the BATTLE ARENA
  • New PSO2 Friend List, separate from Xbox Live Friend List
  • Character slot maximums have increased to 20
  • New ARKS Missions
  • Universal Ship for Battle Arena and Challenge Quests
  • BONUS Quests for huge amounts of EXP, Meseta, and material items!
  • New Seasonal Events
  • New Alliance Quarters, including Tokyo, Battleship, and Lunar Surface
  • Characters from the Anime series of Phantasy Star Online 2 will appear on the Ship, and can join your party after completing specific Client Orders!
  • Exciting new Titles to earn
  • New enemy types to challenge
  • New quest types
  • New areas to explore
  • Preview your purchases in the Fresh Finds Shop
  • Send your Material Items automatically to the Storehouse
  • Season 6 of the Mission Pass


A few of the new features and changes deserve to have a little bit more said about them, so let’s get started!


[h2]CRAFTING
[/h2]
CRAFTING has finally come to PSO2! This will allow operatives to customize armor, Techniques, and Photon Arts! Crafting can be accessed via the Personal Terminal in your Personal Quarters or from the Mini-Room. Each crafting type will have a “Crafting Level,” which can be increased by completing Crafting Achievements. Increasing your level can impart bonus effects when crafting!

To summarize the benefits:

  • Equipment Extension (Units) allows you to re-write the basic values of a Unit
  • Customize the abilities, speed, and potency of Photon Arts
  • Customize the potency, speed, number of hits, or range of Techniques
  • Add a Timed Ability to a Unit, such as one that increases a recovery or attack power effect
  • Dismantle unwanted items and receive the material items for crafting
  • Daily Crafting Orders will arrive
  • Receive Crafting Orders from other operatives


There’s a lot to learn, operative, so make sure to check it out for yourself!





[h2]A NEW PLANET TO EXPLORE[/h2]
With new Expeditions to explore Tokyo and Las Vegas, operatives will have plenty to do in Episode 4. New features in these areas will include the ability to move freely throughout the map, and include the use of new modes of transportation–Ridroids! Additional Ridroid Quests can also be accepted via the Quest Counter, if you find yourself becoming fond of them. Of course, these new areas mean there are new items to find in them, and a few of them include:


S. CN Mantis | Soaring Blades, ★13


Quotz Vidiya | Knuckles, ★13


Sieger Archer | Bow, ★13


[h2]PIT YOURSELF AGAINST FELLOW ARKS[/h2]
PvP has made its way to the Ships! Well, the UNIVERSAL SHIP, that is. This Ship will host operatives from the whole fleet who are desirous of testing their might against their fellow Arks in the BATTLE ARENA, as well as those looking for allies to undertake CHALLENGE QUESTS. In the Battle Arena, defeating opponents and claiming victory in your matches will earn you Battle Coin, which can be redeemed at the Battle Coin Exchange Shop. There is also a LIMITED EXCHANGE menu where SG can be purchased with Battle Coins every week! You can purchase 10SG up to 5 times and 5SG up to 10 times for a total of 100SG! For a sneak peak at what else you can earn, see below!


* Jilad Zahal | Weapon Camo, Knuckles


* Jilad Assan | Weapon Camo, Gunblade


Rappy Suit Mini | Outfit, Unisex, All Races


[h2]RISING WEAPONS BADGE 3
[/h2]If you’ve outgrown your previous Rising Weapons Badge gear, or want to be on solid footing as a rookie, start earning these new badges and exchange them in the Shopping Plaza for powerful rewards! A few notable weapons include:


Homura no Ohdachi | Sword, ★13


Homura no Toshi | Assault Rifle, ★13


Homura no Kashaku | Rod, ★13

[h2]
NEW COLLECTION FOLDER
[/h2]
If you’re starting a bit behind your friends, the Collection Folder can be a great way to catch up. That’s why ARKS HQ is introducing a new Collection Folder–the Next ★13 Collection 1! These items are obtainable by completing Urgent Quests and Expeditions to collect the individual pieces needed for your desired reward. A few of the new ★13 items include:


Spear Revolsio | Partisan, ★13


Bullet Revolsio | Twin Machine Guns, ★13


Edge Revolsio | Wand, ★13



[h2]NEW STORY
[/h2]Odd Arks seems to have infiltrated Fleet Oracle, but is their purpose nefarious? Discover their origin while you explore the newly-discovered planet, Earth, and learn of the parallels between your home and Earth. New characters and old friends will join you on your quest to curtail the Falspawn and other hostile entities. You’ll battle new enemies–Phantasms–the manifested fear and dread of Earth’s citizens, comprised of “Aether” particles and able to move as dust on the wind.


There’s more included, but we don’t want to spoil all the fun for you! Just make sure join us in Phantasy Star Online 2 on August 5th, when we welcome operatives from an additional 33 countries! See you on Earth, operatives!


- The PSO2 Team

[UPDATED] PSO2: STEAM LAUNCH REWARDS

Get ready, operatives! Phantasy Star Online 2 officially launches on Steam on August 5th, 2020! Read this article to learn how you can acquire unique Valve-themed rewards in the game!



Embark on a never-ending quest when Phantasy Star Online 2 officially arrives on Steam on August 5th, launching with our next major content update, Episode 4! Experience one of Japan’s biggest online action RPGs, completely free-to-play and featuring cross-play and cross-progress with other available platforms.



[h2]PLAY ON STEAM AND GET SPECIAL REWARDS[/h2]
We are happy to announce a fantastic collaboration release to celebrate the launch of Phantasy Star Online 2 on Steam. Starting August 5th, ARKS Operatives will be able to get unique items based on Valve’s celebrated franchises!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Embody HALF-LIFE 2’s Gordon Freeman or HALF-LIFE: ALYX’s Alyx Vance with special outfits and partner up with Wheatley from Portal 2 with a special Mag Evolution Device! This release will also include cosmetic items from Team Fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead, such as Hairstyles and Weapon Camos!

Update: This article has been updated to reflect changes to the in-game rewards requirements. Read the following list to learn more about how you can obtain these Valve-themed rewards.

[h3]Reward One: First-time Login Pack[/h3]
Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and retrieve the reward from the Visiphone, under “Receive Campaign Items”.


720: Headcrab (Emote) | Half-Life

Additional Log-in Rewards

EXP Earned +50% (x5)

Rare Drop Rate +50% (x5)

Meseta Earned +50% (x5)

Half Scape Doll (x5)

Unit "Back / Fresh Aura" (x1)

[h3]Reward Two: Pyro's Gas Mask[/h3]
Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any quest once on Normal/Casual difficulty or higher.


Pyro's Gas Mask (Hairstyle) x2 | Team Fortress 2

[h3]Reward Three: Headcrab Emote[/h3]
Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any quest twice on Hard/Hardcore difficulty or higher.


720: Headcrab (Emote) | Half-Life

[h3]Reward Four: Half-Life: Alyx Pack[/h3]
Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any quest three times on Very Hard difficulty or higher.


Alyx Replica (Outfit: Female) | Half-Life: Alyx


Alyx's Hair (Hairstyle) x2 | Half-Life: Alyx

[h3]Reward Five: HEV Suit[/h3]
Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any quest four times on Super Hard difficulty or higher.


HEV Suit (Outfit: Male) | Half-Life 2

[h3]Portal 2 and Weapon Camos Pack
[/h3]We will distribute these rewards at a later date.


Evolution Device: Wheatley | Portal 2


* TF2 Minigun (Weapon Camo) | Team Fortress 2


* L4D Frying Pan (Weapon Camo) | Left 4 Dead


* Crowbar (Weapon Camo) | Half-Life

Notes:
  • To be eligible to win the rewards, you must meet the requirements above while logged in to Steam.
  • Aside from the log-in rewards, you can collect the other prizes at the Gate Area’s TITLE COUNTER as a title reward.
  • Some Weapon Camos in this release are compatible with more than one weapon type.
  • You can use the Hairstyle items twice to make them accessible to all characters in your account.
  • The time and day for the distribution of these rewards will be revealed at a later date.



We are beyond excited to see you join the ranks of ARKS when Phantasy Star Online 2 finally releases on Steam. See you in the game on August 5th, operative!


- The PSO2 Team


©2020 Valve Corporation