Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis News

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!



[h2]NEW ARKS ON THE BLOCK[/h2]
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.

[h2]A NEW PVP EXPERIENCE, EVERY TIME[/h2]
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.



[h2]WHERE DO YOU RANK?[/h2]
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.



[h2]TO RANK, OR NOT TO RANK[/h2]

• 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.
  

[h2]MULTIPLE MODES TO CONQUER
[/h2]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.
  

[h2]SHOW ME THE REWARDS[/h2]
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!

[h3]Battle Coin Rewards[/h3]

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

Ready to power through a couple of levels? The prospect is much less daunting when you know that Bonus Quests are coming on August 5th! Read this article for more details!



Feel like going on a solo-adventure to a land of bountiful EXP, Meseta, and Rare Item Drops? If so, then you should be thrilled to know that BONUS QUESTS are arriving in PSO2 NA on August 5th! These quests require the consumption of specific BONUS KEYS, which are often awarded to operatives by ARKS HQ for various reasons. To learn more about Bonus Keys, read on Arks!



[h2]WHERE DO THEY COME FROM
[/h2]
ARKS HQ rewards operatives who perform exceptionally well, so one way to have a chance at Bonus Keys is to clear Recommended Quests at A Rank or better. There’s a reason ARKS HQ wants you to do these quests, so it behooves them to reward you for it.



[h2]WHERE DO THEY GO[/h2]
Bonus Keys are consumed upon the start of the quest. If you disconnect from the server or abandon the quest, the Key will not be returned, so make sure you’re ready.

[h2]TIMING IS EVERYTHING[/h2]
The goal of Bonus Quests is to take your enemies down quickly. This will help you earn the largest amount of EXP, Meseta, and items. Give this goal, these Bonus Quests will have Time limits of usually 10 minutes (some are 4 minutes). There are no level restrictions, so you can jump into them right away. However, these must be undertaken as solo ventures, so no Alliance members or Partner characters.



[h2]THE GOODS[/h2]
A great variety of items can be found in these quests, besides weapons and units with a tendency to be on the rarer side. Such items can include crafting materials such as minerals and jewels from various planets. Some Arks have even reported receiving STAR GEMS and ASTRACITE after completion of these quests. Astracite, of course, can be exchanged with Astracite Exchanger Nautbraugher on the second floor of the Shopping Plaza.


That’s it Arks! See you at the Quest Counter!


- The PSO2 Team

Ready to bring your PSO2 experience to Steam? Or want the ability to play through Windows 10, Steam, or from your couch with an Xbox One? If so, then check out this must-read article to learn about linking your Steam and Xbox Live accounts!



Fleet Oracle has gained a few new bells and whistles to add to the pool of features Arks are already familiar with. Perhaps most notably, there’s a new way to drive your experience of Phantasy Star Online 2–using Steam! That’s right operatives, that “other PC platform” has arrived. Along with the release of the Steam platform of PSO2, an account-linking feature has been added that will allow accounts used on Xbox One and Windows 10 to be played on Steam, therefore preserving your past play-time.

ATTENTION: Do not start Phantasy Star Online 2 on a new platform until you fully understand this account-linking process. Creating a character/setting up a Player ID on a new platform is irreversible and you will not be able to link your account after the fact.



[h2]LINKING YOUR ACCOUNTS[/h2]
There are two ways to link your Xbox Live and Steam accounts; initiating the process from the Steam platform, or from the Xbox One or Windows 10 platform. In each case, you’ll begin the process from the platform that you have been using. We’ll outline the process for both.

If you’d like to begin using the Steam platform to play PSO2 and want to link your Xbox One or Windows 10 account:

• From the Support Menu within the Start Menu of the Windows 10 or Xbox One version of PSO2, select the option to issue an account-linking code. This code will expire after 15 minutes.
  
• After launching PSO2 on the Steam platform, select your Ship and then enter the code from the previous step. Please be careful: you can only use this code when setting up your account on a new platform for the first time. Do not create a new character/set up a Player ID before linking your account.
• Success! The operative can now play using the same PSO2 save data on either their Xbox Live or Steam Account ID.
  

If you’d like to begin using the Xbox One or Windows 10 platform to play PSO2 and want to link your Steam account:

• From the Support Menu within the Start Menu of the Steam platform of PSO2, select the option to issue an account-linking code. This code will expire after 15 minutes.
  
• After launching PSO2 on Windows 10 or Xbox One, select your Ship and then enter the code from the previous step. Please be careful: you can only use this code when setting up your account on a new platform for the first time. Do not create a new character/set up a Player ID before linking your account.
• Success! The operative can now play using the same PSO2 save data on either their Xbox Live or Steam account.
  

*Entering the account-linking code is only possible during the first-time log-in when using the new platform.
**The same account-linking code cannot be used more than twice.
***If the first account-linking code is not used, and a new one is issued, only the newest account-linking code will be active.
****If a user inputs the account-linking code incorrectly, 10 times in a row, after the 10th time the user will not be able to link accounts until 24 hours have passed. This measure is for the safety of your account.



[h2]UNLINKING YOUR ACCOUNT FROM YOUR SECONDARY PLATFORM[/h2]

You cannot unlink your account from the first platform that you used to play PSO2. This process is non-reversible, so make sure it’s what you really want, operative! In each case, you’ll begin the process from the secondary platform you would like to discontinue using. We’ll outline the process for both.

If you’d like to discontinue usage of the Steam platform and it is not the original platform you used to connect to PSO2:

• Log-in to PSO2 from the Steam platform using the Steam account that you’d like to Unlink.
  
• Select “Unlink Account” from the Start Menu of PSO2.
  
• Confirm your desire to Unlink your accounts by entering the specified key in the confirmation window and selecting “Yes”.
  
• Your PSO2 save data on your Steam account will be deleted.
  

If you’d like to discontinue usage of the Windows 10 or Xbox One platform and it is not the original platform your used to connect to PSO2:

• Log-in to PSO2 from the Windows 10 or Xbox One platform using the Xbox Live account that you’d like to Unlink.
  
• Select “Unlink Account” from the Start Menu of PSO2.
  
• Confirm your desire to Unlink your accounts by entering the specified key in the confirmation window and selecting “Yes”.
  
• Your PSO2 save data on your Xbox Live account will be deleted.
  

We’re thrilled to bring operatives together through these different platforms, as well as enlist the aid of Arks from an additional 33 countries! August 5th marks the beginning of not only the newest Episode in Phantasy Star Online 2, but the birth of an expanded PSO2 Community as well, and we couldn’t be more excited! See you in the Lobby, Arks!

- The PSO2 Team

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

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