Developer's Notes for 2024 Phase 1

Greetings everyone, this is the ArcheAge dev team.

 

We would like to share the details about the first update preview for this year.

In this update preview, we would like to provide detailed information on the Phase 1 update that we revealed through the New Year's roadmap.

 

* The below contents are currently in development and can be subject to change upon actual release.

 
[h2]Akasch Invasion Revamp[/h2]
The "Akasch Invasion," originally developed to promote cooperation among factions to resist the invading Akasch faction at Ipnya Ridge, has deviated from its intended plan. It is currently being exploited to hinder the growth of opposing factions, with activities like deliberately releasing equipment and intentionally losing to the Akasch faction.

The development team made continuous efforts but concluded that simply modifying some content will not lead to overall improvement.

Therefore, in the upcoming March update, we plan to undergo a comprehensive overhaul of this content to transform it into a format where cooperation and competition between factions can be enjoyed together.

1. While the invasion battle process remains the same, we have reduced its duration and adjusted the difficulty to relieve the burden of combating the Akasch faction.
2. After the competition with the Akasch faction, a higher grade Akasch who heeds the call of "Akasch Queen Kina" will appear in Erenor.
3. Depending on the victory or defeat of the player faction, the raid boss that appears subsequently will change, and better rewards, such as the "Ipnysh Ring," can be obtained when the player faction wins.
4. Improved Ipnysh Protection buff, which used to strengthen the raid boss after the Invasion battle defeat, will be removed. This change ensures no impact on raid progression after the invasion battle.
   
   
   (Image) New raid boss (Left) Grand General Allu (Upon player faction's victory) / (Right) Elder Nergal (Upon player faction's defeat)
   
    
   [h2]Removal of Faction Points, and Introduction of Free Exile System[/h2]
   ArcheAge has been a prominent RvR game since its launch, but it has grappled consistently with the challenge of "faction imbalance."
   
   Despite the development team's persistent efforts to find systemic solutions, previous improvements fell short of fully resolving the issue of "faction imbalance."
   
   The faction scores, designed to assist the disadvantaged faction based on systemic evaluations, could not accurately reflect the actual situation. Furthermore, the exile system, where member capacity was determined by faction strength, was inconvenient and worsened the faction imbalance.
   
   To address these concerns, the upcoming March update will streamline the faction limitation system and allow players the freedom to choose their factions based on their own will.
   
    
   [h3]1. Removal of Faction Points[/h3]
   All faction points to assess the faction activities will be removed.
   
   It will eliminate the faction advantage/disadvantage assessments, and discontinue support for disadvantaged factions.
   
   The following systems will be removed.
   
   • "Don't Give Up" buff granted to the disadvantaged faction
   • Faction Statue's "War Time" buff
   • Mobilization Order Flag's [War Preparations] buff
   • Advantage/disadvantage information from the Community > Alliance Info tab
   • Removal of Alliance System
   
    
   [h3]2. Removal of Systematic Exile, and Freedom of Exile Through Alliance Exile Scroll Purchase[/h3]
   With the removal of advantage/disadvantage assessments, the system limitation on the number of exiles will be lifted.
   
   Starting from the March update, players can purchase Alliance Exile Scroll from the NPC "Exile Broker" in Freedich Island.
   
   Please note that Alliance Exile Scroll can be purchased once a week using Honor Points, and it will expire after 6 hours.  
   
   After use, it cannot be used again for 7 days. The reuse cooldown applies to other faction scrolls as well.
   
   
   
   (Image) Exile Broker's Location in Freedich Island
   • 1: Nuia Alliance Exile Scroll Purchase Location
   • 2: Haranya Alliance Exile Scroll Purchase Location
   • 3: Pirate Faction Exile Scroll Purchase Location
   
    
   [h2]Addition of High Grade Raid Equipment[/h2]
   In the March update, higher grade equipment that many of our players have been anticipating will be introduced.
   
   Higher grade equipment can be acquired by awakening lower grade equipment of the same type. Awakening not only increases the basic ability but also adds one more synthesis effect.
   
   The synthesis effects will also be upgraded, so we hope you will be able to experience more powerful raid equipment with stronger abilities.
   Category

   Equipment Type

   Lower Grade Equipment

   New Equipment

   
   Nehliya
   

   
   Greatsword
   

   
   Eminent Soulslake Edge
   

   
   Annihilating Soulslake Edge
   

   
   Nehliya
   

   
   Katana
   

   
   Eminent Soulslake Razor
   

   
   Annihilating Soulslake Razor
   

   
   Nehliya
   

   
   Greataxe
   

   
   Eminent Soulslake Cleaver
   

   
   Annihilating Soulslake Cleaver
   

   
   Nehliya
   

   
   Scepter
   

   
   Eminent Soulslake Leech
   

   
   Annihilating Soulslake Leech
   

   
   Nehliya
   

   
   Shield
   

   
   Eminent Soulslake Bulwark
   

   
   Annihilating Soulslake Bulwark
   

   
   Nehliya
   

   
   Rifle
   

   
   Eminent Soulslake Bullet
   

   
   Annihilating Soulslake Bullet
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Sword
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon Tail-Reaper
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon Tail-Reaper
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Shield
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon Fireguard
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon Fireguard
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Bow
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon Eyesplitter
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon Eyesplitter
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Nodachi
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon Wing-Reaper
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon Wing-Reaper
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Staff
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon Roar
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon Roar
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Club
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon Silencer
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon Silencer
   

   
   Black Dragon
   

   
   Rifle
   

   
   Ferocious Black Dragon's Bite
   

   
   Bellowing Black Dragon's Breath
   

   
   Anthalon
   

   
   Head
   

   
   Nefarious Dread Necromancer's Hood
   

   
   Cruel Necromancer Hood
   

   
   Anthalon
   

   
   Top
   

   
   Nefarious Dread Necromancer's Shirt
   

   
   Cruel Necromancer Armor
   

   
   Anthalon
   

   
   Gloves
   

   
   Nefarious Dread Necromancer's Gloves
   

   
   Cruel Necromancer Gloves
   

   
   Anthalon
   

   
   Pants
   

   
   Nefarious Dread Necromancer's Pants
   

   
   Cruel Necromancer Pants
   

   
   Anthalon
   

   
   Shoes
   

   
   Nefarious Dread Necromancer's Shoes
   

   
   Cruel Necromancer Shoes
   

   
   Leviathan
   

   
   Head
   

   
   Resolute Hermit's Glare
   

   
   Pale Sea Glare
   

   
   Leviathan
   

   
   Top
   

   
   Resolute Hermit's Heart
   

   
   Pale Sea Heart
   

   
   Leviathan
   

   
   Gloves
   

   
   Resolute Hermit's Touch
   

   
   Pale Sea Touch
   

   
   Leviathan
   

   
   Pants
   

   
   Resolute Hermit's Will
   

   
   Pale Sea Will
   

   
   Leviathan
   

   
   Shoes
   

   
   Resolute Hermit's Footprints
   

   
   Pale Sea Footprints
   

   
   Charybdis
   

   
   Head
   

   
   Termisia's Merciless Thoughts
   

   
   Chilled Cap
   

   
   Charybdis
   

   
   Top
   

   
   Termisia's Merciless Soul
   

   
   Chilled Jerkin
   

   
   Charybdis
   

   
   Gloves
   

   
   Termisia's Merciless Grasp
   

   
   Chilled Gloves
   

   
   Charybdis
   

   
   Pants
   

   
   Termisia's Merciless Resolve
   

   
   Chilled Breeches
   

   
   Charybdis
   

   
   Shoes
   

   
   Termisia's Merciless Path
   

   
   Chilled Boots
   
   
    
   [h2]Reduced Difficulty in Acquiring Crafted Equipment[/h2]
   The current Crafted Equipment starts with the Illustrious equipment and develops through many stages in the following order: Magnificent > Epherium > Delphinad > Ayanad > Erenor > Awakened Erenor > Brilliant Erenor. The cost burden of acquiring upper-tier equipment is very high.
   
   The difficulty level will be adjusted to help players enhance their strength by utilizing Crafted Equipment. Illustrious and Magnificent grades, the lower grades of crafted equipment, will be removed. Players will be able to obtain Epherium or higher-grade equipment to proceed with growth.
   

1. Epherium equipment will be available for purchase from Weapon/Armor Merchant.
2. The paths to obtain Existing Illustrious and Magnificent equipment will be eliminated.
3. Existing Illustrious and Magnificent gear can still be used, and "Salvage Forge" on Mirage Isle will allow players to create awakening materials for higher grade equipment.
4. You can obtain crafting equipment and awakening materials by defeating the Delphinad Ghost Ship.
    
   [h2]2nd Collection Achievement System: Awakened Andelph Drakora[/h2]
   A considerable time has passed since the first collection achievements were introduced. As many players have already completed the collection achievements, the excitement and purpose of collecting have stagnated.
   
   In response to this, we plan to introduce a new set of second collection achievements to rekindle the interest and goals of players for the collecting content.
   
   Upon achieving the final goal of the second collection achievements, you will obtain an item that allows you to awaken the "Andelph Drakora," and upon awakening, you will gain "Awakened Andelph Drakora" with increased basic performance and a new skill that releases a strong condensed current.
   
   
   
   (image) Awakened Andelph Drakora
   
    
   [h2]Other[/h2][h3]1. Loot Rewards Boost[/h3]
   • Hiram Rift
     • The chances to obtain Ipnysh Accessories upon defeating monsters in Hiram Rift will increase.
   • Delphinad Ghost Ship
     • The chances to obtain Haunted Chest, Epherium Equipment Awakening Materials, and Delphinad Equipment upon defeating Delphinad Ghost Ship will increase.
     • The quantity of Relic Trade Packs created upon defeating Delphinad Ghost Ship will increase. 
   [h3]2. Instance Team Recruit System Revamp[/h3]
   • Pre-Team Recruit/Search Support
     • To enhance user convenience, the "Recruit/Search" button will now be active 10 minutes before the instance starts, allowing participants to prepare for team recruitment in advance.
     • Applied Instances
       • Faction War: Golden Plains Battle, Skyfin War
       • Raid: Red Dragon's Keep, Kadum
   • Team Recruit Edit Feature Added
     • Players can now click the "Edit Team" button to easily modify the required level, equipment points, and information, eliminating the need to disband the team when trying to change the content and details after creating a recruitment post.
   
   
   (image) Edit Team Button
   
   
   
   (image) Team Recruit Edit Screen
   
    
   [h3]3. Improvements To Kick System of Inactive Participants[/h3]
   During an Instance, Raid General will be able to directly kick the inactive player without a vote.
   
   A reuse time of 1 minute will be applied after usage, and it will not be applied to the Instance Kick Vote cooldown.
   
    
   [h3]4. Expansion of Collection Sources for Guild Prestige[/h3]
   A new individual guild mission in which you can obtain Guild Prestige through item donations will be added.
   
   We hope this will relieve your burden of obtaining Guild Prestige.
   
    
   [h2]Lastly[/h2]
   In 2024, our development team will focus on your continuous growth while aiming to lower gameplay barriers and address inconveniences. Alongside the details shared through this notice, please look forward to updates that will enhance convenience and ease gameplay difficulties. We appreciate your love and support.
   
   Thank you all for your love and support for ArcheAge. We will be back with the March update soon.
   
   Thank you.