Closed Alpha 3: Scope & Schedule

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Project Pantheon’s third Closed Alpha is right around the corner, and this time we’re opening the portals wider than ever. Here’s everything you need to know:[/p][p]For the first time ever, Reapers in Southeast Asia will be able to join those in North America and Europe for a full test of new systems, mechanics, and content.[/p][p]The third Closed Alpha will run from:[/p][p]Start: July 25 at 10 AM PDT / 1 PM EST / 7 PM CEST / 12 AM ICT (July 26)[/p][p]End: July 27 at 1 AM EST / 7 AM CEST / 12 PM ICT / 10 PM PDT (July 26)[/p][p]We invite all interested players to register here.

If you already participated in a previous playtest, you’ll continue to have access to all upcoming Closed Alphas. Already signed up, but haven’t been selected yet? Don’t worry, your registration is still valid, and you’ll be contacted soon.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]What’s New in Closed Alpha 3[/h2][h3]New Enemy Types: The Hamförir Evolve[/h3][p]The Hamförir faction is growing stronger in CA3, where you’ll face three new enemy types that change the pace and shape of combat.[/p][p]Hulk[/p][p]A frontline spellcaster that combines brute force with battlefield control. The Hulk summons a powerful totem that buffs Hamförir allies, hinders enemies, and inflicts additional damage over time. He is designed to disrupt your flow and force positioning decisions.[/p][p]How to deal with it:[/p]

• [p]Try to bait the Hulk into placing its totem in a useless spot.[/p]
• [p]If the totem is active, consider ignoring the Hulk until you deal with more dangerous enemies.[/p]
• [p]Luring him away from the totem can drastically reduce his effectiveness.[/p]

[p]Werewolf[/p][p]Fast, elusive, and deadly in drawn-out fights. The Werewolf uses hit-and-run tactics and gets stronger as it wears you down. Once you’re low on health, its attacks become empowered and potentially fatal.[/p][p]How to deal with it:[/p]

• [p]Avoid engaging when your health is low.[/p]
• [p]Stay mobile and try not to get surrounded.[/p]
• [p]Watch for groups of wolves and werewolves—together they hit much harder.[/p]

[p]Wolf[/p][p]The Wolf is a basic enemy on its own, who becomes much more dangerous in a pack due to damage scaling and pressure.[/p][p]How to deal with it:[/p]

• [p]Solo wolves can be ignored.[/p]
• [p]Packs should be prioritized or avoided until you’re ready, especially if you’re already in combat with other enemies.[/p]

[hr][/hr][h3]New Questline: Whispers of War[/h3][p]In CA3, you’ll follow Ratatoskr, the scheming world-tree messenger, as he manipulates a fragile peace.[/p][p]Your role is to help him ignite a full-blown faction war between the Reavers and the Shifters, which will shape how these factions evolve across future updates.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Sanctuary Expansion: Buildings and Crafting System[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]The Sanctuary gets its first major upgrade with CA3. We’re introducing a functional crafting system and expanding the world-building possibilities through new structures.[/p][p]Crafting:[/p]

• [p]Recipes can be looted from enemies and chests.[/p]
• [p]You can also earn them from quests and challenges.[/p]
• [p]To keep a recipe, you must extract with it. If you die, it’s lost.[/p]

• [p]Once in your stash or inventory, you can interact with a recipe to “learn” it.[/p]
• [p]Learning consumes the item and permanently unlocks the recipe in your Sanctuary.[/p]

[p]Crafting Island:[/p][p]You’ll now have access to a range of buildings that allow you to craft your own equipment:[/p]

• [p]Armory: Craft and customize armor.[/p]
• [p]Smithy: Forge melee and ranged weapons.[/p]
• [p]Arcane Atelier: Create sigils (which enhance weapons at the Workshop) and brew potions for various uses.[/p]

[p]Refinery Island:[/p]

• [p]This is where you process raw materials into higher-tier crafting components.[/p]
• [p]In CA3, you’ll have access to the Carver, a versatile building that handles material refinement.[/p]
• [p]More buildings will arrive in CA4, each handling different types of resources.[/p]

[p]Resource Gathering:[/p]

• [p]Resource nodes return from CA2 (wood and stone).[/p]
• [p]We’re expanding them with additional material types in CA3.[/p]
• [p]You can also find raw or refined materials in loot drops across the map.[/p]

[p]The crafting system in CA3 is just the beginning, as we will add more depth, complexity, and item variety will in future phases.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Ultimate Ability System Overhaul[/h3][p]We’re reworking how ultimate abilities function: Ultimates no longer rely on fixed cooldowns. Instead, each ultimate now uses a gauge that fills over time through player actions. Damage dealt, healing performed, and in some cases, damage taken will charge the meter.[/p][p]This change makes ultimates feel more like a reward for active play, rather than a fixed resource on a timer. You’ll need to decide when to hold back and when to go all-in.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Dungeons: Now Up to Eleven[/h3][p]We’ve increased the number of available dungeons to 11, offering greater variety with a challenge that will ramp up accordingly.[/p]

• [p]Some you will encounter are small and tight, similar to Diablo-style cellars.[/p]
• [p]Others are larger, more elaborate, and more punishing.[/p]
• [p]Dungeons are locked at the start of each session. You’ll need to find the matching key to enter.[/p]
• [p]Keys can drop from enemies and chests, and are also available as quest and challenge rewards.[/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]New Extraction Options[/h3][p]With new Obelisk Types, you now have more strategic choices when it’s time to leave with your loot:[/p]

1. [p]First Come, First Serve[/p]
   • [p]These don’t spawn enemies or trigger combat.[/p]
   • [p]They allow free extraction.[/p]
   • [p]They’re rare and can only be used once.[/p]
2. [p]Gold-Paid Extraction[/p]
   • [p]Lets you extract without combat by paying a significant amount of gold.[/p]
   • [p]You’ll have to weigh the value of your loot against the cost of saving it.[/p]

[p]These options add new tension and force you to rethink how you approach late-game extraction.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Further Changes[/h3][p]Bots: New AI-Controlled Reapers[/p][p]Bots now appear during live sessions. They move through the map, engage in PvE and PvP, and use limited abilities. Their role is to maintain pacing and keep the world active even as players are eliminated.[/p][p]We’re treating bots as an evolving feature. Expect more depth and behavior variety in future builds.[/p][p]Afflictions: PvE Status Effects[/p][p]Afflictions are a new mechanic that only applies in PvE. They’re status effects that build up as enemies land attacks. Each faction applies a unique Affliction with its own rules and consequences.[/p][p]Reavers – Madness[/p]

• [p]Your character starts mumbling.[/p]
• [p]The sound grows into laughter and screams as the effect intensifies.[/p]
• [p]Other players can hear these sounds and track your position more easily.[/p]

[p]Hamförir – Wounding[/p]

• [p]Your character periodically drops pools of blood.[/p]
• [p]These reveal your movement path to other players.[/p]
• [p]Wounding can be cured using Bandages.[/p]

[p]Nightmare of Fenrir – Doom[/p]

• [p]Reduces your maximum HP over time.[/p]
• [p]Continues to decay until it reaches a critical minimum.[/p]
• [p]This Affliction cannot be cured.[/p]

[p]Afflictions deepen PvE strategy and raise the risk of prolonged engagements.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]We can’t wait to welcome you back to the afterlife and the most advanced version of Project Pantheon yet! Join us in Closed Alpha 3, explore everything new, and share your feedback with us on Discord.[/p][p]See you in the afterlife![/p]