Player Spotlight: Eckogen
[h2]◆ Character Summary ◆[/h2][p]Eckogen[/p][p]Venegful[/p][p]Blade & Soul[/p][p]Mushin —> Zulia Server[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]◆The Road to Blade & Soul◆[/h2][p]“…there is something satisfying about punching and kicking enemies to death.”[/p][p][/p][p]Give us a brief overview of what your gaming life was like before B&S. What games did you play?[/p][p]I was all over the place. Some examples would be RTS (Command & Conquer, Total War), RPG (Mass Effect), FPS (CoD, BF and random battle royale games), random mobile gachas.[/p][p][/p][p]How did you first discover Blade & Soul?[/p][p]Someone in my Discord linked me the trailer.[/p][p][/p][p]What initially caught your interest? What makes Blade & Soul stand out compared to other games you’ve played?[/p][p]The action combat.[/p][p][/p][h2]◆Blade & Soul Through The Years◆[/h2][p][/p][p]How long have you been playing Blade & Soul?[/p][p]I started day 1 of the NA release and quit around Aug 2020.[/p][p][/p][p]Why do you like the game type you’re currently playing (LIVE or NEO)?[/p][p]Unfortunately, I do not play Live or NEO currently. Adult life-ing makes it difficult to sink time into an MMO.[/p][p][/p][p]Have you always been the same class? If not, why did you change?[/p][p]I started out as KFM and mained it. I did try out other classes; however, I stuck with KFM.[/p][p][/p][p]What do you like most about your current class?[/p][p]Two reasons. One - there is something satisfying about punching and kicking enemies to death. Two - I studied martial arts in real life and committed a lot of my youth to Karate so KFM felt close to me.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][h2]♥︎ Favorite Memories & Stories ♥︎[/h2][p]“Hearing the title music for the first time was such an ear-gasm.”[/p][p][/p][p]Do you remember your first time launching B&S? What stands out?[/p][p]Hearing the title music for the first time was such an ear-gasm. I can still hear it in my mind till this day.[/p][p][/p][p]What’s the hardest you’ve laughed while playing?
Foul-mouthed Granny. Best NPC hands down.[/p][p][/p][p]Have you ever stayed up way too late because of B&S?[/p][p]Mostly for learning raid mechanics. The time I put into that was insanity. Pretty sure I still have trauma from all that.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]◆World, Zones, & Content◆[/h2][p]“… a mutual understanding and respect, and we ended up sitting down and just talking. From enemies to friends.”[/p][p][/p][p]What is your favorite zone in the game and why?[/p][p]Moonwater is easily my favorite zone. I enjoyed fighting in that area, especially when it involved Blackwyrm. Bring on all the chaos![/p][p][/p][p]Where do you have some of your best memories?[/p][p]I hosted public parties for Throne of Oblivion and tanked the boss. Players appreciated the smooth, efficient runs having a proper tank, and I was grateful to be of service.[/p][p][/p][p]An earlier memory would be during the peak Moonwater era. A Crimson Summoner and I fought each other for at least an hour, constantly respawning and going at it nonstop. At one point, he whispered me in anger, and I responded calmly, asking why there was so much hostility. That led to a mutual understanding and respect, and we ended up sitting down and just talking. From enemies to friends.[/p][p][/p][p]Was there a specific update, patch, or era that felt like the “golden age” for you?[/p][p]Definitely the level 45 patch. PvP felt clean yet intricate enough to be deeply satisfying, and the gear system was straightforward.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]◆Clan and Community◆[/h2][p]“There’s something special about world bosses when a massive number of players gather in one area and completely lag out your PC. You really can’t beat that feeling.”[/p][p][/p][h3]🎊 Events & Community moments🎊
[/h3][p]What’s your favorite B&S meme, joke, or community inside-joke?[/p][p]![]()
[/p][p]Babbletr0n (Jonathan Lien)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]What are some of your past favorite events?[/p][p]The Golden Harvest Festival also stands out. There’s something special about world bosses when a massive number of players gather in one area and completely lag out your PC. You really can’t beat that feeling.[/p][p][/p][p]Has B&S ever crossed into your real life? (meetups, conventions, friendships, or relationships)[/p][p]Yes to friendships. Some of those are still maintained to this day. Outside of that, I haven't done any meetups or conventions related to B&S because I don't touch grass.[/p][p][/p][p]Do you have any unforgettable clan moments?[/p][p]When we cleared the last boss in Scarlet Conservatory. We all cheered and celebrated for the rest of the night.[/p][p][/p][p]Do you have any funny stories involving rival clans or players?
I’m still haunted by the memory of a player named Engine, who was absolutely blood-thirsty for me. I had to watch my back whenever I was in open PvP zones. Good times. I hope you're doing well bro.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][h3]🧑🤝🧑 Character, Role & Clan Identity 🧑🤝🧑
[/h3][p]What makes your character special or unique?[/p][p]I think my character's looks were unique enough to be discernible from others because whenever I would put on my Cerulean Mask to pvp - people knew it was me.[/p][p][/p][p]What makes your clan special?[/p][p]Everyone shared a similar mindset and drive, and that collective passion is what kept the clan alive for so long. I believe Vengeful was one of the longest-running active clans in the game.[/p][p][/p][p]How has B&S and its community changed over the years?[/p][p]I’d say it evolved from a large, casual global player base into a smaller, more dedicated community. The original raid mechanics became a hurdle for players who couldn’t commit large amounts of time. Not everyone could put in 8-16+ hours per week just to learn raid mechanics. We all come from different walks of life, and for some of us, gaming is simply a way to turn off our brains and that is how I am nowadays[/p][p][/p][p]Have you ever quit and come back? What brought you back?[/p][p]I quit around August 2020. It was extremely difficult for me to do so, as I found it hard to walk away from everything I had invested in the game. I tend to form a strong sense of attachment, so when I quit, it’s permanent.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][h3]💬 Opinions & Hot Takes💬
[/h3][p]Do you have any hot takes that other players might disagree with?[/p][p]I thought the Blade & Soul anime was pretty good. It's not in my top 100 MAL or anything, but the anime was a decent watch.[/p][p][/p][h3]🏆 Pride & Accomplishments🏆
[/h3][p]What achievement are you proudest of your time in B&S?[/p][p]Solo-wise, that would be Mushin’s Tower. Clearing it for the speed achievement felt like a massive W after countless attempts. For group content, I breathed a huge sigh of relief after we finally cleared Scarlet Conservatory.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]♥︎ Personal Connection ♥︎[/h2][p]Has Blade & Soul ever helped you through a difficult time?[/p][p]Not particularly; however, it did provide a way to escape reality for a bit and enjoy time with my clan mates and friends.[/p][p][/p][p]Did B&S introduce you to friends or people who are still in your life today?[/p][p]Yes, a few still remain in my life today. Because of the distance, we don’t see each other often, but we always make an effort to plan lunch or dinner and catch up whenever I’m in their city.[/p][p][/p][p]Was there ever a moment in-game that genuinely moved you emotionally?[/p][p]R I P Master Hong![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]◆Looking Ahead◆[/h2][p]“…touched that the community still remembers me.”[/p][p][/p][p]What hopes do you have for the future of the game?[/p][p]A brand-new game with B&S inspired action combat style. The combat is what really makes the game so appealing. Any form of monetization in the game should be purely cosmetic rather than pay-to-win. Players’ time and effort should be respected, and progression should come from gameplay, not spending. Developers have to earn the right to monetize their games. That means you shouldn’t force players into spending money. Instead, the game should be fun and fair first, and players will support you because they actually enjoy it. This creates a healthier, more enjoyable community and a game that people actually want to stick with.[/p][p][/p][p]If you could send a message to your younger B&S self, what would it be?[/p][p]Bro, get a better mic.[/p][p][/p][p]Is there anything you’d like to say to the Blade & Soul community?[/p][p]I’m incredibly honored and humbled to have been selected for an interview, and even more touched that the community still remembers me. A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and a special shoutout to those who supported my channel. I hope I left a positive impact on the B&S community.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p]
[/h3][p]What’s your favorite B&S meme, joke, or community inside-joke?[/p][p]
I’m still haunted by the memory of a player named Engine, who was absolutely blood-thirsty for me. I had to watch my back whenever I was in open PvP zones. Good times. I hope you're doing well bro.[/p][p][/p][p]
[/h3][p]What makes your character special or unique?[/p][p]I think my character's looks were unique enough to be discernible from others because whenever I would put on my Cerulean Mask to pvp - people knew it was me.[/p][p][/p][p]What makes your clan special?[/p][p]Everyone shared a similar mindset and drive, and that collective passion is what kept the clan alive for so long. I believe Vengeful was one of the longest-running active clans in the game.[/p][p][/p][p]How has B&S and its community changed over the years?[/p][p]I’d say it evolved from a large, casual global player base into a smaller, more dedicated community. The original raid mechanics became a hurdle for players who couldn’t commit large amounts of time. Not everyone could put in 8-16+ hours per week just to learn raid mechanics. We all come from different walks of life, and for some of us, gaming is simply a way to turn off our brains and that is how I am nowadays[/p][p][/p][p]Have you ever quit and come back? What brought you back?[/p][p]I quit around August 2020. It was extremely difficult for me to do so, as I found it hard to walk away from everything I had invested in the game. I tend to form a strong sense of attachment, so when I quit, it’s permanent.[/p][p][/p][p]
[/h3][p]Do you have any hot takes that other players might disagree with?[/p][p]I thought the Blade & Soul anime was pretty good. It's not in my top 100 MAL or anything, but the anime was a decent watch.[/p][p][/p][h3]🏆 Pride & Accomplishments🏆
[/h3][p]What achievement are you proudest of your time in B&S?[/p][p]Solo-wise, that would be Mushin’s Tower. Clearing it for the speed achievement felt like a massive W after countless attempts. For group content, I breathed a huge sigh of relief after we finally cleared Scarlet Conservatory.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]♥︎ Personal Connection ♥︎[/h2][p]Has Blade & Soul ever helped you through a difficult time?[/p][p]Not particularly; however, it did provide a way to escape reality for a bit and enjoy time with my clan mates and friends.[/p][p][/p][p]Did B&S introduce you to friends or people who are still in your life today?[/p][p]Yes, a few still remain in my life today. Because of the distance, we don’t see each other often, but we always make an effort to plan lunch or dinner and catch up whenever I’m in their city.[/p][p][/p][p]Was there ever a moment in-game that genuinely moved you emotionally?[/p][p]R I P Master Hong![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]◆Looking Ahead◆[/h2][p]“…touched that the community still remembers me.”[/p][p][/p][p]What hopes do you have for the future of the game?[/p][p]A brand-new game with B&S inspired action combat style. The combat is what really makes the game so appealing. Any form of monetization in the game should be purely cosmetic rather than pay-to-win. Players’ time and effort should be respected, and progression should come from gameplay, not spending. Developers have to earn the right to monetize their games. That means you shouldn’t force players into spending money. Instead, the game should be fun and fair first, and players will support you because they actually enjoy it. This creates a healthier, more enjoyable community and a game that people actually want to stick with.[/p][p][/p][p]If you could send a message to your younger B&S self, what would it be?[/p][p]Bro, get a better mic.[/p][p][/p][p]Is there anything you’d like to say to the Blade & Soul community?[/p][p]I’m incredibly honored and humbled to have been selected for an interview, and even more touched that the community still remembers me. A heartfelt thank you to everyone, and a special shoutout to those who supported my channel. I hope I left a positive impact on the B&S community.[/p][p][/p][p]