Dev Talk: Shapeshifter Close-Up
The Wild Blood update launches October 16, and at its heart is a brand-new weapon line: Shapeshifter Weapons. In this Dev Talk, Game Director Robin Henkys and Combat Designer Michael Schwahn take an in-depth look at this significant expansion to Albion’s ‘you are what you wear’ system.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]A New Staff Line[/h3]
Shapeshifter Weapons introduce a whole new style of gameplay:
When in human form:
These are the different Shapes into which you can transform:
These Shapes offer a wide variety of playstyles:
Awareness of when to transform is crucial to using these weapons. This creates an active and enjoyable playstyle that is quick to pick up but offers a great deal of depth.
[h3]How to Get Them[/h3]
Shapeshifter Weapons:
Thus, Shapeshifter Weapons should remain quite rare and valuable, and bolster the appeal of Tracking.
Begin your hunt for a Shapeshifter Weapon when Wild Blood launches on October 16! Which will you pick?
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]A New Staff Line[/h3]
Shapeshifter Weapons introduce a whole new style of gameplay:
- There are seven different staffs
- Each lets you transform into a different creature, known as Shapes
- Each Shape has its own abilities and stats, from damage dealer to tank
When in human form:
- Shapeshifter Weapons can inflict damage, disrupt enemies, or support allies
- They can also transform enemies into weak, helpless creatures
- Using human-form abilities builds up Shift Charges, which provide energy to Shape-form abilities
These are the different Shapes into which you can transform:
- Shadow Panther: turns invisible when no enemies are nearby
- Sylvian: increases allies’ health, provides healing, and can create a shield for your allies
- Spirit Bear: an aggressive tank that disrupts enemies
- Werewolf: Heals itself and gains a speed boost from attacking enemies
- Hellfire Imp: Has very high damage but low defense; can revive in human form after death
- Runestone Golem: a huge tank which is immune to all forced movement
- Dawnbird: deals very high damage from a safe distance
These Shapes offer a wide variety of playstyles:
- They completely override your human armor stats, allowing you to change roles mid-combat
- For example, a Prowling Staff with Plate Armor makes you a tank in human form and an assassin in Shape form
- Previously active buffs continue in Shape form
- For example, you can use a Hunter Jacket then transform into a Werewolf to utilize the auto-attack buff
- Toggle and Channel abilities do not carry over
Awareness of when to transform is crucial to using these weapons. This creates an active and enjoyable playstyle that is quick to pick up but offers a great deal of depth.
[h3]How to Get Them[/h3]
Shapeshifter Weapons:
- Are crafted at the Hunter’s Lodge
- Require rare ingredients dropped by the corresponding creature in the open world
- These can be found using Tracking Kits
Thus, Shapeshifter Weapons should remain quite rare and valuable, and bolster the appeal of Tracking.
Begin your hunt for a Shapeshifter Weapon when Wild Blood launches on October 16! Which will you pick?