ArenaNet Announces Guild Wars Nightfall

[SK]

Guild Wars Players Invited to Play in Exclusive Player-Versus-Player Event as Beta Testing Launches for Next Guild Wars Campaign

Brighton, England (July 18th , 2006) – ArenaNet®, developer of the world’s leading subscription-free online role playing games Guild Wars® and Guild Wars Factions™, and NCsoft® Europe, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, announce today the title of the next game in the award-winning franchise, Guild Wars Nightfall™. Further, Guild Wars Nightfall has entered the beta testing stage and Guild Wars players worldwide are invited to participate in an exclusive, first-look player-versus-player (PvP) event, July 28 – 31, 2006.

During the PvP Preview Event, both Guild Wars Prophecies and Guild Wars Factions players will get a first look at Guild Wars Nightfall, and will be able to try out the two new professions being introduced in the game; the Dervish, a scythe-wielding holy warrior, and the Paragon, guardian angel of the Elonian people. In addition to testing out the new professions and arenas, players will also be able to compete for items that will be exchangeable for a variety of rewards throughout the weekend event.

The Guild Wars Nightfall PvP Preview event will kick off on Friday, July 28 at 08:00 BST / 09:00 CET and will continue through Monday, July 31 to 07:59 BST / 08:59 CET.

Guild Wars, an instant bestseller worldwide upon its release in April 2005, and Guild Wars Factions, the number one game in both North America and Europe earlier this year, are global online role playing games. Guild Wars Nightfall will continue the tradition of inviting players to immerse themselves in an epic storyline centered in a vibrant fantasy setting, build personalised characters, compete in head-to-head battles with players from around the world, and find adventure in missions and quests, in a Guild Wars game unlike any player have seen before.

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Chapter 3 already :D

[SK]

Forget "campaign 3." The next chapter in the Guild Wars franchise now has a name: Nightfall. Like Guild Wars Factions, Nightfall is a stand-alone chapter in the Guild Wars online role-plaing saga and it will introduce a new continent to explore, new gameplay features to experience, and two new professions to play with. We got our first glimpse of Nightfall during the Electronic Entertainment Expo and learned that this chapter is set in a North Africa-like setting, with sun-drenched coastlines and dry, desert interiors.


The paragon is the ideal battle commander, capable of supporting frontline troops with both spears and magical chants.

Like the original Guild Wars and Factions, Nightfall follows ArenaNet's interesting pricing model. You'll purchase Nightfall like you would a regular game, but it won't require any monthly subscription to play online. And you won't require any of the previous Guild Wars games to play Nightfall, though if you do own them, you'll be able to transfer your existing characters about the ever-growing Guild Wars world.

Nightfall has actually begun its beta test, and ArenaNet plans to hold an "open house" for current Guild Wars players between July 28 and 30. You'll be able to check out this new chapter yourself, as well as create characters based on the two new professions in Nightfall. And without further delay, we have the details on what you'll be able to play as. If ArenaNet sticks to its six-month publishing schedule for chapters, then we should see Nightfall ship later this year.

The Paragon
The paragon isn't meant to be a frontline fighter. Instead, the paragon is best suited in a support role as a battle commander, capable of supporting teammates by throwing spears and using verbal chants and shouts that can boost the fighting abilities of those nearby. And the paragon's angelic nature isn't just aesthetic, as this profession's presence can help teammates resist hexes and other curses.

It's easy to identify paragons on the battlefield, thanks to their angelic look. Even the paragon's armor is saintly in appearance, thanks to the incorporation of ivory and mother of pearl in its materials. And if that weren't enough, a paragon's metal armor usually has the form of wings engraved in it. It's no wonder that the Elonians in the game believe that paragons are guardian angels sent by the gods to serve as champions for the people.


The dervish is a holy warrior that is fast and deadly in a fight.

The Dervish
If the paragon is best while standing back from a fight, the dervish is at home in the heart of one. These holy warriors are capable of striking at multiple targets simultaneously with their wicked scythes. Of course, they're armed with a whirling, spinning attack that's perfect for when in the middle of a bunch of foes. Dervishes can also cast spells on themselves that aid in their assault, and the profession has various healing and protection abilities as well. The profession's most powerful ability, however, is to temporarily transform into the physical embodiment of a god.

Since the profession is part warrior and part priest, dervishes are clad in robes rather than armor. Protection comes mainly from the dervish's agility in battle, as well as the various protection enhancements and spells. In addition to the robe, dervishes are equipped with bracers on their arms, and they're constantly hooded to show their humility to their gods.

Source (http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/guildwarscampaign3/news.html?sid=6154159)

Paragon = White armour
Devrish = Blue type coloured armour

[Pro]v[etheus]

Not wasting their time with this one ,just hope they've put sometime and effort into making it good.

[SK]

I can't help but notice they mention their European office. Either the Press Release has come from their offices or this chapter was mainly developed in the EU?

Paragon looks like an Ele, whilst the Devish looks like the Factions Ritualist.

[Ignatz Karko]

i seem to have a vision...

"LA Dis 1:

"NAKED PARAGONS DANCING AT STORAGE!!!"

wammos meeting there :D "

i hope those guys get a unique look and dont look like chars of other professions

[Pro]v[etheus]

snip...Paragon looks like an Ele, whilst the Devish looks like the Factions Ritualist.
When i first looked at the Paragon before i realised that's what it was i thought the same as you. I'd like to give both chars a go but most likely as with the rit and assn they won't be supported in future episodes.

[SK]

When a corrupt ruler summons the power of an outcast god and infects the land with a creeping darkness, it will take a band of heroes to save Elona. Guild Wars Nightfall is the roleplaying game gamers have been waiting for – an intimate, heroic experience where your decisions shape your personal game experience and your customizable party becomes an extension of your character. In this third campaign in the award-winning Guild Wars® universe, this is Guild Wars® like you've never seen before. With more than two million copies sold worldwide, Guild Wars® is the award-winning epic roleplaying game that revolutionized online gaming with its free gameplay.


Customizable Heroes (party NPCs) that level up with the player, follow player instructions in combat, and use armor, weapons, and skills of the player’s choice.

A new game type, Hero vs. Hero Battles will allow a single player to participate in PvP with hero NPCs.

Two new professions: The Dervish, a scythe-wielding holy warrior and The Paragon, the guardian angels of the Elonian people.

4 new guild halls.

300 new skills.

250 Quests, 55 explorable areas, 20 new Story Missions, and three new Challenge Missions.

Peerless online RPG action with no monthly fees



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We can customize the henchmen? I really hope so. Like I said before though if you can it will be rare I will play with other real players again.

[Pro]v[etheus]

I like the idea but i think it could mean goodbye PvE guilds :(

[SK]

It depends. Playing with other people is obviously more fun. Useful though when your party can't find healing monks. Like last night I wanted to use the warrior but had to revert to use the monk.
I guess you can teach them skills but how can you teach them how to use the skills? A boon/prot monk is great but requires knowing when and when not to heal. The current Protection monk spam’s Protective Spirit which at 10+2 energy eats energy very quickly. The skill should only be used when someone is taking high damage constantly and you can't out-heal the damage being done. It's an anti-spike skill. Mend Condition should be used for healing as well as condition removal. Faction henchmen remove conditions as soon as they arrive. You can do 150+ healing with it. It's better to let the person loose some health and use it when needed. Obviously unless it’s something like blind then remove at a melee characters request.

This isn't just for PvE they are allowing you to do this in PvP too. I suppose it will be funny to see an 1+7 Human/NPC team take on and kill an all human PvP team.

Should be interesting though. Bet you can't it how to be a 55 or echo SS for the UW or even do 50/50 ectos :)

[Vorm]

bring back DAoC :D

[SK]

You tried GW once...

[Vorm]

I did, and it's very pretty. But I simply don't have the time to get into a game like that to any depth. It's a shame, but it gives me another reason to look forward to retirement. :)

[SK]

ArenaNet Announces Pre-Release Bonus Pack for Guild Wars Nightfall

Fans to get first taste of next Guild Wars® game in new retail package that will include exclusive character items, an additional character slot, screenshots and more

Tuesday 1 August 2006, Brighton, UK/… ArenaNet® and NCsoft® Europe today announced a brand new retail package which will soon give Guild Wars® players their first look inside the exciting upcoming release, Guild Wars Nightfall™. The announcement comes hot on the heels of the Guild Wars Nightfall PvP Preview Event where players were able to create characters using the new Nightfall professions.
The Guild Wars Nightfall Pre-Release Bonus Pack is expected to hit store shelves on 15th September and will feature:

Guild Wars “Play Now” key for a 10-hour/14-day trial* of Guild Wars Prophecies™ and Guild Wars Factions™.
Guild Wars Nightfall Bonus Key, providing one additional character slot for a Guild Wars Nightfall account, as well as two exclusive items for the new professions — a Firey Sunspear of Shelter for the Paragon and an Icy Soulbreaker of Enchanting for the Dervish
Mini strategy guide, concept art, screenshots, in-game renders of characters and items, preview trailer, wallpapers, lore, quick reference card, music, and more! Guild Wars Nightfall takes place on the continent of Elona, Land of the Golden Sun. It is a nation comprised of three great provinces. The island province of Istan is the home of a vibrant people who live among the monuments of an ancient empire. The military province of Kourna, under the command of its great leader, Warmarshal Varesh, hugs the shores of the mighty river Elon. And in the rugged lands to the north, the Princes of Vabbi rule from their opulent citadels. Elona is a land of wealth and power, protected by its champions, the Order of the Sunspears. In Guild Wars Nightfall, Elona has fallen under the shadow of an evil, outcast god. Against the encroaching desolation of an infernal realm, the people of Elona will need more than a hero to save them, they will need a hero to lead them ... for nightfall is at hand.
Guild Wars, an instant bestseller worldwide upon its release in April 2005, and Guild Wars Factions, the number one game in both North America and Europe earlier this year, are global online role-playing games. Guild Wars Nightfall™ will continue the tradition of inviting players to immerse themselves in an epic storyline centered in a vibrant fantasy setting, build personalised characters, and find adventure in missions and quests in a Guild Wars game unlike any players have seen before.
For more information about Guild Wars Nightfall, and previous Guild Wars campaigns, please visit the official website – http://eu.guildwars.com (http://eu.guildwars.com/)
* The trial code is for a maximum of 10 hours of game play over a 14 day period from the time the key is activated.

[Crille]

i haven't completed factions yet and nightfalls comes out, i gotta catch up.