NCsoft has announced the 'key updates' Aion is receiving on their Korean launch on 25th.
Updated November 24th with details
----------------------------------------------------------
Source: Official Korean Site
----------------------------------------------------------
The key content updates are as follows:
Character- Characters can now be leveled up to level 45.
- The limit on number of characters per account is now raised to 5. Please note that you can only create characters of the same race on each server.
- Characters over level 20 have a 7 day delay for deletion. Characters under level 20 have a 5 minute delay.
note: Aion launched without OB wipe.
Abyss
The abyss area will finally be revealed. This is a strategically important area for all three factions of Atreia - the Elyos, the Asmodians and the Balaur - that was created as the Tower of Eternity split apart. Each of the factions will fight for their lives in this area and Aion's world will shift according to its dynamics.
The Abyss also contains PvE content past level 25 and features seamless flight throughout all its areas.
- How to enter the Abyss
At level 25 you will automatically receive a quest that allows you access to the abyss upon completion. The abyss gates are located in the air and underground of Elyos and Asmodian strongholds.
- Fortress Sieges
Players can now lay attack on fortresses and bring them under their racial control. Sieges will begin with the fortresses on the lowest floor of the Abyss, but will eventually expand to all floors. Each fortress will open for sieging throughout the week at a specific rate. On weekends the rate will be slightly higher.
- Gaining Victory
When a fortress opens for sieging, a guardian of the controlling race will be placed to defend the fortress. The attacking faction will need to defeat the guardian to acquire victory, while the defending faction will need to protect the guardian. At launch all fortresses will be in the posession of the Balaur, and players will need to eliminate the Balaur guardian in order to take control of the fortress.
- Gaining Ownership
Upon victory, ownership of the fortress will be allocated in the following manner:
- Legions associated with the individual, party leader (party), and force leader (force) that made the greatest contribution to the siege
- If the individual, party leader (party), and force leader (force) are not associated with a Legion, ownership will fall to the racial faction itself.
- Siege Earnings
Upon winning a siege battle, part of the taxes accumulated by the Fortress is rewarded to the Legion(s) and the individuals that participated in the siege. Also, while in possession of the Fortress, taxes earned by the Fortress will be forwarded to those that are applicable every 12 hours. Tax money earned in this manner will decrease with time, and are limited in count.
- Individuals: Upon victory, the top 100 participants (based on Abyss point accumulation during siege) will be rewarded a portion of the earned gold and achievements. Rewards will be delivered by mail.
- Legions: A portion of the earned gold will be given to the Legion(s) that take ownership of the Fortress. Additional earnings from ownership will be given every 12 hours. Legion leaders will be able to verify the details through the Legion interface. Rewards will be delivered to the Legion bank.
The Balaur may try to retake any Fortress that is open for siege at any given time, so players will need to be on their guard at all times.
- Abyss Rankings
Accumulated Abyss points will determine your status within your faction as well as granting you access to various benefits. The calculation will take place every week on Monday at noon. Ranks within the faction will be determined at this time, and will stay with the player for the week.
- Artifact Battles
Elyos and Asmodians as well as the Balaur are able to wage battles in order to gain use of the Artifacts. Artifacts are located at strategic points within the Abyss and their power can be of great use in Fortress sieges.
Instanced Dungeons
The following instanced dungeons have been added to Atreia in the Interdica (Elyos area) and Belusran (Asmodian area) areas. These are meant to be enjoyed in parties and will be a source of rewards unavailable in non-instanced hunting areas.
Instanced dungeons can only be accessed once every 12 hours. If all members of a party exits an active instanced dungeon, the dungeon will reset after 15 minutes.
Note: 5 dungeons were supposed to be added, no clue what happened to the 5th one.
Interdica
- Secret Laboratory
A laboratory run by the Lepar in the deepest of their laboratory grounds. It is said that the Lepar are conducting experiments on creatures found in the area, away from the watchful eyes of Elysium.
- Indratu Stronghold
The base of operations for the army under Balaur emperor Tiamat, lead by Indratu. It is guarded by Indratu and his 4 elite generals so only the strongest of Daeva may enter. The stronghold is accessible from the Kraltumag cave in the Interdica area of the Abyss.
Belusran
- Alchemia Mansion
A haunting castle found deep in the Alchemia stronghold. The lab used to be the home of the wealthiest merchant in Belusran, but has since been taken over by the Lepar. Its heavy doors remain shut and on windy days screams can be heard within its walls.
- Draupnir Caves
Cave located to the east of Belusran. The cave was once an ice cave but took its current form when the Balur forced up the underlaying lava to harvest energy. A balaur legion of Bakarma has set up a contraption in this area that is dissipating the energy of Aether in all of Atreia.
Other
- Player Character Changes
- Combat effects during movement will not take effect when jumping.
Note: fleiva has clarified that 'combat effects' means the movement bonuses (the small arrow under your character that gives you certain bonuses while moving in combat mode) that now don't affect while jumping. Jump-shotting has not been patched.- Kibelisks cannot be set again after player changes channel.
- A bug that eliminated DP aura effects after transforming through the disease given by 'Dancing Fungus' monster has been fixed.
Note: All others are minor bug fixes so I won't translate them.
