#upper abyss

[azsurance]

Aion 5.3 - Abyss & Siege Changes

This is one of the core content for 5.3 and mind you, it is huge. I don’t think that I’m able to unload everything without overwhelming everyone. I’ll just list down what I know regarding this portion:

1. Removal of Gelkmaros & Inggison fortresses

I hope none of you have an attachment to Gelkmaros and Inggison fortresses because they are going to be closed off indefinitely, alongside with their respective artifacts. The removal also includes the siege quests, instances (goodbye Esoterrace) etc that are currently available via the fortresses. NPCs selling morph recipes and materials will probably see a relocation though.

So the only fortresses we are left with now are Upper and Lower Abyss, Kaldor and Panesterra. And that also makes Kaldor the only land fortress.

2. Reduction of Abyss maps

Attached in the screenshots are the 5.3 Lower Abyss map and the current Lower Abyss map. You’d noticed that it has shrunk significantly, the similar changes have been applied to the Upper Abyss too.

They want to make it easier for players to get around to objectives quickly, which makes sense.

3. Artifact Upgrades

As more players advance to level 75, naturally this would mean that their overall stats will be higher. This also means that the current artifact effects would not have a significant impact on them. As a result, their effects have been upgraded.

Hellfire Array - It now inflicts 3900 (currently 3300) damage over a duration of 5 times

Soul Crush - It now inflicts damage to 95% of your max MP (currently 2000 MP) over a duration of 5 times

Some artifacts in the Lower Abyss also had their effects and position changed.

4. New Siege Group System

Here comes the complicated bit, I don’t think I am able to elaborate the full extent of it here. You will require at least 24 players to setup this group system.

Utilizing this over the regular alliance and league system would allow you to access a more advanced UI, which opens up to brand new utilities and skills that are usable by the leaders and sub-leaders. It is also only through this mode that you are able to receive the new spinel medals and spinel medal fragments.

This mode has a maximum capacity of up to 576 players, and it has a level requirement depending on where the siege is located (level 45 and higher for Lower Abyss, and level 66 and higher for anywhere else).

5. Miscellaneous Changes

Other minor things include:

- Stronghold benefits upgrades, the level 66+ instances are now included - Auto-emergence of fortress bosses (eg. Anoha) upon reaching the maximum occupational limit - Change in siege schedules - Shugo mercenary buff system (the white ships you see in the attached screenshot)

This is all I have at the top of my head, I may have missed out a few things here. So just shoot my inbox if you think something is missing. I’ll make a separate post to cover the part regarding the new siege group system.

[azsurance]

Winds of Fate II - Faction Base Invasion

For the people who missed their Primum, Teminon invasion days, there will be much fun ahead for you.

In addition to flipping bases, artifacts, fortresses and PVP, there is an insanely quick method for adding points to the faction incentive system. You can literally do an invasion of the opposing faction's base and kill trophies that offer a huge chunk of points (see screenshots).

And of course, this is no walk in the park, expect tower deaths, NPC zergs while fighting off the opposing faction players themselves. Only recommended for the most bravest and dedicated of players.

[azsurance]

Winds of Fate II - Mythic Bloodmark Weapons Variations

In the light of this post, I think it’s great that NCsoft is covering all the bases for all the classes. The recent patch added more variations for the Mythic Bloodmark series (only for the weapons though).

The variations include the following:

- Higher Accuracy/Crit Strike or Magic Accuracy/Crit Spell instead of Attack/Magic Boost stats - Different resistance (paralysis vs silence) - Attack speed variations; notably Mace*, Orb, Tome, Harp - Magic variations; notably Staff

Extra Notes

- The Attack Speed Mace has physical stats instead of magic stats - The Tome/Orb and Harp have 17% and 9% Attack Speed respectively

[azsurance]

A little tour of the special features that wasn’t seen (in screenshot) on the last few posts. Portals, NPCs and buffs lined up at your disposal once you unlocked certain levels in the Upper Abyss Faction Incentive System.

Regarding the buff system; unfortunately, you can’t apply all 3 buffs at once (it’s a fair system I suppose). While the buff does not state a specific amount on it’s tool-tip, they do stack with other class buffs and will not be override. They all last for an hour before expiring.

[azsurance]

Winds of Fate II - Faction Incentive System Benefits

I didn’t want the cram the earlier post since it can be a bit too much for people to absorb. Here’s the full list of benefits from Level 1 to 8 for the Upper Abyss faction incentive system.

Level 1

- Enshar Portal (Asmo) - Cygnea Portal (Elyos) - Basic NPCs (General Merchant, Warehouse etc) - Bloodmark/Bloodmark Insignia Exchange Vendor - Kysis Fortress Infiltration Portal (max 10 usage limit)

Level 2

- Pandemonium Portal (Asmo) - Sanctum Portal (Elyos) - AP Consumables Vendor - Base NPCs Upgrade - Krotan & Miren Fortress Infiltration Portal (max 10 usage limit)

Level 3

- Gelkmaros Portal (Asmo) - Inggison Portal (Elyos) - Flight Buff   - Ancient Coin Consumables Vendor - Crafting Vendors (Flux, Balic etc)

Level 4

- Levinshor Portal - Kaldor Portal - Relic Exchange NPC (50% Increase) - Stronghold NPCs upgrade - HP Buff

Level 5

- Illuminary Obelisk Portal - Bloodmark Insignia Vendor - PVP Attack Buff

Level 6

- Stronghold NPCs upgrade - Bloodmark Vendor (42% discount) - Danaur Reliquary Portal - Krotan, Kysis & Miren Barracks Infiltration Portal

Level 7

- Conditioning NPC (lower cost) - Infinity Shard Portal - Illuminary Obelisk additional entry count (+1, weekly) - Danaur Reliquary additional entry count (+1, weekly)

Level 8

- Stronghold NPCs upgrade - Augmenting NPC (lower cost) - Infinity Shard additional entry count (+1, weekly) - Eternal Bastion Portal - Eternal Bastion additional entry count (+1, daily)

Extra Notes

- Stronghold buffs must be applied manually via the NPC, it lasts for an hour - The Barracks share the same entry count as the original source but have better rewards - The Bloodmark Insignia Vendor sells a variety of consumables - Upgraded base NPCs will give out quests that also reward upgrade points to your faction’s incentive system

[azsurance]

Winds of Fate II - Upper Abyss Faction Incentive System

If you didn’t cared about Abyss sieges before, this little update might certainly make you. 

Following the lore, both the Asmodians and Elyos have setup strongholds in the Upper Abyss to not only keep the Balaur threat in check, but as well as one another. Your faction’s stronghold can be now be upgraded to provide great benefits to the entire faction, and you can do so based on the victories your faction has achieved in the Upper Abyss.

Note: This incentive system is for the Upper Abyss only

The incentive system works with a level format, from the basic 1 to the max of 8 (it will never go below 1). Every time your faction flips a base, an artifact or a fortress, your faction scores achievement points, which will be updated into that cool little window. With enough points scored, it will level up; however, with gains also come losses. If you lose a base, an artifact or a fortress (by either the opposing faction or Balaur), you will lose achievement points. And with enough losses, you can drop levels.

NCsoft has made the Balaur pretty active since the new Abyss patch, so there’s little worry of a stagnant progress unless all players have no lives. 

Most of the benefits are revolved around portals to other regions, special NPCs and instance entry count buffs. The most notable ones are probably the following:

- Eternal Bastion; grants additional entry count (Level 8 benefit) - Augment NPC; lower augmenting costs (Level 8 benefit) - Bloodmark NPC; 42% discount on BM related purchases (Level 6 benefit) - PVP buff NPC; self-explanatory (Level 5 benefit) - Kaldor portal; self-explanatory (Level 4 benefit) - Flight-time buff NPC; increases flight time recovery (Level 3 benefit)

Note: The instance entry count buffs granted by the benefits are unique as they increase the default entry count (eg. if you had an instance boost pack, your default EB entry count would now be 3/3)

An upgraded stronghold also directly affects the bases and artifacts when captured, the NPCs guarding it will be stronger and they will also give out special quests whereby upon completion, will award more achievement points for your stronghold.

tl;dr - If you played games like Starcraft before, this system is pretty much mimicking it. Your participation and activity strengthens your base, which in turns benefits everyone in the faction. If you want to preserve and maintain your benefits, then you have to keep showing up.

Servers who currently own the UA fortresses will benefit greatly in the long run. The overall changes will also allow fortresses to change hands easily unlike now, as the basic benefits involve an infiltration portal to within the opposing faction’s fortress during siege. 

This is NCsoft’s method of keeping the Abyss alive.

[azsurance]

Winds of Fate II - Upper Abyss World Boss ( 빙갑 마법병기 디플로독스)

This thing has so much HP, it’s not even funny. Look at the how slow it’s HP is dropping despite the DPS coming from 6 alliances. The boss comes in two variations, this one drops a new mythic wings.

[azsurance]

Winds of Fate II - Upper Abyss New Campaign

I’m gonna say this first; unfortunately, completion of this campaign favours the elyos more. This is the other campaign alongside the Enshar/Cygnea campaign that you’re required to complete before it unlocks the Daevonian mythic quest chain.

The campaign is very straightforward, talking, gathering and killing quest mobs. The gathering portion however, requires you to enter the Roah region; and guess who’s faction base is closest to Roah? 

(campaign content is consistent for both factions)

You’re then tasked with killing some of Ereskigal’s balaurs stationed around Krotan. This will be difficult to solo if you’re not geared as these are elite mobs that do hit hard.

After turning-in your quests, you will have two cutscenes describing the situation at Divine Fortress and the overall situation of the Abyss (Ereshkigal is returning). You’re then awarded with EXP and Bloodmark Insignias.

1) Divine Fortress Cutscene - X

2) Upper Abyss Cutscene - X