The latest: This happens tonight! Starts at 6p Eastern with our private invite-only preview, then Bullroarer opens at 10:00 AM Eastern tomorrow for everyone. Bullroarer will remain open until 5pm Eastern on Friday.
This is a first preview of the upcoming Mariner class! Take a look at the Mariner and give it a run and get us your feedback this week. Here's some info:
The Mariner is a sword-wielding melee fighter who is not afraid to face opponents head-on! They have two core mechanics: Balance and Swordplay. Balance is a two-directional pip system which represents your overall combat position, where you can be balanced, leaning fore, or leaning aft. If you lean too far in either direction, you become unbalanced (with consequences!) Swordplay encompasses the fact that your combat skills give selective bonuses to other skills when used in a direct sequence. This means that after using any swordplay skill, you'll gain unique bonuses to a small number of other swordplay skills, allowing shred players to construct devastating sequences of skills.
From a role perspective, the mariner has three trait lines:
- The Shantycaller line is a group support role focused on increasing the damage your allies deal, while also providing some defensive support and minor healing. Shanty-calling is (obviously!) focused on sea-shanties, which motivate and buoy the morale of your fellows.
- The Duellist line is a damage dealer focused on swordplay skill combos to apply relentless pressure. The duellist is a primary damage-dealer, and forgoes much of the fellowship support available to shanty-callers and rovers in order to maximize damage output.
- The Rover is the first new 'true' support specialization added to the game since its launch, and will allow players to CC and debuff monsters the way players are accustomed to on yellow-line Burglars and Lore-masters. Rovers focus on strange materials and concoctions to confound and impede enemies.
Class Difficulty: Advanced
Role: Offence/Support
Gameplay: Mariners are confident melee fighters who wield swords deftly to challenge the forces of evil. Mariners have an innate sense of the flow of combat, and use their balance to adjust their fighting style to best fit the moment. Mariners also know how to use combinations of individual movements to create powerful skill chains. In fellowships, Mariners can use shanties to coordinate and motivate their allies, as well as craft strange concoctions to confound and disrupt foes.
Lore: Mariners are resourceful combatants, capable of using strange devices as well as their surroundings to aid them in battle.
