Grab Bag - April 11, 2008

It's Friday and that means Grab Bag time!


In PoC the Albion side boss "Rheton" drops a cloak called "Rheton's Shroud." According to several DAoC websites this item is available for all realms. I've killed him 20+ times and have duplicates and triplicates of all of his drops except not a single cloak for Albion. I would assume this is bad luck, but someone I know plays in Hibernia and says he has 8 of them, which leads me to believe that it is not rare. Can you confirm if the item is available to all realms?

The Lady of the Jewels snuck into PoC to have a look at Rheton: The shroud is only available to drop for Mids and Hibs who kill Rheton. Albs get a drop instead called Rheton's Skewer, a polearm.

There is a Greater Onslaught Mythirian which siege speed is increased by 6. I know it works if you are the driver of the siege equipment but does it work if you are not the driver of the siege equipment?

After a bit of testing to be sure, the Balancinator answers: No, the Greater Onslaught Mythirian is only effective if the operator of the ram has it equipped.

The Royal Illuminator describes different enchantments for the Champion weapons than what the Weaponmaster offers. For Minstrel melee weapon, descriptions of "Sapped Breath" and "Breath of Grace" are offered, but the Weaponmaster offers "King's Precision" and "Perfectly Balanced". The enchantments don't match for the Harp either. Is this an error in Illuminator's descriptions or in what the Weaponmaster is offering?

After quietly curtseying to the King, the Lady of the Jewels responds: The Champion Weapon enhancements that are offered by the Academy's Weaponmaster are the correct ones. The Royal Illuminator for Albion seems to be a bit confused as to what enhancements are currently available to Minstrels. This issue is now in our bug tracker and is awaiting a fix. Thank you for the report!

How do I start a second account?

The Bearded Wonder smiled and was eager to explain: Download the 14-day trial version. Sign up for an account via that method, using the trial disc cd-key and then you have the game up to the Catacombs client. If you want to enable additional expansions for the second account, you can do so, and we encourage it! If you need more info, our Technical Support department can walk you through it.

I'm a Legendary crafter in all crafts. I recently made a Dragonsworn staff for my guildie who is a Shaman. He could not equip it. Is this an oversight?

The Lady of the Jewels says that it wasn't an oversight: Even though Shamans can equip Staves, not all Staves in the game can be used by Shamans. Many are designated specifically for cloth casters.

Regarding Siegecrafting, I've tried to find an area with information pertaining to what particular siege weapons I can make and successfully use in a particular battleground, but have found none. Where can I find the cap level on siege for each Battleground?

Our Bearded Wonder found the information you are looking for: http://www.camelotherald.com/news/news_article.php?storyid=3235

Each battleground has restrictions on the level of siege engine that can be built there. Sturdy and all lesser siege can be built in Thidranki. Leirvik will accept everything up to and including the rugged set.

What attributes do flexible weapons need? I know strength is for crush and slash, so if I have a flex crush/slash do I just need strength?

Answering quickly and then singing a song, the Balancinator replies: No, flexible weapons utilize both dexterity and strength regardless of which type of damage the flexible weapon deals.

When I update Pendragon and play, then update Normal and play it always downloads the same files. I could update back and forth several times and it would keep changing the files. Is there really a difference in these files or is there something I can do to prevent this overlap in updating of the two different versions of the game?

Staring intently at his computer screen and without blinking, the Bearded Wonder explains: Typically there might be new files on Pendragon that are being tested. The same files exist on the live game, so they are updated when you patch to live if you were on Pendragon last, and vice versa. You could install the game in a second directory and then use one for Live and one for Test and you will avoid the back and forth that way.

I have just obtained, my Champion weapon and dragon weapon for my Ranger. Both have a five percent slash/thrust/crush to them. However when I equip them both one to main hand and the other offand I only get five percent and not ten. Is this a bug, or is it supposed to be set up like that?

The Balancinator knew the answer immediately: I hate being the bearer of bad news. It is not a bug; the resistance bonus spells on the weapons do not stack.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

We're looking for a few good players to become part of our Team Lead Program. Our available positions include the PvE Ruleset, Thane, Wizard and Bonedancer. If you think you have what it takes to be our next Team Lead, then send in your Application Today!

The weekend of April 25/26th, the players of Gaheris (PvE Ruleset) will be hosting their first (of three) play on Gaheris weekends. Details are still being ironed out, but as the date gets closer we'll have all the details for you here on the Herald.

We've had many requests about version 1.94 and when it will be ready to be tested on Pendragon. Just where are those patch notes anyways? Many of our recent engineering efforts were spent refining 1.93 and reacting to stability issues and in turn 1.94 has been delayed. All the Devs are hard at work and I think you will like what's coming up! It won't be too long.

Mark your calendars for May 10th and come join us in Bethesda, Maryland for the next Camelot Road Trip. I will be there along with a couple of good friends of mine that happen to have a Dev title above their heads. We will talk about Camelot, snack on free food, give away some cool prizes and answer YOUR questions. Please RSVP, so we can make sure there are enough snacks to go around.

This week seemed to go by in a flash, it's hard to believe it's Friday. I'm not complaining, but I think chocolate is in order to celebrate that the weekend has arrived. Take care everyone, I'll see you on Monday.