ECO Open Beta

Hey Hemi-tan, ECO open beta is coming out on September 30th. You may now go back to hyping yourselves up.

It also seems that there’s a event called “Who is Blogging ECO?” with a prize of in-game credit. I guess I am, although I’ll be forcing Zen to write later on.

ECO – Starting Out and Features

There is a lot to do in ECO, so I’ll explain a bit about what happens at the beginning. In addition, I’ll talk briefly about the game system and mechanics, as well as some of the distinctive features, including the marionette and possession systems.

ECO – Stats

In ECO, in addition to players’ appearances and skills (from jobs), the assignment of stat points contributes greatly to the development of a character. Depending on the type of character you wish to make, everyone will inevitably have different stat builds. There are 6 main stats: STR, DEX, INT, VIT, AGI, MAG. I will explain what each stat effects, outline the substats and describe status effects as well.

As you level, you get increasingly more points to assign to whichever stats you wish. You will be prompted to verify your assignment before confirming. By manipulating the main stats, you can see how the substats are affected. Note that it is possible to reset stats (at a cost of 1000G x BaseLv). So you don’t have to force yourself to think of stat builds. It’s just that I prefer to analyze mechanics ^^;;

For those who can read Japanese: ECO simulator

ECO Client Download Available

The ECO client (~1GB) is available for download! I recommend using FlashGet and either mirror #2 or #3. They were pretty fast and it took around 4 hours for me. Installed it and started up the client…. Ahhh, how nostalgic! I immediately set up my settings (I prefer windowed 1280×960). For Vista users, remember to give yourself ‘modify’ priviledges for the ECO folder so you can save your settings and screenshots. Meanwhile, I’m listening to the BGM tracks.

The registration for CB has also begun. Make sure you register for both a Run-Up Games account (I signed up at the Malyasian site) and ECO account. They need to be linked. If you signed up for ECO on the game site,  you will have to login to your Run-Up Games account and click on the ECO icon and then register the existing account by inputting the game ID and password. Alternatively, you can apply for an ECO game ID directly from the Run-Up Games site.

I’m going to write up a bit on basic info about stats and systems before CB begins. Please look forward to it if you’re interested in playing ^^

ECO – Races and Jobs

The English version of Emil Chronicle Online (ECO) is finally coming out! Run-Up games have announced that closed beta will begin in Malalysia/Singapore on July 8th and it should be open to anyone who wishes to play. It’s been a long time waiting (4 years in total), but it’s here! It seems like they’re going to start at Saga 3 with the Dark Castle. I know I said I wouldn’t play another MMO, but I’m going to play casually.

ECO is a Japanese 3d cel-shaded cute (but grindy) MMORPG produced by GungHo/Broccoli/Headlock. The game system is similar to Ragnarok Online, but is better in many aspects. In addition to full sprite customization, there is also a possession and marionette system which are very useful for combat and partying. I played ECO when it first came out in Japan and it was one of my favorite MMOs. The only problem was that my friends could not share in the fun since they didn’t understand the language. However, with the English release, I hope that we will have a fun time in this heartful MMO!

I’ve written a post before on ECO that explains some aspects of the game, and also contains screenshots. So please do check it out. For this post, I’ll write a bit on the 3 races and 12 basic jobs in the game. Hopefully this will increase your interest in the game.

Nendoroid Nao – Staccato Ver.

Good Smile Company made another Nao nendoroid… this time it’s the Mabinogi Staccato version and is a collaboration with Dengeki Hobby! I’m sure you all know that Nao is the mascot from popular MMORPG Mabinogi. Mabinogi Staccato is a 2008 collaboration project between Nexon Japan and Dengeki.

This is an exclusive figure and you need to buy this month’s Dengeki Hobby magazine to obtain a preorder form which must be completed between May 25th and July 15th. I’ve heard some people have found ways around this though. Nao stands 100mm tall and costs 3000 yen. The release date is in November. As usual with nendoroids, the parts are interchangeable with other nendoroids. She comes with glasses and a bag. More pictures can be found on Mika-tan’s blog at Good Smile Company.

Mabinogi Staccato is a manga based off Mabinogi by Tamon Yoshiyuki that ran in Dengeki Maou magazine. It is a love comedy in a school setting, but with familiar characters from the game, such as Nao, Lorna, Pan and the whole Tir Chonaill cast. The main protagonist is Irio, along with Nao, a tennen girl who loves him. Then, suddenly a succubus by the name of Sharuru appears and kisses Irio in front of Nao! The first chapter of Mabinogi Staccato is available from the Dengeki’s website. I should go buy this.

Dengeki Hobby product page
Good Smile Company

Pioneers of Iria – Looking Ahead

There is more to Chapter 2 than just Rano, Connus and Physis! While it is unlikely that the next patch, G7, will come soon after this sizable patch, there is still lots more to look forward to in the upcoming months.

Please remember that the addition of content from this overview (specified from the last 6 posts) is subject to Nexon NA’s discretion. Content from G7 will not be implemented in this patch.

Pioneers of Iria – Miscellaneous

Aside from the major content that most players are aware of, there is a long list of minor changes in this patch. The implementation of new equipment, upgrades and titles will allow for new character looks and equipment sets. Wearing certain types of equipments together will result in various types of resistances. Life skillers will also benefit from new high-rank patterns, wool bags, and gathering item upgrades for faster collection and better quality. Even cooks and fishers will have have new cooking recipes and fishing locations at their disposal. For those are interested in PvP, dueling system is now available, along with team battles at Connus battle arena.

Since it is the beginning of a new chapter, the moongate and advanced play schedules will be changed and there will be a new log-in screen. It is unknown what the new schedules are at this moment. Some new premium hairstyles and face shapes will be available when you create your characters. Characters can be sorted by race in the character select screen. Maximum number of characters per race is now capped at 20 each. You can also toggle visibility of characters’ bank tabs by race.

Note that it is possible that NA might not implement all of the following content.

Pioneers of Iria – Skills and Actions

A variety of new skills and actions are added with Iria, resulting in new battle mechanics and revised strategies. Humans can now dual wield swords and use Final Hit, while giants can dual wield blunt weapons. Elves and humans may use Play Dead and Throw Stone, helping them get out of sticky situations as well as safely draw aggro or activate dungeon triggers. The final advanced magic skill, Ice Spear, will be available to mages, along with fusion magic and chain casting. In addition, a variety of life skills, such as First Aid, Rest, Campfire and Musical Knowledge are now uncapped. If you have raised your spirit weapon to a decent level, it will be able to use a once-per-day powerful skill called Spirit Weapon Awakening.

Please consult the Races post for race-specific skills, namely Mirage Missile, Hide, Stomp and Throw Attack.

Pioneers of Iria – Exploration

The exploration system is a new way for players to obtain AP. Similar to normal experience, players gain exploration levels by accruing exploration experience via a wide variety of quests and actions. The experience required to level exploration follows the same experience table as normal leveling. You will receive stat increases just like for normal levels when you increase your exploration level. However, exploration levels do not add points to training transformation skills.

There are numerous ways to obtain exploration experience:

• Complete Iria dungeons (Karu, Maiz, Longa, Par)
• Gather monster drops (quest)
• Collect items from relics (quest)
• Kill monsters (quest)
• Sketch monsters and statues (quest)
• Find hidden areas and items using L-rods (quest)
• Guide lost elves back to Filia (only in Connus)

Exploration levels are capped at level 25. You can keep track of your progress on the character window, as well as the number of relics you have discovered. At levels 5, 10, 15 and 20, you must complete an advancement quest in order to progress further. These quests are different for each race. For humans, it requires sketching a series of objects at specific times and will take some time to complete. Upon rebirth, exploration level will automatically be reset to 1 when you choose to reset your level. You will be required to complete the advancement quests again after you rebirth.

Pioneers of Iria – Races

There are two other races that exist in Iria: elves and giants. With the new patch, you too will be able to create these characters, in addition to the current humans.  Elves are more geared for ranged and magic combat, while giants excel at close combat. Both races have their advantages and disadvantages. While humans are not the best at any particular type of combat, their versatility enables for the development of successful hybrid builds in the long run.  Their race-specific skills, Final Hit and Arrow Revolver, are also extremely powerful.

Starting, aging and level-up stats are different for all races. Depending on the character’s race, most skills also cause different damage, cost different AP, give different boosts, or take different amounts of mp or sp to use. In addition, training requirements may be easier. In particular, ranged attack is very different mechnically between humans and elves. Each race has their own skills specific to their race.

Elves are the fastest out of the 3 races in movement speed, at approximately 1.3 times the speed of humans. Giants also move slightly faster than humans due to their size. The cap removal quests at every 5 exploration levels are different for each race. Some emotion actions are race-dependent.

The G1, G2, and G3 mainstream storyline is not available for elves and giants. As a consequence, they cannot obtain paladin and dark knight transformations. However, if you complete a lengthy and difficult quest, you can obtain falcon transformation skill as an elf, or beast transformation skill as a giant. You will need to sketch field bosses, kill a sandworm and infiltrate the other race’s town, among other missions. As usual, you will need premium services to transform.

Pioneers of Iria – Dungeons

There are four new dungeons located in Iria: Karu Forest Ruins, Maiz Prairie Ruins, Longa Desert Ruins and Par Ruins. All of them belong to a new type of dungeon called ruins. Longa and Par are beginner-level dungeons for elves and giants, respectively. They are generally easier than Karu and Maiz in Rano. There are also underground passages in Connus and Physis with treasure chests.

In addition to the discovery of these new dungeons in Iria, Alby advanced is now available for players who want a challenge. It is one of the hardest dungeons, especially to solo, and is considered a step up from Rabbie advanced. For those that want to test their speed in killing bosses, Boss Rush is now available for Ciar and Runda dungeons.

Pioneers of Iria – Fields

Iria is a new continent vastly larger than the current continent of Uladh. The main difference between Uladh and Iria is that there are considerably less towns and all areas are teeming with wildlife and littered with relics. Due to its large size, there is lots of opportunity for players to discover treasures, however travel will take much longer and use of horses and Iria-specific methods of transportation is highly recommended. There are three main areas: Rano, Connus, and Physis.

There are animals all over Iria fields. Some are highly aggressive like forest spiders in Karu Forest, while some are passive and will run away if attacked, such as kiwis in Kaypi Canyon. Many animals have titles after their names which modify their stats and exp, similar to advanced dungeons. Most Iria fields have field bosses that are similar to their native species. There are giant field bosses which spawn occasionally and will be discussed below.

There are also numerous landmarks scattered across each region. Visiting all landmarks in each area will reward you with an Explorer title for that area. If you die in Iria, you will have the option of spawning at the last landmark you visited, unless you have not visited any landmarks, in which case you can revive at the last town. Normally, you will not be able to revive at the last town.

Some unfortunate things about Iria is that it does not have background music. You also cannot use camp kits except in Physis and Metos in northwest Connus. If you use a camp kit in Physis, it will appear as an igloo.

Pioneers of Iria – Introduction

In-depth patch information
Patch maintenance time info
Pioneers of Iria – Trailer 1 & Trailer 2 (Nexon)
Pioneers of Iria – Trailer 1 & Trailer 2 (Youtube)

Welcome to Chapter 2, Pioneers of Iria! The simultaneous implementation of G4, G5 and G6 on NA servers means that players will be inundated with new areas to explore, new dungeons to fight through, new skills to try out, new equipment to wear, and a lot more. The known realm of Erinn will be at least quadrupled in size.

Nexon NA has released Erinn Walker, which offers some pictures and a few sentences on new content. Their next update will be on the 24th. In the meantime, I wish to talk about these content in more detail, along with other changes that might not be otherwise mentioned. My scouts Rianne, Remi, Roxelle (KR) and Rosalyn (JP) will provide screenshots from their travels in these new lands.

Please proceed keeping in mind that there might be spoilers ahead. This overview is a compilation of information acquired from JP wiki, Mabinogi World wiki, TW fansites, personal research in JP and KR test, as well as comments and advice from foreign server players. Special thanks to Serenity, Khenta and Reverie for helping with information gathering and proofreading.

Remember that Nexon NA has the final decision on implementation of content. This overview is based off the updates from G4S1 to G6S4 in JP/KR servers. I do not speak for Nexon NA nor can I read their minds.

Time and Effort

Some days I wonder why I keep playing this game while there are those people that knowingly circumvent the rules and don’t work for their accomplishments. This is one of those days. Normally, I would not care if others mod so long as they do not affect my gameplay. I also would not call out people to respect their own decisions, no matter how immoral they may seem to me. However, this one is so blatantly obvious and strikes so close to me that I had to write about it.