Monster Play Classes

I think we all know that the not-so-secret spice that makes many games so compelling is having a goal to achieve. Preferably, that goal is tantalizing to reach for, satisfying when you achieve it, and progressive step on the path of challenge and reward.

When we started designing our monster play classes, we wanted to design a set of classes which were playable from the start, but offered advancement options for players to kick them up a notch.

We wanted to keep the classes and races distinctive and novel-but also approachable and fun to play even for a little while. You can go in-depth with each class, but it is also easy to switch out and try another. At launch, we're offering five different monsters that you can play. Who knows what the future will hold?

Orc-reaver

Savage, brutal and deadly, the Orc-reaver is at home on the field of battle - and few places else. His swift attacks and ability to dual-wield weaponry make him a formidable foe. When pressed, the Orc-reaver is capable of tapping the strength of his blood to become a frenzied warrior who rains blows on his enemy with frightening speed.

Example Skills & Traits

Devastating Strike - Starting Skill - When your target has less than half of their morale, you can make an extremely damaging attack with an increased chance to critical. This skill will consume all your remaining power.

Glory In Victory - Destiny Point-purchased Skill - The sight of your opponents falling before you catapults you into an empowering rage, giving you burst of healing and increasing damage dealt and taken.

Burning Blades - Destiny Point-purchased Trait - Your weapon attacks now deal Fire damage.

Spider-weaver

Cunning, patient and fearsome, the Spider-weaver's home is not within the heart of the battle, but rather at its edges, where she can best employ her strengths and shield her weaknesses. With poison, clinging webs and the ability to burrow beneath the ground, the Spider-weaver is a mistress of woe who skulks on the fringes of battle.

Example Skills & Traits

Snaring Web - Starting Skill - A ranged attack that targets the victim's legs with sticky webs, rooting them in place.

Lie In Wait - Destiny Point-purchased Skill - When not in combat, you can hide beneath the ground, unseen by foes, until you burst from the ground.

Steelweave Webs - Destiny Point-purchased Trait - The duration of your Snaring Web root is doubled.

Uruk-blackarrow

Accurate, vindictive and violent, the Uruk-blackarrow employs the bow against his foes, striking from behind the front-line warriors of Angmar's army. Employing fire and the deadly gifts of shadow from Angmar, the Uruk-blackarrow is a potent foe who drives his arrows deep into his targets' midst.

Example Skills & Traits

Flaming Arrow - Starting Skill - A fire tipped arrow which will continue to burn the target after landing.

Set Trap - Destiny Point-purchased Skill - You carefully place a snare on the ground to trap your foes.

Uncanny Reactions - Destiny Point-purchased Trait - Your ability to evade ranged attacks is significantly increased.

Uruk-warleader

On the battlefield, the Uruk-warleader shines as a warrior on the front line and an inspiration to his allies. Through mocking, humiliation and force of will, the Uruk-warleader can inspire the meekest of troops to greatness. His fearsome howls augment his strong arm and shield to make his blows all the more deadly.

Example Skills & Traits

Aura of Command - Starting Skill - When the fight has begun, your commanding aura allows your allies to fight more viciously.

On Your Feet! - Destiny Point-purchased Skill - You bellow a harsh command, enabling up to five nearby and defeated allies to rise, albeit at very low health.

Harsh Language - Destiny Point-purchased Trait - The amount of healing your skills bestow is increased.

Warg-stalker

At home in a pack or stalking the woods silent and stealthy, the Warg-stalker strikes suddenly and does not offer escape to his foe. Strong jaws, hardened claws and fierce determination drive the Warg-stalker, making him one of the most feared opponents in battle.

Example Skills & Traits

Savage Fangs - Starting Skill - You rip at your target's flesh, tearing muscle and slowing his attacks. If the target was suffering from your crippling bite he begins taking damage over time.

Throat Rip - Destiny Point-purchased Skill - You sink your teeth and rip, your target is silenced.

The Element of Surprise - Destiny Point-purchased Skill - Your chance to critical when attacking from stealth is significantly increased.

----

In an earlier age, Danger Dan worked beneath the whirling blades, though it was in a different capacity and toward a different end. And so it happened that Danger Dan went into the West and, for a time, lived dangerously and happily in the employ of the empire. Though he wanted for little, the flickering dream of game design continued to burn in his heart. When the spinning shadow arose again in the east to summon him, he could not help but hear the call.

So he took the job and now makes games. Pretty nifty, really.

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