Dev Talk: Shapeshifter Close-Up
The Wild Blood update launches October 16, and at its heart is a brand-new weapon line: Shapeshifter Weapons. In this Dev Talk, Game Director Robin Henkys and Combat Designer Michael Schwahn take an in-depth look at this significant expansion to Albion’s ‘you are what you wear’ system.
A New Staff Line
Shapeshifter Weapons introduce a whole new style of gameplay:
There are seven different staffs Each lets you transform into a different creature, known as Shapes Each Shape has its own abilities and stats, from damage dealer to tank
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When in human form:
Shapeshifter Weapons can inflict damage, disrupt enemies, or support allies They can also transform enemies into weak, helpless creatures Using human-form abilities builds up Shift Charges, which provide energy to Shape-form abilitiesShapes and Abilities
These are the different Shapes into which you can transform:
Shadow Panther: turns invisible when no enemies are nearby Sylvian: increases allies’ health, provides healing, and can create a shield for your allies Spirit Bear: an aggressive tank that disrupts enemies Werewolf: Heals itself and gains a speed boost from attacking enemies Hellfire Imp: Has very high damage but low defense; can revive in human form after death Runestone Golem: a huge tank which is immune to all forced movement Dawnbird: deals very high damage from a safe distance
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These Shapes offer a wide variety of playstyles:
They completely override your human armor stats, allowing you to change roles mid-combat For example, a Prowling Staff with Plate Armor makes you a tank in human form and an assassin in Shape form Previously active buffs continue in Shape form For example, you can use a Hunter Jacket then transform into a Werewolf to utilize the auto-attack buff Toggle and Channel abilities do not carry over
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Awareness of when to transform is crucial to using these weapons. This creates an active and enjoyable playstyle that is quick to pick up but offers a great deal of depth.
How to Get Them
Shapeshifter Weapons:
Are crafted at the Hunter’s Lodge Require rare ingredients dropped by the corresponding creature in the open world These can be found using Tracking Kits
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Thus, Shapeshifter Weapons should remain quite rare and valuable, and bolster the appeal of Tracking.
Begin your hunt for a Shapeshifter Weapon when Wild Blood launches on October 16! Which will you pick?