The Dragon's Neck Dev Update
We have some exciting topics to announce with this Dev Update and some incredible images to showcase. Let's get to it:
Beta Timeline:
We have a tentative plan to launch Beta on in Mid-to-Late November 2020. Exact details to be revealed as we finish up systems and complete internal testing.
At first Beta will be capped for authorized testers. The process to get involved will be made available as we get closer to Beta Launch. Later on in Beta, we will be opening up the Beta test for everyone in order to stress test the server's performance and finalize any additional elements we need to handle. At this time, there is no estimate on how long Beta will last.
Note: Beta will be test-only. RP is NOT Mandatory/recognized, and no persisting PCs into the Launch. Allow me to repeat this. No Roleplay is being Recognized during Beta, and PCs will NOT persist into the Launch.
Base Class Update
After reviewing a few details on classes, we've revised our plans for the following classes:
Wizard
Sorcerer
- Celestial Bloodline was removed due to too much crossover with existing races & potential future class additions.
- Quantity of Spell granted reduced.
Primarily the Spell Schools and Bloodlines have been overhauled. It isn't worth posting what was removed, as basically everything was changed for each Spell School and Bloodline.
As we continue to design and implement classes, we will make adjustments and changes as time progresses to ensure that the classes both now and into the future are thematically appropriate for the setting, as well as tuned properly for the server itself.
Threat Management & Tanking Overview
One of the aspects to the dungeon experience that we were focused on overhauling was how Tanking works. Traditionally, NWN doesn't have a true form of gameplay outside of stacking AC/HP and attempting to use positioning to gather attention from enemies. This has been changed for TDN and it will now function in the following way:
- All Non-spell Damage: +1 Threat Value on target being Damaged for exact damage dealt. (I.e. 35 Damage = 35 Threat)
- All Spells:
- Threat Distributed: 5 * Spell Level
- Radius: 30 Meters
- The Taunt Skill will be reworked to act as a Single Target Threat Generator alongside the current effects.
- Various classes will receive natural Threat Generating Feats and some will have the option of selecting them while leveling up.
- There are measures in place to Sanitize threat values at various intervals where no combat has taken place.
- This system will see a heavy degree of focus during Beta testing to ensure we keep the values and threat generation at appropriate levels.
Alright... On to the good stuff...
Character Customization Overhaul
I'm thrilled to announce the addition of unique and customizable heads for TDN. Very significant appreciation to @Ruladre on Discord for their tireless effort and absolutely stunning work on Heads and re-worked bodies for all playable races. Take a look at some examples below:
Not only are custom heads/body models on the horizon, so are customizable accessories. Hats, earrings, bandanas, scarves, hair, facial hair and more can be added to your PC without taking up an item slot! We are looking forward to a complete visual overhaul for the Player Character and setting a benchmark among the NWN PW Community when it comes to in-game Visuals.
Custom Heads
Below are a small sample of Head selections that will be available for Player Characters on TDN:
Gnome, Human Female, Elf, Human Male, Dwarf, Halfling, Half-Orc:
Human Male:
Gnome:
Moon Elf:
Human Female:
Half-Orc:
Halfling:
Dwarf:
Action Shots:
- Threat Generation System (Tanking)
- PvP System
- Death System