Combat System Unifies in Major Overhaul
Background
After extensive development on the planned combat profession merger, the team identified several issues with the original approach:
Dual leveling systems (combat + obelisk) required constant mental addition
Artificial splitting of passive combat foes between different leveling systems
Incomplete solution to the episode progression "restart" problem
The development team has created a new unified approach featuring "personalized striping" that addresses these concerns while maintaining a straightforward experience.
Key Changes
Single Global Combat Profession
One combat profession shared across all episodes
Initial level cap of 2000 (500 levels per launched episode)
Level cap will increase by 500 with each new episode
Total effort to max combat remains unchanged
Combat Progression Through "Striping"
Players will progress through a pattern that cycles through all episodes:
Fight all skin 1 foes across all episodes
Return to fight skin 2 foes across all episodes
Continue pattern as you level up
Personalized Progression
When new episodes launch, foes are intelligently inserted into your progression:
You'll never miss new content
You won't need to refight foes you've already defeated
Boss levels automatically scale relative to your level
Free Player Considerations
Free players access Episodes 1-2 with level cap of 1000
Premium content unlocked appropriately when purchased
Progress preserved if premium status changes
Equipment Changes
Weapons and armor usable across all episodes
No more episode-specific tuning required
Foes drop level-appropriate gear
Crafting System Updates
Mine of Mantuban crafting limit: crafting level × 5
Maximum craftable weapon level: 2500
Crafted weapons will have different trade values than dropped equivalents
Special icon will identify crafted weapons
Obelisk System Redesign
Obelisks now used for enchanting profession equipment
Enchantress relocating to Mine of Manutuban as the Infusionist
Related quests slightly modified
Other System Adjustments
Crime den raid difficulty now scales appropriately
Potion reagent drops rebalanced to maintain accessibility
Leather offcuts acquisition adjusted
Combat capes redesigned with new level thresholds
Save Conversion Details
Combat level calculation will account for time invested in episodical combat
Legacy leaderboards preserved
Old capes refunded at original purchase price
Existing equipment scaled to match new level system
Future Development
The previously announced "Upgrade Trees" phase remains planned as Phase 2 of the combat rework.
