Exclusive: Aion Patch 2.5 Feature Guide

Paul Younger

Published: May 10, 2011 02:31 pm

This article is over 13 years old and may contain outdated information

Last week NCSoft revealed more information for the v2.5 Empyrean Calling update for AION and today we have more details on the new and updated features.
Scheduled to hit the PTS today, the update will finally go live on the 25 May. NCSoft has revealed more details on what to expect if you are going to be playing on the PTS servers or you’re simply wanting to find out more about what’s coming. Read on…
Two new Group Instanced Dungeons, Esoterrace, a clandestine Balaur research facility, and the Empyrean Crucible, a trial of endurance that will pit players against waves of ferocious monsters!
An overhauled World Map system with dynamic objects and additional features.
Improved high resolution graphics make Atreia more beautiful than ever!
A new Mentor system rewards high level players for helping low level players with Quests and Instanced Dungeons.
Improved Legion features enhance Aion’s social dynamics.
New pets, including Loot Pets and Buff Pets, and additional pet features.
Please continue reading for more detailed information about the features and changes coming in Patch 2.5 “Empyrean Calling”!
New Class Skills
Two new skills were added for each class in 2.5 Empyrean Calling. One of the new skills is learned from a Skillbook, which can be purchased from the Class Preceptors. The other new skill is a Stigma skill.
To acquire the first new skill, purchase the Skillbook from the Class Preceptors located in the Cloister of Kaisinel or Convent of Marchutan.
To acquire the second new skill, a Stigma skill, purchase the Stigma from the Stigma Tuner located in Sanctum or Pandaemonium. This new Stigma can also drop from monsters.
New Dynamic Map System
The World Map has received a complete overhaul, and boasts several new features and functionalities.
Players can now filter important objects on the map including Quests, Rifts, Obelisks, Merchants, and Mailboxes.
In addition, players can zoom in and out to view geographical details of different areas and zones.

New Advanced Graphics Engine
Players with machines that meet the system requirements can use the new Advanced Graphics Engine by enabling it in the Video options.
Players with machines that cannot meet the requirements for the Advanced Graphics Engine can still enjoy Atreia in standard graphics.

New Character Customization Options
Fashion conscious Daevas will be delighted with the exciting new character customization options introduced in 2.5 Empyrean Calling.
Several character customization features have been improved, including more diverse facial expressions and body shapes.

New Dresses and Formalwear
Players will find more luxury attire available at the Galleria of Grandeur and Vanahal Boutique, including a new option to purchase Gift-Wrapped attire.
In addition to the offerings at the Galleria of Grandeur and Vanahal Boutique, players can purchase a new line of fashionable clothing using tokens from the Empyrean Crucible.

These tokens can be exchanged for fashionable clothing at the Kaisinel Academy and Marchutan Priory.
New Character Animations
A new feature has been added that allows players to change their character’s movement animations. By using a special Manual, players can replace one animation with another.
For example, players can replace their jump animation, or run animation.
Pet System Update
2.5 Empyrean Calling introduces several new pets, including the Pink Nyanco, Aion’s first Loot Pet that will loot items for players!
New pet features, including a more advanced Pet Mood system, have also been introduced.

Buff Pet: Pointyhat Sprigg
This helpful pet can store food and scrolls, and will automatically buff the player when their current food or scroll buff expires.
Loot Pet: Pink Nyanco
This helpful pet will automatically loot corpses and deposit the loot in the player’s inventory.
Pack Pet: Sunset Drakie
This charming little Drakie is ready for an adventure, boasting a handy backpack with a maximum of 18 inventory slots.
New Weapons and Armor
Players have several new weapons and armor sets to look forward to in the 2.5 update, including the new Brigade General weapons and armor, which can be purchased with Abyss points and Platinum Medals.
Brigade General’s Set
Want the most powerful equipment in Aion? You’ve found it: the Brigade General’s weapons and armor. This equipment is awarded to players who have accumulated massive amounts of Abyss points and participated in countless Fortress sieges, as it can only be purchased with Abyss points and Platinum Medals.
Players can purchase Brigade General series weapons and armor from merchants at the Cloister of Kaisinel or Convent of Marchutan. Be aware; this equipment doesn’t come cheap!
Empyrean Crucible Rewards
Participating in the Empyrean Crucible offers its own set of powerful arms and armaments. Players can earn weapons, armor, and accessories from the Empyrean Crucible. In addition, many of these items can be infused with divine power using the Conditioning system, which grants temporary attributes.
Most of the monsters in the Empyrean Crucible will not drop loot, and instead, players will earn points from slaying monsters.
When the Empyrean Crucible ends, those points will be converted to tokens, and players can use those tokens to purchase equipment from merchants located in the Kaisinel Academy or Marchutan Priory.
Mentor Quest Rewards
The new Mentoring system is a great way for high level players to interact with their lower level counterparts, and earn some fat loot!
By completing Daily Quests for the new Orichalcum Key or The Circle factions, players can earn tokens which can in turn be traded for weapons, armor, accessories, and other special rewards.
Changes to Abyss Points
2.5 Empyrean Calling introduces both small and big changes to Abyss points.
Bundled Abyss Relics
Players can now exchange ten Abyss relics at a time, while previously it was only possible to exchange relics one at a time.
Administration Officers have appeared at the Fortresses in Balaurea, allowing players to exchange bundles of Abyss relics. The Abyss Points earned from exchanging Abyss relics in a bundle is identical exchanging one at a time.
However, players will still earn more Abyss Points from exchanging Abyss relics outside of the Divine Fortress.
New Means to Acquire Abyss Points
The Esoterrace, one of the new Instanced Dungeons introduced in 2.5, can be a great source for Abyss Points and Platinum Medals.
Players looking forward to donning the Brigade General’s set would be wise to take advantage of the Abyss Points from Esoterrace.
Platinum Medals can be acquired from Fortress sieges in Balaurea, the Abyssal Splinter, and Esoterrace.
New Instanced Dungeons
In Aion’s two newest Instanced Dungeons, Esoterrace and the Empyrean Crucible, players will brandish their weapons and magic against colossal foes, with the opportunity to earn exciting rewards!
The Empyrean Crucible
The goal of the Empyrean Crucible is survival. In this trial of endurance, players will need both wits and tenacity to overcome fearsome challenges.
The Empyrean Crucible consists of ten stages, with five rounds in each stage, for a total of fifty rounds. Players level 50 and above can enter the Empyrean Crucible.
By defeating the monsters that appear in each round, players will accumulate points. When the Group has completed all ten stages, or is wiped out, the Empyrean Crucible will end and tokens will be distributed to each player based on the total points accumulated.
These tokens can be used to purchase powerful arms and armaments unique to the Empyrean Crucible. Thus, even players who tend to have poor luck with loot drops can look forward to earning rewards from the Empyrean Crucible.
Weapons and armor are not the only new items that can be purchased with tokens from the Empyrean Crucible; players can also purchase unique costumes, pets, consumables, and much more!
Esoterrace
The Esoterrace is a Group Instanced Dungeon accessible through the Fortresses in Balaurea. In Esoterrace, players can acquire Abyss relics and Platinum Medals, in addition to a few select pieces of Fabled equipment.
Players level 50 and up can enter Esoterrace to complete a variety of Quests and objectives, including Repeatable Quests that offer the powerful Earth Dragon weapons as a reward.
Five Important Updates to Existing Content
Balic Advanced Designs
With new advanced designs, crafting Balic items is now much easier. Players can now take 3 Superior items, and craft them into 1 Heroic item using the Balic Advanced Designs.
For example, players can now craft the Noble Sky Dragon’s Mace by combining 3 Sky Dragon’s Maces. Thus, the difficulty of crafting Balic items has been significantly reduced.
The advanced Balic designs are sold by the Tigraki Workshop Merchants found in the capital cities of each race (Shoshinerk in Sanctum, and Chopirunerk in Pandaemonium).

Energy of Repose and Energy of Salvation Boosted
Energy of Repose and Energy of Salvation now also increase item drop rates by 5%, allowing players to level up and acquire loot faster!
Energy of Repose is accumulated when a character is logged out of the game, while Energy of Salvation is accumulated when a character spends significant time in-game without increasing their level.

New Legion Features
Numerous Legion features have been added in Empyrean Calling.
The maximum Legion level has been raised from level 3 to level 5, which increases the maximum number of players in a Legion to 150 (for a level 5 Legion). In addition, players will enjoy new Legion ranks, and more storage.
For level 4 and level 5 Legions, players will have the option to purchase exclusive Legion cloaks which prominently display their colors and emblem.
The Mentor System
A new Mentor system connects high level and low level players.
By completing Daily Quests for two new factions (one for each race), high level players will earn tokens for assisting low level players with Quests, Instanced Dungeons, and other challenges. Low level players will receive great benefits from their mentors, including unrestricted loot drops!
The tokens high level players earn from completing Daily Quests as a Mentor can be used to purchase Eternal and Fabled equipment. In addition to equipment, high level players can earn unique items, such as charms which increase item drop rates!