We are trying something new this week. Most of you guys that read this little website are pretty well informed when it comes to patch notes and new campaigns, but imagine a player who DOESN'T check the Herald. Now, imagine what happens to that poor player when he or she logs in to find dragons flying overhead and his or her hotbar rearranged and a character with all of the spec points in a single pool.

So we're going to try something - a regular newsletter. This first one will be sent today to all the email addresses we have on record, but after that, we need to switch to an opt-in system. There will be a link in the newsletter.

If you don't receive a copy of the newsletter, it means the email address we have on file for you is either out of date, or your provider doesn't accept mass mailings. Go here to sign up: http://preferences.fun.ea.com/ea/mf_darkageofcamelot.asp

"But, um, Sanya. You just got through saying that if we read the Herald, we're already informed about patch notes."

The part YOU want to know about involves the nifty in-game prizes we're going to be giving out to newsletter subscribers. And I do mean nifty, starting in the second edition of the newsletter. You can always unsubscribe if you think I exaggerated! After the newsletter people get first crack, I'll tell you about the prizes here.

This patch will implement functionality for the new Archery system. Click to read more!

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Dark Age of Camelot
Test Version 1.88d Release Notes
Archery and Stealth Changes
March 8, 2007

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NEW THINGS AND BUG FIXES

- Monsters, pets and Non-Player Characters (NPCs) will now halt their pursuit when a character stealths.

- Maulers will no longer lose Tireless when using a Realm Respec.

- (Pendragon only) In an effort to facilitate testing, we have added an NPC to each of the realm's capital cities which will grant the following: Experience, Realm Points, Bounty Points, and coin. This will allow players to create new characters or update existing characters as needed to test new additions to the game in a more effective and timely manner. Enjoy!

Note: These NPCs are located in the capital cities inside the primary entrance and can be identified by their < Testers Union> title.


CLASS AND SKILL CHANGES

Archery (Hunters, Rangers and Scouts)

This patch will implement functionality for the new Archery system. The mechanics of the system will be mostly in place, but delves of these attacks are still being tweaked.

- Archers have had their unique bow lines replaced with a new line, called "Archery".

- The Archery line contains 12 types of shots and several self buffs. The names of these abilities are still placeholders at this time, and will be updated in a later version in this patch cycle.

- The Pathfinding skill for Rangers has been merged into Archery, and all of the buffs from that line are now found in the Archery line (available to all Archer classes).

- Self buffs in Beastcraft have been replaced with the self buffs in the Archery Spec.

- New archery abilities are now available under the spells tab, under the Archery list.

- Archery damage and draw time are now affected by the Dexterity skill.

- Archery shots now have a minimum range of 200 units, except for the point blank shot.

- Archery shots now have different Endurance costs depending upon the shot.

- Archery shot types are as follows:

Standard Shot: Average range, draw time and damage.

Long Shot: Longer range, average draw time and slightly lower damage.

Power Shot: Shorter range, long draw time not affected by Dexterity; higher damage.

Point Blank Shot: Very short range, long draw time and high damage.

Critical Shot: Must be fired from stealth, very high damage, average range and average draw time.

Rapid Fire: Average range, short draw time and low damage.

Fire Shot: Heat damage, long draw time and shorter range.

Cold Shot: Cold damage, long draw time and shorter range.

Poison Shot: Body damage Direct Damage/Damage Over Time, long draw time and shorter range.

Acid Shot: Matter damage Direct Damage/Damage Over Time, long draw time and Shorter range.

Volley: Ground Targeted Arrow Volley will hit 3 times; damage increases with spec, as well as the number of enemies hit.

Siege Shot: Does damage to objects such as Keep Doors and Siege equipment.


Current known issues:

- Shield block, Bladeturn, Brittle Guards and Ablatives are not yet implemented.

- Icons are currently placeholders, and arrow effects are not yet implemented.

- Sounds are not yet implemented.

- Certain shots are not yet functioning when used against other players.

- The ability to choose damage types is not yet implemented.

- Realm Abilities are not finalized.


CAMELOT CLASSIC WORLD NOTES

Quests - Midgard

- Blodfelag Inquiry - The item reward 'Protector's Pendant of Fortitude' will now reflect the proper Matter Resistance Bonus of 2%.


Item Notes

- The item 'Recruit's Axe' will now properly display as a one-handed axe when equipped and in combat.


DARKNESS RISING WORLD NOTES

Item Notes - Albion

- The spells on the Champion Weapons available to Minstrels have been changed to be more appropriate for the Minstrel's role in combat.

Minstrel Dextera Blade:

/use1 - Regeneration of Kings
/use2 - Perfectly Balanced or King's Precision

Minstrel Dextera Edge:

/use1 - Regeneration of Kings
/use2 - Perfectly Balanced or King's Precision

Upsilon Harp:

/use1 - Replenishment
/use2 - King's Precision or King's Shield

More Animist updates, and where the Treasury Clerks are hiding.

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Dark Age of Camelot
Test Version 1.88c Release Notes
Animist and Recall Stone Notes
March 1, 2007

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NEW THINGS AND BUG FIXES

- (Pendragon Only) Fixed an issue where guards would occasionally spawn under the floor in keeps.

- Personal Bind Stones, Personal House Recall Stones, and Guild House Recall Stones are now available to all players. The Royal Treasury Clerks have been moved out of the throne room so they can be accessed more easily by players who cannot enter the throne rooms.

- Newly created characters will find a Personal Bind Recall Stone in their packs upon first logging in.


CLASS CHANGES AND FIXES

Animists

- Animists will now receive a new ability in their Creeping Baseline at level 29 called “Fungal Potency”. It is only usable in PVE zones, has a 2 second cast time, is non-interruptible and castable while on the move. The effect is a 350 radius pet cast ability that reduces resists against high level monsters. This will enhance the Animist pet's ability to hit high level PVE targets.


CAMELOT CLASSIC WORLD NOTES

Albion Monsters

- The Royal Treasury Clerk, previously located in the Albion Throne Room, can now be found in the Hall of Fellows in Camelot.


Midgard Monsters

- The Royal Treasury Clerk, previously located in the Midgard Throne Room, can now be found in the Assembly Hall in Jordheim.

- The realm guard 'Dilanna the Chosen of Hel' will now respond to the /where command properly as is her duty.


Hibernia Monsters

- The Royal Treasury Clerk, previously located in the Hibernian Throne Room, can now be found in Alainn Cuir in Tir Na Nog.


TRIALS OF ATLANTIS WORLD NOTES

Item Notes

- The personal boats that are available for purchase in the Trials of Atlantis lands now require only one person to operate. They will now always move at full speed regardless of the number of passengers. In addition, the cost to purchase these items has been reduced dramatically. This includes the skiff used in all realms and the following realm-specific boats: British Cog, Viking Longship, and Elvish Caravel.


LABYRINTH WORLD NOTES

- Breeder worms and their offspring will no longer report as 'target not in view'.

- Cerberus is now resistant to ranged attacks.