Design Notes

April 30, 2017

10 Years at Artix Entertainment

So Many Puns, Amazing Players, and Potions

Back in 2006, I found the original AdventureQuest, a crazy-weird-punny-fun lunchbreak game and quickly got hooked. Ten years ago, in 2007, while working on my graduate degree and running a literary magazine, I was invited to join the team as a forum moderator and to help run their online e-zine, The Zardian.

Two years later, I traded battling stacks of poetry and prose submissions for an enchanted sword and a stack of potion bottles... moving across the country and work out of the Secret Underground Lab. Fast forward a bit and I found a husband (much love to Rolith, currently a coder on AQ3D), 3 cats, 3 ferrets, and an ever-changing number of fish.

Thank you all for the incredible laughter, puns, dedication, and support -- I wanted a life filled with stories, and thanks to you and the other members of our Artix Entertainment community -- I've gotten just that!

Gifts for you: Deca Blade and DOUBLE server boost

April 28, 2017

Break the Rift, Take the Rift

The RiftBreaker sets arrive tonight!

Heroes like you never give up -- that’s why our warcry is “BATTLE ON!” This weekend, fight to save our world and drive back the Queen's creatures in our featured gear: the Nightborn RiftBreaker set!

This armor set is the darker companion to the RightBreaker gear (available by fighting for Artix in /greenguardeast once you complete tonight's release).

You'll find the Nightborn Riftbreaker items in the Rift Gear shop for AdventureCoins starting tonight:

• Nightborn Riftbreaker armor
• Nightborn Riftbreaker Helmet, Horns, and Rage face morph
• Nightborn Riftbreaker wings and cape
• Nightborn Riftbreaker sword, cutlass, and dual-wield weapons

April 28, 2017

Tonight: Answer Gravelyn's Call

The Book of Monsters: Destroyer continues this weekend!

Extriki the Destroyer is the most toxic thing Lore has ever known, but we will NOT admit defeat. This weekend, continue your battle against the creatures pouring out of the Rift and FIGHT -- your might, wit, and will to survive will keep our world safe!

If you are just joining us, you're in luck! The Book of Monsters saga started last week. Find the adventure map in your game menu and begin the battle in /TheRift, at the Neverglades battle camp. Then you'll be ready for this week's update!

Your goal this week is to bring Empress Gravelyn a prisoner that will give us information on the Rift, the creatures pouring out of it, and the toxic behemoth - Extriki the Destroyer. Though is is slightly smaller than last week's release, the team is already working on next week's release and the bigger confrontation after it.

Last week, we met the enemy.
This week, we prepare.
Next week, we plan.
And on May 12th... we MOVE.

Help Artix Defend Battleon!

Once the Empress is satisfied, aid Artix in defending the town of Battleon - it takes a lot of work to keep a barricade manned and drive invaders back. (And these are just their leading forces... not even the full invading army yet!) 

RiftBreaker Armor Set

Once you've helped Gravelyn, Artix the Paladin needs your strength and skill! Help him defend the barricades in /greenguardeast. As you fight, you'll earn Rift Defender Tokens which unlock the Riftbreaker set.

April 27, 2017

This weekend: Void Paladin

Calling all members of the ArchFiend Army!

If you vowed allegiance to Nulgath the ArchFiend, get ready to BATTLE because we've got a dark and deadly new reward for you! Created in honor of the ArchFiend by renowned armorcrafter, Bido, the Void Paladin set arrives this weekend and is only available for those who've been stockpiling their crafting resources.

So get your Diamonds and Unidentified 13s ready (and find the full merge requirement list in tomorrow's Design Notes post) because this is going to be one set you'll need to WORK for!*

The permanent farming set includes:

• Void Paladin Armor
• Void Paladin's Helmet
• Void Paladin's Horns
• Void Katana and Dual Void Katanas
• Void Katana Cape
• Void Paladin's Cape
• Void Light of Destiny*
• Ascended Void Light of Destiny**

* Oh, and if you want to create that wicked-sweet Void Light of Destiny... be prepared to give up your Blinding Light of Destiny. We expect only the most loyal and dedicated Nation members to craft this!

** Same goes for the Ascended Void Light of Destiny.

Update: Farming Difficulty and Changes

Our original plan was to include the above items in the Diamond of Nulgath merge shop. After reviewing that plan and getting some feedback from our hardcore players, we are changing the plan slightly.

There will be 3 different quests from the Oblivion NPC in /tercessuinotlim:

• Void Paladin Armor quest
• Void Light of Destiny quest (for either the VLoD or Ascended VLoD)
• A quest for the other accessories (choose one each time)

Those quests will be at or near the level of the Juggernaut of Nulgath / Demanding Items of Nulgath / Totems of Nuglath quests, which is to say... if you are already a loyal member of the Nulgath Nation, getting these items should feel almost *easy* -- this is a reward for you guys, for that loyalty and hours of previous farming.

If you are NOT a member of the Nulgath Nation, and have not put in the hours and effort to get those merge resources, then you have some work ahead of you. But fear not... ask any loyal member of the Nulgath Nation and they'll tell you that it CAN be done. IF you are dedicated enough.

April 24, 2017

May Calendar of Events

Take on the Destroyer, the Reshaper, and the Void!

May is supposed to be a gentle season, filled with flowers and sunshine. But not THIS year, not here! As we battle to end Extriki the Destroyer, a lone child senses a new threat from the Queen on the horizon... With the new month, we've got plans for new releases, adventures, rewards... and a small dose of nostalgia for our long-time heroes. 

• Friday, May 5th: Book of Monsters: the Toxic Test + May upgrade bonus
• May 12 - 14th: 15% Rep + XP Boost
• Friday, May 12th:  Book of Monsters: ShadowFall's Attack + Mother's Day
• Friday, May 19th: Enter the Void + Guardian Limited Quantity Sets
• May 19 - 21: 15% Class Points + Gold Boost
• Friday, May 26th: Book of Monsters: The Reshaper

On June 2nd, say goodbye to...

• May Upgrade Bonus 
• May rare gear 
• Guardians LQS sets (available until their quantities run out)

Thank you for battling alongside us as we continue our adventures, and prepare... to Battle ON!

April 21, 2017

This Weekend: Chromatic X-Terminator Set

Find the Color-Custom Armor set in the April Featured Shop!

The famous bard Brytnii Spearhead once sang, "Heroes like you should wear a warning!" and she's right. This weekend, the color-customizable Chromatic X-Terminator set will let you show all the Queen’s creatures that YOU are the toxic one!

This Friday, find the color customizable Chromatic X-Terminator set in the Featured April Shop in your game menu and in Loremaster Emily's Rift Gear shop. The Toxic X-terminator set (non-color custom) is available from Warlic's Rift Reputation shop if you've unlocked Rank 7. 

Brytnii Spearhead's Critical Hit: "Toxic Rift"

Hero, can't you see I'm calling?
Heroes like you should wear a warning!
It's dangerous, I'm falling. 
There's no escape, I can't wait. 
I need a crit. Hero give me it. 
These mob are dangerous, and we're losing it. 

The Rift's toxic, Lore's slippin' under... 
With the fumes of a poison paradise  
Fighting hard to survive, 
don't you know that it's toxic?

April 21, 2017

The Book of Monsters I: The Destroyer

Extriki the Destroyer Arrives at The Rift!

This Friday, the Queen of Monsters Saga continues with the first chapter of a new storyline -- Book of Monsters: The Destroyer! A rift into the Plane of Monsters has ripped the Neverglades almost in half, and we have no way to close it. YET. As poisonous fumes spread across the land, an eerie silence falls. 

As the famous bard Brytnii Spearhead once sang, "It's toxic, Lore's slippin' under... With the fumes of a poison paradise / We'll strike back at you, don't you know that you're toxic?"

This weekend, fight to survive as Extriki the Destroyer -- first of the Queen’s Elder Monsters -- arrives to poison our world into submission!

Khargyn's Pet Shop Update

Head back to /therift and talk to Khargyn the BeastMaster to find four new pets! These poor beasts used to be ordinary creatures found on Lore, but were found fused... altered... their very natures changed radically. We do not know WHAT is doing this -- rift energy, a child of the Queen's... it is unknown. O_O

• Spidroglin (Spider + Moglin)
• Fleabird (Flea + Freebird + Dragon)
• Globster (Goblin + Rock Lobster)
• Rrrabog (Frog + Rabbit + Wolf)

Aria Goes Green

If you haven't had a chance to visit Aria's Pet Shop recently, today's a GREAT day to ask her about her recent interest in plants. (There are no new items, just some new information about Aria.)

Celebrate Earth Day on Lore!

Be a hero, join the clean-up crew to save the world from the evils of pollution! Captain Lore is back and he needs your help again! /Join pollution to help Captain Lore battle General Pollution, the foulest villain around, free his eco-friendly energy platform from the chaotic clutches of General Pollution! Reduce, reuse, and recycle as many elementals as you can to unlock Captain Lore's shop and gain access to the greenest gear in the game! 

He also needs your help fighting on the side of nature to keep a smog-spewing factory closed for good. Once the largest source of pollution in Lore, the long-abandoned Totengeld Factory has been consumed by nature and has become a habitat to many forms of life. 

But now, the CEO of Totengeld Industries has been released from jail and intends to reopen the factory’s doors. It’s up to you to stop him before he destroys Lore with his toxic waste - and dominates it with his mind-controlling energy drinks! Tonight, /join totengeld to start the battle!

Need help battling through the Earth Day seasonal event? Check out the event guide in the Lorepedia!

Happy Birthday, Tendou!

Tendou no Mazo, one of our team contributors, does a LOT. If you are a fan of Nulgath the ArchFiend's quests, you've encountered his designs before. To celebrate his birthday (which was on April 19th), he's updated his Tendurrr pet* with new quests which drop Nulgath merge resources and a few fun item rewards.

Its new name is Tendurrr the Assistant, and has a 1% chance to drop from the level 25 Dark Makai monster in Tercessuinotlim.

* Art originally by non-artist/best-punner/former pinkmancer Beleen!

April 17, 2017

AQWorlds Server Rewrite Update

Yorumi's multi-year project coming to an end soon

Hello all! Over the last few weeks, we've had a number of people asking about the progress on the server rewrite. Not sure what that is? Skip to the middle of this post. For those of you who have been with us for a while, here's where things stand.

• Yorumi's "to fix" list is down to the Final Five Bugs
• We have not had any new bugs reported in quite a while. (This is good news! Thanks to everyone who's helped test)
• Class skill and monster rebalancing will continue once the new server and client go live so we can better, more easily respond to your feedback.

What's a Server Rewrite, and why are you doing it?

Goood question! We have a good deal of control over the game, but currently we are using server software whose base we did not build ourselves (though we created all of our server-based game functionality)... and that means there are some things we cannot change.

This is one of the main causes of the random bugs some of you are reporting. It's also one of the reasons some bugs (like desynced friends/guild lists) have not been fixed and why some features (like the better botting detection, all-new class skills, and finished Guild cities) have not been released.

If you want to get a sneak preview of what's coming in the server rewrite or help us test on the PTR server, you can help support AQW's continuing development by upgrading your account. We make our games for and with you, which is why you should also tell us what you'd like to see next in our Suggestions board!

So... When will it release?

As soon as it's ready! We've given several estimates for the final "release date" as the project's gone on, and each time we do, some crazy, insane, "should not be possible" bug rears is ugly head. So I'm not going to do that this time!

Yorumi's down to the final five bugs:

1. Mod tool issue with kicking
2. Mod tool issue with ban/mutes
3. Randomly logging players out (we have not seen this reported in over a week so... possibly fixed? Let us know if you are still experiencing this issue on the Bug Tracker, please!)
4. Applying Enhancements not persisting properly
5. Quest progression in two specific quests (weird!)

Keep an eye on the Design Notes for future progress updates, and keep an eye out for more updates here in the near future. 

April 13, 2017

This Weekend: The Rift Opens!

Return to the Darkness, to Fear, and to Chaos

This weekend, the darker, deadlier Queen of Monsters Saga begins as a mysterious rift appears. The Queen’s Gambit is in play… and woe to those who fall for its trap!

Hurry to the NeverGlades BattleCamp

Join Prince-Lord Brentan in the Neverglades Battlecamp. Fight to learn more about the mysterious Rift and the creatures pouring into our world!

Quest for each of the Camp's NPCs to learn about who they are, where they come from, and what their purpose in the Camp is:

• Warlic the ArchMage: your main hub NPC
• Lord Brentan: Disputed Ruler of Swordhaven, Lord of the NeverGlades, and Militia NPC
• Loremaster Emily: Shadowfall's Monster Lore Specialist and Gear Shop NPC
• Khargyn: BeastMaster Monster Hunter and Pet Shop Vendor (also future Monster Hunter Class NPC)
• Torque: Heavy Metal Bard and Potions Vendor

BattleCamp Rewards

Our hub towns always have a number of NPCs with different quests to complete. This week, talk to Warlic to see all the gear in the Monster Hunter Faction shop. This week, you can begin earning Monster Hunter Rep and unlock the BeastMaster MonsterHunter armor set. Coming soon: BeastMaster Monster Hunter CLASS!

The Monster Hunter Faction will carry us through the next 4 weeks of releases (the Book of Monsters: The Destroyer storyline), so do not worry about having to rep up the entire faction this weekend!

If you talk to Lord Brentan, you'll see a shop filled with new and classic Good-aligned gear! For Good-aligned Heroes level 45 and up: if you take on the Plague Spreader monsters, you'll have a chance to get the Slimed Sigil, which can be used to create the Ascended Paladin armor and weapons!

April 12, 2017

This Weekend: Quibble Returns

Check out Quibble's Rare Items... IF YOU DARE!

Quibble Coinbiter, our time-traveling rare items dealer, returns this weekend with his most monstrous shop update ever! 

Even though he LOOKS monstrous, never fear - though most of his items will cost AdventureCoins, we will include gear for both members and non-members, too! 

The shop includes:

• Nightborn Drac Armor set
• Ravenous Reaver Armor set
• Monstrous Quibble Bank Pet
• Toxic Rift weapons
• Monster Quibble's Chest Bank (house item, not pet)

Wait... Who (or what?) is Quibble Coinbiter?

Not exactly sure who Quibble Coinbiter is, or how he gets all that gear? Neither are we!

But here's what he said last time I asked:

How do I get never-before-seen used items? Well, that's a trade secret. But just between us, I have a deal with a time travel fairy who brings me these things… even though they have not been built yet! They might show up later in the game or might be Rares that are never seen again!

This gear and more will come when Quibble's shop arrives on Friday in your game menu! Most of this terrifying gear won't be around for long, though.* Quibble's rare gear leaves on Friday, May 5th. 

* BUT a handful of the items will re-appear in a future release, so check the item rarities carefully!

April 12, 2017

Queen of Monsters Saga: The Rift

Return to the Darkness, to Fear, and to Chaos

On Friday, April 14th, we return to a darker, deadlier Queen of Monsters Saga! A mysterious rift appears as the Queen’s Gambit begins… and woe to those who fall for its trap!

April 07, 2017

April 2017 Upgrade Bonus

Unlock the RiftWalker Warrior set when you upgrade in April!

Unlock the RiftWalker Warrior set when you buy any membership or AdventureCoin package worth $10 USD or more starting this Friday, April 7th, at 6 PM EST. Upgrade with a 12000 AdventureCoin or 12 month membership to get the color-customizable Enchanted RiftWalker Warrior set, too! This upgrade bonus leaves May 5th, 2017.

Tier 1: RiftWalker Warrior

Riftwalkers travel between worlds, journeying from plane to plane as they battle through many realities. 

Tier 2: Enchanted RiftWalker Warrior

The most experienced Riftwalkers, exposed to years of the spacetime energy as they travel planes, find their armor and equipment becomes enchanted. They are able to change its colors just by thinking of a new one.*

* The best place to think of new armor colors is in an armor-changing room!

April 07, 2017

Grenwog is Back!

Our Seasonal Spring Event Returns!

Every year, heroes hunt around Battleon for eggs and prizes, but this year… the hunt becomes even more eggcellent, and extends across all of Lore! This weekend talk to Cabdury (the friendliest, most inedible bunny in town) to begin this year's Egg Hunt quests -- both in Battleon and around the rest of the world!

BattleOn Town Egg Hunt

Collect the eggs hidden around BattleOn and the rest of the town to unlock the Backpack of Eggs and the Vorpal Bunny pet! (Note: Any Vorpal Bunny will be able to access the quests to get this year's regular Berserker Bunny items. Enjoy!) 

2017 Cross-Lore Egg Hunt

After whetting your detection skills in BattleOn, TRUE eggsplorers can talk to Cabdury and decipher his clues to find the pink, green, blue, purple, or multicolored eggs hidden around the rest of Lore to unlock all-new rewards: the Steampunk Eggsplorer set!

• Pink Eggs: Cape
• Green Eggs: Helm
• Blue Eggs: Weapon
• Purple Eggs: Armor
• Multicolored Eggs: Magical Shifting Grenwog Egg House

Once you've collected all those, why not try Cabdury's Treat Hunt to unlock the Evolved Berserker Bunny set? The merge items will drop from the bosses in Greenguard Forest.  With an Armor, a Helm, a Spear, and a Long-sword, you'll have a bun-tiful amount of items to choose from! The Evolved Berserker Bunny Armor also requires the drop from the final Vorpal Bunny quest.

Battle the Grenwogs

The legendary Grenwog is one of the fiercest beasts on Lore. Each spring, it awakens with one thing on its mind -- FOOD. And its favorite snack is, of course, eggs! (And the heroes who try to steal them. So beware!) Last year's Jurassic Grenwog adventure will return, along with the seasonal boss battle in the /grenwog map!

Grenwog gear, collect it all! (Or as much as you can carry):

• Steampunk Grenwog pet
• Evolved Berserker Bunny set
• Berserker Bunny armor, helm, and longsword
• Daisy on your back cape
• Mayflower and Marshmallow Cheep pets
• Fire Egg Staff, Carrotine Cutter, ChickenCow Club
• And much more

April 06, 2017

March Custom Weapon Winner

Congratulations, Haan! 

Haan is the winner of our monthly Custom Weapon raffle -- each month, we will choose one winner from among all the accounts that have upgraded (bought membership or AdventureCoins) in the previous month and work with them to create a custom weapon. March's winner is... Haan!

After we got in touch with Haan via email, we met in-game to discuss how he could get his prize... and who he would want to share it with! Haan and his friends will each get a custom-designed whip from Memet later this month.

Will You Do This Again?

Good question! Short answer, yes! During the first week of May, we'll choose one person from among a list of people who upgrade in April to get their very own custom weapon (with the option of sharing it with up to 10 friends). Keep an eye on the Design Notes to see if this fun surprise will continue after that!

April 06, 2017

April Calendar of Events

Monsters and Storms and Battles Ahead!

April’s here, and Spring has sprung upon us! With the new month, we've got plans for new releases, adventures, and rewards. Thank you for battling alongside us as we continue our adventures, and prepare... to Battle ON!

• Saturday, April 1st: Just another day
• Friday, April 7th: Grenwog returns with a Cross-Lore Egg Hunt + April upgrade bonus
• Friday, April 14th: A rift opens from the Plane of Monsters + Quibble Coinbiter returns
• April 14  - 16th: 15% more Class Points and Rep Boost
• Friday, April 21st: "Book of Monsters: The Destroyer", Chapter 1 + Earth Day returns
• Friday, April 28th: "Book of Monsters: The Destroyer", Chapter 2
• April 28  - 30th: 15% more Gold and XP Boost
• April 30th: Alina's 10 year anniversary gift

On Friday, May 5th, say goodbye to...

• April Bonus Gear: RiftWalker Warrior set
• April Featured Gear Shop

April 04, 2017

Facebook Guessing Games

Follow us on Facebook to win prizes!

If you aren't following the AdventureQuest Worlds Facebook page, you are missing out on release announcements, art previews, contests with wicked-cool (and useful) prizes, and more!

Guesss the Monster/Zone/NPC/???

The latest series of contests has been really well received. Each week, we post a picture and choose winners from among those who guess its identity correctly. Up until now, winners have received AdventureCoins, but this week, we have a NEW prize! 3 winners will each receive 3 more bagspaces (even if they have already maxed their slots!)

If you want to get in on the fun, head over to Facebook and follow the AQWorlds Facebook page!

April 04, 2017

March Upgrade Bonus Gear Leaves Friday

The ProtoParagon 3017 Set Leaves April 7th!

Unlock the ProtoParagon 3017 set when you buy any membership or AdventureCoin package worth $10 USD or more starting until this Friday, April 7th, at 6 PM EST. Upgrade with a 12000 AdventureCoin or 12 month membership to get the ProtoParagon Mk 3 set, too! 

Tier 1: ProtoParagon 3017

The Undead Legion 3017 demands everything of its soldiers... and any hero skilled enough to equip the ProtoParagon 3017 becomes one of its deadliest weapons.

Tier 2: ProtoParagon Mk 3

Only one team is fit to fight alongside the elite ProtoParagon 3017 unit - the members of ProtoParagon Mk 3, a unit so fierce, so dedicate, and so deadly that the galaxy trembles when they approach!