Defeated by the Herald of the Underworld

The three of us (Gerry Alanguilan, Ysa Arce, and I) decided to take on the Herald of the Underworld seeing as Gerry and I are already Level 40 Dragon Knights and Ysa is already a Level 39 Spellweaver. We figure that we can take him between the three of us.

Two words: big mistake.

The Herald made short work of us. After battling it out for about 5-10 minutes (where we barely made a dent in the beast's health points) we decided to beat a hasty retreat and return to town.

Another day, Herald, Another day...

XVII: Resting at Level 39

As much as I want to race my character till level 40, I decided to stop playing and stop at 39 (I am still very upset with the update).

It's also hard to grind and fill the XP cells when there's very limited quests. Since being a Spellweaver is expensive, I'll probably be online occasionally or when I feel like playing

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I really feel bad about the R051 update which according to them is predominantly a "revision of the Spellweaver" (WHY THE HELL DID YOU NEED TO DO THAT?!).

Before I can grind solo in Dragon's Cavern without breaking a sweat. Now, I need a bodyguard (thank you very much, Jonas) or else I'll be dead most of the time. My character feels helpless whenever I grind solo. When I'm surrounded by monsters I can't perform chain attacks because of the stupid mana cap.

So, after that update, I ran out of interest in playing.

Maybe one of the game developers got his heart broken by an ex-GF who used to play Drakensang as a Spellweaver and decided to get even by de-powering the Spellweaver class.

Drakensangers 23

Xvii: Ranting Time

I really don't like the revision for the Spellweaver class.

Let me say that again: I DON'T LIKE THE REVISION FOR SPELLWEAVERS!

The revision made the Spellweavers weaker because of the new Mana cap which basically means no more chain attacks because we have limited Mana points.

And I really hate to see "not enough mana" on my screen.

I don't know what they were thinking when they made this revision. When they first balanced the Spellweaver, removing the Lighting and changing it to Magic Missile, it was somehow acceptable but not this time.

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Aside from putting a Mana cap they also changed the Mana requirement of some skills which became a hindrance especially when grinding solo which I used to be able to do in Teganswall and Dragon's Cavern. Just a bunch of essence and Mana potions and I'm good to go. But now, even if i have a bunch of mana potions in my inventory, I can easily die because of the mana cap.

Okay, so I appreciate that the Mana points recovers faster despite the cap but it's still not enough (the Mana points will recover faster if you use Magic Missiles...that's the time you can see a Mana ball glowing around you because you are using that skill). Unfortunately you can't kill your opponent fast enough with that skill because, in my opinion, when they made that balancing crap it made the main skill set of the Spellweaver weaker.

And that skill tree or talent tree. I can' figure out what it has to do with my HP.

Sorry, guys but I won't promote this game anymore. Especially not with people I know who's into online gaming too.

Xvii: Mana points

I am wondering big time why my Mana points from 1,300+ turned 100 after the update.

As we all know Spellweavers rely solely on our Mana to attack and, with the mana points ceiling lowered after the last update, it's going to be even more difficult to grind solo.

This was the first game I know that decreased the Mana points' ceiling (weird).

I find it really hard since some of my skills requires 75 Mana points to use such as the Lightning Strike. So after casting it you need to rest a little bit in order to use another skill. In my opinion this is a very big disadvantage for Spellweavers because you cannot perform chain attacks during battle which makes you more vulnerable

I can't just employ hit and run tactics all the time, right!?

Xvii: Missing Hit Points and Mana Points

If I remember correctly my hit points is already at 1,980 and my mana points is around 1,000+.

When I logged in earlier this was my stats:

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What happened?!

Xvii: No Quest for Level 37

Just reached level 37 a couple of days ago and I was surprised to find out that there are no quest available for this level.

It's a bit hard to grind and grind considering most of the monsters are level 33 and you will only find level 38 mobs when you go to Dragon's Cavern. So, I was a bit lazy to go online and grind for experience.

I hope there are quests available in all level.

Online Dating in Drakensang-Online

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Going AGAINST Sigrisimarr Frostclaw

It was one of those rare occasions when Gerry Alanguilan (in-game name: Komikero), Ysa Arce (in-game name: Xvii), and I (in-game name: Jonasdiego) found ourselves all online at the same time. So, we party up and what do we decide to do?

Kill Sigrisimarr Frostclaw.

We were fresh from our own respective but separate campaigns against Khalys and we decided to try our luck with Mr. Frostclaw. After all, Gerry is already a Level 39 Dragon Knight, Ysa a Level 36 Spellweaver, and I'm a Level 37 Dragon Knight.

We should be okay, right? Apparently not.

We barely made a dent in Sigrisimarr's hit points and all of us died several times (that bastard's one tough cookie). While there were circle of protections all around in Kahlys' lair, there was nowhere to hide from Frostclaw. Worse, he periodically summons those spiky ice spirit things and you had to deal with them as well (as if Sigrisimarr wasn't problematic enough).

While Sigrissimar also followed a pattern in his attacks (energy tendrils, energy storm, summon ice spirits, repeat as needed) he was just too damn powerful to be taken down by just two Dragon Knights (Gerry and I) and one Spellweaver (Ysa).

It seems to me that we're going to need more manpower to take this baby down and a lot more firepower. We decided to call it a day, get stronger, maybe find some recruits, and fight Sigrisimarr Frostclaw when we're a bit more stronger.

Gerry logged out but Ysa and I took out our frustration on Khalys.

She, at least, didn't know what hit her.

Xvii: My Watchman

It sure is nice that I can summon a watchman. It can help me add more damage to the monsters.

Although I noticed that the lightning damage of the watchman is stronger than mine.

Here are some effective tips in using this skill:

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1.  If there are group of monsters ahead you can summon your Watchman. It will help you divert the focus of the enemy from you to the watchman so you can add more damage without being hassled yourself.

2. The Watchman will only last for 9 seconds so I suggest you stun your enemies prior to summoning it. It gives you and your Watchman enough room to deal as many damage as you can to the monsters.

3. The Singularity skill and the Watchman makes a good match. It dishes out bigger damage.

4. The Watchman gives seems to do bigger damage to Nefertaris.

5. Lastly, the Watchman is awesome in a boss fight because you can use it as a front/shield. The boss will focus on your summoned minion that gives you time to dealt more damage without worrying about your hit points. But make sure to inflict as many damage as you can because the watchman, aside from lasting for only 9 seconds, also has a cool down period of 30 seconds.

We KILLED Khalys!

Ysa and I haven't planned anything special for the day's incursion, actually.

We were both trying to level up and we figured we'd try Prison of Souls and Liar's Lair on the Difficult Level (as Gerry suggested) so we can gain more XP and level up faster. We got bored after touring the place about twice and I suggested we try out Khalys.

So, try her out we did.

As Gerry (in-game name: Komikero) found out (click here for his article detailing how he almost beat Khalys single-handed), Khalys is one tough cookie. She follows a pattern when attacking however and, once we figured that out, we stood a chance of beating her. Aside from that knowledge, we had the odds in our favor because Ysa's Level 35 Spellweaver can do long-range attacks while my Level 37 Dragon Knight likes to get up close and personal (perfect combination).

Here's how it all went down...

We found out early on that Khalys has the ability to teleport and will appear from any of the farthest point of the eight point start pattern depicted on the floor.

You have to be fast and get to her and do as much damage as you can while she's there. Make sure you have lots of health potions as she can inflict a high level of damage. Thankfully, there are regular drops of health balls all around the place but I wouldn't get too complacent just because they're there.

I was on point, being the tank, and took most of the damage to keep Khalys attention away from Ysa while she dealt out Lightning Strikes to devastating effect (she also called on her guardian periodically to distract Khalys away from me).

Khalys will only stay put for a certain time however before she teleports to the center of the star. While there she will regenerate her health (don't worry it's not going to be a full regeneration though it will certainly look that way at first) and unleash a maelstrom of energy. Before she has the chance to do this you must get to one of the circle of protection arranged around the star.

While within, you will not be affected by her devastating onslaught. If you don't make it to one of the circles in time, it's probably safe to say you'll be dead really quick. Once Khalys finishes her energy storm attack she'll head back to one of the points of the star for another round of attack using conventional means and the process I outlined is repeated.

The place is pretty big so it takes a bit of time to figure out where Khalys went once she teleports from the center (during which time you lose valuable seconds to deal damage to her before she returns to the center and she returns the favor). Ysa found a way to determine ahead of time where Khalys is going to be headed: she targets Khalys with her Lightning Strike just a split second before she disappears from the center and to one of the star's points. The lightning will strike exactly where she's headed giving us foreknowledge of where she's gone to.

It's going to take some time (a lot of time, actually) to take her down but it can be done.

Where Khalys met her end.

You just have to keep your focus, keep your timing tight, and you should be alright.

Commemorative shot at the center of Khalys' star.

And, just as a reminder, don't forget to finish your quest once you dispatch of Khalys (I almost went back to the Urban Area at the Werian Sanctuary after the battle without finishing the rest of my quest being overwhelmed with victory).

Had that happened and we returned, we probably would have found Khalys resurrected and we would have had to go through the whole thing all over again!

From Rags to Riches

When I had little I frequently spent it all and spent it fast.

I bought potions, added slots to my weapon (one typo there and that would’ve come out very wrong), and gotten a few trivial items of no real consequence. Whatever Andermants I came upon during battle was quickly used up.

Andermants

I recently was given a gift, together with Gerry (in-game name: Komikero) and Ysa (in-game name: Xvii), of 12,000 Andermants from Vanslaugh, a community manager from Drakensang-Online and I suddenly found myself relatively rich (or at least relatively well-off). From my history you’d think I’d be spending the Andermants left and right but just the opposite: I found myself spending less.

I have no doubt I’d be spending those Andermants in the near future but for now I’m just enjoying the fact that I have so much virtual moolah in my virtual pockets.

What was your most indulgent purchase in Drakensang-Online?

Location, Location, Location!

Proof that you can take on overwhelming odds by being at the right place (behind a bunch of crates and barrels) at the right time.

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Thank you for the GIFT!

In behalf of Gerry Alanguilan (in-game name: Komikero) and Ysa Arce (in-game name: Xvii) we would like to thank Vanslaugh, Community Manager for Drakensang-Online, for the wonderful gifts.

• 12,000 Andermant
• Some Extraordinary Level 1 Items
• Dragon Pet (which grants 20% more XP)

You sir, are truly AWE*waitforit*SOME!

Battling with Skype

Communication is paramount in war and Drakensang-Online is no exception.

Excellent communication allows for the planning and execution of strategy throwing the odds in your party’s favor, bringing you so much closer to victory (or at least survival).

The game has a built-in chat system which allows players to communicate either to a general group in a given environment such as an urban area or between members of their party. It also allows whispers, direct messages to specific people who are not members of your party.

I am not however adept at battling and sending out short messages via the chat system at the same time. By the time I compose and send my message I’d probably be dying or worse, dead.

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That’s why whenever Ysa (in-game name: Xvii) and I go questing we communicate in real time via Skype (though Ysa is quite adept at chatting while playing the game, something I am not able to do well, unfortunately).

I find it kinda cool actually.

We’ve yet to try a group call during an adventure. Maybe we’ll give it a run one of these days when we party up with Gerry (in-game name: Komikero) and see how it goes. You can also do these things with Yahoo Messenger of course but I find Skype’s voice and call quality better.

The only thing that could possibly be better is if you guys were playing in the same room together at the same time.

Skill Pointers for Spellweavers

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Here are some tips on how you can effectively use your skills.

1. The Magic Missile is the Spellweaver's basic attack skill. Its base damage is equivalent to 55% of your basic damage. It is best used against Nefertaris since they are magic type.

2. When you use Lightning Strike pair it up with Fire Ball but don't wait for the lightning to strike before you use another skill. Cast the lightning and fire away immediately for bigger damage.

3. Lightning Strike can be helpful when you need an escape plan. It paralyzes the enemy for at least 3-5 seconds which gives you enough time to run. If you still can't get through because you are surrounded you can use your Teleport skill.

4. Another helpful skill when you are surrounded is the Frost Nova. I suggest you use it when you are surrounded with at least 4 or more enemies so you can maximize the skill. Once the enemies surrounding you are frozen you can cast your fire ball for bigger damage.

5. When you are to fight a boss and you're in a group, you can help your tank (Dragon Knight) best by using your skills that can paralyze the enemy like your Frost Nova, Lightning, and Frost Wind. This will help the Dragon Knight by lessening the damage he will take from the monsters.

6. Take note that when you Teleport there are times you return in the same place where you were before. That's because there probably are monsters or objects in between you and the place you're looking to Teleport to. It's best to click in place where nothing is blocking the path.

7. If you are to choose between a Meteor or Lightning Strike, I suggest you use Lightning Strike instead because it creates bigger damage compared to Meteor (plus the stun effect, of course).

8. If you want to reduce the attack speed of your enemy, use the Ice Blast. If you are trapped, this will help you run away because it will slow the enemy down by 20%. This is also helpful for long range fights since it decelerates the enemy's movements, it gives you more time to do damage before it reaches you.

9. If you are to use your chain of Lightning Skills, I suggest you use with enemies lower than your level. It only takes about 10% of your basic damage so it won't really help that much.

10. Skills that causes the enemy to daze usually has a longer cool-off time. Don't use them all at once.

Hello, Spellweavers!

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First of all, I would like to thank Jonas for allowing me to publish some Drakensang-Online related posts here.

Okay, Spellweavers: this is our time to shine!

Character: Spellweaver
Current Level: 26
In-game Name: Xvii

So, here are some basic Spellweavers facts and tips:

1. Spellweavers are magic user type of character.

2. They cast spells like Lightning Strikes, Fire Bolt, and Frost Nova.

3. Since they are long range type, they excel in dishing damage to the enemy before they get close.

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4. Spellweavers rely on mana points to power their spells so it's best to collect and store as many mana potions as you can. In the event you run out of potions your options are either to buy more potions using Andermats (expensive in-game currency that you buy with real money) or run (LOL!).

5. Unlike Archers, if the enemy gets too close we can't use our wands to hit or stab. So, if you have the opportunity to run, please do so.

6. You have two choices for weapons: the long hand staff or the main hand staff. If you are going to use the main hand staff, partner it with a book or a clairvoyance ball. Based on experience, it's best to use the book or clairvoyance ball that has block rate in it. It helps you lessen the damage you get from your enemy. Long hand staff has bigger damage compared to main hand but you need to use two hands so say goodbye to the book.

7. Spellweaver hit points are low compared to the other race so I suggest you look for armor that increases health and armor (but also consider armor that increases mana points since you will be using a lot of it). The higher the number the better chances that your character will be less affected by monster blows. You can buy some defense stones to increase your armor value (hello, Andermats!).

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8. You can use essences such as aggression, combat, war, and destruction to increase your attack damage. The cheapest essence you can buy is the essence of aggression (you can purchase them using silver from your local essence merchant so no need to buy Andermats). Essence of combat is good for Spellweavers especially for the lightning skill.

9. The faster the attack speed of the weapon, the faster your mana will burn. Main hand staff usually have higher attack speed, meaning you can hit your enemy twice as fast unlike when you are using the long hand staff.

10. If in case you ran out of mana, hit points, but are without mana and/or healing potions, you can always run away from your enemy, go to a safe place, and rest. Wait until your mana and/or health regenerates then go back and kill more mobs.