Dark Age of Camelot
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| Dark Age of Camelot | |
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| Developer(s) | Mythic Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Mythic Entertainment (US), Wanadoo (DE/FR/UK/SP/IT) |
| Engine | Gamebryo Engine |
| Release date(s) | October 10, 2001 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Media | CD |
Dark Age of Camelot is a 3D medieval fantasy MMORPG that revolves around the war between three realms at the end of King Arthur's rule: Arthurian-inspired Albion, Norse mythology inspired Midgard and Celtic Hibernia. The game was developed by Mythic Entertainment and released on October 10, 2001.
DAoC offers two styles of gaming for players: Player vs Environment (PvE) and Player vs Player (PvP)—in the case of DAoC PvP is often referred to as Realm vs Realm (RvR) as the majority of player on player combat focuses on groups of players from the same realm (Albion, Midgard, Hibernia) combating players from the other two.
PvE usually appeals to those players who enjoy a slower and more immersive playing session. It is also the only way to obtain new equipment without buying it or crafting it. PvE can occur in any "zone" (playable region) in the DAoC virtual world as there are roaming beasts scattered everywhere; on land, in water and in dungeons.
PvP is usually restricted to PvP areas or zones; battlegrounds, New Frontiers and some dungeons. PvP will offer some money, but not as much as PvE and will not offer any items. However, you do receive Realm Points (RPs) for killing other players. Earn enough RPs and you will earn a new Realm Rank (RR) which will offer new skills to the player.
Essentially, a player creates a character and battles, or "hunts" computer controlled animals, monsters and non-player characters (NPCs), completes quests and tasks and battles other players to earn experience and money. Gain enough experience and the character will gain a new "level" offering new skills and abilities, and in some cases, access to new areas of the game. Currently, the maximum level attainable is level 50. However, later expansions to the game offer additional "parallel" levels that when completed, will make available unique skills and abilities. Such as "Master Levels" from the Trials of Atlantis (ToA) expansion, or "Champion levels" from the Darkness Rising (DR) expansion.
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[edit] Realms
Dark Age of Camelot offers players a choice of three realms to choose from, based on specific tidbits of folklore, fact, and legend.
Albion is based on old Arthurian legend, with such notable real-world places as Hadrian's Wall, and many places based on real English locations (much like Stonehenge). The races are mostly human and have origins in and around old Britain. Hibernia is based around Celtic folklore and legend. The races include fairy-types, with lurikeen, sylvans, and elves, and classes that are more nature-based. Midgard is based on Norse legend, with races such as dwarves and trolls, and classes based on worshipers of the old Norse gods of Odin, Thor, Loki, and the like.
[edit] Classes
The classes in the game are:
Albion: Armsman, Cabalist, Cleric, Friar, Heretic (Catacombs), Infiltrator, Mauler (Labyrinth of the Minotaur), Mercenary, Minstrel, Necromancer (Shrouded Isles), Paladin, Reaver (Shrouded Isles), Scout, Sorcerer, Theurgist, Wizard.
Hibernia: Animist (Shrouded Isles), Bainshee (Catacombs), Bard, Blademaster, Champion, Druid, Eldritch, Enchanter, Hero, Mauler (Labyrinth of the Minotaur), Mentalist, Nightshade, Ranger, Warden, Valewalker (Shrouded Isles), Vampiir (Catacombs).
Midgard: Berserker, Bonedancer (Shrouded Isles), Healer, Hunter, Mauler (Labyrinth of the Minotaur), Runemaster, Savage (Shrouded Isles), Shadowblade, Shaman, Skald, Spiritmaster, Thane, Valkyrie (Catacombs), Warlock (Catacombs), Warrior.
The classes are essentially broken down into one of five archetypes: Tanks and light tanks, casters, stealthers, healers, and hybrids.
The tank/light tank classes represent the pure "in your face" melee fighter. The tanker has very little at its disposal in regards to ranged attacks, but they wear the heaviest armour and have the highest melee damage output of any other class. Light tanks have slightly higher damage output and usually wield 2 weapons at the same time, but have slightly more vulnerable type of armor. Some examples of Tank classes are the Armsman, Hero, and Warrior.
The casters have the highest damage output potential of all the classes in DAoC, and played correctly, can be the most powerful characters both in PvP and PvE. Casters have the lowest hitpoints and are limited to the lowest level of armour in the game, but their extra abilities of "crowd control", spells that immobilize an opponent, and the immense damage capability aids in their survivability. However, their spells can be interrupted and they are usually victims of stealthers as they die easily. Some Casters specialize in the use of "pets", using summoned or controlled pets to aid them in their fights. Some examples of Caster classes are Wizards, Sorcerers, Bainshees, Enchanters, Warlocks and Runemasters.
The stealthers are designed as the primary intelligence gatherers and "hit and run" melee or ranged fighters in the game. Their ability to become invisible allows them to pick and choose their targets, spy and report on enemy activities, and ambush unsuspecting players or monsters. Although the risk exists for them to be uncovered, it is possible for a well-played stealther to walk into the middle of a group of enemies, kill an enemy in one strike, and disappear again before the other enemies have a chance to react. Some examples of stealther classes are Infiltrators, Scouts, Shadowblades, Rangers, Hunters and Nightshades.
Healers are the "medics" of DAoC. Specializing in healing and enhancement(buffing) spells, healers are always in demand for both PvP and PvE groups. In most cases, the Healers offensive capability is relatively limited and they can be a difficult class to "level" and nearly impossible to play "solo". Examples of Healing classes are Clerics, Druids and Shaman.
Hybrids are a combination of 2 archetypes, but are primarily tank/caster. Hybrids offer a level of versatility not available to the other classes. Hybrids can be difficult to play, as they are not an "expert" in any one discipline and must know how to use their capabilities to complement each other. However used correctly, hybrids can be very effective. Examples of Hybrids are Minstrels, Reavers, Paladins, Valewalkers, Thanes, Wardens and Champions.
[edit] Races
The races in the game are:
Albion: Avalonian, Briton, Half-Ogre (Trials of Atlantis), Highlander, Inconnu (Shrouded Isles), Saracen, Minotaur (Labyrinth of the Minotaur).
Hibernia: Celt, Elf, Firbolg, Lurikeen, Shar (Trials of Atlantis), Sylvan (Shrouded Isles), Minotaur (Labyrinth of the Minotaur).
Midgard: Dwarf, Frostalf (Trials of Atlantis), Kobold, Norseman, Troll, Valkyn (Shrouded Isles), Minotaur (Labyrinth of the Minotaur).
[edit] Server types
- Normal - 13 servers based on the basic package provided by Mythic Entertainment. These servers are the primary set for gameplay. All expansions are enabled. PvP combat only takes place in the PvP zones (New Frontiers, Battlegrounds, Darkness Falls, etc.).
- Role-Playing - 3 servers with the same ruleset as Normal servers. These servers have additional terms of use in the attempt to create a more immersive gaming experience for those players who enjoy "living" their character. Restrictions on "out of character" speech in public chatting channels and "time-period" accurate character naming are examples of some of the additional rules. An in-game appeal system is in place for players to report role-play violations, which may result in a temporary or permanent ban for violators.
- Classic - 3 servers similar to the Normal servers, except that the PvE regions opened by the Trials of Atlantis expansion have been removed (thus, the Artifact items and Master Level's included in those regions are also unavailable). The character-statistics buffing system has also been altered so that the character giving a concentration-based buff must be in group with the recipient and within 5000 units of distance from the recipient to give and maintain the effect of the buff spell. These servers were created in response to player requests for reduced damage for longer battles and eliminate the use of 'buff bots' in RvR, a second account used solely to increase a character's stats without actually being in harm's way.
- Player Vs Player - A single server has been setup to include an alternate ruleset where players can be attacked and killed within the normal PvE regions of the game. Certain areas, such as capital cities of each realm, and certain times, such as immediately after portal to a new zone (to discourage portal/spawn camping), grant immunity to players from being attacked by other players. This alternate ruleset also alters the focus from "Realm vs Realm" to "Guild vs Guild" warfare in Normal PvP zones.
- Co-operative - A single sever similar to the Normal servers, except there are no PvP-based zones. Instead, the three realms cooperate in their attack on NPC-controlled keeps (located within the normal PvP zones) and other PvE areas. High level enemies defend the locations where PvP gameplay would normally take place. All classes are opened up to the player and teleportation between realms is available.
- Test - There are also two test server's available, allowing players to test different abilities that may become possible in upcoming changes in game mechanics prior to Mythic fully implemeting them.
Each server can support up to 3500 online players at the same time.
As of February 2005, Mythic Entertainment has implemented "server clustering" combining three to six servers into a "cluster"- where certain locations (Capital cities and PvP areas) from multiple servers are the same location, and PvE areas of each server continue to be located on the individual server. This allows for a wider range of PvP (especially on servers with low populations) and offers PvE players three to six times the area to hunt as well as the opportunity to group and join guilds from other servers.
The current clusters are as follows:
- Bossiney cluster (Classic)
- Ector
- Lamorak
- Gareth
- Caerleon cluster
- Iseult
- Kay
- Lancelot
- Pellinor
- Devon cluster
- Akatsuki
- Bedevere
- Galahad
- Igraine
- Morgan Le Fay
- Tristan
- Killibury cluster
- Bors
- Gawaine
- Merlin
- Palomides
- Tintagel cluster (Roleplaying)
- Guinevere
- Percival
- Nimue
- Non-clustered servers
- Mordred (Player vs Player)
- Gaheris (Cooperative)
- Pendragon (Test server)
- Hector (Secondary Test server)
[edit] Player Vs. Player, Play Styles
There are Three Main Play Styles in DAOC:
- Group - Within the game, groups of players can agree to function as a team. The internal limit to the number of players within a single group is eight. Optimization of class composition and specification of the class and competition between single teams of eight players form the impetus for the 8v8 play style. Because of the competitive nature underlying this play style, 8-man teams will often operate in RvR zones with rules of engagement that include allowing a fight in progress to be completed without "adding" onto the fight. ("Adding" means becoming involved in a fight that is underway.) The goal of this play style is to enjoy the competition given the limit of having only 8 people on each team for comparison between each of the other guilds acting in the same manner. It requires tactical thinking and committed teamplay.
- Large Group (aka Zerg) - The term Zerg refers to a race in the StarCraft universe that generally defeat their enemies through the advantage of numbers but not necessarily the strength of any one member. Players who engage in this style of play often join together in an in-game text chat known as a "Battle Group" and are generally concerned with Realm vs Realm warfare as a whole: taking keeps and towers (also known as 'siege play'), capturing relics, and fighting the other realms' zerg(s).
- Solo - This play style encourages the solo player to find his match against other solo players throughout the PvP areas of the game. Many players interested in this style choose their abilities and specializations to be tailored towards survival and success in short assaults on small numbers of enemies. One example is class selection as a Stealther, classes within each realm who are capable of becoming invisible. They are the most common classes to this playstyle as they have the greatest chance of avoiding disadvantageous situations, but are not the only classes that choose this style of play. This style is very much concerned with timing and opportunity.
[edit] Expansions
Mythic has produced six expansions (4 retail, 3 free) for DAoC:
- Shrouded Isles (SI, November 12, 2002) - Added 6 new classes (Necromancer, Reaver; Savage, Bonedancer; Valewalker, Animist), 3 races (Valkyn, Inconnu, Sylvan) and a brand new land for each realm near the size of the old world (in addition to the old world), which also includes epic dungeons. This expansion pack is now a free download.
- Foundations (June 18, 2003) - Free expansion which added player housing.
- Trials of Atlantis (ToA, October 28, 2003) - Added 3 new races (Half-Ogre, Frostalf, Shar) and high level content and zones (which are the same for each realm), also includes new terrain graphics for all areas of the game (including trees). This expansion pack is now a free download, as of October 31, 2005.
The Trials of Atlantis expansion remains very controversial. Many players rejected it because of the high difficulty, organization, and time required in Atlantis's epic raids. The expansion featured extremely powerful items known as artifacts, and extra abilities known as "Master Levels". Artifacts, obtained by hidden encounters only become useful when the player finds the three scrolls hoarded by Atlantean monsters. Furthermore, artifacts must gain experience in order to reach their full potential. Once this has occurred, artifacts become some of the most mighty items in the entire game. In more recent versions of the game, many changes have been made to Atlantean areas in order to make encounters easier, as well as making the artifacts and scrolls easier to come by.
- New Frontiers (NF, June 22, 2004) - Remake of the game's realm vs. realm warfare (free expansion, required expansion)
- Catacombs (Cata, December 7, 2004) - Added 5 new classes (Heretic; Vampiir, Bainshee; Warlock, Valkyrie), instanced dungeons (where players entering certain areas get their own private dungeon to hunt in), and new zones and quests with an emphasis on faster and easier leveling. Also includes new player model graphics and new graphics for all the games' dungeons (except Darkness Falls). As of February 6, 2007, players may now download and venture into the depths of the Catacombs for free. This expansion is downloadable via the website for no extra charge.
- Darkness Rising (DR, October 11, 2005) ( February 1, 2006 in Europe) - Introduced Champion weapons (much like epic armor), player mounts (horses), Champion Levels and subclassing (small abilities from another class), new dungeons and instanced zones for the new Champion Quests and new graphics for the game world's models (such as barns, haystacks and forts, this includes the Darkness Falls dungeon and the capital cities) which are following the design ideas presented in Mythic's new graphics for the starting cities. Darkness Rising was also the first downloadable paid expansion to Dark Age of Camelot. A trailer has been created by GOA to showcase this expansion. Mythic also introduced a new island, called Agramon, which acts as a central island that connected the frontiers of the three realms. Unlike the rest of the Frontiers zones, there are no keeps and any player from any realm can open the gates that border the island.
- Labyrinth of the Minotaur (LotM, November 5, 2006) - Features include a new race (The Minotaur), a new hybrid class (The Mauler), a new RvR dungeon, and additional Champion Levels (6-10). Until this expansion, Mythic has never given each of the three realms the same race or class. [1]
[edit] Storyline
Each realm has a unique but parallel storyline, which is expanded with retail expansions. The European distributors occasionally add writings and quests about the realms and their inhabitants in detail.
In the original Realm zones, smaller cities in the realm need protection against monsters common to many other RPGs. In particular, Albion is menaced by undead raised by Morgana and Hibernia is torn apart by the Unseelie court and Siabra.
Shrouded Isles - Each realm is called to assist a smaller allied realm against a large enemy. In Albion, the Drakoran have besieged the final stongholds of Lady Lile's Avalonians. Hibernia has come to the aid of Hybrasil, where the Sylvans face extinction at the hands of the Fomorians. Midgards ancestral home at Aegir has seen the Last of the Troll Fathers hunted down by the Morvalt. This expansion is now free.
Trials of Atlantis - The ruins of Atlantis have been discovered, as well as a portal to another Plane where the ancient Atlanteans underwent their trials. How did Atlantis come to its end and what powers were left behind? The Trials remain in a form twisted by the passage of time and the departure of the denizens of Atlantis. Ancient artifacts wait to be discovered and have their power and secrets revealed by learned scholars. Familiar figures from Greek and Egyptian mythology make their appearance in a new land waiting to be discovered. This expansion is now free.
Catacombs - A nemesis has taken control of the power within the Darkspire, gaining control of most of the denizens of an underground realm's race. Arawn, previously referenced as an ally of the Avalonians and patron of the Inconnu, has had his realm overrun by revolting dead and enslaved Inconnu. The Shar are only able to hold their ground at the gates of their Otherworld citadel. The Kobolds have been forced to open the secrets of the undercity to outsiders in a desperate bid for survival. This expansion is now free.
Darkness Rising - The King of the realm has returned to fight back a growing rebellion. Further investigations will reveal a conspiracy with a dark power behind the rebellion. To become a Champion of the Realm the player must defeat the demonic evil behind the unrest and return peace to the land.
Labyrinth of the Minotaur - The ancient race of Minotaur has returned to the lands of Albion, Midgard, and Hibernia to reclaim powerful but corrupt relics hidden long ago by their ancestors. Lust for these relics once brought about the downfall of the powerful Minotaur kingdom and their evil influence now threatens the kingdoms of Man.
[edit] Economics
Dark Age of Camelot promotes economic activity by means of a player market, for the sale and acquisition of items such as weapons and armor, and a system of Tradeskills which enable a character to create player-usable items, such as weapons and armor.
The basics - Currency in the game is termed coin and includes several denominations, valued as follows: 100 copper = 1 silver, 100 silver = 1 gold, 1000 gold = 1 platinum, 1000 platinum = 1 mythril. (Although mythril is in the game, you cannot have a mythril on any one character; the amount of coin will not go much beyond 200 platinum.) Players may accumulate coin by engaging in RvR combat, PvE hunting, crafting by means of Tradeskills, trinketing, and the sale of items on the in-game player market. Players defeated in RvR and monsters slain in PvE all drop some quantity of coin which either falls automatically into the winning character's backpack, or can be picked up manually.
Tradeskills - Each character created by a player is able to choose, study and advance in one of six Tradeskills, which enable the character to create player-usable items which can in turn be sold to other players on the player market for coin. Tradeskills include: Armorcraft (heavy armor), Tailoring (light armor), Weaponcraft (swords, shields), Fletching (staves, bows, arrows), Alchemy (poisons, dyes), and Spellcrafting. Alchemy also enables a character to 'imbue' armor and weapons with special magical abilities, such as a damage spell which is triggered when an enemy strikes a character's armor, or a spell which heals a character whenever the character chooses to trigger the spell. Spellcrafting enables a character to imbue armor and weapons with a wide range of magic which serves to improve a character's statistics, skills, and resistances to damage.
Characters are no longer restricted in their Tradeskill choice. Any character can choose any Tradeskill, and can raise the level of every Tradeskill they possess without restriction.
Support skills - All of the six Tradeskills are dependent upon a variety of support skills, such as metalworking, clothworking, leatherworking, and woodworking. An Armorcrafter's score in metalworking will automatically improve as the character creates metal-based items which advance its score in Armorcraft. However, support skills such as metalworking will not necessarily advance at the same rate as the primary Tradeskill, so characters may from time to time have to devote themselves to improving their score in one or more support skills.
Trinketing - Monsters defeated in PvE frequently drop player-usable items such as armor and weapons. Characters with sufficiently high support skills (such as metalworking, etc) can salvage these items for their raw materials, and then craft new items to be sold to NPC merchants, usually for significantly more coin than might be obtained by selling the original dropped item to an NPC merchant. This can be a significant source of income for characters with high Tradeskill scores.
Woodworking - A character's score in Woodworking can also be used in the RvR zone known as New Frontiers to repair towers and keeps damaged by members of enemy realms. Making such repairs earns a character Realm Points with which to purchase new or improved Realm Abilities. However, in order to make such repairs a character must obtain wood, either from NPC merchants or by salvaging drops.
Player market - The player markets are located in the Housing zones unique to each realm, where no combat of any kind is permitted. Any character may enter the Housing zone for its own realm and make purchases from the player market by means of an NPC known as the Market Explorer. However, in order to sell items on the player market a character must have access to a player-owned house which is equipped with an NPC merchant known as a Consignment Merchant.
Housing - Any character with sufficient coin may purchase a house, but only one house may be purchased per player account. Any character on a player's account may make use of a house owned by a character on that player's account. Players are also able to set permissions for their house to allow the characters of other players to use the house and its various assets, such as a Consignment Merchant, a Grandmaster Merchant, tools such as a forge or lathe, or a Vaultkeeper, among others.
[edit] External links
- Official sites
- The Official Dark Age of Camelot site (product info, screenshots,...)
- The Camelot Herald - The Dark Age of Camelot community site (news, backgrounds,...)
- Dark Age of Camelot Europe (account management, account creation, screenshots, media downloads,...)
- Dark Age of Camelot Europe Community Site (news, backgrounds, downloads,...)
- Wikis
- Fan and Community sites
