Another year has passed, and Albion Online is turning six years old! Doesn’t time just fly? To mark the occasion, next week will see a double celebration: the return of the Living Legacy event, and a two-week vanity sale!
Murderous Monuments
It feels like only yesterday that the statues of Conquerors’ Hall rose up and caused chaos in Albion’s open world. Well, once more there are signs of movement, and soon they will wake from their slumbers again in the Living Legacy event!
This event starts on July 12 at 23:00 UTC on Albion East, and July 13 at 10:00 UTC on Albion West and runs for two weeks. As was the case last year, monuments to the triumphant guilds of Albion's past will leave their seats in Conquerors’ Hall, roaming through Tier 5 or higher zones. And in addition to last year’s statues, this time there are three new faces, with the statues of Seasons 16, 17, and 18’s winners joining the party.
These statues come in three different levels of size and difficulty, and can drop vast riches to those capable of defeating them, such as a new Anniversary Mount Skin, Anniversary Cake (which grants a temporary Fame buff), the Chromacannon, and much more. But such hardened fighters won’t give up their loot easily, and you’ll have to prove your worthiness in combat against them to grab these rewards. Meanwhile, any character that logs into the game during the event will receive a brand-new Avatar and Avatar Ring.
The Living Legacy event will run until maintenance on July 26 on Albion East and July 27 on Albion West, so join the festivities when they begin next week and make sure you don’t miss out!
Dev Talk: Shapeshifter Weapons
For those wondering what’s coming next for Albion Online, we’re excited to bring you a new Dev Talk - the first of a series showing off some new features we‘re currently working on and how they fit into our long-term plans. In the first of these videos, Game Director Robin Henkys introduces Shapeshifter Weapons, Albion’s next major weapon line.
Prefer a written summary? Then read on...
What are Shapeshifter Weapons?
These are staff weapons that will further expand Albion’s ‘you are what you wear’ system in exciting new ways:
Players can transform into entirely different beings called Shapes
Offers a new level of versatility as players can switch back and forth between human and Shape, with different capabilities
How do they work?
Human Form
In human form, Shapeshifters are masters of manipulating raw energy
Inflicts damage, disrupts enemies or supports allies
While using energy they build up “Shift” charges
Shift charges can be used to transform into their weapon’s associated Shape
Shape Form
Each weapon comes with a unique Shape, with its own set of abilities
Abilities can be enhanced using previously collected Shift charges
Shapeshifters are encouraged to continuously switch between forms to maximize their potential on the battlefield
As each Shape comes with unique health and armor stats which replace human stats, players can play different roles during a fight
Looking Ahead
This system allows for a vast array of build possibilities, under two broad strategies:
Players can double down on their Shape’s strength by equipping matching gear when in human form…
…or they can choose equipment which suits a different playstyle to their Shape, e.g. letting them switch from damage dealer to tank and vice versa
Shapeshifter Staffs will arrive with Albion’s next major content update. Beyond that, expanding and improving the ‘you are what you wear’ system is always a priority on our Roadmap.
Our next Dev Talk will explore an all-new open-world activity that complements the Shapeshifter weapons. This activity will also introduce additional equipment choices and further enhance the range of options available for designing your builds.
Thanks for watching!
Get Ol’ Betsy with a Single Referral
It’s not all conquering territories and killing mobs, you know. While some swashbuckling adventurers spend their time slaying mobs and fighting over castles, some lead a slower-paced life, tending the land on Albion’s long summer days.
But these rural folk need companions too - and luckily there’s a friend they can rely on: Ol’ Betsy.
Yep, for the month of July this benign bovine is available when you refer a single friend! This brand-new skin turns your Transport Ox base mount into a classic dairy cow, with a big old bell dangling from her neck. Once unlocked, it can be used by any characters on that particular server (either Albion East or West).
Send your referral link, which you can find here, to a friend. (You must be logged into your account on the website to view this page.)
Your friend registers an account and starts playing Albion Online (preferably along with you!).
The first time your friend purchases at least 30 days of Premium, they will trigger a reward for you.
On top of that, for your very first referral ever, you'll receive a T8 Recruiter's Pile of Tomes, worth a massive 200,000 Fame.
This Referral Season lasts until 23:59 UTC on July 31, so invite your friends and enjoy these rewards!
The Undead Challenge Returns
The dead just won't stay buried! For the entire month of July, take the Undead Challenge to unlock fantastic rewards. Earn points for open-world activities, unlock chests to get valuable loot, and claim your very own Spectral Direboar.
Live Your Best Afterlife
SPECTRAL DIREBOAR: This month's Challenge brings back the popular Spectral Direboar, a ghostly mount with a unique spell, Glimpse of the Other Side, which renders you temporarily invisible. Use it to evade your enemies... or to launch a sneak attack!
AVATAR RING: Adventurers who rack up enough total Challenge Points will also earn the Undead Challenge Avatar Ring, featuring a spooky skull-themed design that will strike fear into the hearts of your foes. This non-tradable item permanently unlocks this avatar border for one character, or can be traded to the Vanity Merchant for one Vanity Token.
SEASONAL SPECIALS: All month long, reach weekly goals to unlock Undead Challenge chests. In addition to valuable rewards like Adventurer's Tomes and Silver, you'll also have a chance to unlock spooky furniture items like the Candelabra, Lantern, and Memorial of the Fallen, as well as rare and valuable Undead Vanity Skins.
As always, you can earn Challenge Points by gathering, fishing, farming, and killing monsters. Points count simultaneously toward a daily bonus, a weekly unlockable chest, and the monthly mount / avatar ring reward. So log in, head out into the open world, gather points, and claim these rewards while you can!
The Titan Vanity Bundle is here! This brand-new premiere bundle is available to buy now, and includes a full costume set along with the Titan’s Warhorse Mount Skin for your Armored Horse base mount.
The Titan is a towering, storied warrior, feared and respected by all in Albion for its battlefield prowess. With thick, rock-like plating, it seems as ancient and elemental as the mountains of Albion themselves, and from within emanates a crystalline blue light. The Titan’s Warhorse comes encased in matching armor, giving you the appearance of a monolithic mass brought to life as you loom over your enemies.
The Titan bundle includes the following vanity skins, which work on male and female characters alike:
Titan's Helmet
Titan's Armor
Titan's Boots
Titan's Cape
Titan's Warhorse
As with past bundles, you can use all costume and mount skins with all characters on your account, on both servers, and they are never lost or destroyed. All items will be unlocked in the in-game "Appearance" menu after purchase.
Get this premiere bundle today and become a timeless warrior!
Albion’s next Guild Seasons Start Saturday
Albion’s next guild season begins this weekend on both servers! At 00:00 UTC, Albion East Season 2 begins, before Albion West Season 20 starts at 11:00 UTC. Both seasons see huge rewards up for grabs, like the Crystal Juggernaut. Click here for a full season rundown.
Season Changes
This season brings some changes to Hideouts, with Level 4 or higher Hideouts draining more energy, and the energy gain from Power Cores for non-HQ Hideouts reduced. Castle and Castle Outpost treasures now spawn 30 minutes earlier on Albion East. Meanwhile, the Crystal League and Crystal Arena will use the Cross Map this season, and Rank Points have been adjusted to make progression through the ranks flow more smoothly.
Watch the Season Kickoff Live
As always, we’ll be broadcasting the season kickoff live on AlbionTV. At 13:30 UTC on June 17 we’ll be broadcasting Invasion Day on Albion East. Then at 17:30 UTC we’ll bring coverage from Albion West ahead of the first round of territory resets there. Finally, at 00:30 UTC on June 18, those in the North and South American time zones can tune in for the second round of territory resets on Albion West. All open-world fights are broadcast live with a 15-minute delay.
Check out coverage from a recent Invasion Day here:
A Colossal Character Looms
Albion’s vast lands are more alive than ever, with new adventurers pouring in, forging wars and alliances, and etching their name into Albion’s history. But these are not the first, and legends tell of titanic figures who clashed here in the past.
A brand-new vanity set launches next week, bringing one of these powerful fighters to the fray…
The Crystal League Championship is this Weekend
This weekend sees the latest Crystal League Championship take place, with tournaments on both Albion East and West. And we’ll be showing both on AlbionTV!
From 10:00 UTCon Saturday, tune in to see the tournament on Albion East. And then on Sunday at 17:00 UTC, you can watch the Albion West CLC. Both promise to be filled with action, as teams compete to win huge amounts of Gold and the rare Sabertooth Rex Swiftclaw Skin!
Each tournament will take place on a single day, and will use a single-elimination format.
For team breakdowns, full rules, and the final schedule, keep an eye on this forum post.
Watch last season’s Grand Finals here:
Albion's Next Guild Season is Coming
Save the date: on June 17 the next Guild Season begins on Albion East and Albion West!
Albion East’s season will start at 00:00 UTC, and then at 11:00 UTC Albion West’s will kick off. Both seasons run concurrently, ending on 11 September, and as before, each server’s season is open to any character on that server - so you can participate in both simultaneously should you wish.
Tremendous prizes are on offer to guilds who rank highly enough, like the Juggernaut, Conqueror Avatars, and Fame buffs. And as with last season, the top three guilds will receive special Direwolf Skins.
Season Changes
This season brings some changes to Hideouts, with Level 4 or higher Hideouts draining more energy, and the energy gain from Power Cores for non-HQ Hideouts reduced. Castle and Castle Outpost treasures now spawn 30 minutes earlier on Albion East. Meanwhile, the Crystal League and Crystal Arena will use the Cross Map this season, and Rank Points have been adjusted to make progression through the ranks flow more smoothly.
For the complete schedule and a detailed rundown of the season changes, see this forum post.
Watch the Season Kickoff Live
As always, we’ll be broadcasting the season kickoff live on AlbionTV. At 13:30 UTC on June 17 we’ll be broadcasting Invasion Day on Albion East. Then at 17:30 UTC we’ll bring coverage from Albion West ahead of the first round of territory resets there. Finally, at 00:30 UTC on June 18, those in the North and South American time zones can tune in for the second round of territory resets on Albion West. All open-world fights are broadcast live with a 15-minute delay.
Check out coverage from a recent Invasion Day here:
Basic Builds: Dual Swords
Welcome to another of our Basic Builds guides for beginner-to-intermediate players. Each guide presents a suggested build and describes how its abilities work in tandem. You can try these out as-is, or use them as a starting point to create new builds of your own.
Characteristics
This build features the Dual Swords, a two-handed warrior weapon with high mobility that deals consistent damage and Heroic Charges.
Here’s the full breakdown!
Equipment and Skills Used
Adept’s Dual Swords
Heroic Strike/Heroic Cleave
You can choose between two spells for your Q slot, one for single targets and one for area damage. Both apply Heroic Charges to you.
Blade Cyclone
You spin in a targeted direction, dealing damage to enemies you pass through. If at least one Heroic Charge is active it deals more damage while consuming one charge.
Spinning Blades
Your main ability performs a dash in a targeted direction, becoming immune to crowd control effects until impact. it deals damage on impact and increases your attack speed and auto-attack damage for three seconds if at least one enemy is hit.
Adept’s Mage Cowl
Firebreath
Your Cowl has an offensive spell that briefly ignites enemies in a small cone in front of you
Adept’s Mercenary Jacket
Bloodlust
This jacket's active ability allows you to regain some health every time you auto-attack or cast a damage spell
Adept’s Soldier Boots
Rejuvenating Sprint
Your shoes’ active ability is a sprint that also heals you slightly
Adept’s Bag: Increases carry weight capacity
Adept’s Cape: Increases Energy and passive Energy Regeneration
Minor Poison Potion: Inflicts damage-over-time effect on targets and decreases their resistances for its duration
Roast Pork: Recovers health based on the damage you deal
Journeyman’s Riding Horse: Brings you swiftly across the map while adding more carrying capacity
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Very high mobility
Lots of buffs that enhance your basic attacks and abilities
Good clear speed
Viable build for 1v1 and dueling
Affordable
Cons:
Most situational W-abilities unlock at higher levels
Relies heavily on sticking to targets
Not suited to large-scale fights
Playstyle
Your Q-slot offers the choice between a single-target ability and an area ability. The single-target ability is better in 1v1 scenarios, while the area ability deals damage to all targets within range. Both abilities apply one Heroic Charge to, while hitting three or more targets with Heroic Cleave applies two charges.
Heroic Charges increase your move and attack speed. You can have a maximum of three charges on you at any one time. Many Sword abilities can use Heroic Charges to enhance their effects.
The W-ability lets you spin in a targeted direction, and can deal damage in three instances. Damage can be further increased by consuming a Heroic Charge. It’s a great tool to reposition yourself during a mob encounter, while dishing out damage.
Your main ability, with its long-range dash, lets you dodge and pass through crowd control abilities while dealing damage and buffing your basic attacks for three seconds. It does not utilize Heroic Charges, but with its bonus attack speed and damage it works well with Heroic Charges anyway, further buffing your auto-attacks.
The cowl has an additional damage spell that helps take down groups of enemies quickly.
The jacket can be used to regain health. It’s best used in combination with your W-ability or with the increased attack speed from the E-ability.
Your boots have a sprint ability that can regain a small portion of health quickly while providing increased movement speed.
An enemy encounter should look something like this:
Use your Q to begin combat and gain Heroic Charges. Repeat until you have at least two charges.
Use your W to deal damage or change position.
Use your E when you need to dodge a crowd control ability, or when on three heroic charges to maximize the damage output of your subsequent auto-attacks.
Use your jacket in combination with your area abilities or buffed attack speed when low on health.
