A wealth of stories, experiences, and adventures are quickly approaching. The gates of Solisium opening for early access on September 26 and full launch on October 1. With release on the horizon, we wanted to take a moment and share some important information regarding THRONE AND LIBERTY. Below, you’ll find a letter from our team discussing our vision of the future and learn about launch build updates (the differences between Open Beta and the launch version of THRONE AND LIBERTY). Let’s dive in.
Team Letter
Over the past year and a half, we've been letting the voice of the player show us the way. We've been working hand-in-hand with NCSOFT at every turn to test the game, gathering player feedback, analyzing it, and using it to help guide our development. Extensive revisions have reshaped the game considerably since its initial launch in Korea last December.
Since then, the leveling process has been overhauled for better pacing as you first begin your journey into Solisium. We've introduced a better education and guide system to help players learn the game, better pacing for system introductions, and a variety of engaging quest types beyond simple monster slaying. Gear progression has been improved, with higher tiers now granting meaningful power increases and a more generous reward structure during the leveling journey and beyond.
Combat and build diversity have been a major focus, with the introduction of Skill Specialization for deep customization, an increased skill cap of 24 active abilities per weapon combo, armor sets with passive bonuses, an option to customize camera smoothing, and an overhauled combat system featuring skill-shots and permanent Crowd Control (CC) breakers. Controller play has been revamped with improved camera controls and streamlined skill execution.
We've made strides in enhancing fairness and balance for PvP, with iterations to Dynamic Events, guild alliance restrictions, power scaling in lower-level zones, and the introduction of 1v1 Conquest Battles to foster an even playing field. Additionally, some crafting materials have been made non-tradeable to improve fairness, we've increased drop rates in several content areas to help with solo progression, and improved the distribution of Lucent rewards across various activities.
THRONE AND LIBERTY will launch with a vast variety of new modes, features, and content. We've added a new PvP mode with 3v3 Arena, and brought PvE content to parity with PvP through the introduction of Co-op Dungeons and the Gate of Infinity as well as Amitoi Expeditions, lifestyle activities like fishing and cooking, and a dedicated photo mode. We've also made quality-of-life improvements, such as clustering auction houses across servers to improve economic stability, improved looting rules, cross-server party matchmaking, and the removal of experience and debuff penalties upon death.
These changes are just some of examples of things we've improved by listening to your feedback — and we're not done yet. Our goal is to build a world that constantly evolves based on your experiences. We've already witnessed significant transformations from the Korean launch to now, guided by your participation and feedback. This evolution will continue post-launch, as we pour everything into crafting a special MMO experience. Your needs and preferences will steer our course, shaping the game's future with each update.
Launch Build Updates
For those who played in the Open Beta, find a list of major changes from your last journey into Solisium compared to the version you’ll soon experience during early access and the full launch. Before early access begins, we will also release a team update, granting a first look at the content you can expect to arrive after launch, along with our approach to rolling out key updates after the gates of THRONE AND LIBERTY open.
New Content
Skill Specialization
A System that expands combat and build diversity. The system includes over 250 specializations across all skills and allows for deep customization to add upgrades or even change the skill entirely.
Lifestyle Content
Fishing
Use a fishing rod and bait next to any body of water. Fish that are caught can be used within recipes needed for the Cooking Lifestyle Content. Fishing also provides a small chance to obtain bags that have greater rewards.
Cooking
Players are able to craft food with special effects using cooking ingredients obtained through hunting, gathering, fishing, and purchasable from NPCs. Players also have the ability to cook feasts which provide buffs for the entire party.
Amitoi Expeditions
Players can now send their Amitoi on expeditions to gather various items useful for player growth and the new Cooking system. Collecting various Amitoi will allow you to tailor the Amitoi you send on each expedition, with certain Amitoi increasing chances of rewards for different expeditions.
Weekly Missions
Each week, a series of missions is available to players across a variety of content. Rewards for completed missions can be checked at the start of the following week and players can choose one rewards from the available options.
Dynamic Event: Co-op
In this new version of Dynamic Events, players will work together to achieve a common goal and progress to the next stage of the event. If all stages are completed, a Boss will be summoned for all players to defeat.
3v3 Arena
A new instanced PvP 3v3 Arena mode has been added. Players may enter through "solo queue" or "party queue." To queue through party queue, players must be in a party of 3.
Leveling, Progression, and Gear
For players who finish all the content in a chapter of the Adventure Codex before reaching the recommended level for the next chapter, additional guidance on supplementary content will be provided to help them continue progressing their character level. This will help prompt the player to complete Contracts, work on the Exploration Codex, or participate in Co-op Dungeons.
Adjusted the timing for several quests to better distribute when systems are introduced in response to player feedback that too many systems were introduced too early.
Adjusted the Milestone system pacing to find a balance that serves both hardcore and less hardcore audiences.
During Open Beta, leveling was sped up to allow players more time to test endgame content. These changes have been reverted to ensure that the leveling speed and power progression will be at the intended pace for launch.
Updated the minimum level to engage with the Auction House from level 15 to level 40.
Item Updates
Applied updates to many Epic Tier items to bring their power to the appropriate level for a fresh launch: Archboss Weapons
Tevent’s Warblade of Despair
Base damage decreased by 20%.
Base Strength decreased from 5 to 4.
Base Dexterity decreased from 4 to 3.
Base Stun Chance decreased from 50 to 42.
Queen Bellandir’s Languishing Blade
Base damage decreased by 20%.
Shield Block Chance decreased from 19% to 15%.
Base Strength decreased from 6 to 4.
Base Collision Chance decreased from 50 to 48.
Tevent’s Fangs of Fury
Base Damage decreased by 20%.
Base Off-hand Damage decreased by 22%.
Base Dexterity decreased from 8 to 6.
Base Critical Hit Chance decreased from 33 to 32.
Queen Bellandir’s Toxic Spine Throwers
Base Damage decreased by 20%.
Base Off-hand Damage decreased by 22%.
Base Dexterity decreased from 7 to 5.
Tevent’s Arc of Wailing Death
Base Damage decreased by 20%.
Base Attack Range Increase decreased from 4% to 3.4%.
Base Dexterity decreased from 4 to 3.
Base Perception decreased from 5 to 4.
Queen Bellandir’s Hivemind Staff
Base Damage decreased by 20%.
Base Wisdom decreased from 7 to 5.
Base Cooldown Speed decreased from 1.4% to 1.3%.
Tevent’s Grasp of Withering
Base Damage decreased by 20%.
Base Wisdom decreased from 5 to 4.
Base Critical Hit Chance decreased from 80 to 60.
Base Cooldown Speed decreased from 2% to 1.9%.
Weapons
Aelon's Rejuvenating Longbow
Updated the effect:
Before: Has 5% to restore 110 health upon landing an attack. Health Recovery boosted during rain.
After: Restores 110 health per second for 6s upon landing an attack with a Longbow skill. Cooldown 30s. Health Recovery increases by 100% during rain.
Toublek's Shattering Quarterstaff
Updated the effects:
Critical Hit Chance increase value has been decreased from 30 to 20 for each 1m distance between the target.
Hit range +11.4% changed to Skill Cooldown speed 5.7%.
Lequirus’s Wicked Thorns
Updated the effects:
Base damage increase upon using mobility skills has been decreased from 50s to 25s.
Off-hand Double Attack Chance decreased from 30% to 26%.
Lequirus's Coveted Tome
Updated the effect:
When your health goes below 20%, stealth duration has been decreased from 7.5s to 3s.
Minzerok’s Daggers of Crippling
Updated the effect:
Before: On hit with a dagger, has an 8% chance to apply Weaken: Curse, which decreases Melee Defense by 410.
After: On hit with a dagger, has an 8% chance to apply Weaken: Curse, which decreases Melee, Magic, and Ranged Defense by 150.
Malakar's Energizing Crossbows
Off-hand Double Attack Chance increased from 20% to 28%.
Adentus’s Gargantuan Greatsword
Updated the effect:
Base damage bonus while attacking with Greatsword per 1000 health has been decreased from 6 to 3.
Aridus's Gnarled Voidstaff
Updated the effect:
Before: After staying the same place for 5s, become immune to collision effect one time. Cooldown 45s. Deactivated when moving.
After: Damage increases by 30 if you stay in the same place for 3s. Lasts for 2s upon moving. Cooldown 45s.
Ahzreil’s Siphoning Sword
Updated the effect:
Before: Restores 101 mana whenever attacking with Shield Throw. Restores up to 5 times per cast.
After: Restores 8 stamina whenever attacking with Shield Throw. Restores up to 5 times per cast.
Chernobog’s Blade of Beheading
Updated the effect:
Chernobog’s incubus cooldown increased from 17s to 30s.
Kowazan's Sunflare Crossbows
Off-hand Double Attack Chance increased from 20% to 28%.
Updated the effect.
Attack speed is now also increased by 6% at night.
Kowazan’s Twilight Daggers
Updated the effect.
Melee Critical Hit Chance is now also increased by 125 during the day.
Rex Chimaerus's Crossbows
Off-hand Double Attack Chance decreased from 35% to 25%.
Excavator’s Mysterious Scepter
Updated the effect:
Excavator’s Breath now triggers on allies with less than 15% health instead of 40%.
Talus’s Crystalline Staff
Updated the effect:
Talus’s Cold Stone effect cooldown increased from 51s to 60s.
Set Bonus Updates
Death set name updated to Shadow Harvester.
2 set bonus: Critical damage decreased from 21% to 14%.
Ghost Wolf set name updated to Phantom Wolf.
2 set bonus: Bonus damage decreased from 22 to 18.
Grand General set name updated to Shock Commander.
2 set bonus: Damage reduction reduced from 22 to 18.
Combat and Build Diversity
Skills are acquired earlier, with the majority unlocking by level 36.
Skill Specialization will unlock at level 15 and you will acquire points until level 50.
During the process of incorporating skill specialization, many skills were adjusted to improve balance across all weapons.
Dagger Balance: In Response to player feedback, we've taken specific action to add balance to the Dagger weapon. The effect of the passive ability Destructive Fang has been changed from increasing critical hit chance to reducing a target's melee, ranged, and magical defense.
New Skills
Greatsword
Devastating Smash: Jump at the target location and deal damage to all targets within 3m with a chance to Stun.
Sword
Witty Strike: Deals damage in a 120 degree angle to up to 3 targets while also recovering mana.
Dagger
Predator Claw skill has been deleted.
Cleaving Moonlight has replaced Predator Claw. Cleaving Moonlight charges up to 3m away and attacks all targets within a radius with a chance to deal damage 4 times when your secondary weapon is triggered.
Vampiric Strike : Deals damage proportional to base damage while also restoring health equal to some percentage of the damage inflicted.
Longbow
Binding Charge Tactic has been deleted.
Earth's Blessing: Passive skill that increases your health regen and increases the effectiveness of continuous health recovery skills.
Healing Touch: Continuously heals a friendly target for 6s, stacking up to 3 times.
Crossbow
Explosive Trap: Allows placement of a trap at a designated location. The trap will explode if an enemy is within its range, dealing damage and reducing movement speed.
Staff
Fireball Barrage: Deals damage 10 times while allowing you to perform other actions after initiated.
Wand
Invincible Wall: Grants Protection to a friendly target for 6s.
Skills now all start at Uncommon Tier (Except Omnipotent Skills). All skills now grant their full effects starting at Uncommon and upgrading skills is focused on effectiveness of the skill rather than the abilities the skill grants.
Stats
New Stats
Critical Hit Damage Reduction stat has been added, which reduces the increased critical damage caused by the Critical Hit Damage stat.
Shield Penetration Chance stat has been added, which reduces the chance the target's shield will impact your attack.
Additional stats have been modified for balance purposes.
Precious Purification Stone has been added, allowing players to remove CC effects. It is not consumed on use, and has a 2m cooldown.
A CC Immunity system has been introduced for PvP. When CC is applied, a gauge will begin to fill while the CC remains in effect and the gauge will begin to deplete while no CC is in effect. Different forms of CCs will fill the gauge at different rates. If the gauge fills fully, a 1.5s buffer begins and when it ends, the player will be immune to CC for 5s. If you are under the effect of CC when the immunity begins, the CC will be cleared. Along with the CC gauge, we've also reduced the time it takes to trigger the immunity.
Player Character Controls and Camera
Improved the available settings to allow you more control over your character.
Reduced character inertia during movement.
Added a new setting. In response to player feedback, you will be able to enable or disable ‘Camera Smoothing’ (disabled by default).
Added a wider range of camera rotation speed options available in settings.
Healer Settings will now have 3 options instead of 2 related to auto-move and auto-use:
1 - Auto-move within range to use beneficial skills.
2 - Auto-use beneficial skills on self if you have no target.
3 - Use beneficial skills on self if target is out of range.
This will give healers more control over when beneficial skills are or are not cast on themselves. Number 3 is only available if Number 1 is set to ‘FALSE.’
In response to player feedback, several default settings have been altered to fit the typical playstyle of a wider audience. This will help provide a more natural combat experience by default.
PvP Balance and Fairness
Introduced power scaling in lower level zones to better let newer players experience dynamic events in their designated areas.
Miscellaneous
Improved looting rules to allow more fair loot distribution among parties and guilds.
Removed EXP and other loss penalties that occurred after dying.
Reduced the buff players receive when entering Dungeons through the Matchmaking feature to 5% damage increase and 5% health increase.
Added a Guild Tag system to allow players to more easily search for guilds with similar play styles.
Treasure Goblins now appear periodically in all hunting grounds, with a high probability of dropping valuable rewards, such as Abyssal Contract Tokens, materials, and gear. We wish you luck in your hunt.
Improved the Scoreboards for Conquest Battles and Castle Sieges.
Added a unique class name to each weapon combination to enhance the player fantasy through dedicated archetypes in the game as a direct response to player feedback.
Multiple systems rewards have been tweaked. Most importantly, we've improved the rewards available for Dynamic Events to better reward players for the effort put into successfully clearing.
Reduced the requirements for crafting equipment chests that required Dimensional Shards and Abyss Currency.
Expanded the offerings of items available with Ornate Coins.
Looking Ahead
As we head toward launch, we want to ensure you’re armed with the information you need to maximize and enhance your early journey into Solisium. If you haven’t read it yet, make sure to review our Launch Prep: THRONE AND LIBERTY Servers article to learn about the server experience and how to find the right one to call home. Before early access begins, we will also release a team update granting a first look at the content you can expect to arrive after launch, along with our approach to rolling out key updates after the gates of THRONE AND LIBERTY open.
We’re ecstatic to embark on this adventure together. Early access on September 26 and the full launch on October 1 are just the beginning. We invite you to jump in, immerse yourself in this rich tapestry, and help us shape its future. The world of THRONE AND LIBERTY awaits, and the pen is in your hands to write its story. We'll be right there with you, every step of the way, listening, adapting, and pouring our passion into making this a special MMO experience for you, the players who make it all possible.
The journey is only about to begin. We’ll see you in Solisium.
