A PvE MMORPG with Charm
How does fighting work? Those who play MMORPGs usually want to fight as well. Instead of the classic tab-targeting system, the developers of Aion 2 have developed a hybrid combat system that works similarly to Black Desert Online or Blade & Soul.
Players must actively dodge enemy attacks, time their own attacks correctly, and ideally execute combo chains to deal massive damage.
This also matches the content in the game. The developers have not merely tried to copy what the genre has always offered, but instead aimed to develop a fresh gaming experience. Thus, Aion 2 offers a quick start and cinematically staged dungeons with a WOW effect, rather than weeks of grind for minimal progress.
How much PvE is in Aion 2? Here Aion 2 differs greatly from its predecessor. The focus of Aion 2 is clearly on PvE, even though there are still strong PvP elements. The developers at NCSoft have focused on instanced challenges, of which there are said to be over 200.
Behind the expeditions and the so-called transcendence lies the daily grind. It involves a group of four players in dungeons that are divided into different difficulty levels. Thanks to balancing adjustments, some weaknesses have already been eliminated in Korea, which should not appear at the release in the West.
For those with more time, they can venture into the raids of Aion 2. These provide challenging challenges for groups of 8 players. In boss fights, it is not just about observing the complex mechanics of the respective opponent, but also about dodging enemy attacks and striking at the right moment.
The raids offer the best PvE gear in the game, which has specific stats such as a damage bonus against monsters. For those who want to achieve the maximum in PvE, the raids are a regular must-attend event.
Additionally, there is also a competitive PvE mode for solo players, where one faces waves of enemies in the so-called “Ascension Trials” to secure a spot on the leaderboard of the class rankings.
Here you can see what a raid with 8 players looks like:
What about PvP? Aion 2 has not forgotten its PvP players; therefore, the MMORPG offers an optional but quite extensive PvP component.
While the old Aion was known for its nasty gankers in the open world, the developers of Aion 2 have defused the system through an opt-in procedure. Those who wish to can engage in PvP at any time. Those who do not want to participate in player versus player fights are spared from this.
The heart of the PvP mode is the Abyss. The system, which some players may know from Throne and Liberty, works as follows: One enters a permanent PvPvE zone, where they fight against monsters and other players while also scoring some really good loot. Guilds or groups often coordinate here to increase their chances of victory.
With Season 2, a high-tier zone called “Middle Reshanta” was introduced in Korea, where PvP is also mandatory and the two factions in the game fight for artifacts and fortresses. Additionally, Aion 2 also offers the typical arena modes with 1 vs. 1 and 4 vs. 4, where players can compete in duels.
Regarding gear, PvE and PvP differ significantly. PvE players earn their gear from dungeons and raids, while PvP players collect the so-called Abyss points in the Abyss, which they exchange for gear. This gear is specifically tailored for PvP. For balance reasons, there are weekly limits that all PvP players can reach.
How do the seasons of Aion 2 work? In addition to the typical leveling phase, Aion 2 features a seasonal model that puts all players back on the same level every 3 to 4 months. In each season, players earn points for the Battle Pass, which they can complete through daily and weekly tasks such as completing dungeons or PvP kills.
With each new season, better gear is introduced, surpassing the old equipment and making it obsolete. However, progress is not entirely lost. Old, upgraded equipment can be integrated into the new gear to speed up the enhancement of the new gear. Furthermore, the Season Pass offers unique rewards each season.
In PvP, the current leaderboard ends with a season and rewards are given for the best players in the arena or from the respective faction. The faction that holds the most fortifications at the end of the season also receives a small bonus in the form of increased drop rates in the open world for the next season.
On the next page, we discuss the problems of Aion 2
