In the tenth class presentations, Camelot Unchained finally reveals the classes that come closest to a rogue.
Unlike the archers with their stealth system, or the non-combat classes of the scouts, the Veilwalkers may be the classes most similar to rogues from Camelot Unchained (RvR-MMORPG). However, they play completely differently.
Normally, we start our class articles by introducing the classes and then explain, if necessary, some of the associated game mechanics and ideas. However, the stealth system of this class is so different from the typical MMO genericness that we prefer to discuss it first this time.
We unveil the veil: The stealth system of the Veilwalker!
The topic of Stealther (rogue) has been a hotly debated subject in Camelot Unchained from the beginning and has been highlighted in several articles. The reason for this is summarized by Mark Jacob as follows:
As a player, I loved Stealther and played numerous stealth-based characters in MMORPGs. On the other hand, as a designer, especially in a RvR-focused MMORPG like Camelot Unchained, I am deeply concerned about them and their impact on the game. I do not want to add a class that drives away as many players as it attracts due to its actual or perceived power. Furthermore, I also do not want a class that constantly needs to be nerfed to find just the balance that satisfies non-stealthers.
Therefore, the guys at CSE were sure from the beginning that if they were to introduce any form of stealth into the game, they would need to find an innovative and entertaining way to do so.
The designers’ idea was to create the so-called Veilwalkers, who can move through the Veil (veil) unlike other classes. This is an important component of the game’s background and also affects gameplay. It is a kind of magical plane, a living world that overlaps with the game world and causes chaos and destruction in the form of veil storms.
Veilwalkers can penetrate the “veil” to this world. As they do, the world around them begins to blur as if they are looking through fog. This can be compared to the Lord of the Rings when Frodo puts on the ring and enters another dimension, making him invisible to all normal mortals.
Inside the Veil, the walkers can move at normal and sometimes increased speed. But beware! For the Veil is alive and has its own defense mechanisms that it hurls at intruders. For example, the spirits of dead Veilwalkers, who crave the souls of their living brethren. Veilwalkers must always stay alert.
Moreover, passing through the veil causes pain and can alter the Veilwalkers over time. This pain intensifies the more stealthers from the same realm linger in an area with few opponents. Forming and maintaining a “gank group” will therefore not be an easy task and, according to the developers, should be less rewarding than playing solo. This is where the Veilwalkers differ significantly from most other familiar classes in the game, which are often quite group-oriented.
As compensation for all these risks, according to Mark Jacobs: “Power, movement speed, a game within a game, and a challenge like no other!”
But more on this in the following class descriptions:
Veilstalker
The Veilstalker (Arthurian) in the service of King Arthur take pride in being the first to gain access to the Veil, giving them the oldest tradition and therefore the most experience among all Veilwalkers in dealing with the hidden powers there. However, for these abilities, the Veilstalkers pay a high price, as their body is particularly affected each time they enter the Veil.
Veilstalkers enter the Veil through portals they can create between themselves and the Veil. The longer Veilstalkers spend in the Veil, the more “arcane charges” they accumulate, which they can use outside the Veil as a damage bonus and special damage effects for their attacks.
However, they should not hesitate to use their powers for too long, as the “charges” disappear more quickly the longer the Veilstalkers remain outside the Veil. Additionally, they are considered masters of interruption (magic, healing, and simple weapon attacks), making them a nightmare for mages. However, unlike the “stunlock” of other games, the interruption abilities of the classes in Camelot Unchained do not render them completely immobile and unable to act.
The focus of the Stalkers lies (unlike most classes in CU) more in the field of 1vs1, against ranged classes such as mages and archers, the “damage dealers” of the game. This brings them closest to classic rogue/assassin classes of other MMOs, at least within the limits set by Camelot Unchained.
Red Cap
The Red Cap (Tuatha Dé Danann) use their blood (energy type similar to mana). But don’t worry… their blood supply regenerates particularly quickly in the Veil. This pays off in two ways for them, as the amount of blood gained in the Veil can be converted into bonus damage. However, they need to be careful, as outside the Veil, especially in daylight, their blood supply slowly but continuously decreases and thus also the energy pool for using their abilities.
The Red Caps can hit hard and fast, and curse their enemies, allowing them to steal and utilize the blood of their foes and corpses (life-leech). And with their special daggers, they are able to penetrate even heavier armor. All in all, the Red Caps resemble more of a blood mage or “vampires” than a typical assassin.
Shadow Walker
The Shadow Walker (Viking) are not only skilled in traversing the Veil, but also the darkness of night. For this, they incur some disadvantages in the glaring light of the sun. This makes them especially a terror for some of the classes specialized in night TDD (e.g., the shapeshifter class of Morrigan).
Darkness also plays a special role when entering the Veil. While the walkers can do this anywhere, they succeed much faster if they are already hidden. Additionally, their running speed and damage are increased when they leave the Veil at night and can continue moving unseen in the normal world until they attack or are discovered through skills. They also gain a special ability that allows them to detect opposing Veilwalkers in the Veil and pull them into the real world from there.
They are not the strongest of all stealth classes when it comes to pure damage alone. This may also be due to the fact that their abilities do not work when they come into contact with metal (e.g., weapons). Therefore, the Shadow Walkers primarily carry special weapons made of bone. With these, they execute powerful interruption abilities, which, in combination with their special stealth in the Veil, as well as in the night, make them a feared class that can even panic other stealers.
For more class presentations and game info, you can find it on our news overview of Camelot Unchained.
