In a long stream, the developers of Lost Ark announced a whole lot of content and changes for 2022. This includes new raids and areas, balance adjustments, and above all, the completely new class Painter. However, the updates will initially be available only for Korea.
This is the Artist: The Painter (or Artist?) is a class that comes with a completely new base class called “Specialist”. She is exclusively female and uses a large brush as a weapon.
It is said to be a support class that uses black and white ink in combat to damage her opponents and strengthen her allies. For example, the Artist can use her brush to draw various creatures like birds or fish and send them into battle.
With white ink, she can draw areas on the ground that grant her group buff auras and a kind of shields. The Artist will be playable in the Korean version of Lost Ark starting January 12.
The class was previously found in the code of the Korean version of Lost Ark and was called “Weather Artist” there. The first look at it and information about gameplay is only available now.
These classes were also announced: In addition to the Artist, the Specialist will also receive a second advanced class. It does not have an official name yet, but its abilities will revolve around the weather. She will be able to influence the weather, change it, and use it against her enemies.
Additionally, the existing class Berserker will receive a female version. This is the next step towards weakening the gender lock that exists in Lost Ark.
So far, the Striker and Gunslinger have already been released in this context.
A lot of content for 2022. But (for now) only in Korea
This was also announced: In the long developer stream, a lot of content for the year 2022 was announced, which aims to satisfy both PvE and PvP fans in detail:
- Balance adjustments: Especially the weaker jobs will receive buffs.
- General improvements to the user interface and gameplay experience (‘Quality of Life’).
- The developers will introduce new gold sinks to combat inflation.
- With Rowen, a continent will come where open-world PvP will take place. The developers have specifically stated that they will take measures against ganking and PK.
- Further PvP updates that introduce two warring factions and “guild vs. guild” systems with siege battles.
- A lot of story content on the new continents Elgacia and Voldaik, with the latter possibly also releasing in 2023. Additionally, the backstory of the character Aman will be expanded in a separate quest line.
- New raids with the Legion Commander Akkan followed by Carmen, as well as a new Guardian raid in which players will likely fight against a giant golden frog.
- New islands on the ocean.
- A battle royale mode with predefined classes that will be available to players, as well as a MOBA-style PvP mode. In this mode, however, you will be able to play your own class again.
- A lot of mini-games in the style of Mario Party, but with much more blood.
- Additional options and adjustments for personal housing on the player island and the wedding feature for players.
Overall, Korean players can expect a lot of content in 2022, released in stages. The launch will be led by the Artist, who will go online in January.
When will all the content come to us? How long Western players will have to wait for all the fun mentioned above is currently hard to say. Lost Ark has to release in our region in the first place, and some are eagerly anticipating the release date on February 12.
The content mix that the Western version of the MMORPG has received so far differs from that of other regions. While Russia and Japan receive their content in roughly the same order it was released in Korea, it has been mixed up in Europe.
Thus, European players will receive the three newest classes Striker, Gunslinger, and Sorceress directly at launch, which only appeared in Korea in 2021.
