Tera Online News

Good day TERA Fans! A few weeks ago I asked for members of TERA Fans to send in their questions for En Masse, and they were answered by Scott James Magner, Production Associate. I would like to thank Scott for the awesome information!



Q: Why was the name Mystic chosen over Elementalist?

A: For the Western market, there was concern that elementalist implied a more damage-focused, primary spellcaster. The mystic never felt like that to us, especially standing right next to a sorcerer throwing fireballs and ice needles.

What brought home the differences to us was watching the spell animations as the game progressed through different builds. They were heavily influenced not by the “primary” elements of earth, wind, air, and fire, but instead drew on more basic “light” and “dark” imagery. Once we realized this, mystic was far and away the best name.


Q: In one of the G*Star videos, it was seen that a mystic summoned two summons. Will there be a limit on the amount a player can summon at once?

A: All three summoning spells share a cooldown, but it’s less than the “lifespan” of the spirits answering the call. A skilled mystic player can use this to their advantage.

Q: Compared to other classes, the mystic has not gotten as much love. Is that because creating the story for mystic is harder, or because there is not enough information from BlueHole Studios to do anything with?

A: We’re rolling out information about classes slowly, not because of any lack of information. Recently mystics have received a lot of coverage on our website, and we’re moving forward with more class features on all classes in the coming months. Stay tuned!

Q: In one of the more major threads on the TERA official forums, the healing orbs have been a great question to players:
-Will enemies be able to use or destroy the healing orbs?

-Considering healers like to stay far away, will the player be able to place orbs from a distance?

-Will mystics be able to keep a group alive without the aid of a priest?

A: No, no, and yes, for exactly the same reasons. Mystics and priests don’t play like the healing classes most MMO gamers are familiar with. TERA’s action combat requires them to be mobile, darting in and out of combat not only to heal, but to buff, debuff, distract, and damage.

A more important question would be whether a group can stay alive without the aid of a priest or mystic, and it’s also yes—just not as long, and it requires different tactics. As with all things TERA, player skill is what dictates success.


Q: Why were the sizes of the dps/tank summons changed, why so small?

A: There are always balance issues with “pet” classes, and in the end the summons are only one aspect of the mystic. Whether the summoned spirits are larger or smaller than the summoner, their effects are exactly the same.

Q: Can summons be buffed by other players?

A: Nope, a mystic is responsible for the things he or she brings into the world.

Q: Are mystics the ultimate cc class, or will players also need to depend on other classes for cc? Are the mystics going to be a true buffer class?

A: A player who knows how to do crowd control can use any of TERA’s classes to achieve their goals. The mystic certainly has a good selection of skills that change an opponent’s status, but a berserker knocking opponents to the ground with an overhand smash accomplishes the same goal, as does a warrior dancing around, through, and over the same foes.

The same goes for party buffs. All classes have skills which can boost a comrade’s abilities in some manner, and of the skills available to a mystic through maximum level, the majority are directed at enemies.


Q: The Mystic has been dubbed the hybrid class of TERA. With the updated information the community got from the main TERA site, and translated information from G*Star, can the players mold their Mystic to play one way over another? Example: Playing DoT heavy Mystic or Summon Mystic.

A: We can’t stress enough the importance of player skill and player choices when playing TERA. All mystics will have access to the same skills and glyphs--it's how you use them that will distinguish your mystic from other players’. There’s no one “right” way to play the game, other than yours.

Filed by TERA Fans News at 9:10 pm under Uncategorized  Tagged Air And Fire, Animations, Answering The Call, Class Features, Cooldown, Dark Imagery, Earth Wind, Elements, Enemies, G-Star, James Magner, Lifespan, Mystic Column, Mystics, Needles, Production Associate, Sorcerer, Spirits, Summoning Spells, Summons
No Comments

Good day, TERA Fans. The last few weeks, the Mystic has had a lot of light shed on the class. Not only did TERAblah get some answers from En Masse, we sent our questions to En Masse as well. Little to our surprise, they where having their own Q&A! About one week ago, En Masse updated the Mystic section on the official TERA website. With that, they sent out a Pegasus Express asking players to chat them up, and to ask some riveting questions!

With the stress test/G*Star over in Korea, we got to see updated skills, video (another), and reviews on classes. If you have not read or seen them you should really take a look!

Although the answers were full of information, En Masse was still able to keep it vague enough for our minds to wonder. With such news, like summons staying the same size no mater the skill level, and more info on how the glyphs of a Mystic will empower the player but still keep it support roll. We also got a little insight on how the mystic plays. En Masse reviled that the Mystics are not made of glass, and are given tools to help keep the player alive as long as possible. The interview goes on to reveal that just because the Mystic as been dubbed the “Jack-of-all-trades” class, armor and weapons will stay the same when it comes to the many playing styles.

P.S.: Thank you Amira for the stress test screenshots, and LalaRu (Jenilea of TERA Fans) for the adaptation of those screenshots!



Q: Why does the mystic Curtain of Retribution skill have a smaller arc than the priest version?

A: It doesn't. It is, however, animated differently and that could be where the discrepancy comes from.

Q: Are the summons going to appear out of nowhere, like they do now, or are you going to polish the animation?

A: TERA's skill animations are not yet polished: they will change before launch.

Q: In some videos the summons look really small and in others they look bigger than the characters, does the size of the summons grow when a mystic levels up?

A: This depends on the type of summon cast. The summon does not increase in size with the mystic's level. Additionally, the summons have visually changed since they were first announced.

Q: Why do you think the mystic is an essential part of group play?

A: The mystic helps improve a party's survivability, debuffing enemies and curbing the number of forces opposing the group. They are also capable healers and damage-dealers.

Q: What have the summons changed in the mystic gameplay style?

A: The mystic summons allow for the support class to receive support themselves. This means a mystic can cast one type of summon and focus on their other abilities while it is active.

Q: Are there shared cooldowns or diminishing returns on mystic "crowd control" skills?

A: Not presently.

Q: Will the glyph system allow a mystic to specialize in healing, buffs, or damage?

A: The mystic is a jack-of-all-trades rather than a flexible specialist. Their glyphs will let them enhance their capabilities in a variety of areas, but not to the point where they become a damage-dealing class, for example.

Q: Since pets attack the last thing the mystic attacked, will they break "crowd control" status on targets?

A: It's certainly possible. Good help is often hard to find. Part of the challenge for mystics will be juggling their resources, and that means redirecting their pets when needed.

Q: How is the mystic's survivability given the short range of its skills and cloth armor?

A: The mystic's survivability has less to do with its armor and more to do with the player. If the player doesn't keep the mystic out of harm's way, life expectancy may be below average. However, the mystic has several tools for getting out of trouble. They are not made of glass.

Q: Are there any plans to give the mystic more healing skills?

A: The mystic and other classes will continue to evolve as TERA grows and develops. Changes to existing skills or new skills are always possible.

Q: The mystic skill Essence of Rejuvenation (known to many as "orb healing") seems drastically inferior to both priest heals as well as even other heals possessed by mystics. What makes this skill worth using in a party setting?

A: The nature of priest skills requires consideration for party member location while the mystic's Essence of Rejuvenation does not. Party members can consume the orb when it is needed while the mystic focuses on other tasks.

Q: How is mystic survivability in PvP given their array of skills and hybrid role?

A: The mystic's combination of damaging attacks, debuffing skills, crowd-control abilities, and self-sustaining heals make it a formidable foe in PvP.

Q: Because the mystic plays different roles, are any plans on allowing the mystic to use different types of weapons and armors?

A: No, the mystic is TERA's scepter-wielding, cloth-wearing support class.

Q: Will mystic summons benefit from party buffs, whether it be PvE or PvP scenarios?

A: Yes.

Q: When it comes to PvE content, are mystics able to keep up with other classes performing the same party roles?

A: Mystics are by nature a jack-of-all-trades type of class. They may not overspecialize in one of the three main party roles, but it's that same diversity that makes them a boon to a party's survivability.

Q: Will there be any MP regeneration skills that can be used outside of combat available to the mystic?

A: Yes, but only if you ask nicely. Each caster class gains an MP restoration skill at an early level that has a fairly rapid cooldown and can be used at any time.

Q: What gives a mystic its power? Is it one of the gods?

A: Mystics harness the primal powers of the world, the Sharan and Arunic energies. Rather than a direct connection to the gods, think of the mystics as having a deeper connection to the world.

Q: How much will mystic armor overlap with sorcerer and priest armor? Why don't mystics wear heavier armor like plate?

A: Those three classes share an armor type--cloth-- but as you progress in TERA you'll find that some armor is designed with the mystic in mind. Mystics simply prefer a tailored weave over a stifling breastplate. It's a comfort issue, you see.

Filed by TERA Fans News at 12:32 am under Uncategorized  Tagged Adaptation, Amira, Animations, Arc, Armor, Curtain, Discrepancy, G-Star, Glyphs, Jack Of All Trades, Launch, Mystic Column, Mystics, Pegasus Express, Retribution, Skill Level, Stress Test, Styles P, Summons, Test Screenshots
No Comments

On November 19th, TERAblah was able to finally get some information out of En Masse regarding, what some might call the best class, the Mystic! Some questions that everyone wanted to know about were answered, and some questions we already knew to be true were also answered.

In the interview with Brain Knox at PAX, TERA Fans was able to clarify whether the Mystic class can really be considered a pet class or not. Now we know, thanks to various interviews, that not only are they summons, but short-duration allies. The tanking summon and damage dealing summon attack the last mob the player has hit and the healing summon only heals the Mystic and has the shortest duration.

We also now know that the summons are not player controlled, but AI guided, and the summons will have constant, generic names, and no mater what race a player plays, all the summons will look simmer when they are summoned. En Masse also states that the summons are skills which can be upgraded once a player meets the upgrade requirements.



I am also planing on asking En Masse some questions about the Mystic class, in our very first Mystic class interview! I would like everyone to chip in, even if you are not planing on play a Mystic. If you have a question that you would like to see answered, you can either leave a reply to the thread, or PM me with the question.

Filed by TERA Fans News at 6:02 am under Uncategorized  Tagged Allies, Brain, Class Interview, Duration, Generic Names, Justice Friends, Last Mob, Mystic Column, Pax, Reply, Summons, Tera
No Comments

G*Star only began about an hour ago, but already we have some gameplay video! This thread will be updated with all the Mystic gameplay video we find during G*Star, so keep an eye out because it'll be updated as we find more. On the other hand, if you find some video I don't have, please PM the link to me :D

• Inven.co.kr Video of a female Aman Mystic. It's likely this footage was taken during the press conference Monday. The Mystic shows off all kinds of offensive skills, like AoE and DoTs, as well as a cool, mid-level blink skill. It is also the first time we've seen summons in action!
  
  
  
  
  
  
• This Is Game -- Elin Mystic gameplay starts at 2:10 or so!
  
  
  
  
• Game.Chosun.com -- A short video of an Elin Mystic summoning a spirit.
  

Filed by TERA Fans News at 1:54 am under Uncategorized  Tagged Aoe, Blink, Dots, G-Star, Game, Inven, Kr, Mid Level, Mystic, Offensive Skills, Spirit, Summons
No Comments

Playing a healing class is not for everyone. Some do it because they are way over powered in PvP situations, and others do it because they genuinely love to play support classes. Mystic is the ugly duckling, soon turning into a swan with its odd way of healing, debuffing, buffing, and now summoning.

One of the big draws of the Mystic is its odd way of healing party members. As the TeraFans wiki says, the name of the Mystic's basic heal is Essence Of Rejuvenation. This skill causes the Mystic to drop orb(s) and allowing a party member to pick them up, healing them for a set amount. So, it is more or less a heath potion, or a life herb that you would get in other games after killing a mob. Some have said that the orbs will need to be strategically placed for party members to use, which is most likely what will happen. There is still a lot of theory crafting that is being done on these orbs, other then the obvious picking them up to heal.

The other big draw to the Mystic class is the three new summons they will be getting. The Mystic community literally has NO info on the summons other then one is for healing, one is for tanking, and the other is for dealing damage. In one tweet from Tera Online, it seems they are still working on getting the info themselves. Around the time the Summons where announced, a poll was created to see who was still going to play a Mystic.
One player said:

Quote

Where another said:

Quote

And another stated:

Quote

The announcement of the summons caused quite a stir within the Tera community, causing some people who were already heart set on their class to question their initial judgment, and maybe move to playing a Mystic.

An incentive for group play would be the skill vampiric circle. You might be asking yourself "why?" Besides the fact that it is super awesome, it draws the life force out of mobs. Here is the kicker, you can then use the mob's life force you have gathered, and give it to your parties mp. The Mystic class also gets mana boost, which slowly gives the player MP over time, sort of like the priest class. The Mystic class also gets an instant heal. Two of the mystic's main attacks are Curtain of Retribution and Sharan Bolt. The Sharan Bolt shoots a ball of energy toward a mob, dealing out damage. The Curtain of Retribution is a fan shaped AOE attack of rainbows and butterflies.

We do not have a lot of info on the class yet, and information will definitely be welcomed in the months to come before the game is launched. It will also be interesting to see how the Mystic grows from En Mass' FGT to launch of Tera, and the updates Tera will receive.

Filed by TERA Fans News at 7:23 pm under Uncategorized  Tagged Bu, Draws, Group Play, Heath, mob, Mystic Column, Mysticism, Orb, Orbs, Party Member, Party Members, Potion, Rejuvenation, Summons, Swan, Team Combat, Team Play, Tweet, Ugly Duckling, Wiki
No Comments

Hey, TERA Fans! PAX 2010 ended yesterday and in the wake of the storm, I have the results of TERA Fan's interview with Senior Producer, Brian Knox! Thanks so much for contributing questions guys :D While there's not a whole lot of new information, I think some of his comments leave open at least lots of room for speculation.

So check out the interview below and enjoy! You can find all our TERA PAX coverage here.





Amira: So hey, Brian! Once again, all the questions are straight from TERA Fans. We had lots of questions for you and we picked out a few. So for one, what in-game events are being planned for players to participate in?

Brian: That's a good question! So right now, our focus for in-game events is going to be mostly on trying to find those spots where people hit a wall because we're really focused on the journey to level 60. So, once the game's out, sometimes players find areas that are hard to get through and we want to focus our events around that. How we're going to do that I don't know. But we do plan on having them!

Amira: And will there also be holiday-type events?

Brian: Yeah, we are trying to have an events system. It's one of those things that's like every feature takes away development time. We want to have these but we may not have them available right at launch.

Amira: Will there be any non-combat, or combat pets in-game?

Brian: So, we have the Homonculus which is kind of a pet. It doesn't quite follow you right now but we're looking into ways to expand that as well.

Amira: And the Mystic pets; will those really be pets?

Brian: Well they're summons: they come out and last for only a short amount of time to help out. There's a healing one, there's a dps one, and there's like a tank one. But I wouldn't call Mystics a pet class. It's hard to explain-- they're a little bit different than you're used to, so you'll see.

Amira: Sam Kim once mentioned that the development team was considering adding more armor slots. Is there any information on that?

Brian: Yeah, we've added two more slots and we'll see them soon.

Amira: Are there plans to allow players to customize the look of their gear or spells at this point?

Brian: Not at this point but we're looking heavily into both the dying system and the ability to change gear models as well. So I'm not sure if any of that would make it in by launch, but it's definitely on our list of ideas.

Amira: Some guildmasters are very concerned about recruiting more guildmates than the maximum guild size in TERA will allow for. Is there any information on about how large guilds will be able to get at launch?

Brian: Y'know, that's a good question. Right now, I can't answer that but I would really like to get back to you on it because I think that's an important one.

UPDATE: Brian Knox let me know that the current guild size is 300 members by default. This is always subject to change.

Amira: On the topic of guilds, is there any more information on how extensive the overall guild system will be?

Brian: Well the guild system will really play into the battleground system, which we're not talking a lot about just yet. I think that's where you'll see the guild system really work. Since we're not faction based, guilds will become allies or rivals as well.

Amira: Some players are very concerned about westernization. Can you talk about what aspects of gameplay are being westernized?

Brian: All aspects are being evaluated. In our last focus group test, we had everybody answer a 120 point survey which was a lot of questions. What it did was allow us to hold up a transparency and compare where results are similar and different among players in the West and players in the East. We're able to identify those areas. There's a lot of stuff that lined up and in the feedback, there were a lot of things, particularly surrounding solo play and the leveling curve. And so, those were the two areas that players felt different about. Also, specific features have been added as well. The achievement system and the controller support are things that kind of originated in the west.

Amira: How will the lore of TERA be explained to players beyond quest text? Will there be cut-scenes at all?

Brian: Yeah, actually we have been adding cut-scenes. Hopefully they'll help tell the story in a little bit more of an epic fashion.

Amira: Are there any plans to have a designated Oceanic server available at launch?

Brian: Not at this time. But we're looking at the territory. We want to make sure that if we do it, we do it right.

Amira: Is there any information available on mounts at all?

Brian: There are mounts, and we're tweaking them. We're trying to make sure they're the right speeds right now. At this time, there will not be combat mounts.

Amira: Are there any plans to allow third party addons in-game?

Brian: Not at this time. We're actually doing what we can to minimize the UI as much as possible.

Amira: Finally: are you still re-evaluating the idea of allowing all races to be able to be all classes?

Brian: Right now, it looks like that's what going to happen but I can't really say for sure. That is what we're aiming for, though. In the version that we're playing off right now, actually, we're balancing the Human male, so that way we can balance that off the other races. It's a lot less development time to balance one and get it all right-- in terms of all the numbers-- and then we can balance things around that.

Filed by TERA Fans News at 8:06 pm under Uncategorized  Tagged Amira, Amount Of Time, Armor, Development Time, Game Events, Good Question, Holiday Type, Homonculus, Interview With Brian, Launch, Little Bit, Mystics, Onc, Pax, Png, Producer Brian, Sam Kim, Slots, Speculation, Summons, Wake Of The Storm, Whole Lot
No Comments