Lineage II: Chronicle 5 - Oath of Blood Launch And Media

Last week saw the release of yet another free expansion for NCsoft's MMORPG, Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicles. The fifth chronicle, called Oath of Blood, brings new hunting grounds, castles, clan halls and monsters to the game, as well as some player-inspired content. Namely some changes made to already existing features, as a result of feedback from Lineage II players.

The sweeping systems changes mean that new and lower level players will progress faster. New items and other enhancements have been added to make the game more rewarding at those levels without sacrificing the challenge that Lineage II is known for. Additionally, the new Academy in the game's clan system helps clan members rapidly train up and become powerful members much more quickly than before.

Highlighting the challenges for mid- and upper-level players is the addition of Rune and Schuttgart castles, plus several contestable clan halls that are ripe for the taking. In addition, there are many powerful beasts, like the maniacal Prince Frintezza, who controls an insanely scary monster called Scarlet von Halisha by playing an ornate organ in his lair; and the formidable Benom, who lurks in the depths of Rune castle.

In addition, revitalized PvP systems and an increased level cap (lv.80) give players of all classes the ability to be successful and even more to aspire to.

Castle sieges for the new castles - Rune Castle and Schuttgart Castle - have already begun this weekend on the Sieghardt, Lionna, Gustin, Hindemith, and Franz servers. And in a few days, on September 14, another series of battles will begin, for controlling the clan halls. To those of you interested, here's a schedule of PvP slaughters to come:

- September 14 - Battles for clan halls will begin on the Bartz, Kain, Erica, Devianne, and Teon servers.

- September 14 - Battles for the Rainbow Springs Chateau, Wild Beast Reserve, and Fortress of the Dead.

- September 15 - Battles for the Fortress of Resistance, Devastated Castle, and Bandit Stronghold.

- September 21 - Clan hall battles for Sieghardt, Lionna, Gustin, Hindemith, and Franz.

- September 21 - Battles for the Rainbow Springs Chateau, Wild Beast Reserve, and Fortress of the Dead.

- September 22 - Battles for the Fortress of Resistance, Devastated Castle, and Bandit Stronghold.

A Chronicle 5 trailer, detailing all the new castles and clan halls added to Lineage II, can be viewed online in our download section here, along with some new screenshots. Meanhile, the massive (2.8 GB) Lineage II: Chronicle 5 - Oath of Blood client can be downloaded from FilePlanet.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)