Ahead of the Pirate Island update on October 21, Lineage Classic revealed details on new content and a Q&A on service improvements through a 'Developer's Letter.' The announcement covers a wide range of topics that will impact the overall game, from new weapons and hunting ground expansions to server structure and ranking rewards.
Among the various topics mentioned, the key highlights can be summarized in three core points: the introduction of daggers and attack speed changes, the extension of Tower of Insolence and the 3rd server transfer, and the expansion of ranking buff targets along with reduced buff effects. As these changes could shift both hunting efficiency and power dynamics across servers, let's examine the main points before the update.
Introduction of Dagger Weapons High attack speed drives hunting efficiency, heralding a weapon paradigm shift
The most notable change in this update is the introduction of daggers and changes to attack speed. Dagger-type weapons are considered a major landmark that shifted the weapon paradigm in Lineage. In particular, daggers such as the Oriharukon Dagger (popularly known as "O-Dan"), featuring faster attack speed than one-handed swords, have delivered peak hunting efficiency for a long time.
Although daggers have lower base damage, their high attack speed offers several key advantages. They are ideal for taking advantage of bonus undead damage from silver or Oriharukon materials, and their efficiency scales higher when receiving various buffs, resulting in faster hunting speeds than conventional weapons. On top of that, they trigger target hit-stagger delays more frequently, earning a reputation as a next-generation weapon type that is expected to reshape the weapon meta once again.
· Lower base damage, but faster attack speed than one-handed swords
· Advantageous for leveraging silver and Oriharukon bonus undead damage
· Greater efficiency scaling when applying various buffs
· Triggers hit-animation delays in targets more frequently
However, the Oriharukon Dagger is expensive and difficult to obtain. As a result, accessible options like the Mithril Dagger are expected to become staple equipment for most players.
Tower of Insolence Extension and 3rd Server Transfer Expanding from 20 to 40 Floors on November 4
The Tower of Insolence expansion is scheduled for November 4. The tower, currently capped at 20 floors, will be extended up to Floor 40. In the newly opened floors, Vampire will appear as the Floor 30 boss and Zombie Lord as the Floor 40 boss.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Expansion Schedule | November 4 |
| Floor Count | Expanded from 20 floors to 40 floors |
| Floor 30 Boss | Vampire |
| Floor 40 Boss | Zombie Lord |
| Concurrent Event | 3rd Server Transfer |
Along with the Tower of Insolence expansion, the 3rd server transfer is also arriving. Coming shortly after the 2nd server transfer when combat dynamics were just beginning to settle, the announcement of a 3rd transfer is expected to force dominant alliances across servers into deeper tactical considerations.
· High likelihood that server combat dynamics, which were settling after the 2nd transfer, will shift again
· Shorter interval between transfers creates an environment where allies can easily turn into enemies
· Alliance management at the faction level becomes more crucial than ever
Ranking Buff Revamp Target range expanded to top 200, buff potency nerfed
Ranking rewards are being reworked to widen the beneficiary range while reducing their individual potency. Previously, ranking benefits were granted up to the top 100, but because the buffs were powerful and concentrated at the top, feedback indicated that sides with more high-ranked players held an overwhelming advantage in field PvP and boss battles.
To address this issue, the ranker buff coverage will expand from top 100 to top 200, while the buff performance itself will be nerfed to lessen its impact on combat.
| Category | Previous | Changed |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Up to Rank 100 | Up to Rank 200 |
| Buff Effect | Powerful effect | Reduced compared to before |
| Combat Impact | Overwhelming advantage for side with more rankers | Combat impact mitigated |
Other Improvements Reduced Summon Stone burden and preparation for new dungeons
Improvements are also being made to ease the maintenance cost of Summon Stones. The number of Summon Stones required per summon across all Magic Doll tiers will be standardized to 1, and Pirate Island treasure chests will now drop Summon Stones. Additionally, higher difficulty levels for Ultimate Battle will be added, and top-tier Blood Pledge dungeons following the Dungeon of Unity are currently in preparation.
· Summon Stone cost per summon standardized to 1 for all Doll tiers
· Summon Stones added to Pirate Island treasure chest drops
· Higher difficulty levels added to Ultimate Battle
· Top-tier Blood Pledge dungeon following Dungeon of Unity in preparation
Key Points Before Update Preparing for changes in hunting, factions, and rewards
The Pirate Island update is set to transform the hunting landscape through the introduction of daggers, reshape faction dynamics via the Tower of Insolence Floor 40 expansion and 3rd server transfer, and rebalance combat through the expansion of ranking buffs to top 200.
