Design Notes

February 01, 2023

Tuesday Updates

February is already here... and I'm back at the lab!

Last week, I left for a delayed Christmas celebration with family. I stayed completely offline the entire trip (highly recommended). Since returning, have been laser-focused on checking in with the teams, getting caught up, and planning AQW's February / March game updates. Thank you to everyone for the "happy vacation" and "welcome back" wishes! Now... the catch-up work begins! 

And I'm trying a new method to get as much information out to as many players as possible. Rather than just replying to people on Twitter (or Discord, or in-game) I'm saving questions and answering them in blocks on the Design Notes. 

It's been a while since our last ultra boss? Are there any plans for a new one?

Why yes, yes there are! *Eyes the AdventureQuest Worlds March calendar* https://Artix.com/calendar

When is the next Void Aura / Legion Token / Dark Spirit Orbs (etc) Boost?

Glad you asked! The server + farming resource boosts are now available on the February Event Calendar at Artix.com/calendar. Daily Login Gift drops will be added tomorrow.

The calendar shows future updates?! 

Each November, I rough out the calendar for the upcoming year. Flexibility is built in (b/c real-life happens) but having a road map is vital. Since we have fixed dates like holidays, birthdays and other "must-have" events, we can see the shape of the future and plan accordingly.

Now that we've shifted over to the calendar at https://Artix.com/calendar, it will be easier to post those dates in advance. I just need to transfer what's in my spreadsheet to the site. :)

Are we missing any updates from the Nulgath Collection Chest? Like 0 AC versions of the member gold items?

The Nulgath collection chest is complete, and received its final update last week. 

The planned 0 AC versions of the member gold items should all be in the Nulgath collection chest. (Example: the member-gold Abaddon Annihilator Scythes have a 0 AC version in the chest). The battle pet in the chest will remain member-only.

But what about missing Frostval Gifting event rewards + Book of Lore badges?

There are several Frostval gifting additions (ex: pet quests for house items) I'll take care of now that I've returned from vacation.

Each tier's badge was added to the Book of Lore several weeks ago. You will only see the highest badge in the Book of Lore, due to how the achievements were awarded. 

Hornless Morph of the LQS Eternal Cosmic Dragon Set? Where?!

Sometimes artists on Twitter will show preview art that isn't sent in because their plans evolve, or because the art changes between WIP screenshots and the final form released in-game. The helms mentioned were not sent in, so weren't created. They can be added in the future, but there is no ETA.

Where can I submit storyline and single/two week release ideas?

Currently, we aren't accepting these ideas. But if that changes, the best place will be on the AQW Suggestions board on our forum.

When is the next 50% bonus acs?

No AC bonus planned for this month. We'll post when the next bonus begins once it gets closer. Keep an eye on the Design Notes for news.

Lots of Day X of asking for (thing)

My Twitter feed fills up pretty quickly, and I don't always have a lot of time to skim it and/or reply. Tweets like this come across pretty spammy, though I know that's not the intent (I hope O_O). To keep it as easy as possible to read my feed when time allows, I usually mute this type of tweet.

If you have a suggestion for an item, the best thing to do is post it on the AQW Suggestions board on our forum. 

Dage's Birthday Coming Soon: the AQW Art Forge is firing up again

Dage is getting the forge fired up to start this year's Legion set for the Birthday Collection in March. We're rallying all the AQW artists to begin crafting because...

Cylisse: February event scripts all approved

Cylisse, the AQW lead writer, says: All of February's scripts are set and approved! Now I'm rolling my sleeves up for March! That means, it's Dage time! There's a story I really want to write, and hopefully the pitch gets the Ok!
(Alina note: What a phenomenal script review call! Now.. on to DARKNESS. I am a huge fan of the first draft of the Dage event pitch... can't wait to see the final form!)

February 01, 2023

Obsidian Samurai Returns

Available every year from February 1st - 28th

February is a month of celebration... from ringing in the Yokai New Year to the SuperBowl /party all the way to Hero's Heart Day! To help ALL our heroes get in the spirit, this month's seasonal set features a new set straight out of Empress Miko's royal Yokai Court: the Obsidian Samurai.

Unlock the entire set: Buy pack on the website for $9.99 USD* then find all your gear in your Book of Lore badge shop.

Buy individual set items: Talk to Garek to get items from his shop in Battleon for AdventureCoins.

The Obsidian Samurai gear includes:

• Obsidian Samurai armor
• Samurai's Shadow Cape (glow is color-customizable)
• Obsidian Samurai Banners cape
• 2 battle helms
• 4 hair helms
• 5 weapons

* Unlocks an exclusive character page badge 

Seasonal Set Schedule

Each month, we'll feature a new set, available only during that month every year. 

January 31, 2023

Nulgath's 2023 Birthday Collection Update

Unlock 180+ rare items in Nulgath's Birthday Collection

Nulgath’s birthday celebration continues this weekend, and we want everyone to get in on the /party! For all you real-life rare hunters, the final update to the Nulgath 2023 Collection Chest is here! Log in now to find the newest additions to the Nulgath 2023 Collection Chest in Battleon, featuring Nulgath's DoomFiend set. Get all of the 2023 event rare gear (over 180 items) + a character page badge for 10,000 ACs.

This week we added:

• Enchanted Void + Nation Ritualist sets (color-customizable)*
• Nation Ritualist's Sigils + Chthonic Fiend Claws Gauntlets
• Chthonic Fiend Slayer set
• Parasitic NecroFiend set
• Parasitic Necro Nymph pet

Plus, find all of the gear released last week in the Nulgath's Collection Chest:

• DoomFiend of Nulgath (crafted for you by legendary artist, Nulgath)
• Abyssal Reaver set
• Nation Phalanx + Lancer sets
• Crystallized Void Vanguard set
• Immortal Void General set
• Revontheus Legacy, Fabled Legacy, and One-Winged sets
• NULLB0rg set
• Messenger + Samurai of Abbadon sets
• ShadowScythe Fiend of Nulgath set
• Phalanx, Nation, and Revontheus Legacy ground runes
• Plus additional pets, weapons and more!

If you buy the chest this week, the items from last week will be automatically included to your chest. You can also buy individual items from Nubble the Makai in Battleon.

*  Non color-customizable variants of this set will be available as reward farming gear in this week's release of the birthday story.

Just want a couple of the items listed above? Apart from the exclusive pets, all of the gear contained inside the Nulgath 2023 Collection chest will also be available to buy individually in Nubble's shop.

Read on for important information

A few important tips to remember:

• All of this year's event rare items will be available individually from the birthday rares shop in Battleon until February 24th, 2023.
• In order to prevent shop abuse, the Collection Chest pet and Badge Quest pet cannot be sold.

Nulgath's Seasonal Birthday Shop Returns

Find Nulgath's seasonal birthday shop is full of dark and deadly gear. These sets will return every year for his birthday, as our way of helping all his fans celebrate! Find the shop in your Game Menu until February 24th. 

Nulgath's seasonal Birthday Shop features:

• Forsaken Fiend armor set*
• Void Rebirth armor set
• Void Awakening armor set
• Shielded variants of both armors
• Nulgath's Bounty Hunter Drone Pet (with two quests)
• Nulgath's Birthday Gift Pet (with one quest)

*New armor set added this year.

January 30, 2023

Monday Updates

Updates and a Mystery Item Hunt?

Haii, its Yoshino here! (under the Alina disguise... shhh) to get all of the wonderful news updates out. But first, let's start with an update on a few one-time-only quest items:

The following items will also now drop from monsters:

Ground Chunks (House item)

• Now Drops from Heart of Chaos in /lagunabeach

Death Pit Sword (Tier 1)

• Now drops from Drakel Gladiator in /deathpit

Death Pit Sword (Tier 2)

• Now drops from Drakel Gladiator in /deathpit 

Call of Hope

• Now drops from Viridi in /pyramidpain

Mini Energy Tornado

• Now drops from Energy Tornado in /airstorm

Skull-Poms

• Now drops from Level 15 Shelletons 

Glowing Crown Blade

• Now drops from Doomwood Soldier in /doomwood, /necrotower, /necru, /temple

Primitive Bone Axe

• Now drops from Doomwood Soldier in /doomwood, /necrotower, /necru,/ temple 

Fabled Chopper

• Now drops from Earth Elemental in /fableforest 

Elders' Blood (Potions)

• Now stacks up to 20 

Mystery Item Hunt!?!!

Alright fine, since you've made it this far - here's a hint: A monster tainted by ShadowFlame drops this adorable little guy who comes along with a quest to obtain his armor set. Good luck searching!

January 27, 2023

Nulgath's Birthday Part 2

New Birthday Rares, Farming Rewards, and Story!

Log in now to dive deeper into the Temple of Light and its secrets. Exterminate the DOOM that infests the stolen member's of the Nulgath's Nation. The rewards will be fiendish!

Login in this weekend and /join templedelve to begin your adventure!

• Talk to Nulgath to begin hunting a Mysterious Stranger into the depths of the Temple of Light.
• Battle Delirious Elementals and the DOOM-possessed members of the Nation.
• Learn about the secret machinations of the followers of Light.
• Discover who the new enemies of the Nation, the Legion, and the Shadowscythe will be

New Item Updates and a New Nulgath Quest?!

Some changes during the week happened with the Void Beetle Warlord armor and many other new additions with this week's release. Read this Design Notes post for a full list of what's been changed.

2021 Event: Nulgath Origin Story

Nulgath the ArchFiend, lord of the OverSoul, has conquered many worlds and slaughtered millions, ruling over a a Nation of deadly fiends and warriors. But he was not ALWAYS one of our world's supreme Evil Overlords. Nulgath was human once... until he met his Master, Adimonde. This weekend, log in and battle as Nulgath and discover how he became the ArchFiend he is today.

/join originul to begin your adventure:

• Discover how Nulgath unlocks the power he wields today
• Fight to escape Inquisitors
• Enter a realm of darkness and energy... and survive your training
• Battle fiends to prove your skill and leadership
• Defeat the Fiend Champion of Adimonde to become his heir

Then take on the ArchFiend’s forces as you battle through his fortress. Your mission: destroy the Fiend Shard and save the OverSoul!

/join fiendshard to continue the adventure:

• Scout through Nulgath's fortress and battle fiendish guards
• Locate the Key Fragments to progress
• Defeat a filthy, fiendish miniboss
• Destroy the Fiend Shard

• Fiend Champion of Adimonde
• Evolved Worshipper of Nulgath
• Arcane Warfiend of Nulgath

2020 Event: Mystery of Crag

Nulgath the ArchFiend, lord of the OverSoul, has gathered around him many followers, creatures, and allies over the centuries. This weekend, as we celebrate Nulgath’s birthday once more, log in and battle to uncover more information about one of his mysteriously silently minions, the sentient Rock Beast known only as… Crag.

Talk to Bamboozle in /cragglerock to begin your quest. Collect special gems for his best boulder bud to earn the special gear that only a powered-up Crag can create.

Complete Bamboozle's quests to reawaken (or at least... partially /heal) Crag to collect stones for his merge shop and to rank up the new CraggleRock faction.

And if you're a true member of Nulgath's Nation, you'll want to find Lae in the /tercessuinotlim zone! He's got a bounty of new gear for you... IF you can pay his price. All crafted by Yo Lae for members of Nulgath's Nation to celebrate the ArchFiend's birthday!

Casparilla's Fiendish Reward Quests

If you're a fan of Nulgath's Nation, you're no stranger to hard work... or almost-tortuous quests. This weekend, log in and /join citadel. Find Casparilla... because she's got some games for you to play while Nulgath's away. And if you know ANYTHING about Nulgath, you know that the only Court Jester he'd keep is a crazy-loyal and just plain INSANE trickster.

Complete Casparilla's quests to unlock the pieces of the 0 AC Elite Void armor set from AQW Community Artist, Reki Roland. Hardcore Nation fans can also complete Casparailla's SUPER evil bonus quests to get two exclusive swords and a floating sword pet.

Not sure who Nulgath is? Read on!

Nulgath the ArchFiend is the in-game persona for Nulgath-the-team-member, one of AQWorlds' original artists. Though he no longer works regularly for Artix Entertainment, his art style (prevalent in early AQW and featured in Oversoul) and the character itself remain hugely popular with many of our long-time heroes. To recognize their dedication and the love they feel for his character and art style, we hold an event in-game each year to celebrate

>:::)

January 23, 2023

Monday Afternoon Updates + More!

Frostval 2022 Gifting Additions from this weekend

It has been a pretty crazy end to 2022 and start for the new year. We released SO much last month, and so many real-life issues + emergencies arose, that our normal production schedule saw some significant delays. I apologize for all of them; we're working as hard as we can to get everything out as quickly as possible. But because so many of you were so eager to get your rewards, we released what we had ready. Last week, we released MOST of the Frostval 2022 AC Gifting rewards + character page badges.*

Here's what's still left to come:

• Tier 7: House + Holiday Mirror Gravelyn houseguest 
• Tier 7: Holiday Mirror Gravelyn Bank Buddy
• All tiers: House item versions of your Moglin Giftbox pets
• All Tiers: Badges added in the Book of Lore

Character Page Badges

In the Gifting Design Notes, we noted that there would be one badge per tier (not that all previous badges would be unlocked). With as many tiers as there are, giving players the highest tier lets you display your generosity without overloading the character page. 

Tiers 1- 7 all unlocked a Unique Moglin Giftbox pet w/ quest for House Item, a unique character page badge, and other rewards. In addition to their exclusive prize packs, any hero that donates at least 5,000 ACs (Tier 2) automatically unlocked all of the merge shop items in their Book of Lore badge shop at the end of the gifting event.

4:30 PM update

This weekend, we released the character page badges and only showed the highest tier you'd gotten for the reason above. But after seeing how many people so badly wanted ALL of the character page badges (especially as they all had unique art), in the spirit of the holiday and reason for the badges... we've updated character pages to follow last year's model.

Now you'll see all of the character page badges for the tiers you've unlocked. I thought the Design Notes had been clearly worded, in that you'd only unlock the highest tier. But based on how many comments we got from players who didn't realize that, it's clear we just... weren't clear enough! 

Thursday Update?!?

Shhh.. Yoshino taking over this post with Alina currently on a delayed Christmas, i'm here to inform you all that the Gifting Tier 4-7* House* Items have arrived in addition to the Holiday Mirror Gravelyn Items. Their Badge art in the book of lore has also been updated. 

Here's what's still left to come:

• All tiers: House item versions of your Moglin Giftbox pets

* From a previous copy and paste error in the tiers, The Frostval Brightrise Fortress House wasn't intended to include a Hair/Armor Customizer... Read on for more information!

9:00 AM Update

We've renamed the Doom Fiend of Nulgath items to be ShadowScythe Fiend of Nulgath to avoid confusion with the DoomFiend of Nulgath Set.

9:30 PM Update

The Frostval Brightrise Fortress has been updated with an few extra rooms and a Hair/Armor Customizer Room. You may need to re-equip the house to see the extra rooms added.