Design Notes

December 31, 2016

Earth Levels Up Tonight

2017 is Almost Here (unless you live in the future)

It's almost time for the New Year! (Except for all you time-traveling heroes that live in the future... hey, how's 2017 working out so far?) Log in this weekend to battle through the finale of our 2016 Frostval event and starting NOW, you can /join newyear to play through all our seasonal new year events! At 6 PM EST, the 2016 celebration ball will begin dropping, and it will officially be 2017 in Lore!

Find the New Year's rare weapons in your game menu this weekend, then head into battle in the following maps:

• NewYear
• NewYearLab
• Darksun
• Frostmane
• Grimattack

You have probably already noticed but the Gift Boxes have opened! Enjoy the AWESOME armor set from guest artist, Goddess, who has returned for a one-event-only appearance to help you celebrate Frostval!

The Gifts will stay where they are until the end of the week but the folks that get them NOW don't get the sheer joy of waiting to unwrap those mystery gifts.

Happy Frostval, everyone and have a great new year!

Time Marches On... And So Does Server Testing

With as much time and testing as we have put into rewriting the game's server and client, we don't want to release something you guys will say feels unfinished. Yorumi, Cemaros, and the Bugs crews have been reading and verifying all your reports and it looks like we're down to the last of the bugs you guys found. That is AWESOME!

The server rewrite will allow us to more easily change and improve the AQWorlds you know and love. Significant changes to core gameplay, however, will be coming in the mobile/omni version of AQWorlds that Artix has been talking about. 

Now that I am back from vacation, Yorumi and I will meet to review what's left and get an idea of how much longer he expects. 

Class Balance update: After getting a lot of feedback from you guys, I've talked with Arklen and Artix. We will not be rebalancing/reworking the "overpowered" existing AC and member classes - we don't want to change the classes you have been enjoying for so long. We will be working to bring all underpowered classes up to par with the recent classes, though, and will be adjusting monsters so that the game remains fun.

The Queen of Monsters Saga... Returns/Renews/Reforms

The Queen of Monsters emerged from the Realm of Chaos in 2014, and since then, we have had a whirlwind of craziness, huge monsters, armies, and... a bit of confusion as to what her TRUE plans are. This past fall, we saw one of her armies, the Infernal Invaders, begin attacking Lore. Their Saga has just finished... but the story isn't done! 

We'll be continuing our new direction for the Queen of Monsters' story in 2017 - darker and deadlier, and I will leave you with one warning... NO ONE is safe!

Speaking of... Friday the 13th is coming around again! We should go check on Drakath in his new lair in a few weeks. 

Happy Holiday Birthdays! 

Man, so many team members are leveling up in real life right now! We've got Artix, Nythera, Aersion, and... Crulon! You'll find Crulon's birthday shop in-game on Friday, but his real birthday is tomorrow! Wish him a happy birthday and happy new year on Twitter!

Happy Holidays

This season is a time for giving but that means more than just presents. Sometimes it means just giving a little bit of your time to the people who wish we all had more time to spend together. We loved making the Frostval event for you but we also loved taking a few days off and spending them with out friends and families. I've had a wonderful vacation up in the frozen Northlands of Chicago, and I know the team here enjoyed time with their family and friends. 

We will ALL be back to work on Tuesday, January 3rd, but until then...

We hope that no matter where you are, who you are or what you believe... you got to take a bit of the Frostval Spirit with you into the real world and share it with the people that you care about. 

Have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!

December 31, 2016

Our Frostval Gift to You: Free ACs

Get Your 250 Free AdventureCoins for Frostval!

Every year, we award free AdventureCoins to all of our heroes who have been battling alongside us through the winter events... and this year is no exception! Yesterday, we gave 250 FREE AdventureCoins to eligible heroes as our way of saying "thanks!" for logging in and participating in the releases we've created for you!

If you are a hero who:

• Logged on with from December 1st through December 30th
• And are at least level 15

Then you can log in and find the AdventureCoins have been automatically added to your total! (Remember, the gift went out yesterday, so you may have already spent them by now.)

2016 Honorable Hero Award Coming Next Week

Heroes who did not get a mute or ban for 24 hours or longer in 2016 are eligible for our Honorable Hero award! They are what true in-game heroes and role models are, and will receive a new character page badge for the 2016 Honorable Heroes PLUS they will get even more free ACs!

To get the 2016 Honorable Hero ACs and badge, you need to meet the following requirements: 

• Did not receive a 24 hour or longer in-game mute or ban in 2016
• Logged in between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2016
• Are level 11 or higher
• Created your account before January 1st 2017

December 30, 2016

Frostval 2016 Finale

Battle through IcePike Peak to find the Crystal of Glacera!

Fight fire with fire… and ice with ice! In this weekend’s Frostval 2016 event finale, quest for the ancient Crystal of Glacera to aid you in your quest to save Lore from Karok and Kezeroth!

Glacial Berserker Class!

Launching now: this year's Frostval Class - the Glacial Berserker. It is a pretty cool class, by all reports (pun intended, of course).  Available for 2000AC in the Class Shop, or 100,000gold Rank 10 Glacera Rep in the Northern Defense Rep Shop.

Class Skills:

Auto-attack:  Ancestral Rage

3.8 second cooldown, 190% damage

Your Ancestors speak out to you from their frozen prisons, telling tales of suppression and torture, building rage within. Applies a stack of Ancestral Rage. Each stack increases haste up to of 10% for 8 seconds and can stack up to 5 times. Stacks are activated after using Shout of The Ancients. Also imbues you with Curse of The Ancestors, reducing hit chance by 5% for 4 seconds.

Fists of Frost

8 second cooldown, 15 mana, melee range

Your hands freeze over and are covered in glacier sized ice, increasing your crit chance by 10% (stacking up to 30%)). Lasts 10 seconds. If you have been cursed by your ancestors, their chilling presence cause your enemy's movements to slow, reducing their haste by 10% (stacking up to 30%) lasts 10 seconds.

Shout of the Ancients

20 second cooldown, 25 mana, 275% damage, long range,

You scream with the force of millions of deceased ancestors and strike a decisive blow dealing massive damage. The rage you have built up from your Ancestors is released, increasing your haste based on stacks of Ancestral Rage. If your opponent has been chilled by your ancestors they are overwhelmed and have their crit chance reduced by 30% for 6 seconds.

Calm before the Storm

25 second cooldown, 35 mana, 80% damage, long range, 1 target

You center yourself, releasing some residual negative energy and quieting the ancients. Deals moderate damage and heals 800% damage over 10 seconds while preventing Curse of the Ancestors from applying for 6 seconds. If the enemy is Overwhelmed, they become Numb, reducing all damage done by 60% for 6 seconds.

Glacial Storm

40 second cooldown, 45 mana, can't miss, long range

You explode with frozen rage, unleashing a storm of ice and snow. The storm empowers your critical hits and encrusts you with a protective veil of ice. Your crit damage and Endurance are increased by 50% for 10 seconds and your foe's chance to hit is reduced by 50%. You have a 30% chance to buff your haste by 30% for 5 seconds. If your foe is Numb, they become frozen in shock, remaining Stunned for 10 seconds.

Note: "Calm before the Storm's" debuff is required to get "Glacial Storm's" debuff. 

Passive 1: Ancestral Strength: Increase STR by 15%

Passive 2:  Frozen Skin: Increase End by 10% and reduces damage taken by 10%

Passive 3: Berserker’s Hatred: Increase Crit Chance and Crit Damage by 10%

Note: Players that tested the Glacial Berserker last week can choose to keep the Glacial Berserker Test Class (now Warrior art and skills), or trade in for a FREE version of the Glacial Berserker armor in the Glaceran War Merge shop.

December 25, 2016

This Weekend: Frostval 2016 Finale

Battle through IcePike Peak to find the Crystal of Glacera!

Fight fire with fire… and ice with ice! In this weekend’s Frostval 2016 event finale, quest for the ancient Crystal of Glacera to aid you in your quest to save Lore from Karok and Kezeroth!

December 24, 2016

Ice Giant Warrior Pet Now Available

72 Hour Frostval Drop: Ice Giant Warrior Pet

Log in all weekend long and battle the Glacial Elemental in Ice Wind Pass for a chance to get the Ice Giant Warrior Pet!

Note: the version of the pet accidentally released earlier today was originally released during last year's Quibble shop. The art has been changed to preserve the uniqueness of last year's rare pet. 

War Reward Update

I have just been informed by Karok the Fallen that if heroes want the Ice Shards and Glaceran Gems, they will need to turn in war quests to get them... not JUST slay the minions in the war. He hopes this will prove to be a ... suitable... incentive.

On an off-topic note: Happy Frostval, heroes!

December 24, 2016

This Weekend: Karok vs Kezeroth

Karok vs Kezeroth = One COLD war!

Our 2016 Frostval holiday event continues this weekend as Karok the Fallen and Kezeroth continue their quest for world domination! Make sure you're all caught up on the storyline by completing this weekend's release, then prepare. For. WAR!

You’ll need to battle alongside one brother to defeat the other, but which will you choose to destroy? Karok or Kezeroth, the choice is yours!

This weekend: DOUBLE Server Boosts!

Log in starting tonight to get DOUBLE Rep, Gold, XP, and Class Points as our holiday celebrations kick into overdrive!

New Pets in Quibble's Shop

Two new pets arrive in Quibble Coinbiter's Shop tonight! Find the Mounted Paragon Quest Pet with three quests (1 for all players, and 2 just for Undead Legion Members). The quests were modelled after the Bright Paragon Pet's quests from last year, and have a chance to award either 20 or 50 Legion Tokens! (Or for the all-player quest, some pretty sweet gold and XP rewards).

Requested by fellow hero, Gandiral, the classic Quibble Bank Pet will return with his shop each time Quibble makes his way back to town!

December 20, 2016

Glacial Berserker Class

Member Only Preview/Test Starts Now!

Next week, we'll launch this year's Frostval Class - the Glacial Berserker. It is a pretty cool class, by all reports (pun intended, of course). If you have an upgraded account, you can try out the skills RIGHT NOW and let Arklen (our lead class designer) know what you think! The skills may change based on player feedback... so if you want to have a hand in fine-tuning our newest class, now's your chance!

This is the "test" version of the Glacial Berserker class so you can try it out in advance and let us know your thoughts on the skills. Once the class is ready to go live, its skills and art will change to those of the default warrior class. You can either keep the "test" version with the warrior class skills/art OR exchange it for a free version of the class armor.

Once the class does go live, it will be available to ALL players with either rank 10 rep OR 2000 AdventureCoins.

Class Skills: Subject to change!

Auto-attack:  Ancestral Rage

4 second cooldown, 200% damage

Your Ancestors speak out to you from their frozen prisons, telling tales of suppression and torture, building rage within. Applies a stack of Ancestral Rage. Stacks are activated only after using Shout of The Ancients. Each stack increases haste up to of 50% for 8 seconds if not restacked (stacks 5 times). Also imbues you with Curse of The Ancestors, reducing hit chance by 5% for 4 seconds.

Fists of Frost

8 second cooldown, 20 mana, melee range

Your hands freeze over and are covered in glacier sized ice, increasing your crit chance by 10% (stacking up to 30%)). Lasts 10 seconds. If you have been cursed by your ancestors, their chilling presence cause your enemy's movements to slow, reducing their haste by 10% (stacking up to 30%) lasts 10 seconds.

Shout of the Ancients

20 second cooldown, 30 mana, 300% damage, long range,

You scream with the force of millions of deceased ancestors and strike a decisive blow dealing massive damage. The rage you have built up from your Ancestors is released, increasing your haste based on stacks of Ancestral Rage. If your opponent has been chilled by your ancestors they are overwhelmed and are forced to attack you for 6 seconds.

Calm before the Storm

25 second cooldown, 30 mana, 100% damage, long range, 1 target

You center yourself, releasing some residual negative energy and quieting the ancients. Deals moderate damage and heals 800% damage over 10 seconds while preventing Curse of the Ancestors from applying for 6 seconds. If the enemy is Overwhelmed, they become Numb, reducing all damage done by 60% for 6 seconds.

Glacial Storm

40 second cooldown, 50 mana, can't miss, long range

You explode with frozen rage, unleashing a storm of ice and snow. The storm empowers your critical hits and encrusts you with a protective veil of ice. Your crit damage and Endurance are increased by 50% for 10 seconds. If your foe is Numb, they become frozen in shock, remaining Stunned for 10 seconds.

Note: "Calm before the Storm's" debuff is required to get "Glacial Storm's" debuff. 

Passive 1: Ancestral Strength: Increase STR by 15%

Passive 2:  Frozen Skin: Increase End by 10% and reduces damage taken by 10%

Passive 3: Berserker’s Hatred: Increase Crit Chance and Crit Damage by 10%

December 20, 2016

Frostval 2016 LQS Starts December 23rd

Get your gear before the packages disappear!

Starting this Friday, December 23rd, at 6:00 PM EST (that's server time, and you can find a server time clock in your in-game options menu) head to our Limited Quantity Sets page to grab some of our coolest, most festive gear of the year! Each package also comes with a unique badge in your Book of Lore and on your character page! 

New sets in this year's Frostval LQS will feature:

• Anatomically Correct Snowmoglin House 
• Lord of Ravens Armor set
• Nightelf Stalker (Dark and Ice versions)
• Frostling Horror Rider Battlepet and weapons

Plus a number of existing Frostval LQS sets will return! 

BattleLord of Ravens

Price: 1000 AdventureCoins
Quantity: 3000

• Battlelord of Ravens armor set
• Character page badge

BattleLord of Ravens

Price: 25000 gold (for current and past members)
Quantity: 7000

• Battlelord of Ravens armor set
• Character page badge

Nightelf SnowStalker

Price: 1000 AdventureCoins
Quantity: 3000

• Dark Nightelf Snowstalker armor set
• Icy Nightelf Snowstalker armor set
• Character page badge

Snowmoglin House* 

Price: 1500 AdventureCoins
Quantity: 2000

• In-game house with 4 rooms (and all the snow innards you could hope for!)
• Character page badge

* Unfortunately, "Anatomically Correct Snowmoglin House" is too long of an item name. SAD DAY!

Frostling Horror Pet and Quest

Price: 15000 gold for all players
Quantity: 20,000

• Frostling Horror pet with a quest for 2 helms and a sword
• Character page badge

And we've got good news for those of you who prefer silver/blue to the more ordinary red/gold holiday colors - we are adding a blue and silver variant to the existing Crimson Knight limited quantity set package! 

Dage's Frostval Set Returns with a NEW VARIANT!

Price: 2000 AdventureCoins
Quantity: 990

• 2 Crimson Knight armor sets (with and without built in shield)
• 2 Sapphire Knight armor sets (with and without built in shield)
• Character page badge

If you already purchased the Crimson Knight armor set back when it was released in 2014, you will find the Sapphire Knight armor sets in your Book of Lore badge shop starting this Friday (and the character page badge, too).

What is a Limited Quantity Set?

The Limited Quantity Sets are just what they sounds like... each set has a certain quantity and once that number has sold out then that's it. The total number of sets is the same for everyone, everwhere, so if you see 300 items left on the web page, that's what we've got left in stock.

How Do Limited Quantity Sets Work?

1. Log into a special LQS webpage on AQ.com (not into the game!) 
2. Purchase the set using either ACs or gold
3. Log into AQW and find your set badge in the Book of Lore (no character page badge attached.)
4. Get all the items in the badge shop for 0 ACs (yay free storage!)

December 16, 2016

Frostval 2016 Event Begins This Weekend

Kezeroth the World Ender is coming BACK!

Last weekend, we brought back all our seasonal winter events in Frostvale. But THIS weekend, we are starting our new 2016 Frostval storyline - continuing a saga began years ago.

2012: Kezeroth the Worldender arrived and nearly destroyed the planet with the Beast Quetzal

2014: Karok the Fallen arrives with his horde of Frostspawn to conquer our world and avenge his brother.

2015: The Queen of Monsters recruits Karok the Fallen to her side... with betrayal imminent.

Together, these two coldhearted villains from the planet Glacera have destroyed millions of heroes and wrought destruction on much of the southern continent.

But no more! This year, you and the other heroes of Lore will team up to end the threat they pose once and for all...

......

.........

OR WILL YOU!? 

Log in this weekend and /join icewindpass for the first of our three-part holiday event begins! 

Battle to earn Cool Rewards

Take down the monsters in this weekend's release for a chance to unlock the gear in the Frozen and Frost DeathKnight sets from Axeros!

December 12, 2016

Happy Birthday, Blade

Wish Blade a Happy Birthday... OR ELSE!

On the Artix Entertainment team, we don't GET gifts for our birthday, we GIVE them! To celebrate hos real-life level up, Blade crafted a new armor and hoods for those heroes who wish they were a little bit taller... wish they were a brawler... *ahem* 

His gear will be PERMANENTLY available from his new shop in the /artistalley! Find Blade and check out his gear, then why not wish him a happy birthday on Twitter?

You'll be able to get his birthday gear forever, but if you're online now (and I know you are, if you're reading this!) wish him a happy birthday on Twitter! 

December 12, 2016

Quibble Coinbiter is Back

Quibble Returns with cool new holiday gear!

Past, present, and future Frostval items freeze the insides of Quibble Coinbiter's pack... and YOUR inventory! AQWorlds' very own time-traveling sales moglin is back Battleonthis weekend with all-new holiday gear!

You won't be left out in the cold because, though most of his items will cost AdventureCoins, we will include gear for both members and non-members, too! 

The shop includes:

• Ice King armor set
• Crimson Archer armor set (member-exclusive!)
• Frost Knight armor set
• Quibble Claws pet
• Frostvale Quibble Bank Pet
• Paragon Paindeer Rider Bank Pet*
• Nulgath and Dage SnowGlobe staffs 
• And more!

Wait... Who (or what?) is Quibble Coinbiter?

Not exactly sure who Quibble Coinbiter is, or how he gets all that gear? Neither are we!

But here's what he said last time I asked:

How do I get never-before-seen used items? Well, that's a trade secret. But just between us, I have a deal with a time travel fairy who brings me these things… even though they have not been built yet! They might show up later in the game or might be Rares that are never seen again!

This gear and more will come when Quibble's shop arrives on Friday PLUS a handful of items celebrating Beleen's birthday gear will arrive in the December Featured Gear Shop in your game menu!

This icy equips won't be around for long, though. Quibble's gear and Beleen's Birthday gear leave on January 6th, 2017!

* The Paragon Paindeer Rider Bank pet does not have quests. A version of the pet with Legion Token quests will arrive next week.

December 11, 2016

Special Holiday Bonus Offer

Get up to 50% more FREE Adventurecoins!

From RIGHT NOW until January 6th, buy any Adventure package and get up to 50% more FREE bonus ACs! 

The bigger the AC package you buy, the more free AdventureCoins you'll get!

900 AC pack: 100 extra ACs

2000 AC pack: 500 extra ACs

5000 AC pack: 2000 extra ACs

12000 AC pack: 6000 extra ACs 

* Note: bonus AdventureCoins are only available with AdventureCoin packages. The special bonus offer does not apply to membership packages.

December 09, 2016

ShadowStalker of Time Class

In-game Variant of the 2017 Calendar Class Arrives Friday!

For the first time ever, we are making a version of the new HeroMart Calendar Class available in-game! Starting this Friday, unlock the full class and armor set when you buy a ShadowStalker Key for 6000 AdventureCoins from Chronix in Battleon.

The ShadowStalker Key will unlock:

• ShadowStalker of Time Class
• ShadowStalker Armor
• Cape, Staff, 5 helms, Dagger

Note: the ShadowStalker Key cannot be sold... so make sure you really want the class before buying the key!

This is a variant of the exclusive 2017 Calendar Class!

You are right on point, disembodied voice! We are breaking with tradition this year and selling a variant of the 2017 Calendar Class in-game... for a few very good reasons. 

We have players who would happily pay for the calendar but:

1. Are prevented by the over-the-top shipping costs charged by shipping companies
2. We cannot ship to some countries at all... even ones we used to.

Because of changes in how mail systems and services work*, and where those companies will ship to, we are physically unable to send the calendar to people who would happily pay for it in order to get the class (and the gameplay/skills that come along with it).

The majority of our players cannot choose where they live... or where our mail company ships to. We don't want to punish those players by preventing them from getting the calendar.

* Some of this is due to current events around the world... which neither we or you guys can control.

If you are buying the Class from HeroMart...

We don't want to punish you because other players cannot get the Calendar/Class from HeroMart. So, in the spirit of fairness...

• The ShadowStalker of time Class will cost 6000 AdventureCoins (roughly $25 USD) 
• This is about the same as what a player in the US purchasing a calendar from HeroMart could expect to pay. ($20 USD for the class + shipping)
• If you buy the calendar from HeroMart, you will unlock both the Shadow Walker of Time Class set AND the Shadow Stalker of Time Class set.

Questions (and Answers)

"Why is the class so expensive?! 6000 ACs is a lot!" That's a fair question with an easy answer. Many people buy the calendar just to get the class. This is an opportunity to get the class, not a discount.

"If I buy the in-game class, do I get the calendar?" No, the in-game variant does not come with a calendar. This is geared primarily towards people who want to get the class but, for whatever reason, cannot purchase the calendar from Heromart.

"If I buy the in-game class, do I get the character page badge?" Nope. This is geared towards people who want to get the class (and its skills). We don't want them to miss out on the gameplay. The character page isn't a part of the deal. 

"Why do people who buy the calendar from Heromart get more gear?" We have a lot of people who collect classes. We don't want those people buying the Heromart calendar to get the Shadow Walker of time class and then feel like they have to ALSO buy the ShadowStalker of Time in-game variant. Plus, this is the 2017 Calendar Class... if people are buying the Calendar for the reward gear, it's only fair that they get all of it!

"Will this be available for older calendar classes like Chronomancer?" No, those have all sold out. No in-game versions of the classes are available.

"Will the other games be offering their rewards in-game?" At this time, AQWorlds is the only game with an in-game reward option.

"Will you do this for future calendar classes or other Heromart gear?" At this time, AQWorlds is the only game with an in-game reward option, and we are focusing on this year's calendar and plan. We will finalize plans for the future as we get closer to it.

"Will both class sets have the same gear/skills?" Yes. We want all our players to have the same opportunity to experience the class skills as the designers intended. Bost classes cost roughly the same, and therefore will do the same damage/have the same skills.

"How long will the class be available?" The class will be available until the real, physical calendars sell out of Heromart (this usually takes a year to a year and a half). Once Heromart no longer has calendars to sell, the in-game version of the class will go permanently rare.

December 09, 2016

Return to Frostvale This Weekend

We're starting our month of giving... with GIFTS!

Frostval is a time of peace, cheer, and spending time with family and friends. Oh, and one more thing -- GIVING GIFTS! It's one of my favorite times of the year, because I love picking out just the right thing to put a smile on the faces of my friends and family. That's why this year... we've got some very special gifts coming for you... and to start the season off right -- you'll get to fight for exactly what you want! (Ok, maybe that is not very peaceful... but it should be pretty FUN!)

/join Frostvale to begin battling through all the previous years of Frostval releases, then test your mettle (and metal!) against the biggest gift of them all: Giefury!*

* Giefury's name comes from the Old English noun "giefu" for "a giving, gift", which is related to the Old Norse word "gift, gipt" meaning "gift; good luck." 

ALL of the seasonal events from previous years will also return - that means you'll get to battle Kezeroth, Quetzal, and more... PLUS get all the holiday seasonal goodies that come with them!

Frostval 2016 Release Lineup!

Don't miss ANYTHING, because we've got a month of holiday awesomeness to thrill and chill you! Later this month, our all-new Frostval 2016 event will return... and you'll face Karok AND Kezeroth!

December 9th:

• Frostvale returns with seasonal gear and the Giefury boss

December 16th:

• Frostval Part 1: Karok vs Kezeroth
• Quibble Coinbiter returns!

December 23rd:

• Frostval Part 2: WAR!
• Frostval 2016 Limited Quantity Sets 
• 72 hour Frostval rare drop + 2x ALL BOOSTS 

December 30th:

• Frostval Part 3: The Final Confrontation
• Glacial Berserker CLASS for rep or ACs

Also happening this month: Honorable Hero awards will go out at the end of the year!

December 08, 2016

2017 Artix Entertainment Calendar includes ShadowWalker Class

The 2017 Calendar just arrived!

"Brace yourself for a typhoon of obligatory extreme marketing... and some eye-exploading art"

Yesterday, the brand new 2017 Artix Entertainment Calendars arrived at the lab-- they are hot off the press and beautiful! We have been in the HeroMart room signing, packing, and shipping pre-orders like over-caffeinated elves on the night before Frostval. (OK, technically in our lore they are Moglins... but I recently watched that animated Rodolph the Red nosed Reindeer movie and the idea of giving that entire room full of Elves some of Thyton's "insano-brew coffee" and watching what happens is both funny... and at the moment, oddly relatable.) If you did not pre-order, it is not too late to get yours now.

Includes the ShadowWalker and ShadowStalker of Time Classes

Get your 2017 Calendar now via our official online shop  www.HeroMart.com and also receive TWO Classes - the exclusive ShadowWalker of Time class PLUS the ShadowStalker of Time Class variant for free!  There is even stuff for many of our other video games too...

12 Months of AdventureQuest 3D inspired art!

Story time :D As you know, it is tradition that each year our artists create a special calendar to celebrate our games. The bar really got raised last year when we did our first ever fully painted 12-page calendar... which is exactly why we did it again. This year's new calendar was painted by Dage, inspired by AdventureQuest 3D, and features meaningful scenes and memories that are in the new game, or coming. My favorite part about these calendars are that they are real... you can touch them. There is something special about having our video game's art on your wall.

The 2017 Calendar comes with stuff for our other games too!

This calendar will unlock in-game items in AdventureQuest 3D, AdventureQuest Worlds, DragonFable, EpicDuel, and the original AdventureQuest.You can see full details on www.HeroMart.com

Hey Pre-Orders! We are emailing you a bonus in-game code today

As a special thank you to all of the players who pre-ordered, we are emailing you an extra in-game code today. This is for two reasons. First, as a thank you for being so awesome and patient since the calendars were original supposed to ship at the end of last week. Second, to make sure you get your in-game items first! Especially since the team over at AQWorlds is finally trying out that thing players have been asking for the last several years... based on what happens this year, we will determine if we will do it again.

Tweet us a photo of the calendar on your wall!

We love it when you send us photos when you receive your package from HeroMart. Snap a photo with your phone and tweet it to me at @ArtixKrieger 

Regular vs Collector's Edition

The Calendar is $19.95 and includes everything of the above. For an extra $5 you can get the collector's edition and everyone here in the lab will sign it for you and also include a special print of Galanoth engaged in an epic battle against Dragons. And he is in the superhero landing pose... Deadpool says, "He's gonna do the superhero landing, wait for it!" ... "totally impractical, they all do it."

P.S. We submitted the new AQ3D update for approval yesterday! The server patch needs to be synchronized so we will manually release it as soon as it is approved.

December 07, 2016

The Holiday Cookie Contest 2016 is ON!

START YOUR OVENS!

Last year’s winners did SUCH a great job creating totally scrumptious works of art and we cannot wait to see what you come up with this year. 

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too: The Prizes

Along with an endless amount of internet fame, the Grand Prize Winner(s) will receive 2,000 AdventureCoins AND a one-of-a-kind weapon !

Additional AC prizes will be awarded for other super sweet desserts!

Will you be a Grand Prize winner this year? One way to find out!    

How the Cookie Crumbles: The Rules

This contest will range from NOW until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, December 19th. The winner(s) will be announced on the Design Notes later this month!

The rules and guidelines are short‘n sweet but MUST be followed accordingly for your edible entry to be eligible. I repeat, in boldface and in red font, ‘cuz a lot of people miss this: YOU must follow EACH rule if you want your entry to be considered eligible.   

The easiest way to make sure your hard work gets judged: Read all of the rules before submitting your entry! 

• Your dessert MUST be created by YOU. 
Do not copy someone else’s hard work. That my friend is called cheating, and you will be disqualified for it.

• Include an index card/piece of paper/ icing signature that says your AQW Character Name alongside your tasty treat. 
This way we really know it’s made by you! And NO, photoshopping your name onto your picture DOES NOT COUNT, and you will be disqualified if you do. 

• Your dessert MUST be created in some sort of Artix Entertainment theme. 
Create anything you want from AQW, EpicDuel, BladeHaven, DragonFable, MechQuest, AdventureQuest, and WarpForce!  If we cannot tell what it is from our games, you will not be qualified. 

• Your canvas must be a cookie, cake, pie, or any other form of holiday dessert. 
Mmmm, get creative! (Note, judges have final say as to what counts as a "dessert")

• The photo of your dessert should be of the Highest Quality. 
The more clear the picture, the better and tastier it will look, upping your chance at the Grand Prize! 

• Remember to post a VALID link to your dessert photo! 
Uploading your photo to your Facebook does not allow us to see the photos via the Forums. Also, if you upload your photo to your LOCKED image-sharing account, we cannot see it either. So make sure your link is valid and isn’t locked to the public!

Preheating The Oven: Enter the Contest!

Now that you are ready for the 2016 Creative Cookie Contest, it’s probably a good idea to know WHERE to post your delectable desserts!

Submit your yummy creations to the official AE Contests Twitter account or post on the AQW Facebook page!

The BattleOn Games Team is really looking forward to seeing all of your wonderful ideas and delicious cookie creations! There is only one way to win—and it starts by entering this contest! 

Best of luck to you all =D Eeeeeeeep (Many thanks to Beleen for the layout of this post.)

What Else Is Going On?

We've got a lot of other things going on right now... so don't miss a thing!

• HeroMart calendars start shipping out TODAY! (If you pre-ordered them, you're  in luck!)
• Even though Beleen is off on new adventures, we still want to celebrate her special day -- we have a small shop going live next Friday, December 16th, with some new, MUCH pinker gear!
• The Ugly Reindeer Sweater armor will be added to the HeroPoints shop as a limited time seasonal armor!

December 02, 2016

Gear Leaving Friday, December 9th

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shops leave Next Friday!

This weekend is your LAST chance to get the 2016 Black Friday and Cyber Monday gear! Don't miss out on the darkest and most tech-savvy gear of the year. Find both shops in your game menu through Monday, December 9th.

December 02, 2016

Northlands Ranger Upgrade Bonus

Unlock the full set when you upgrade in December!

Unlock the Northlands Ranger set AND WyldeHunt Keep house when you buy any membership or AdventureCoin package worth $10 USD or more.

Tier 1: Northland Ranger

Hunt down evil-doers and rewards Good heroes with the Northland Ranger! 

Tier 2: Icewild Hunter

Your targets will never know you were there... until they find the evidence you left behind. 

Undead Legion Bonus Gear

Last month, Aranx made a special variant of the November armor set just for members of the Undead Legion. We got a ton of positive feedback, so this month... we're doing that again!

If you're a member of the Undead Legion, when you unlock the Northlands Ranger or Icewild Hunter gear, you'll also unlock the exclusive Legion variant created by Dage the Evil - the Darknight Stalker.

Once you log in, you can buy the with Legion Tokens in Dage the Evil's shop in the Underworld!

December 02, 2016

Swordhaven Under Attack

The Infernal Invasion Saga Explodes in Swordhaven!

Calling all heroes - Good, Evil, and in-between! The Queen of Monsters’ infernal army marches on Swordhaven this weekend in the Infernal Invasion Saga finale. Lord Brentan, Victoria, and Gravelyn will stop at nothing to defend the stronghold… will you be there to join them?

Beware! The Queen of Monsters is older and wiser than we suspect, and her plans for the royal family are darker and deadlier than we could EVER imagine!

Take on Lord Balax'el for a chance to get the Regal Defenders weapon drops!

This Friday, if you're up to date on the Infernal Invasion Saga, aid the royal family of Swordhaven OR get caught up by looking at the AdventureMap in your game menu!

Infernal Invasion Finale... But that's not all!

This week's release is the final chapter of the Infernal Invasion storyline, but do not think the story ends there! We have been using the Infernal Invasion as a bridge into the completely-rewritten Queen of Monsters main storyline. THAT will begin early next year as we travel to TWO new hub towns - Drakath's lair... and the Queen's basecamp, where here infernal army is headquartered.

Then, and ONLY then, will you be able to join Drakath's Chaos faction or decide to fight FOR the Queen of Monsters. IF you do choose to join her horde, you will be able to rank up the queen's faction and unlock all the different armors (and ranks) inside the Infernal Army. (Including Lord Balax'el's!)

December 01, 2016

A Moment of Cheer and Maya

Art Keeps the Heart Happy

With the holiday hype machine raging across the internet, if your online life is like mine, you're inundated with countless emails from all corners of the globe telling you to get this, watch that, don't stick that in an outlet (!!!)... It can be easy to get overwhelmed. To combat that, here's a really awesome, chill picture of Loremaster Maya and her moglin friend created by the incredibly-talented AQW artist, Crulon!

Feast your eyes, rest your mind, and ease your heart...

Then prepare to unsheathe your blades because OMG do we have a lot coming for you this month! But I'll hold off on more news of that until later today. For now, stare at the pretty lady and chilly moglin and be at peace. War will come soon enough to Lore!

December 01, 2016

Frostval 2016 Holiday Event Coming Soon

Our three-part Karok vs Kezeroth event begins December 16th!

The conclusion of a story 26,004 years in the making ends this month as Karok and Kezeroth come face to face for the first time in millennia... but will WE survive?!

The Story So Far...

Many years ago (ok, back in 2012)...

We learned of a alien creature named Kezeroth the World Ender and how 26,000 years before, he tried to free the Beast Quetzal from his prison in a giant ice comet, but failed. Back in 2012, Quetzal's comet was finally close enough once more for Kezeroth to sense it, and to end what he began so long ago.

His plan was to use Quetzal's power to encase the world in ice... ending all life on Lore for good! If you're just joining us, next week you'll be able to battle through the "End of the World" adventure and face both the Beast Quetzal and Kezeroth the World Ender.

But the story doesn't stop there!

Two years later, in 2014...

We met Karok the Fallen, a mage from the alien ice world of Glacera. What we coulnd't have known then was that Karok was not the first Glaceran enemy we've faced -- his brother, Kezeroth, lay buried under the ice... trapped for 26,000 years. But there was far, FAR more pressing matters to deal with -- like the horde of Frostspawn Karok sent at us, trying to destroy our world.

Last year, in 2015...

Karok returned, stronger than ever and with a brand-new, very untrustworthy ally -- the Queen of Monsters! If you've played our games for any length of time, you'll know that there was no way THAT would end well, and you'd be right. You just wouldn't know how... but this year, you'll find out!

Kezeroth and Karok Reunite...

And that reunion might spell the end of more than just our Frostval winter holiday! Log in next week to replay all our previous seasonal Frostval events, and study Kezeroth and Karok. Because on December 15th, they'll BOTH want to see you again, and it won't be to Netflix and chill.

...

......

More like, "Netflix and Kill"

So get ready, because Frostval 2016 is almost here!