Helbreath
Helbreath is a MMORPG for the PC, designed by Korean company Siementech co, Ltd. Initially launched as a Korean-only game, it was soon reintroduced as Helbreath International; serving as an open-beta for the general public. Helbreath USA was later franchised to iEntertainment. Other official licensed servers include Helbreath China, Helbreath Japan, Helbreath Asia, and Helbreath Taiwan.
Current Gameplay
The basics of Helbreath include PvP, leveling, questing and socializing.
New players start out as a Traveler in the Beginner Area allowing them to pick which town they wish to play for. A player has until they reach level 19 before they must decide whether to acquire citizenship in Aresden, or Elvine other wise they continue to stay capped at level 19. Once a player has gained citizenship, they may choose between status as either a Civilian (enemy town members can not attack you however monsters can attack), or Combatant (enemy and monsters can attack you). This choice will reflect their PvP status amongst other players in the world.
During the first few levels you are given gold to help you out, however once you get past level 20 you no longer are given gold.
Each level gained will allocate 3 additional stat points, which the player will use to increase stats. Stat points also determine your skill levels.
|
Stat |
Attribute |
|
STR (Strength) |
Increases physical damage, maximum stamina, maximum load, maximum health, allows usage of heavier weapons and armor. |
|
DEX (Dexterity) |
Increases accuracy, dodge, defense. |
|
VIT (Vitality) |
Increases maximum health, health regeneration, maximum stamina, stamina regeneration, physical and magical damage absorption. |
|
INT (Intelligence) |
Increases maximum mana, casting probability, allows learning of better magic spells. |
|
MAG (Magic) |
Increases maximum mana, mana regeneration, magical damage, magical hitting probability, magic resistance. |
|
CHR (Charisma) |
Decreases cost of vendor items, allows one to become a Guild Master. |
Upon reaching the maximum level of 180, it is traditional that the player will receive a special-issue set of gear, otherwise known as Dark Knight or Dark Wizard equipment. This gear can only be equipped by the player that earns it. The character is also given a weapon or wand depending on their stats, this item can be upgraded with Majestic Points. Majestic Points also allow the person to get other items and change their stats.
Nations
- Aresden
- Elvine
PvP
Aresden and Elvine are hostile nations. Helbreath has a very open PvP setting; allowing and encouraging enemy Combatants to attack at-will.
When a player kills an enemy combatant, an Enemy Kill point is gained. These points May Be eventually exchanged for Hero Armor. Like Dark Knight or Wizard items, Hero armor may also only be equipped by the one that earned it.
It is also optional for combatants of the same nation to attack each other. However, if a friendly player actually goes through with [...] another friendly player, a penalty is incurred by the offending character being given a "criminal count" and being made an enemy to everyone until their criminal kill count is 0. [...] people from the same town gives "negative rep" which has an impact on righteous and kloness weapons.
The following list summarizes essential PvP mechanics:
- Civilians are players that will not be afflicted by PvP attacks. Available until level 100.
- Combatants may openly engage in PvP with any enemy combatant and fellow town members.
- Heroes are players which have killed a great number of enemies. They receive special armors as a reward.
- Crusades are full-scale wars between every player of both nations. Some servers such as Helbreath USA do this weekly. The objective is to destroy the shields protecting the enemy town while building a base in the Middlelands (map) to create a "metor storm" that attacks the enemy town. The winner is determined by the town that successfully destroys the enemy’s town.
- Castle Sieges consist of 3 battle grounds that alternate. Battlefield, where both towns are against each other and have to destroy the enemy’s buildings before the other town. Castle, where the winning town from the previous week has to defend the Castle map form the attacking town.
Items and Economy
The economy of Helbreath varies widely from server to server. In general, all items may be freely exchanged between all players, allowing for a great level of diversity. The only exceptions to trading are Dark Knight, Dark Wizard, and Hero items. Many items that are dropped by monsters include both a primary and secondary attribute, allowing for a variety of uses.
Whether a player can equip an item depends on its weight. (Example: With 90 strength, a player may equip an item which weighs up to 9000 "stone" as it is called in the game (1 strength per 100 "stone").)
Private servers
Private servers were introduced in 2002, with the leak of server files to the public, by an ex-employee. iEntertainment with the support of Siementech has issued cease and desist letters directly to the ISPs and web hosts of these servers.
Past Gameplay
The level cap of Helbreath was not always set to 180. For example, when Helbreath International offered free gameplay via beta-testing the level cap was set to 140.
At this time, "hero armor" did not exist and players simply killed one another for the prized "hero capes". Instead of relying on items and stats that their characters possessed, players were forced to learn how to strategically play against -- and with one another. "Battlemages" were practically unheard of at the time.
Since 140 was a difficult level to attain, and PVP was the main highlight of the game, many people killed one another in what was known as "Noob Dungeon" or "ND". Players had to be over level 19 and under level 80 in order to enter at that time. "Energy Strike" or "ES" was one of the main spells the majority of mages used offensively. Spells such as "Blizzard" and "Earthworm Shockwave" did not exist.
Hacking was a huge problem at the time. Hacks such as "Traveler Hack" could make things messy for players fighting in ND or even "Braiders" who were just passing through to raid the opposing Baracks' of each town.
When the levels caps went to 160, and then to 180 many players had quit and protested on forums and such in opposition to the raised level caps. And in addition to this, the servers had went P2P (Pay to Play) (which had wiped out the majority of the players).
No official server has went back in time so to speak. There is no official server nor any plans to make a server that will feature a lower level cap and reduced items for a different type of gameplay. However, it is not impossible that a similar gameplay style could be found in any upcoming MMORPGs or private projects due to the technology now. Many open source game engines exist that use C++, Python, and other programming and scripting languages which may provoke users to create their own games from their experiences of Helbreath. Private servers have been created to imitate such gameplay.
External links
- Official servers
- Resource sites
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