NosTale is a free-to-play Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) developed by Entwell. The languages in which this game is currently available in are Korean, Japanese, German and English.

The English version of the game has already updated from version 0.5 to 3.0 while the Korean and Japanese versions were already updated.

Gameplay

Nostale features typical MMORPG elements, such as chatting, questing, training, partying, player shops and most of the typical MMO fare. However Nostale also adds their own unique game play aspects.

Specialist Cards

Players can pick from three different classes Swordsman, Archer and Sorcerer. Each of the classes may make use of a Specialist Card, either a global one such as the Chicken Card or a specific one to each class, such as the Warrior Card for the Swordsman. When using these cards the class transforms into a different class altogether with its own unique Skill set. That is for example a Sorcerer transforms with his card into a Red Magician. From that point onwards he/she will use a different skill set unique to the Red Magician, thus possessing none of the skills he/she had as a Sorcerer. However all Cards use up SP points whenever they are in combat mode or have used skills at a rate of 3 SP per second. Player start off with 10000 SP every day, known as Basic SP. SP not used is saved at a rat of 10% remaining Basic SP into another bar called Add SP. SP is always used Basic first then Add second. Every Card starts off with a Job Level 0, even if the player had Job Levels for his class. This is because as stated using the card transforms the character into a whole different persona. As the player uses the Card it will gain its own Job Levels and gain skills for every even level, exceptions are some of the global cards such as Chicken or Pajama. For the moment all Cards have a level limit cap of Job Level 20. A player may remove one card to use another without fear of losing any ProgresS made with said Card; the Card "memorizes" the Job Level and skills it has gained. This gives a certain flexibility to players to choose a Card proper to the occasion: a Warrior Card with its Fire type is best used in areas where enemies are weak to fire, however he Swordsman may choose to switch to the Blade Card in an area where enemies are prone to the Water Element. All classes have four main Specialist Cards, one for each element: Light, Dark, Fire and Water. It is unknown if Entwell will decide to expand on the elemental features of the game.

Story Quest

A unique aspect lacking in most MMOs, and what gives Nostale its "feel", is its Quest system. Nostale offers a story line driven quest system, which players can follow through, known in game as the Main Quest. This story line is divided into Acts. As the player progresses through the story line they will eventually go from Act 1-X to Act 2-X and so on, where X stands for a number of scenarios within that Act. The story is driven by the Quests players undertake for characters according to the story line. A typical example of the quest system would be the Adventurer having to go talk to a commander, the commander tells him to fetch weapons, the adventurer then travels to the black smith, who sends him off to harvest the materials needed for the endeavor. This is a fictional example and not an actual scenario. In between of questing the player will find themselves having to conquer a Time Stone or as commonly referred in game, a TS. TS are rather the Missions of the game. Most of the time the Main Quest makes it so the player levels up quite graciously before undertaking a TS, since TS are restricted by levels. So usually the Main Quest rewards the player quite well in both Combat and Job Experience to keep him/her up to speed before tackling a TS. TS tend to differ in what the player must do. Sometimes the player must survive a skirmish. Other times he must kill all enemies. And yet other times he must avoid fighting the enemies, to quickly go where he/she must go before time runs out.

Nosmates

Nostale features a Partner System of sorts. Every adventurer can have up to two partners to join him in his quests. The first is a Pet. Pets are usually animals or monsters that can be found in the overall world. They usually have a net symbol on the bottom of their picture icon signifying that they can be captured. The player must first attack them and when their life bar goes into yellow they may attempt to capture the animal/monster. If successful the pet joins the player or in case the player had a pet is transported to the players own Mini Land. All pets have differing stat growth and/or skills. That is to say a Happy Wooly is not the same as say a Wooly. The second partner that can join the players is referred as a Nosmate or simply partner. Usually an NPC in the story line who joins the player in his quest after some story/quest part is triggered, although some partners can be obtained in special Raids, such as Princess Sakura. Nosmates can be equipped with weapons and armor, however this equipment must be transformed first at the shop into partner equipment for them to be able to use it.

Raids

Raids is another interesting game play feature. Raids is made for 15 men teams. However in order to go on a raid the team leader must have first acquired a Seal from a specific TS that rewards with such a Seal. So a person trying to go for a Chicken Raid must first conquer the TS that rewards with a Chicken Seal. Once in possession of the Seal the player can build a team of 15 adventurers to tackle the Raid. Raids are usually quite hard as mobs upon mobs of tough aggressive monsters assault the team. The team must successfully traverse the Raid 'map' by clearing the objectives, pulling the levers when needed and then using a teleport level when necessary to go to the next section of said map. The culmination of t Raid is fighting with a Boss monster. Usually the Specialist Card Jajamaru are considered invaluable to successfully tackle a Raid. If the team succeeds they are rewarded with Raid Boxes. These boxes upon opened will spawn a random reward for said player. Rewards vary from the very rare to the more uncommon.

Mini Land

Nostale allow players to have their own Mini Land: a place where they can decorate with objects such as a house, lamp posts, trees, etc. It is also where the players Warehouse May Be located, a place where the players can safely stash away excess items. All Mini Land items are bought from an NPC in game or via the in game virtual shop. In order for players to visit other player's Mini Land they must either be in their friend list and click on a house icon by the friend's name or enter through means of a house Post Sign. This can only be done so long as the player has set their Mini Lands to Public. Players may buy Post Signs from an NPC in game and drop them for other players to use them, however they last only for a temporary time. Mini Lands is also where players can play Mini Games: an object bought from the NPC. Currently there are four Mini Games. Mini Games reward players according to the score they obtain and use up some of the player's Production points. Said points restock every day, similar to how SP is recharged every day. For every reward the player chooses, independent of its level, players lose 100 Production points. In this fashion Mini Games also lose from its Durability when a reward is taken. Owners of a Mini game must pay gold or buy coupons from the virtual shop to recharge said durability. Owners may also "harvest" rewards from the Mini Games equal to the level the player chose. So if a player chose a level 1 reward, the owner too will obtain a level 1 reward for him to harvest. This allows players to do something else other than quest or train. All Mini Games have upgraded versions which yield better and more rarer rewards. All rewards are material based, in other words used to create/fashion other objects. Then through recipes, Nostale offers ways for players with the afore mentioned materials, gathered from loot, Mini Games or TS treasure boxes, to create things such as boots, weapons, upgraded Mini Games, special potions, etc.

Time Stones

Time Stones are missions within the game that can be done by a player and his or her party privately. Time Stones are needed to progress in the game's story and can be done in three different difficulties: easy, normal, and hard. Each mission has a time limit for you to complete it in. Depending on how well you do on the mission and how much time you have left, you get a grade. If you get a passing grade, you will be rewarded with either armor, weapons, items, or Nosmates. Almost every map in the game has Time Stones in it. There are level requirements for each Time Stone. For instance, if the Time Stone you want to do states that you have to be level 18 to do it, you must be level 18 or higher. You cannot do it if you are below the level requirement. You also might have to be in a certain act in order to do the Time Stone you want to do. An Act is like a section of the game that you finish by getting reality pieces that you get from doing Time Stones and finish the heroic mission to get to the next Act.

Classes

Pajama

The Pajama card is a gift obtained from the Pajama Fairy after satisfying his every need. During the adventurer's first meeting with the Pajama Fairy, the adventurer unwittedly insulted him. Consequently, the Pajama Fairy placed a eternal-constipation curse upon the adventurer, and will release it only if the adventurer gathered materials to build the Fairy a place to sleep. Hence, after gathering 50 Wool for the blanket, 50 Chicken feathers for the pillow, 40 Low Quality Wood for the bed, and 30 Blue cubies for the mattress, the final task lays. The adventurer had to navigate through a Time Stone to find the exit, and finally receives The Release of the curse (and the Pajama SP card) for all the trouble.

Chicken

The Chicken Card is a special card that only has 2 skills and 1 attack. Similar to that of the Pajama Card, it is more of a card for looking like a chicken and using the attacks that seem silly.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing the Chicken Raid.

Like all specialists, Chicken earns skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 1 or higher Reputation: Beginner or higher

JajaMaru

Jajamaru Specialist is a hero that through certain quests and hunting can be obtained to use. This specialist has some very good skills that can get the job done right. The best features are possibly the Making Avatars and Replace skills, as summoning little ninjas to aid you in battle can be a life saver as well as replacing your character with a log.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 45.

Like all specialists, Jajamaru earns their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that fire fairy! Most Jajamaru attack skills are fire based, so your fire fairy can really assist in damage you can put out.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 38 or higher Reputation: Experienced or higher

Warrior

Warriors are an interesting class in Nostale. This Specialist excels in supporting a party, as well as throwing around some really powerful AoE's and nasty negative status effects at the enemy. Warriors do well in both solo Situations and party situations, thanks to their unique crowd control skills and awesome Puree party buff.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 36. There are specialist quest guides elsewhere on this site, so be sure to check them out to find out how to acquire your warrior card.

Like all specialists, Warriors earn their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that fire fairy! All warrior skills, and even their basic attack, are fire based. Fire element attack on the warriors ultimate skill, Rising Dragon, is a whopping 1500, so your fire fairy can really multiply the damage you can put out.

Blade

Blade Specialists excels in excellent sword skills and speed. Not only is Blade fast, but has some fierce skills that will be sure to knock enemies all over the place. They really shine in PvP with their Blade Protection that allows them to absorb any attack and deliver this damage plus their own against the target.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 46. There are specialist quest guides elsewhere on this site, so be sure to check them out to find out how to acquire your Blade card.

Like all specialists, Blade earn their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that water fairy! All Blade skills are water based, so your water fairy can really assist in damage you can put out.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 35 or higher Reputation: Experienced or higher

Red Magician

Red Magicians Specialists excel in casting spells from the side lines, as well as throwing around some really powerful AoE's at enemies.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 36. There are specialist quest guides elsewhere on this site, so be sure to check them out to find out how to acquire your Red Magician card.

Like all specialists, Red Magicians earn their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that fire fairy! All Red Magician skills are fire based, so your fire fairy can really multiply the damage you can put out.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 20 or higher Reputation: Trainee or higher

Holy Mage

Holy Mage Specialists excels in mostly healing and support. With very little attack skills, this card is mostly used to support a party or for mostly healing the wounded.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 46. There are specialist quest guides elsewhere on this site, so be sure to check them out to find out how to acquire your Holy Mage card.

Like all specialists, Holy Mage earns their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that light fairy! Most Holy Mages attack skills are light based, so your light fairy can really assist in damage you can put out if your not just support.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 35 or higher Reputation: Experienced or higher

Assassin

Assassin Specialists excels in speed and stealth. Their main attack focus not on the Archers main weapon but secondary Dagger weapon. Unlike Blade and Holy Mage, Assassin has a lower attack, but uses 2 daggers to attack twice rather than once.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 46. There are specialist quest guides elsewhere on this site, so be sure to check them out to find out how to acquire your Assassin card.

Like all specialists, Assassin earns their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that dark fairy! Most Assassin attack skills are dark based, so your dark fairy can really assist in damage you can put out.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 35 or higher Reputation: Experienced or higher

A side note, assassin is more effective in a party than soloing. Melee attacks mean you get hit more often and archer equipment doesn't exactly provide that much defense. Also a lot of the skill can impair attacks from monsters. The +1 movement speed is also nice, although you're nowhere near that of a ranger on windwalker.

Ranger

Rangers are built for soloing or as distance attackers. Unlike the other two 1st specialist classes (Warrior and Red Mage), they have single targeted buffs rather than party buffs. In addition, most attack skills can inflict status effects such as stunning, freezing, blinding, and slowing. Remember that they don't have much tanking ability, so Rangers should first status the mob followed by quick kills at a distance. In a party, Rangers focus on disabling the enemy and just sheer damage.These are the most efficient specialist classes.

This specialist card can be awarded for completing a series of quests when you are combat level 36. There are specialist quest guides elsewhere on this site, so be sure to check them out to find out how to acquire your Ranger card.

Like all specialists, Rangers earn their skills by gaining job levels. Unlike with normal classes, you don't need to go out and buy your skills, nor do any of the specialist skills use up any CP. They are automatically added to your card as you raise in job level.

Remember not to leave home without that water fairy! Most of Ranger's skills are water based. Water element attack on the Ranger ultimate skill, Thunderstorm, is around a whopping 1000 x 3, so your water fairy can really multiply the damage you can put out.

Requirements to Use:

Job Level: 20 or higher Reputation: Trainee or higher

PvP

PvP can be done in many ways in Nostale. For instance, if you want to fight someone in a normal leveling map, you may both drink a battle potion. Battle potions enables PvP for whoever uses them. However, anyone who uses a battle potion may be attacked by anyone else who uses them. Like regular training, you may use food and/or potions.

Another way of PvP is to create a room using the Time Circle. In here, you have a timed limit, depending on the settings that you choose. Unlike using battle potions, you can not use food/potions while playing, making sorcerers with the 'Recover Aura' skill have an upper edge, because they can heal HP on the spot. Don't fret if you aren't using that class, as there are chests in a few rooms, that can contain a few things. One, health. Two, a power-up that boosts attack/magical attack/defense for a limited amount of time. Lastly, HP/MP Loss immunity. The Time Circle allows players to make rooms for people to join and fight each other. There are many settings for you to choose from when making a Time Circle room. You can:

• Set a level range for the room.
• Allow or disallow Nosmates.
• Pick how big the battle map should be.
• Decide whether or not the room should be private by adding a password.

And the last way of PvP is through events that will pop up every so often while playing. They are called 'Icebreakers'. This way of PvP is nearly the same as using battle potions, except you get transferred to a new map, and are given a half hour limit within the event. Damage dealt in this event is divided by three. You have 2 lives while playing. When you die, you don't just fall to the floor, unless it's your second death. If you die for first time, you get encased in a crystal-like block, and you will remain like that until one of two things. One, another player clicks on you, who will then have to wait for roughly AbOUT 5 seconds. Doing this will free you from the encasing, and the person that 'freed' you will now become an 'ally' throughout the rest of the event. They cannot attack you, and vice versa. Another way would be simply waiting. In the end, up to three people can come out the victor. The only way this can happen of course, is if they were all allies. Otherwise, the one person left after everyone else has been killed twice will receive reputation, and a set amount of gold, depending on the amount of players you have killed.

External links

• Official European Nostale site
• Official Japanese Nostale site
• Official German Nostale site
• Official Korean Nostale site
• Official Taiwan Nostale site
• Nostale Online Information Website(Chinese)
• Noshaven (Nostale Fansite)
• Noscamp (Nostale Fansite)

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