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[Nosgoth] Summoner out, vampire spellcaster shenanigans ensue
Iblis
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Registered User regular
What is Nosgoth?
Nosgoth is a Free-to-play asymmetrical competitive team-based action/shooting game set in the Legacy of Kain universe. One side goes on the offensive as vampires while the other goes on the defensive as humans. It is currently in open beta.
Wait, Legacy of Kain?
Yes, Nosgoth is set during a war between vampire overlords and oppressed humans in the Legacy of Kain series. The classes are based off Legacy of Kain lore, but largely this is just a backdrop for the game and is not hugely important.
Okay, what's the gameplay like?
As noted previously, the game is 4 on 4 with one side playing Vampires and the other as Humans. The game is class based and you can customize your characters with different loadouts (though abilities/weapons/perks must be earned, purchased, or rented).
Humans play the game as a third person shooter and are largely defense oriented. Sticking together is very important, as humans are very vulnerable when alone. Humans can heal and resupply at various aid stations scattered across the map, allowing them to win the fight of attrition if they can keep the vampires at bay long enough to heal.
Vampires on the other hand are melee focused and may climb up buildings and jump across rooftops to hunt their prey. While fearsome in one on one, vampires need to coordinate and sneak up on a group of humans to break their defense. Additionally, Vampires can regenerate a moderate amount of health when injured, but require corpses to feed on to heal a lot of health. They need to be able to break the human group and scatter them to heal up.
What sort of Free-to-play bullshit does this game have?
The developers have stated it is their goal to make sure the game is not pay to win, and to that end everything that effects gameplay can be earned in game. You gain a class unlock token every five levels, and you accumulate gold that you can spend on abilities/weapons/perks. It is expensive both in gold and in runestones (the game's official funbux) to purchase these, but you can also rent them for a smaller cost (and the default loadouts for most classes aren't too bad). Additionally, you unlock a random class related item (with some weird diablo-esque modifiers on them) every five levels with that particular class.
Really any of the gameplay related items seem kind of hideously expensive in terms of real money (about 5 dollars to purchase a weapon, 15 for a class, etc) so it seems more worth it to use your Runestones on cosmetics (skins are primarily 8 dollars a piece) and boosts if that's your thing. I find gold accrues at a reasonable pace regardless of if you win or lose, so that's not a huge deal either.
Now on to more gameplay information!
Vampire Classes:
Reavers
The Reavers of Clan Dumahim are dextrous and stealthy predators, whose only focus is the subjugation of Humankind. As trained and talented killers, Reavers are both calculated and poised. Swift, silent and smart, these Vampires are natural hunters who can out-think and out-run the opposition.
Reavers are one of the two default vampire classes and the easiest to use. While they can be customized to do other things, by default they can pounce on enemies like a Left 4 Dead Hunter and can toss smoke grenades. They're fast and do fairly good melee damage, and are excellent at disorienting the humans.
Tyrants
The Tyrants are the frontline shock troops of the Vampire legions, dedicating each victory to the glory of Clan Turelim. Tyrants see themselves as ‘true’ warriors and despise those who cannot compete with them on the battlefield. Their fighting style is heavy-handed and punishing, soaking up damage as they smash a straight line to their prey.
The other default vampire class, the Tyrant is the tank of the group. Slow and bulky, the Tyrant has the most health in the game and deals the most raw melee damage. They should not just attack human forces headlong, but they can keep them busy and distracted while their brethren move in for the kill. By default they can charge at the human group, knocking anyone hit back and dealing damage. They can also do an AoE shockwave which briefly jolts the opponents and deals decent damage.
Sentinel
The Sentinels are devolved descendants and represent the last remnants of the once-proud Clan Razielim. Sentinels have developed large wings that allow them limited flight abilities and they use this mobility to scout and strike unsuspecting enemies from above. Dark and twisted, Sentinels are haters of Humanity.
These dudes can fly! Though it's not always a great idea to fly everywhere, as you might just make yourself a gigantic target to get shot down. They excel at disruption, able to steal away humans and drop them some distance away. By default I believe they can also knock enemies back with a gust of wind and divebomb the enemies for an AoE shockwave.
Deceiver
Driven to the edge of sanity, the Deceivers are feared not only by the Human race but by their own kind as well. Their devious personalities have come to manifest themselves in accursed supernatural abilities enabling them to assault the enemies’ minds directly, making them see and hear whatever a Deceiver finds most useful to sow fear and confusion among the enemy ranks.
The Deceivers are a bit of a strange class, not being notably fast and having the lowest melee damage. However, they can turn invisible, disguise themselves as humans, and have a fairly potent backstab for assassination purposes. They can even change out their invisibility/disguise for the ability to control opponents (though this is a risky maneuver).
Human Classes:
Hunter
Vampire Hunters feel at home only in the midst of battle. They belong to the Ironguard, the last of an almost annihilated force and distant successors to the warrior class that have always lived, trained and fought for one thing – the eradication of every last Vampire from Nosgoth. Dedicated, ruthless and skilled, these warriors live for the hunt.
One of the two default human classes, the Hunter is quite formidable. Armed with automatic crossbows and the bola skill (one of the best abilities in the game) they can both put out some damage and lockdown a vampire. By default they get an explosive volley, but can change that out for some other explosives as well.
Alchemist
The Alchemists are cultists, sworn to an order of arcane chemists whose concoctions produce a variety of effects ranging from explosive cocktails to transformative potions. A female-only sect with a thirst for explosions, Alchemists carry a hand cannon that fires alchemical globes which detonate with devastating force on impact.
The Alchemist is the other default human class, and are fairly easy to play but difficult to master. Armed with grenade launchers as their weapons, their attacks have a shorter range and they can hurt themselves. By default they get what is essentially a flash bomb and the ability to set the ground on fire (which can burn them too after a few seconds). Their role is primarily fire support, though you can customize them to have some healing too. Sentinels are the bane of their existence.
Scout
Professional and pitiless, Scouts were among the first of a new generation of Humans to take up arms against Nosgoth’s Vampires. Armed with a precision bow, they are well used to hit-and-run tactics. Scouts swear loyalty to the Watchers, assassins skilled in picking off their enemies from the many hidden vantage points in the mountains of Dark Eden.
The Scout is the game's sniper, though they also have some nasty tricks. By default they can launch a fairly powerful rain of arrows, and also have some throwing knives that can drop an enemy to the ground as far as I can tell (I have not unlocked the class yet). They can put out some pretty strong damage if they catch you at a range, and have some good AoE support when you're close, plus can be customized with a lot of nice tricks like invisibility, traps, etc.
Prophet
Prophets use tainted blood as a weapon, turning the source of their enemies’ very existence against them. Bullets dipped in the fluid carry wicked hexes. Dark blood can be spilled upon the ground to temporarily repel or weaken attackers. Their mutated bodies have an unhealthy attraction to other sources of stolen blood, giving them the ability literally steal the life from nearby Vampires.
Witches that dual-wield pistols, the Prophet can put out some mean single target damage and comes with some supportive hexes and spells. One of their default skills, Banishing Shot, is apparently pretty awesome now. Similar to Bola in use, which is a kick ass skill. Aside from that they get life leech by default, which is a handy skill. Allows them to top of their health and deal some moderate damage at the same time. They can purchase some AoE hexes that they can target on the ground to use.
Videos
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-DFR0bX7yQE3 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DrvD181svoVarious Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK7EBjIcheM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoTOJJyCFjEEnd
Knew there was a few of us playing and with the current sale ongoing decided to make a topic. I'll probably edit it/clean it up later on.
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However vampires seem to be way overpowered, at least at the start. I am not sure how you are supposed to deal with 3 of the tank vampire running into your group, and the fact you usually spawn on the other side of your teammates as human is bullshit, since you end up just being a free kill to any vampires who are paying attention.
Initial thoughts are they need to switch to an objective based mode with one side trying to stop the other from doing something.
And Morkath, there is a mode like that. Siege, where humans try and capture points while vampires try and slaughter them. Have not played it myself, but it unlocks at level 10.
As far as Vampire vs Human balance, it tends to feel really lopsided early on. It's still a little lopsided right now, but I'm finding human teams holding up much better unless there's a massive skill difference. I'm not an expert, but I think Alchemists are the answer to Tyrants since they can set the ground ablaze (or roast them if they have the flamethrower power) and just generally make life hell for them. I have more issues with multiple Reavers teams, since Reavers are great at scattering groups, are fast, and deal pretty damn nice damage. They do not have a ton of weaknesses and are super easy to play in comparison to the Tyrant.
There are ways to deal with multiple tanks. Mainly you need to spread out a little, so you don't all get hit by the same charge. Use bolas (Hunter) or throwing knives (Scout... interrupts enemies) after the initial attack, and make sure to focus fire. You should also be in a position that you can take pot shots at vampires as they set up.
I didn't like spawning on the other side of the map at first, but now I think it is necessary. If humans spawned on other humans all the time, vampires would never get a chance to heal. It also creates some interesting choices. If you die first you might not want to run across the map. It might be better to find a defensive spot so the rest of your team can spawn on you. If it takes too long for them to die, they could spawn away from you and you just split up the team. If your team doesn't die, now you are alone and far away from them with vampires everywhere.
I have unlocked the Scout and the Sentinel. Scout feels a bit like a glass cannon. The bows are very powerful (no drop, no travel time, they are basically rail guns), but it seems like you don't have as much health. Throwing knives are good to interrupt enemies. The rain of arrows was just alright. I ended up replacing it with a hookshot that lets me get on some rooftops. It's risky, but lets you get in a bunch of free hits as the vamps set up, and it also somewhat useful as an escape move. The Sentinel is amazingly fun to play once you learn how to pick people up (activate the skill, wait through the charge time, *then* you have a second to pick someone up). It has great group disruption and some really fun abilities. Like the Scout, it is sort of a glass cannon. I always want to play Sentinel, but if there is another on the team I usually switch to another class. Having two on a team makes it really hard for the ground vampires to get anything done.
It really is as completely mediocre as people say. It's got a lot more risk than reward, as you have to generally be in a spot where enemies can easily see you while you're kind of putting on a light show. And you have to stand out in the open for several moments while you fill a circle (like with the Reaver's Pounce, but you don't crouch down and make yourself a tiny target, and you need to have a target highlighted to fill it). Any hits your allies deal instantly cancels the ability, so I've had a situation where I clicked to activate the ability then nothing happened because an ally hit the enemy the split second I let go, so I just ate the cooldown. You don't even get much of an assist bonus for leading an enemy away from the group to a hungry ally either. It's not a completely awful move, but it is really underwhelming and unrewarding.
Also: If people would like I could start collecting names of people playing so we could make a list and potentially get some PA teams going.
That definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.
I have beta codes for interested parties though. Think one of the founders pack is part of the Square-Enix bundle on Humble Bundle currently too.
The veteran pack is only 2.50 right now. Won't that keep you in the game too?
This game is fun, but I'm worried about getting attached to it. It doesn't seem like the type of multiplayer game that will last a long time. Seems like a lot of multi games on steam burn out pretty quick recently. I hope I'm wrong though.
Yup, you are correct. I didn't notice they are 50% off. I'm not too worried about population, half because it's 4v4 and half because it will be free to play.
Main things that impressed me were to do with how the game has two wildly different sides but they seem both balanced and fun to play.
Like my team demolished the enemy as vampires so I was dreading playing the human half for fear of the game being mostly all about the fun of playing vamps (similar to the problem SvM has).
But no, not only did we make the vampires look like kittens (as in I was literally 10/2 at the rounds end) the Alchemist is also super fun to play and it's engaging to constantly be on the look out. Watching as the vamp team tries to prowl on roof tops and get line of sight of you.
It's like playing a horror game except when the fight actually happens humans are perfectly capable of hitting back.
how is the balance of starter classes/powers vs purchased ones?
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The locked classes tend to be higher skill classes and don't seem noticeably better.
But balance is pretty good. I never feel disadvantaged playing most of the default class loads. Having more options is always better of course.
Glad to hear so many people are enjoying this. I'll try and clean up the first post tonight. Additionally, I still have one beta code.
Though it gets frustrating when you do 3/4 man charge/knock ups. Pop stone skin and stroll away only to find your team did nothing with the opening.
It's also why I've being finding the humans win most 'equal' feeling games. Because the vampires need to co-ordinate going in. All humans really need to do is set up an effective cross fire and dump cooldowns at the right time. Plus vampires can't recover health properly without getting kills so they have to make sure any attack they do has a lasting impact.
Any time the vampire pokes out, gets shot to hell then retreats when his team isn't there is a huge win for the humans.
I can reserve a Warband name, if enough folks are interested after the free weekend (dont think warbands are in yet anyway).
And I have 10 friend keys to give away afterward too.
Origin: Galedrid - Nintendo: Galedrid/3222-6858-1045
Blizzard: Galedrid#1367 - FFXIV: Galedrid Kingshand
also: I miss the LoK series....except Blood Omen 2 was utter crap.
Indeed, really hoping they fix the matchmaking and party systems sooner rather than later. As this game is pretty awesome if you get an experienced and coordinated vampire team (everyone waits for a particular cue before engaging, corpses are brought to the weak, etc). Pretty cool to bring a corpse over to a wounded vampbro and let them feed after a successful strike.
Of course the Deceiver (and perhaps the Sentinel) isn't bad at stopping the humans from healing up after they repel a vampire attack. I once wiped the remains of a human team after a failed attack by stalking them, dropping down invisibly while one was healing to backstab her, slashed another human to death before they got their bearings, then killed the next by phasing near him and letting my bombastic inviso-rays do the work. Then again better human players might have been ready for that and blew me away once I uncloaked.
It has potential, although I'm sad that they shackled this to the LoK ip. You just piss off LoK fans and don't give this game a chance to stand on its own merits.
I don't understand this. Is there any indication it's tied to LoK other than the devs saying it is? Never really played LoK so I could be missing something.
Also the basic banner you get for buying into the beta is based off of Raziel's scarf pattern I think?
That, and it being pretty fun, was enough for me to drop some cash on the immortal pack.
I probably won't play a ton, but it'll be there to load up when I want, and it was my way of saying to SE "Hey, uh, more LoK games please".
Does it need the LoK setting? Probably not. Does it hurt it? Nope. Does it help it? All things considered, probably. And, lets be honest, if we're worried about poor uses of old IP's, it is not even in the same galaxy as other ones that have gotten shit like mobile card games and such.
Origin: Galedrid - Nintendo: Galedrid/3222-6858-1045
Blizzard: Galedrid#1367 - FFXIV: Galedrid Kingshand
The Tyrant is the best pub vampire. You can easily initiate and survive contact long enough for your team to get the picture. Also Leap is incredible
The Sentinel, while not the best pub vampire, is hilarious and I will continue to play him
I appreciate the renting system, although I think I actually liked the blacklight retribution method better (paying a lesser price for only a day, I think it was). I'm not guaranteed to play this much throughout the workweek. But, whatever. I think I am starting to figure out what I want to buy permanently.
As for the LoK connection, the most I've played of the series was 20 minutes on a PS1 demo disc when I was like 11. This game, while giving me no clue what the normal games are like, is actually making me kind of curious
EDIT: Except the very first one. It might be on PSN? I'm not sure, I still have the original disc.
Origin: Galedrid - Nintendo: Galedrid/3222-6858-1045
Blizzard: Galedrid#1367 - FFXIV: Galedrid Kingshand
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Charge in, slam the ground, and then either use your damage reduction skill and escape OR assist with attacks if you're still fairly healthy. Just make sure the humans aren't all looking at you when you attack, as you will die mid-charge if they just all focus on your ass (which they should).
However, you will learn to resent a lot of pubbies as Tyrant. Look Mr. Reaver at 90% health...do you really need to make a withdrawal from the blood bank?
They also seem to be a pain in the ass when it comes to controls.
Still, they've got a solid and fluid feeling title here that with the right F2P system and class balance could be a real winner. It's tenuous connection to LoK should not be a mark of resentment but rather one of endearment given that the game feels gothic but not without Asian artistic influences and other stuff inspired by the old series, which to me makes it feel more unique while still being visceral and fun and tactical.
More classes at some point would probably be a good idea too.
The goods news is that they are so easy to kill as humans since my class of choice is Prophet and they seem to use hitscan weapons. On Vampires I play Tyrant anyways so I just call all Hulk on the enemy team while they're preoccupied trying to hit flying vampires with a grenade launcher.
They are planning at least two more classes for each side (probably more in the future after that). Currently we know they will do the remaining two vampire clans, and one of the future vampire classes will be female.