Dev Talk: Dragon Sanctuary & New Rewards

It’s just a few days now until Dragonfire launches on August 31, and things are heating up in Albion. In our third and final Dev Talk previewing the update, Co-Creative Director Michael Schwahn and Combat Balance Designer Nick Yaloz take a look at the Fire Dragon itself, the new Dragon Sanctuary dungeon, and the rewards you can earn by taking on these immense challenges.

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The Dragon Sanctuary

The Dragon Sanctuary is a brand-new, 20-player raid dungeon filled with high-level PvE encounters.

To enter the Dragon Sanctuary, you first need a Waystone.

• These are rare rewards from the Ancient Lands
• They are tradable, so can also be acquired from the Marketplace

Using a Waystone in the open world will reveal an entrance to the Dragon Sanctuary. Only you and your party members can use this entrance.

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• Because there is no PvP inside, groups should bring their best PvE equipment
• Mobs are immune to forced movement, so skill and strategy are needed
• The boss – Maeve, the Unfettered Oracle – is a powerful opponent who hurls boulders across the battlefield

Should you make your way past Maeve, an even tougher opponent awaits…

Azaryon, the Fire Dragon

Azaryon, the Fire Dragon is the game’s greatest PvE challenge, and marks a step forward for PvE in Albion.

• An opponent of this scale has never been seen before
• New movement and combat mechanics were created for Azaryon
  • He reacts dynamically to your group’s movement, positioning, and threat level
  • This makes encounters unpredictable in new ways

• The fight evolves in phases, each with its own pacing, mechanics, and challenges
  • As the battle evolves, you must adapt your strategy and coordination

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Defeating Azaryon gives every party member a Lingering Dragon Spirit, which lasts one week and makes it significantly harder to complete the Dragon Sanctuary. However, there are highly ambitious Albion Journal missions for those who can achieve repeat victories.

Open-World Attacks

Dragons can not just be encountered in the Dragon Sanctuary, but also in the open world. On the Royal Continent:

• Dragon attacks are spontaneous events with very little forewarning
• Once a certain amount of damage has been dealt, the Dragon will retreat
• Retreating Dragons leave behind a treasure chest
  • Every player who participates in the encounter can earn loot from this chest
  • Even solo players should fight a Dragon attack when the opportunity arises

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In the Outlands, meanwhile:

• Attacks are announced hours in advance
• This gives guilds time to organize and prepare
• Guilds compete both against the Dragon and against each other for its rewards
  • The victorious guild receives a large amount of Season Points
  • Individual players receive personal reward chests

New Rewards

Dragonfire brings a number of valuable new rewards to players who conquer its challenges.

Dragonslayer Armor

This is a new leather armor set with unique new abilities.

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• Dragonslayer Hood: Lets you toss a flare which reveals enemies and slows their cooldowns
• Dragonslayer Jacket: Fly to a targeted location, forming a protective barrier where you land
• Dragonslayer Shoes: Offer a choice between a significant movement speed increase and a cooldown reduction

These items can be crafted from Fire Dragon Scales or from artifacts dropped by Dragons.

Drake Eggs

A Drake Egg is a very rare reward which can be raised into a Firewing Drake.

• To raise a Firewing Drake you must feed it other mounts
• Firewing Drakes are very strong in every area
• They have a glide ability, a speed boost which cannot be interrupted by damage
  • Only a stun can interrupt this

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New Food and Potions

• Drake Eggs can also be used to make Drake Biscuits
  • These offer a combat and gathering Fame buff for 25 hours.

• Leyfin Fish can be caught in the Ancient Lands
  • These can be used to make an Omelette which increases healing output

• Dragon Blood can be used to create a Lifeward Potion
  • This can protect allies from death for a short time

With all this coming on August 31, Dragonfire promises to expand Albion’s offerings immeasurably. From the depths of the Dragon Sanctuary to the skies above the open world, threats and opportunities of a scale never before seen are about to arrive. Get ready to face the heat!