Defiance: Enter the Castithan

[TheJx4]

Following the release of patch 1.020, Defiance will be receiving its first helping of DLC. The general information, with a few specifics here and there, were disclosed on the community blog. I've looked through tweets, forum posts, watch the livestreams (including Across the Badlands), and compiled all of the known information. I also added some other information that isn't directly related to DLC.

Short version:
3 new game modes, new weapon class/contains 4 weapon types, 4 player vehicle, new playable race, new storyline mission, UI changes, voice packs, general game improvements

Dueling
- Challenge any other player to a duel
-Battles end when one player loses all his/her health, or leaves the designated dueling area.
-No scrip penalty

Charge Weapons
-Ranged weapons, melee.
-Charge Snipers, Pistols, Shotguns
-Charge time modifies effects/properties

Battle Arena game mode
-New Castithan figure in charge of the Arena
(Apparently this is the DLC storyline)
-Underground fight arena, series of challenges, each new challenge changes the arena layout

PvP
- New Map; Military Academy
- Weapon balancing

Castithan Blade
-Complete Arena mission line, or find it as a loot drop
-Takes up a main weapon slot, comes with risks timing/and may not work well on all enemies
-Tap equals a light attack, charged is a heavy attack

New vehicle
- the Reaper

Customization
-Six voice packs
-Stern veteran to cocky hotshot

Volge Sieges
-Volge will be attacking key locations
-You will recieve a notifcation, and you must get to the designated area and defend it.
-New tactics and strategies will need to be deployed.
-Open World game mode
-Quicker completion time equals better rewards

Q&A

Rynn back to the show, or any other crossover characters crossing BACK over?
-Can't confirm names, but it will happen

Elemental hellbugs here to stay?
-Yes, but will not be as frequent.

Will Cass ever appear in the show?
-Stay tuned.

Different physical features for Castithans?
-Eyes are identifiers, white skin/hair is a base trait

Episode Missions repeatable?
-Yes (clarification later)

New enemies?
-Yes. Volge being introduced with Sieges, more later

Rewind weekends
-Video game version of reruns, limited time windows to replay episode missions

How do you come up with the challenges for Challenge Hour
-Simple, specific tasks. More variety in later challenges. Will accommodate for different time zones and things.
-Stat tracking is being examined to look at more options.
-Suggestions are welcome

Possibility of in-game bank/auction house/player housing?
-No promise, but it's a "top priority".

From the website:

You get this when you buy the DLC for $10:
– Access to play the Castithan Species
– Access to a new Story Mission Line with new Battle Arena Game Mode
– Access to the new Castithan Battle Arenas
– Castithan Charge Blade & Ceremonial Mask as a reward from Story Mission Line
– A unique version of the Raptor, a new 4 player truck of doom
– A unique Castithan version of an outfit
– A Charge Weapons Starter Pack
– Access to New Pursuits
– New Xbox and PS3 Trophies and Achievements

You get this in the DLC for free:
– Access to the new Charge Weapons Class and Castithan Blades
– Access to Sieges, a new Open World Game Mode
– Access to the new Monolith Major Arkfall
– Access to a new PvP Map – Military Academy
– Join a friend into the Battle Arenas Game Mode
– Duel your friends and neighbors in the Duels Game Mode
– Enemies, lockboxes, and events can drop Charge Weapons
– Select a new voice for you character
– Multitude of game improvements from UI to content

You can buy these individually from the store:
– New Mods that tint the color of your Castithan Blade
– Lockboxes have a chance to get Charge Weapons
– More versions of the Raptor, the new 4 player truck of doomed compensation
– Character Customization changes: Appearance change, name change, or everything change]

 

[drathbone]

Can't wait. If all the DLC's sound as robust as this one I might just treat myself to the season pass.

 

[TheJx4]

Sieges go live on monday.

 

[drathbone]

Was there details on what sieges were?

 

[TheJx4]

I have two threads with information compiled from the livestream that airs after every episode. Details on Sieges included.

http://forums.defiance.com/showthread.p ... -Info-Dump
http://forums.defiance.com/showthread.php?72588-(5-20)-Across-the-Badlands-DLC-1-Info-Dump

Sieges
- 3 to 5 Cap Points, can take place in any in-game region
- Capture and Hold, or Capture and Hold/Kill for points
- Rewards are time based. Better completion time = better rewards

So, they start sorta like arkfalls. You'll be notified of what location to head to, and you'll basically be attacking/defending key areas. They also said there will be other optional objectives, and multiple stages of a Siege that get more difficult as you progress.

Here's the in-game description:
"Sieges are special events which task players with capturing and defending objectives while fighting hordes of enemies. Once the siege event is kicked off, players have a limited time to increase their score by capturing objectives and by defeating enemies. Kill enemies to progress stages. Later stages have more enemies, more enemies means more points, more points mean better rewards!"