MMORPG: How do the Eldar classes differ from each other, obviously different choices in Wargear and the like, but how else? Roles? We have been told that the variants on the Shuriken Catapult will mark the different roles for the Dire Avenger; can you be more specific about the variants and the roles?
NR: That I’m afraid you’ll have to join us and try out for yourself, affect the direction of development. It’s why we’re in Early Access, many of these changes are based on data and player feedback. Is the Dire Avenger exactly like we want him to be? Not at all. Will he be? Yes, eventually as we play more with him in his natural environment – causing mass carnage against other races. It will also affect what type of wargear and advancements the classes get. It’s also about the fact that we’re making a game based on the lore of Warhammer 40,000, not on the tabletop game. We might take inspiration from it but we are most certainly not a representation of the tabletop so the Eldar will stay true to their lore, not necessarily any obscure tabletop rules.
So we aren’t kidding when we say it’s about involvement of customers in what becomes the Eternal Crusade over the next 10 years, what classes get added in the free expansions (or free DLCs if you will), what weapons, vehicles, game modes, PVE enemies etc. and you have an opportunity so if your thing is to be in a volatile environment of an in development game that is constantly changing and getting added to, and continues to expand endlessly post-launch, we’re here for you. If this is not what rocks your Thunderhawk, there are plenty of great games out there, especially recent Warhammer games and some of the upcoming ones.
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MMORPG: To touch a little more closely on the Warlock (the Eldar psyker), I have heard a bit about a “duality mechanic”, being used for their abilities, can you explain that a little bit? It appears that the Sorcerer and the Warlock spells are essentially identical, with different special effects, are more diverse and characterful psychic powers coming in the future?
NR: Not quite so simple, they aren’t identical at all, they are pretty unique and become more so over time but yes, I guess you can call the Warlock having duality in the way that he can be of use for both friend and foe than others. As for post-launch, more psychic powers for all, more psychic classes, whether as veterans, elites etc. such as the Librarians will of course make their appearance.
MMORPG: Swooping Hawks are known for their harassment and denial of mobility to their enemies, will there be encouragement for players to play them in that way, maybe an added experience boost for getting assists, or for keeping targets suppressed?
NR: I believe their abilities, how they play and gear will handle that in combination for just the general boosts to assists. They are also harassers, so if you don’t take them down, it’s not just suppression, it’s also death. These are pigeons disposing waste on your visor, they massively penetrate that visor and leave little alive inside that head.
MMORPG: How about cosmetics? Is there a line of Eldar-oriented cosmetics that will help to define their personality and appearance? Also, how about Exarchs, in the Lore they essentially lose themselves in their chosen Aspect, how will that be implemented in Eternal Crusade?
NR: All factions have a ton of cosmetics and while Eldar are specifically difficult to apply cosmetic to due to their lore, they will have their own options. And as with all questions about how things will be implemented, come in, join us and affect it but be sure that they won’t be rolling dice like on the tabletop.
MMORPG: The Eldar have access to the Falcon grav-tank, how does the Falcon differ from the current vehicles in the game in terms of speed, durability, agility and firepower?
NR: All the Eldar vehicles are grav-tanks right now and are all in Early Access. Jump in and try. They are just as you’d expect them to be versus a tracked vehicle. Not saying they’re finalized, but they act as grav-tanks, can strafe and are certainly more agile. Durability, not so much.
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MMORPG: Finally, how about the guys who want to play the other aliens, how are the Orks coming along? Will we start seeing some concept art and the like soon?
NR: Nope, you won’t be seeing anything like that soon. You’ll see them on the test server shortly and in Early Access within weeks :)
OK we might release something earlier than that but there really isn’t a reason to do that. We’d rather deploy them and have the players help us mold them in their natural environment – an eternal crusade of massive annihilation and war.
MMORPG: As always, thanks Nathan, for joining us today and answering some of our questions, is there anything you want to add before we wrap it up?
NR: Always a pleasure! I can only reiterate that we have Eternal Crusade in development on Steam Early Access and if your thing is to live life dangerously and don’t let something breaking occasionally bother you and things changing or being added that changes everything, you should join. Remember, Early Access is not just to get into development, it is a full pre-order of the game as well with tons of pre-order weapons and full game key. And War. Come for War.
