Jade Dynasty

Jade Dynasty (also known as Zhu Xian (Chinese: 诛仙)) is a free to play MMORPG game created by Perfect World. The game is currently in its third expansion,Path of Glory. It is based on a popular Chinese internet novel called Zhu Xian.


Gameplay

Jade Dynasty's plotline revolves around the conflict between six human factions called Jadeon, Skysong, Vim, Lupin, Modo and Incense Mage, and their eventual goal of attaining immortality - which they have through a process dubbed "ascension", thus the name of the 2nd expansion, Ascension - and six factions from the Athan race, known to be demigods, Rayan, Arden, Celan, Balo, Forta and Voida (the last one has not released yet but upcoming)that are trying to prevent the Humans from becoming too powerful. Human characters choose which faction to join at level 15 (there are 150 levels total.) while Athan characters choose the faction they wish to play at character creation. Each faction in Jade Dynasty has different skills, strengths, weaknesses and styles of play.

Characters can purchase items from the marketplace using a form of currency called Jaden. There is an auto-route function which enables the player to travel to a specific location by just clicking on a name.

Espers are powerful items that provide a bonus skills and extra attributes to the owner. These attributes and skills can be increased both with special items or leveling up the esper. Every time the player uses an Esper skill, the Esper's proficiency increases by 1. When the Esper has enough proficiency, its level is increased, which empowers the bonuses that it grants. The Esper also changes its appearance every 10 levels and allows the player to use a function known as "invigorate" (which is commonly known as a "bot" a program, illegal in most MMORPG's used to make the character automatically attack enemies.)After level 90 a character requires esper energy to bot, items such as Lunashade stones provide this energy. Espers have different sections that allow the player to place HP and SP pots in them and select how often the pots are used. There is also a section to add skills other than the Esper skill to the Esper allowing these to also be automatically used.

Players are able to obtain pets and train them, improving their quality and evolving their appearance. Pets are very useful in-game as they attack enemies and possess skills of their own. A pet workshop exists to craft training material or gear for pets. The mood of the pet determines what it says to the player. Pets have levels just like players, but their power is more affected by the pet's grade. A pet will level up either by fighting along side it's master or by using items such as Kylin or Miradrake Orbs, which when consumed increase a pet's experience. Pets are divided into grades. There are 20 grades, which are improved by using pet jades obtained through quests, such as Pet Tamer Totto's Free Lunch quest or trading in "Celebeans", an item purchased in the marketplace. (see marketplace) The higher the pet's grade, the stronger the pet becomes. The pet's appearance can radically change at grades 12 and 18 using a special item, the "Red Mushrooom". The appearance change is purely aesthetic - it does not affect the pet's skills or attributes. Pets have different star signs which change which attacks they have and their effectiveness.

There are different ways of getting around on Jade Dynasty: -Skylords allow players to teleport between towns for a small fee, but players can only teleport to areas when their level is high enough. -Skyblades allow players to fly through the air, however skyblades require Esper energy and you will occasionally find yourself running into an invisible wall. Permanent skyblades can be obtained from the market place and from the Wind Fairy in Sunstream. A temporary skyblade can be obtained by completing a weekly quest from the Wind Fairy. Skyblades also have levels and grades which will increase with use. You can not fight on skyblades. -Mounts allow a player to travel on the ground faster than they could run, however Ardens can out run most mounts due to a "Fox Form" skill that increases resistances and speed. Permanent mounts can be bought from the market place or temporary mounts that can be won in a Kunlun Fairground game.