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The Grab Bag of Questions # 24

Welcome to the Warhammer Online Grab Bag, where your friendly neighborhood community manager will answer the most popular, and most interesting, questions in a new regular feature. Many things aren't yet certain, so try to be patient with us. Trust me - we're as eager as you are to see the features finalized, so that we can hear what you've got to say.

Q: What kind of defensive mechanisms can players use during an assault?

A: Once the enemy is already within the city confines, they will have already pushed their way through the defenders at the forts. Within the city, there are various winding streets, interiors and a specific RVR crafted battle area that players can use to their advantage.

Q: Are you still planning to let us capture the enemy king? Which penalties apply to a faction without king? Which bonus for the winning side?

A: Once an enemies King has been defeated in battle, he will be sent to the invaders' home city, where all who choose to mock and taunt the King will have their opportunity to do so.

Q: Will there be special features for guilds during an attack or a defense, for example objectives to claim or NPCs to hire/defend?

A: Attackers will not have the option to bring additional NPC support in to a city battle. Our focus for city battles is focused around real players who will no doubt use many of own their tactics to unleash at the enemy. There will, however, be quests offered by certain NPCs that the attacker may accept to perform side tasks.

Q: Will low level players be able to get to cities without many problems?

A: Cities and access to cities was designed so that players as low as level 7 would be able to travel to a city and find content awaiting them! All city content ranges from level 7 up to level 40.

Q: Will players be actively involved in the repairs on the city after the siege is broken, maybe via tradeskills/crafting?

A: Players of the home city to will be asked to perform various quests, PQs and other city interactions to once again raise the rating of a city. The type of content available depends on the city's rating after an invasion.

Q: Could you explain the benefits of defending one's city? I know it's been hinted in the past that cities will build up over time if they are protected from invasion, but I'd like to know what kind of bonuses you have in mind.

A: As a defender of your home city, you will want to defend it at all costs. Let's say you are part of the Empire and collectively you and others have done city quests and PQs to raise the rating of the city. What this does is allow you to unlock specific city content, such as dungeons and IP characters that may have a quest or two for you to adventure on for a cool reward.

Another reason to defend your city is to keep all resources at cost. If a player fails to defend their city and that city has been taken over by the enemy, players will only be able to use auctioneers, bankers etc...at the black market, outside the city in a secure location. The black market will have higher costs.

Q: How will city loot be distributed amongst the players attacking the city? Will it be based on participation?

A: This will vary throughout the city, depending on the encounter. To put many of you at ease, every player will have the opportunity to attack the King and reap the rewards during a city attack. The King will not be easy however... not at all! *Evil grin*

Q: So far, who do you think is the most badass city boss/racial leader?

A: The Kings are pretty damn cool and I know players will love all that is involved with their encounters. A lot of love and attention have been focused around those fights in particular by the city team.

Q: Will solo players be able to contribute to a city siege? Or will they be directed more toward guilds and groups? Do soloers stand any chance of getting any loot in the battle?

A: Solo players will definitely have the opportunity to reap some rewards during a city siege; however, most encounters will require full groups to have any chance at victory.

Q: There has been mention that the longer a faction holds their own city, the more it is built up. Is there a converse to that? If an opposing faction controls a city not their own, will they receive some sort of bonus? Or will the faction with an invaded home city have some sort or morale depletion?

A: The longer an invader holds their enemy's city captured, the further that enemy city will drop down in rating, thus having players have to work for their higher rating again, which contains all the extra city rewards, locations and bonuses. Also, invaders attacking an enemy city will gain city rating points for their home city. So in essence, players can achieve city rating points not only in their own home city, but their enemies', too!

Q: Are the cities still divided into 3 parts: 1)Wall and/or Gate; 2) Outer City; 3) Inner City?

A: Each city has a main wall that contains a front gate. There will also be an alternate entrance leading in to the city, for safer passage

Q: If part of the city is instanced, how many people will be allowed in an instance (6, 12, 18 24, or battlegroups)?

A: This will vary throughout the city depending on the location a player is entering. Some instances will cater to 6 man groups while others to 24 man groups.

Q: What percentage of our playing time are we expected to spend in cities?

A: Most players will be able to first see a city at around level 7. Content in a city ranges anywhere from level 10 all the way up to 40, depending on the city rating. How much time you spend there is entirely your choice.

Q: How far will cities be able to be destroyed? Will I be able to burn buildings knock down walls and push over pillars?

A: City invaders will have the ability to smash, break and burn various items throughout the city. They may also have a chance of taking out one of the bankers or auctioneers!

Q: As we have heard in recent interviews, famous characters from Warhammer lore will be present during city sieges, such as Gotrek and Felix. Will these famous characters drop loot and will the loot be specific to the character's lore, such as Gotrek's eye-patch or Felix's sword?

A: Yes there will be loot rewards. What those rewards are is up for the player to discover!

Q: We see lots of cool buildings in the city screenshots, my question is what percentage of those buildings can be entered?

A: There are many buildings in the city that players will be able to enter. Some buildings will be locked during a certain city rating but will finally open for business at a higher city rating. Players are encouraged to enter all of the buildings as you never know what surprises await you.

Q: Will cities be completely inaccessible to the opposing realm if it's not under siege?

A: That is correct. Invaders must progress through various stages before gaining access to an enemy city.

Q: I know that experience for exploration has been mentioned (one of the features I most look forward to). Will there be ample hidden gems and Easter eggs to make the exploration of cities fun and magnificent?

A: Easter is my favorite holiday, so there is your answer!

Q: What role will taverns and inns play, and how are you intending to ensure people want to spend some time in them?

A: Within each tavern are auctioneers. Quests can also be found within the taverns. One thing I know all MMO players will be happy to hear is that there will be multiple taverns and banks throughout the city, thus decreasing the amount of player congestion in one given area.

Q: Are there going to be Public Quests in the Capital cities?

A: Yes indeed.

Q: Are all the bosses stationary or do some of them patrol during a siege?

A: This will vary depending on the city's current rating. At a lower city rating, citizens are a bit more afraid of the enemy… At a higher city rating citizens may bond together and change their aggression towards the enemy.

Q: Once a city has been taken over will you be able to "ransack" the city? Basically just acquire loot by popping into the Johnson's next door and taking what's in the fridge kinda thing?

A: That would be pretty cool, right? We thought so too... so yes, you can!

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