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RPG Vault has posted a new article from Basilisk Games' Thomas Riegsecker about the upcoming Eschalon: Book II. The second "peek" at the single player RPG focuses on new features and enhancements in Book II such as a higher level cap, a larger world to explore, and additional spells and skills.

There are various enhancements to the gameplay as well. For starters, the upper level limit of character development has been raised to 30, allowing for deeper builds and a greater range of customization than before. Two new skills have been added (Repair and Foraging) bringing the total number in Book II to 26. In addition, the existing set has been rebalanced, making many of the original ones more functional, and therefore more useful. Since the Eschalon series is skill-based, any class can experiment with any choice without limitations; however new in-game Challenges will reward players who utilize those aligned with specific classes, archetypes or goals.

The arcane arts of Magick and Alchemy have been updated for Book II as well. The total number of available spells has expanded to 45, with new possibilities like Milo's Cell of Holding (entrap a group of enemies within an energy field) and Draw Water (pull humidity from the air to fill your Water Skins) joining revamped ones such as Dense Nimbus (formally Air Shield). For would-be alchemists, the addition of new reagents to the game means a larger range of potions can be crafted, not to mention fresh imbuing mixtures that can applied to weapons and armor, improving their abilities.

Eschalon: Book II's world is larger than the previous game's, covering three different environments from the arctic-like Northland Expanse to the volcanic wastelands of Barrea, with the temperate lands of Mistfell in-between. In addition to these new regions, dungeons have grown in size and will offer the player a unique challenge of their own as deep treks may into them require forethought, with food, water and other supplies. Players will also have the opportunity to visit several towns and villages, including Port Kuudad, the capital of Mistfell and the largest city in the Eastern lands of Eschalon.

RPG Vault: Eschalon Book II Peek 1

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