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Aspect Mastery: Difference between revisions

Player progression system enhancing PvM capabilities through specialized gear.
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{{Short description|Player progression system enhancing PvM capabilities through specialized gear.}}
{{Navpills
{{Navpills
|page1 = Air
|page1 = Air Aspect
|page2 = Arcane
|text1 = Air
|page3 = Artisan
|page2 = Arcane Aspect
|page4 = Blood
|text2 = Arcane
|page5 = Command
|page3 = Artisan Aspect
|page6 = Death
|text3 = Artisan
|page7 = Discipline
|page4 = Blood Aspect
|page8 = Earth
|text4 = Blood
|page9 = Eldritch
|page5 = Command Aspect
|page10 = Fire
|text5 = Command
|page11 = Fortune
|page6 = Death Aspect
|page12 = Frost
|text6 = Death
|page13 = Gadget
|page7 = Discipline Aspect
|page14 = Harvest
|text7 = Discipline
|page15 = Holy
|page8 = Earth Aspect
|page16 = Lightning
|text8 = Earth
|page17 = Lyric
|page9 = Eldritch Aspect
|page18 = Madness
|text9 = Eldritch
|page19 = Poison
|page10 = Fire Aspect
|page20 = Shadow
|text10 = Fire
|page21 = Void
|page11 = Fortune Aspect
|page22 = Water
|text11 = Fortune
|page23 = War
|page12 = Frost Aspect
|text12 = Frost
|page13 = Gadget Aspect
|text13 = Gadget
|page14 = Harvest Aspect
|text14 = Harvest
|page15 = Holy Aspect
|text15 = Holy
|page16 = Lightning Aspect
|text16 = Lightning
|page17 = Lyric Aspect
|text17 = Lyric
|page18 = Madness Aspect
|text18 = Madness
|page19 = Poison Aspect
|text19 = Poison
|page20 = Shadow Aspect
|text20 = Shadow
|page21 = Void Aspect
|text21 = Void
|page22 = Water Aspect
|text22 = Water
|page23 = War Aspect
|text23 = War
}}
}}
[[File:AspectMastery.png|thumb|right|The Aspect Mastery menu interface.]]


[[File:AspectMastery.png|thumb|right|The Aspect Mastery menu]]
'''Aspect Mastery''' is a character-based progression system designed to significantly enhance a player's effectiveness in Player versus Monster (PvM) combat. By unlocking and leveling up different Aspects, players can temporarily imbue their Weapons, Spellbooks, and Armor with powerful bonuses tailored to various playstyles. Each character progresses through the 23 different Aspects independently.


The Aspect Mastery system is a progression-based system to enhance your PvM game. Each individual character has their own individual Aspect Tier Levels and Experience amounts for each of the 23 different Aspects (such as Air, Fire, Death, etc). Characters will earn Aspect experience and level up their individual Aspects by killing creatures while equipped with Aspect Gear of that particular Aspect, from Pilfering & Mugging, and lockpicking Paragon, Dungeon & Treasure Map Chests. The amount of Aspect Experience received from earning Doubloons by Sinking NPC Ships has been reduced by 50%.
== Accessing the Aspect Mastery Menu ==
Players can open the Aspect Mastery menu in several ways:
* Typing the command <code>[Aspect</code> in game.
* Clicking their Paperdoll → Help → Aspect Mastery.
* Clicking the Virtue symbol above their character on the Paperdoll.
* Double-clicking any [[Aspect Cores|Aspect Core]], [[Aspect Distillations|Aspect Distillation]], or [[Aspect Kit]] item in their backpack.


== Aspect Types ==
== Core Mechanics ==
* Air
* Arcane
* Artisan
* Blood
* Command
* Death
* Discipline
* Earth
* Eldritch
* Fire
* Fortune
* Frost
* Gadget
* Harvest
* Holy
* Lightning
* Lyric
* Madness
* Poison
* Shadow
* Void
* Water
* War
* Chromatic


== Aspect Mastery Menu ==
=== Unlocking an Aspect ===
The Aspect Mastery Menu is broken into Weapon, Spellbook, and Armor sections. Players can view the Aspect Mastery Menu for their character by doing any of the following:
Before an Aspect can be activated on gear, it must be permanently unlocked for the character.
* Typing [Aspect] in game
# Navigate to the desired Aspect using the arrow buttons in the Aspect Mastery menu (for any category: Weapon, Spellbook, or Armor).
* Clicking their Paperdoll → Clicking Help → Clicking Aspect Mastery
# Ensure the required items are in your backpack:
* Clicking their Paperdoll → Clicking on the virtue symbol above the character's head
#* 2 [[Aspect Distillations|Aspect Distillation]] (of the target Aspect type)
* Double-clicking any Aspect Core, Aspect Distillation, or Aspect Kit item
#* 4 [[Aspect Cores|Aspect Core]] (of the target Aspect type)
#* 1 [[Aspect Kit]]
# Click the "Unlock Aspect" button twice to confirm. The materials will be consumed.


== Navigating the Aspect Mastery Menu ==
A character can unlock all 23 Aspects.
Players can use the Arrow buttons to rotate through different aspects and select which aspect they would like to view or use for that particular item category (weapon, spellbook, or armor). Players can see the base bonuses that aspect would provide to the item as well as the bonuses that would be provided based on the character's Aspect Tier Level for that selected aspect. It should be noted that a character's Aspect Tier level and experience is the same and shared across all equipment types (i.e., players do not have an individual Fire Weapon Tier Level that differs from their Fire Spellbook Tier Level nor Fire Armor Tier Level; they simply have a Fire Tier Level that applies to all equipment).


== Unlocking an Aspect ==
=== Activating an Aspect ===
In order for a player to be able to convert their equipment to a particular Aspect, they must first Unlock that Aspect for their character. To do this, they must set that particular Aspect as the selected one for Weapon/Armor/Spellbook (doesn't matter which), have the items listed in the section window in their backpack, and then click the Unlock Aspect button twice. If the player has the required materials listed (of the matching aspect) in their backpack, they will be consumed and the Aspect will be permanently unlocked for the character.
Once unlocked, an Aspect can be temporarily applied to your currently equipped Weapon/Spellbook and/or Armor.
* Select the desired unlocked Aspect in the menu for the relevant gear slot (Weapon/Spellbook or Armor).
* Click the "Activate Aspect" button.
* Cost: 5 [[Arcane Essence]] per activation (i.e., 5 for Weapon/Spellbook, 5 for Armor).


To Unlock an Aspect, a player needs:
'''Important Notes on Activated Aspect Gear:'''
* 2 Aspect Distillation (of the same type)
*  The effect is '''temporary'''. The item reverts to its normal state if:
* 4 Aspect Cores (of the same type)
**  The player dies.
* 1 Aspect Kit
**  The item is unequipped and placed anywhere ''other than'' the player's backpack.
**  The player runs out of [[Arcane Essence]] charges.
*   Reverted items lose their Aspect bonuses and hue.
*   Activated Aspect Weapons and Spellbooks (''not'' normal blessed spellbooks) '''can be stolen''' by other players.
*   Activated gear '''will drop to the player's corpse''' upon death and is lootable.


== Activating an Aspect ==
=== Arcane Essence ===
Once an Aspect has been unlocked, players can switch to it freely and set it as their current Weapon and Armor Aspect Attunement at any time. Players may unlock all Aspects available provided they pay the required costs. Players can choose to Activate those Weapon and Armor Aspect attunements to convert their currently worn Weapon/Spellbook or Armor into Aspect Gear of that respective Aspect.
[[Arcane Essence]] is the fuel for Aspect gear.


Each Aspect Activation costs 5 Arcane Essence. Players who have unlocked Aspects may activate them an unlimited number of times per day. When characters Activate an Aspect, they will be able to temporarily apply that Aspect to their currently worn Weapon, Spellbook, or Armor. Since Aspect Gear is "Activated," equipment will lose its current Aspect and return to normal if the player dies or takes off the equipment (and places it anywhere other than their backpack) and will fall to the player's corpse and is lootable. Players can steal Aspect Weapons and Aspect Magic Spellbooks (but not normal blessed spellbooks) from other players.
==== Acquiring Arcane Essence ====
# Obtain magical weapons or armor (from monster loot, chests, etc.).
# Identify the item using the [[Item Identification]] skill or an [[Item Identification|Identification Wand]].
# Use any crafting tool (e.g., Smith's Hammer, Sewing Kit) and select "Recycle Item", then target the identified magical item in your backpack.
# Arcane Essence appears in your backpack. This requires no crafting skill.


== How to Obtain Arcane Essence ==
==== Arcane Essence Consumption ====
* Find magic weapons and armor
Aspect gear consumes Arcane Essence based on damage dealt by the player and their followers (including traps). An invisible "Damage Progress Meter" tracks this.
* Use the Item Identification skill on the item(s)
*   When the meter reaches 100%, 1 Arcane Essence charge is consumed, and the meter resets.
* Use a crafting tool, click Recycle Item and target the magical item in your backpack
*  Progress Increase % = <code>(Damage Inflicted) / (3000 - (Active Aspect Tier * 30))</code>
* One can use any crafting tool on a magical item (e.g., a smith's hammer to recycle a magical bow)
*   Large single instances of damage only fill the meter once per hit (benefiting burst damage builds). Multiple smaller hits totaling the same damage will consume more Essence.
* Can be done with zero crafting skills
*   The meter is tracked '''separately''' for the Weapon/Spellbook slot and the Armor slot.
* Once Recycled, Arcane Essence will appear in your backpack
*   Bonuses that reduce Arcane Essence Consumption (like weekly server bonuses) reduce the Progress Increase percentage.


== Arcane Essence Charge Usage ==
'''Example:'''
Players have an invisible "Damage Progress Meter" that is tracked for them when inflicting damage in Aspect Gear, and when the meter reaches 100%, the character will lose 1 Arcane Essence Charge (and the meter will reset to 0%). Progress for the meter increases by (Damage Inflicted) / (2000 - (Current Aspect Tier * 30)) %. This is calculated on both the armor, and the weapon/spellbook being worn separately. Any bonuses the players have towards reducing Arcane Essence Consumed (such as Weekly Server Region Bonuses) will reduce the amount the Meter increased by that much.
A player wearing Tier 10 Fire Aspect armor inflicts 500 damage.
Meter Progress Increase = <code>(500 / (3000 - (10 * 30))) = 500 / 2700 = ~18.5%</code>.


Example:
=== Tier Levels & Experience ===
A player wearing Tier 10 Fire Aspect armor inflicts 500 damage, which will result in the meter filling up (500 / (2000 - (10 * 30))) = 29.4%.
Each Aspect has 15 Tier Levels, increasing its effectiveness.


== Activations and Tier upgrades ==
==== Gaining Aspect Experience ====
Characters can activate their unlocked Aspects as many times as desired, for 5 Arcane Essence per activated item type.
*  Kill creatures while equipped with gear activated with that specific Aspect.
*  Successfully use [[Thieves Guild#Pilfering|Pilfering]] or [[Thieves Guild#Mugging|Mugging]] skill.
*  Successfully [[Lockpicking|lockpick]] [[Paragon|Paragon Chests]], [[Dungeon Chests]], or [[Treasure Hunting|Treasure Map Chests]].
*  Earn [[Doubloons]] by sinking NPC ships (Note: XP gain from this source was reduced by 50% in Patch June 15, 2024).
*  Experience stops accumulating when the cap for the current Tier Level is reached. You must upgrade the Tier to continue gaining XP for that Aspect.


=== Aspect Tier Upgrades ===
==== Upgrading Aspect Tiers ====
As you kill monsters, you will gain Aspect XP for your activated Aspect. Aspect XP will stop gaining once the limit has been reached for a particular level. Once a level's max XP is reached, the Aspect must have its level upgraded with the requisite materials as listed below, in order to continue gaining Aspect XP.
*  Once the XP cap for a level is reached, click the "Upgrade Tier" button in the Aspect Mastery menu.
*  Requires specific amounts of [[Aspect Cores]] and [[Aspect Distillations]] of that Aspect type in your backpack (see table below).
*  Reaching Tier 15 requires an additional '''[[Aspect Triumph]]'''.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Aspect Level !! XP !! Distillations !! Cores !! Aspect Triumphs !! Cumul. Distils !! Cumul. Cores
! Level !! XP To Next !! Required<br/>Distillations !! Required<br/>Cores !! Required<br/>Triumphs !! Cumulative<br/>Distillations !! Cumulative<br/>Cores !! Cumulative<br/>Triumphs
|-
|-
| Unlock || 0 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 2 || 4
| Unlock || 0 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 2 || 4 || 0
|-
|-
| 1 || 500 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 3 || 6
| 1 || 500 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 3 || 6 || 0
|-
|-
| 2 || 1,000 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 4 || 8
| 2 || 1,000 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 4 || 8 || 0
|-
|-
| 3 || 1,500 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 5 || 10
| 3 || 1,500 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 5 || 10 || 0
|-
|-
| 4 || 2,000 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 6 || 12
| 4 || 2,000 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 6 || 12 || 0
|-
|-
| 5 || 2,500 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 7 || 14
| 5 || 2,500 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 7 || 14 || 0
|-
|-
| 6 || 3,000 || 2 || 3 || 0 || 9 || 17
| 6 || 3,000 || 2 || 3 || 0 || 9 || 17 || 0
|-
|-
| 7 || 3,500 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 11 || 21
| 7 || 3,500 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 11 || 21 || 0
|-
|-
| 8 || 4,000 || 2 || 5 || 0 || 13 || 26
| 8 || 4,000 || 2 || 5 || 0 || 13 || 26 || 0
|-
|-
| 9 || 4,500 || 3 || 7 || 0 || 16 || 33
| 9 || 4,500 || 3 || 7 || 0 || 16 || 33 || 0
|-
|-
| 10 || 5,000 || 4 || 10 || 0 || 20 || 43
| 10 || 5,000 || 4 || 10 || 0 || 20 || 43 || 0
|-
|-
| 11 || 15,000 || 5 || 15 || 0 || 25 || 58
| 11 || 15,000 || 5 || 15 || 0 || 25 || 58 || 0
|-
|-
| 12 || 25,000 || 6 || 20 || 0 || 31 || 78
| 12 || 25,000 || 6 || 20 || 0 || 31 || 78 || 0
|-
|-
| 13 || 40,000 || 8 || 30 || 0 || 39 || 108
| 13 || 40,000 || 8 || 30 || 0 || 39 || 108 || 0
|-
|-
| 14 || 120,000 || 12 || 40 || 0 || 51 || 148
| 14 || 120,000 || 12 || 40 || 0 || 51 || 148 || 0
|-
|-
| 15 || 250,000 || 16 || 50 || 1 || 67 || 198
| 15 || 250,000 || 16 || 50 || '''1''' || '''67''' || '''198''' || '''1'''
|}
|}


=== Set Active Tier Level ===
=== Setting Active Tier Level ===
Players have the option with Aspect Gear to temporarily lower their "Active Tier Level" below their normal Permanent Tier Level for an Aspect (i.e. a player at Tier 10 Air Aspect could temporarily choose to set their Air tier to be 0-9 if they wish). If a player lowers their Active Tier Level, it will treat their aspect bonuses provided by that specific aspect to be based on that Active Tier Level (and not their Permanent Tier Level). Players may wish to do this if they prefer to conserve their Arcane Essence for a temporary period of time (since the burn rate of Arcane Essence for a player is tied to the Aspect Tier Levels of their worn Aspect Gear, with higher tiers burning more Arcane Essence). The displayed bonuses for Aspect Gear on the Aspect page as the Stats page will reflect a player's Active Tier Level for an aspect (and not Permanent Aspect Tier Level).
Players can temporarily set their "Active Tier Level" lower than their permanent unlocked Tier for any Aspect.
*  Click the "Set Active Tier" button and choose a level from 0 up to your permanent Tier.
*  This reduces the Aspect's bonuses '''and''' the Arcane Essence consumption rate to match the chosen temporary level.
*  Useful for conserving Arcane Essence during less demanding activities.
The Active Tier Level displays in '''green text''' if it's lower than the Permanent Tier.
*  Displayed bonuses in the Aspect menu and <code>[Stats</code> page reflect the Active Tier.
*  Upgrading an Aspect's Permanent Tier automatically resets the Active Tier to match the new Permanent Tier.
*  Commands to adjust Active Tier:
**  <code>[LowerWeaponAspect</code> / <code>[RaiseWeaponAspect</code>
**  <code>[LowerSpellbookAspect</code> / <code>[RaiseSpellbookAspect</code>
**  <code>[LowerArmorAspect</code> / <code>[RaiseArmorAspect</code>


If a player's Active Tier Level for an Aspect is set to any number other than their normal, Permanent Tier Level, the text for it will display in green (indicating they have made an adjustment). Whenever a player earns enough aspect experience and Upgrades their Aspect Tier for an aspect to a new Tier Level, for safety purposes it will automatically set their Active Tier Level to match the new Permanent Tier Level they just reached.
== Aspect Effects & Bonuses ==


Players can type [LowerWeaponAspect] or [RaiseWeaponAspect] to manually lower/raise their temporary "Active Tier Level" on their weapon/spellbook's aspect (without using the menu). Players can type [LowerSpellAspect] or [RaiseSpellAspect] to manually lower/raise their temporary "Active Tier Level" on their weapon/spellbook's aspect (without using the menu). Players can type [LowerArmorAspect] or [RaiseArmorAspect] to manually lower/raise their temporary "Active Tier Level" on their armor's aspect (without using the menu).
=== General Bonuses ===
Aspects provide bonuses based on the equipment slot they are activated on:
*  '''Weapon/Spellbook:''' Typically grant bonuses like Melee Accuracy, Tactics Bonus, Mana Refund Chance, Spell Damage Bonus, and a chance to trigger a unique '''Aspect Special Effect'''. Base bonuses often the same across Aspects, with the Special Effect being the main differentiator.
*  '''Armor:''' All Aspect Armors grant an Armor Rating bonus. Beyond that, each Aspect provides a unique set of 3-4 thematic bonuses that scale with Tier Level.


== Aspect Items ==
Bonuses from Aspect Gear stack with bonuses from the underlying equipment (e.g., Exceptional Quality, Material Bonuses, Magical Properties, Slayer Bonuses).
=== Aspect Weapons ===
Aspect Bonuses for Melee Accuracy, Tactics Bonus, and Aspect Special Chance are the same for all Aspect types on weapons (only difference for Aspects is Aspect Special Effect). The bonuses from a player's worn equipment (such as Exceptional Quality, Material Bonuses, Magical Spellbook Bonuses, Slayer Bonuses) will stack with Aspect Bonuses provided to equipment.


=== Aspect Spellbook Bonuses ===
=== Aspect Special Effects ===
Aspect Bonuses for Mana Refund Chance, Damage Bonus, and Aspect Special Chance are the same for all Aspect types on spellbooks (only difference for Aspects is Aspect Special Effect). The bonuses from a player's worn equipment (such as Exceptional Quality, Material Bonuses, Magical Spellbook Bonuses, Slayer Bonuses) will stack with Aspect Bonuses provided to equipment.
These are powerful effects triggered by a chance when dealing damage with an Aspected Weapon or Spellbook. The specific effect varies greatly depending on the Aspect.
*''See individual Aspect pages for details on each Aspect's unique Weapon/Spellbook Special Effect and Armor Bonuses.''


=== Aspect Armor Bonuses ===
=== Aspect Crystals ===
All Aspect Armor share an armor rating bonus, but can vary in which other bonuses you get for having that aspect active. The bonuses from a player's worn equipment (such as Exceptional Quality, Material Bonuses, Magical Spellbook Bonuses, Slayer Bonuses) will stack with Aspect Bonuses provided to equipment.
[[Aspect Crystals]] have replaced Aspect Weapon Oils, Aspect Spell Foci, and Aspect Ammo Bundles as the primary way to gain supplemental Aspect bonuses.
*  '''Bonuses Granted:'''
**  +10% Damage (Additive bonus to damage dealt)
**  +20% Aspect Special Trigger Chance (Multiplicative bonus)
*  '''Activation:''' Automatically consumed if present in the player's backpack when dealing damage. No activation step needed.
*  '''Requirement:''' Player must have an activated Aspect Weapon or Spellbook '''of the same Aspect type''' as the Crystal to receive the bonuses and consume charges. The Armor Aspect does not matter for Crystal bonuses.
*  '''Consumption Rate:''' 1 Crystal charge is consumed per 1 Arcane Essence consumed by the corresponding activated Weapon/Spellbook.
*  '''Crafting:''' Crafted via [[Alchemy]] (Aspect Items category) using 2 [[Aspect Core]]s and 1 [[Aspect Distillation]] of the matching type. Creates a stack of 2000 charges.
*  '''Storage:''' Can be stored in [[Resource Stockpiles]].
*  '''Old Items:''' Remaining Aspect Weapon Oils, Spell Foci, and Ammo Bundles can be exchanged for Aspect Crystals (1 charge = 1 crystal charge) at the [[Prevalian Exchange Officer]].


== Aspects in PvP ==
== Aspects in PvP ==
When a player becomes Flagged in PvP, nearly all of their Aspect Armor Bonuses will remain in place and work as normal against creatures. However, certain Aspect Armor Bonuses will temporarily be deactivated, due to potential PvP imbalances they may cause. Players can see which of these effects will be deactivated for each Aspect Armor by clicking the "PvP Mechanics" button on the Aspect Menu under the Armor section. All Aspect Armor Effects that are deactivated while a player is Flagged in PvP will be shown in a list under "PvP Deactivated Effects". These effects will be reactivated once the player has been out of PvP for 60 seconds.
*  Aspect bonuses '''do not''' apply against other players in PvP combat.
When a player becomes [[Flagging|Flagged in PvP]], most Aspect Armor bonuses '''remain active''' against creatures.
However, certain specific Aspect Armor bonuses that could cause imbalances are temporarily deactivated while flagged.
*  To compensate, Aspects with deactivated effects usually gain temporary "PvP Activated Effects" - bonuses against creatures that are active '''only''' while the player is flagged.
Players can check which effects are deactivated/activated for each Aspect Armor by clicking the "PvP Mechanics" button in the Armor section of the Aspect Mastery menu.
Effects are reactivated/deactivated 60 seconds after the player is no longer flagged in PvP.


If an Aspect has any PvP Deactivated Effects listed, it will then also likely have one or more "PvP Activated Effects" listed. Any bonuses listed under PvP Activated Effects will be a bonus applied to the Player against Creatures while they are currently Flagged in PvP. PvP Activated Effects are intended to act as a trade-off for the player losing Aspect Effects due to being Flagged in PvP.
== Related Items & Commands ==
*  [[Aspect Kit]]: Required material for unlocking Aspects. Craftable via [[Blacksmithing]], [[Carpentry]], [[Tailoring]], [[Inscription]], or [[Tinkering]].
*  [[Aspect Item Tome]]: A container for organizing Aspect Cores, Distillations, and Phylacteries. Uses multiple pages due to the number of Aspects.
*  <code>[AspectWeapon AspectName TierLevel</code>: Command to activate a Weapon Aspect at a specific (optional) temporary Tier.
*  <code>[AspectSpellbook AspectName TierLevel</code>: Command to activate a Spellbook Aspect at a specific (optional) temporary Tier.
*  <code>[AspectArmor AspectName TierLevel</code>: Command to activate an Armor Aspect at a specific (optional) temporary Tier.


== Items Losing Their Aspects ==
[[Category:Aspect]][[Category:Gameplay Systems]][[Category:PvM]]
* When a player dies, all Aspect Gear (non-Legacy ones) they have equipped or in their backpack will lose their Aspect and revert to its original material/bonuses and hue.
* When a player unequips an Aspect Gear item and places it anywhere other than their backpack, it will lose its Aspect as well and revert to its original material/bonuses and hue.
* If a player runs out of Arcane Charges, all of their Aspect Gear they have equipped or in their backpack will lose their Aspect and revert to original material/bonuses and hue.
* If a player is killed while wearing Aspect Gear or has an Aspect Weapon or Magic Spellbook stolen, it will lose its current aspect.
 
== Aspect Support Items ==
There are Aspect Crystals available to further increase the Damage and the Proc chance. Previous Aspect Support Items (Foci/Oils/Ammo) have been discontinued and can be traded in for Crystals at the Prevalia Exchange.

Latest revision as of 07:50, 4 April 2025

The Aspect Mastery menu interface.

Aspect Mastery is a character-based progression system designed to significantly enhance a player's effectiveness in Player versus Monster (PvM) combat. By unlocking and leveling up different Aspects, players can temporarily imbue their Weapons, Spellbooks, and Armor with powerful bonuses tailored to various playstyles. Each character progresses through the 23 different Aspects independently.

Accessing the Aspect Mastery Menu

Players can open the Aspect Mastery menu in several ways:

  • Typing the command [Aspect in game.
  • Clicking their Paperdoll → Help → Aspect Mastery.
  • Clicking the Virtue symbol above their character on the Paperdoll.
  • Double-clicking any Aspect Core, Aspect Distillation, or Aspect Kit item in their backpack.

Core Mechanics

Unlocking an Aspect

Before an Aspect can be activated on gear, it must be permanently unlocked for the character.

  1. Navigate to the desired Aspect using the arrow buttons in the Aspect Mastery menu (for any category: Weapon, Spellbook, or Armor).
  2. Ensure the required items are in your backpack:
  3. Click the "Unlock Aspect" button twice to confirm. The materials will be consumed.

A character can unlock all 23 Aspects.

Activating an Aspect

Once unlocked, an Aspect can be temporarily applied to your currently equipped Weapon/Spellbook and/or Armor.

  • Select the desired unlocked Aspect in the menu for the relevant gear slot (Weapon/Spellbook or Armor).
  • Click the "Activate Aspect" button.
  • Cost: 5 Arcane Essence per activation (i.e., 5 for Weapon/Spellbook, 5 for Armor).

Important Notes on Activated Aspect Gear:

  • The effect is temporary. The item reverts to its normal state if:
    • The player dies.
    • The item is unequipped and placed anywhere other than the player's backpack.
    • The player runs out of Arcane Essence charges.
  • Reverted items lose their Aspect bonuses and hue.
  • Activated Aspect Weapons and Spellbooks (not normal blessed spellbooks) can be stolen by other players.
  • Activated gear will drop to the player's corpse upon death and is lootable.

Arcane Essence

Arcane Essence is the fuel for Aspect gear.

Acquiring Arcane Essence

  1. Obtain magical weapons or armor (from monster loot, chests, etc.).
  2. Identify the item using the Item Identification skill or an Identification Wand.
  3. Use any crafting tool (e.g., Smith's Hammer, Sewing Kit) and select "Recycle Item", then target the identified magical item in your backpack.
  4. Arcane Essence appears in your backpack. This requires no crafting skill.

Arcane Essence Consumption

Aspect gear consumes Arcane Essence based on damage dealt by the player and their followers (including traps). An invisible "Damage Progress Meter" tracks this.

  • When the meter reaches 100%, 1 Arcane Essence charge is consumed, and the meter resets.
  • Progress Increase % = (Damage Inflicted) / (3000 - (Active Aspect Tier * 30))
  • Large single instances of damage only fill the meter once per hit (benefiting burst damage builds). Multiple smaller hits totaling the same damage will consume more Essence.
  • The meter is tracked separately for the Weapon/Spellbook slot and the Armor slot.
  • Bonuses that reduce Arcane Essence Consumption (like weekly server bonuses) reduce the Progress Increase percentage.

Example: A player wearing Tier 10 Fire Aspect armor inflicts 500 damage. Meter Progress Increase = (500 / (3000 - (10 * 30))) = 500 / 2700 = ~18.5%.

Tier Levels & Experience

Each Aspect has 15 Tier Levels, increasing its effectiveness.

Gaining Aspect Experience

  • Kill creatures while equipped with gear activated with that specific Aspect.
  • Successfully use Pilfering or Mugging skill.
  • Successfully lockpick Paragon Chests, Dungeon Chests, or Treasure Map Chests.
  • Earn Doubloons by sinking NPC ships (Note: XP gain from this source was reduced by 50% in Patch June 15, 2024).
  • Experience stops accumulating when the cap for the current Tier Level is reached. You must upgrade the Tier to continue gaining XP for that Aspect.

Upgrading Aspect Tiers

  • Once the XP cap for a level is reached, click the "Upgrade Tier" button in the Aspect Mastery menu.
  • Requires specific amounts of Aspect Cores and Aspect Distillations of that Aspect type in your backpack (see table below).
  • Reaching Tier 15 requires an additional Aspect Triumph.
Level XP To Next Required
Distillations
Required
Cores
Required
Triumphs
Cumulative
Distillations
Cumulative
Cores
Cumulative
Triumphs
Unlock 0 2 4 0 2 4 0
1 500 1 2 0 3 6 0
2 1,000 1 2 0 4 8 0
3 1,500 1 2 0 5 10 0
4 2,000 1 2 0 6 12 0
5 2,500 1 2 0 7 14 0
6 3,000 2 3 0 9 17 0
7 3,500 2 4 0 11 21 0
8 4,000 2 5 0 13 26 0
9 4,500 3 7 0 16 33 0
10 5,000 4 10 0 20 43 0
11 15,000 5 15 0 25 58 0
12 25,000 6 20 0 31 78 0
13 40,000 8 30 0 39 108 0
14 120,000 12 40 0 51 148 0
15 250,000 16 50 1 67 198 1

Setting Active Tier Level

Players can temporarily set their "Active Tier Level" lower than their permanent unlocked Tier for any Aspect.

  • Click the "Set Active Tier" button and choose a level from 0 up to your permanent Tier.
  • This reduces the Aspect's bonuses and the Arcane Essence consumption rate to match the chosen temporary level.
  • Useful for conserving Arcane Essence during less demanding activities.
  • The Active Tier Level displays in green text if it's lower than the Permanent Tier.
  • Displayed bonuses in the Aspect menu and [Stats page reflect the Active Tier.
  • Upgrading an Aspect's Permanent Tier automatically resets the Active Tier to match the new Permanent Tier.
  • Commands to adjust Active Tier:
    • [LowerWeaponAspect / [RaiseWeaponAspect
    • [LowerSpellbookAspect / [RaiseSpellbookAspect
    • [LowerArmorAspect / [RaiseArmorAspect

Aspect Effects & Bonuses

General Bonuses

Aspects provide bonuses based on the equipment slot they are activated on:

  • Weapon/Spellbook: Typically grant bonuses like Melee Accuracy, Tactics Bonus, Mana Refund Chance, Spell Damage Bonus, and a chance to trigger a unique Aspect Special Effect. Base bonuses often the same across Aspects, with the Special Effect being the main differentiator.
  • Armor: All Aspect Armors grant an Armor Rating bonus. Beyond that, each Aspect provides a unique set of 3-4 thematic bonuses that scale with Tier Level.

Bonuses from Aspect Gear stack with bonuses from the underlying equipment (e.g., Exceptional Quality, Material Bonuses, Magical Properties, Slayer Bonuses).

Aspect Special Effects

These are powerful effects triggered by a chance when dealing damage with an Aspected Weapon or Spellbook. The specific effect varies greatly depending on the Aspect.

  • See individual Aspect pages for details on each Aspect's unique Weapon/Spellbook Special Effect and Armor Bonuses.

Aspect Crystals

Aspect Crystals have replaced Aspect Weapon Oils, Aspect Spell Foci, and Aspect Ammo Bundles as the primary way to gain supplemental Aspect bonuses.

  • Bonuses Granted:
    • +10% Damage (Additive bonus to damage dealt)
    • +20% Aspect Special Trigger Chance (Multiplicative bonus)
  • Activation: Automatically consumed if present in the player's backpack when dealing damage. No activation step needed.
  • Requirement: Player must have an activated Aspect Weapon or Spellbook of the same Aspect type as the Crystal to receive the bonuses and consume charges. The Armor Aspect does not matter for Crystal bonuses.
  • Consumption Rate: 1 Crystal charge is consumed per 1 Arcane Essence consumed by the corresponding activated Weapon/Spellbook.
  • Crafting: Crafted via Alchemy (Aspect Items category) using 2 Aspect Cores and 1 Aspect Distillation of the matching type. Creates a stack of 2000 charges.
  • Storage: Can be stored in Resource Stockpiles.
  • Old Items: Remaining Aspect Weapon Oils, Spell Foci, and Ammo Bundles can be exchanged for Aspect Crystals (1 charge = 1 crystal charge) at the Prevalian Exchange Officer.

Aspects in PvP

  • Aspect bonuses do not apply against other players in PvP combat.
  • When a player becomes Flagged in PvP, most Aspect Armor bonuses remain active against creatures.
  • However, certain specific Aspect Armor bonuses that could cause imbalances are temporarily deactivated while flagged.
  • To compensate, Aspects with deactivated effects usually gain temporary "PvP Activated Effects" - bonuses against creatures that are active only while the player is flagged.
  • Players can check which effects are deactivated/activated for each Aspect Armor by clicking the "PvP Mechanics" button in the Armor section of the Aspect Mastery menu.
  • Effects are reactivated/deactivated 60 seconds after the player is no longer flagged in PvP.

Related Items & Commands

  • Aspect Kit: Required material for unlocking Aspects. Craftable via Blacksmithing, Carpentry, Tailoring, Inscription, or Tinkering.
  • Aspect Item Tome: A container for organizing Aspect Cores, Distillations, and Phylacteries. Uses multiple pages due to the number of Aspects.
  • [AspectWeapon AspectName TierLevel: Command to activate a Weapon Aspect at a specific (optional) temporary Tier.
  • [AspectSpellbook AspectName TierLevel: Command to activate a Spellbook Aspect at a specific (optional) temporary Tier.
  • [AspectArmor AspectName TierLevel: Command to activate an Armor Aspect at a specific (optional) temporary Tier.