By: Brian “Zombie Columbus” Aloisio, Staff Systems Designer

With the launch of Siege of Mirkwood™ behind us, the systems team’s bandwidth has increased. When we looked at our list of “things we want to do,” sitting right on top was “add level 64 skill upgrades.” So here we are! The new combat system has had some time to mature, and we are feeling more comfortable with making additions to players’ skills. As with SoM, these all represent upgrades to an existing skill, which can be purchased from your class trainer at level 64 (with the notable exception of the Warden, who gains a totally new Gambit.)

Before we get into the skills themselves, it’s worth mentioning the design goals we had for this project. The goals were, in order:

1. Enhance underused skills.
2. Give bonuses that are exciting.
3. Don’t greatly alter relative class balance.

With those goals in mind, let’s look at the skills we’re adding and how they came about.