Over the past years, leveling up a character in Vindictus as well as general progression has significantly changed - mostly to favor the player. Whether You are a new player, a long time returning veteran or loyal member - perhaps You'll find something useful for yourself when leveling any character, with extra tips for latest mercenary - Belle. If you don't feel like reading the whole thing: don't worry, got you covered - read only underlined parts.
1. Character creation
You have just logged in the game and chosen the server - either North America or Europe, and set or inserted a pin (a secondary password). What you see now is a character selection screen, which at the time of writing is a campfire somewhere in the forest during the night. Your characters, if any, will be visible somewhere on the screen, enjoying their moment of peace before fate calls. You can click them directly or from the list on the right side, which also contains empty slots to create new characters. The slot may be
Premium, which insignificantly increases obtained experience and looks cool.
Once clicking an empty slot, you will be taken to another selection screen, where each mercenary is previewed for you to make a choice. Some characters contain two weapons of choice, which become available after short while of playing. New players often ask who has the best damage and use this information to make their choice - this is subject to change with every update. Instead, choose a character that you will enjoy for a long time to come. It's not always easy, so don't hestitate to ask our community on official Discord server and watch high level late-game gameplay to decide.
Don't worry about character order on the list - it can be changed anytime by selecting a character and clicking the arrow buttons in bottom-right corner.
Regardless of your choice, leveling process is basically the same for every character. What differs are the details... details that I will try to cover specifically for Belle. Shall we begin?
Now that your initial choice has been made, You will see character creation screen. Make sure to take your time, as even though everything can be changed later on, it's not necessarily free. Aside from the looks of the character, at which you will look for hours to come, nothing affects your actual gameplay... except one thing:
height.
On the right, there's a
Body Type tab which contains few sliders.
Height is one of them. This affects following:
* hitbox - the smaller the character is, the harder it is to hit by the enemy.
* range - how far your attacks reach. Exception may be characters that fight at a distance, because longer arms do not benefit them.
Historically, it also used to affect speed - the smaller, the faster. This is no more though.
What should you choose? Depends on the character you have chosen.
Personally I'd say minimum height for ranged characters, maximum for others. That's also my recommendation for Belle - she is the smallest character in the game and wouldn't hurt to gain some reach. Furthermore, as one of characters containing counter-mechanics - extra size will be handy.
2. First steps
Once you have chosen name for your character, a prologue will be played. You can skip it if you don't care about the story or already have done it before - simply press ESC key several times to skip the cutscene and then the prologue itself.
Colhen greets You with open arms! After talkinng with Tieve, exit then inn and follow the blue dots on the floor to Mercenary Outpost. One of the NPCs inside will have speech-bubble with exclamation mark. Let's explain what it means:
* exclamation mark (
!) - "quest", or rather a story, is available to be started
* triple dot (
...) - ongoinng story can be progressed
* question mark (
?) - story can be finished
* red background - Season 1 mainstory (later on seasons)
* yellow background - substory
* green background - Season 2 mainstory
* blue background - Season 3 mainstory
Substorties may be hidden by default, and I suggest to ignore them to speed up progression.
Most stories, but not all, can be also started remotely from the Story window (bound to [M] key by default). It's enough that you click the icon next to it on the list. Remember this - it will come handy in speeding up the whole process, as you won't have to walk so much anymore when available.
Alright, alright! Enough talking! Or is it?
Talk to the NPC and claim the story... oh, there will be A LOT of talking. Similar to the prologue part - if you don't care about the story or been through this already, you can skip it. Well, not the stories themselves, but each dialogue - by holding [CTRL] key. As much I like Vindictus' story, this key is your new friend.
Now you will be guided to go to the docks, to the Battle Preparation board, which contains maps of regions with points of interest.
On the bottom of it there's big red button with "Story Progression Mode" written on it. Using this will significantly smooth/speed up story progression, but unfortunately can be used only when playing solo. If you are playing with a friend, you will have to do it the classic way - by selecting region, place of interest and then available battle. Battles on the list may contain tags to guide you if there's a story available for it or not.
Start your first battle. Or in this case - just a training site with "fake" enemies.
Vindictus is unique game in terms of combat - it has non-target combo-based combat, meaning you have to get close to the enemy and perform some combination of attacks to get the job done. Most characters follow pattern of "normal" and "smash" attacks, bound to left and right mouse buttons respectively. For this reason, most players describe combos using "L" and "R" letters to describe combos. Some characters additionally have [TAB] for their disposal to perform some action. You and your character just started this journey, and both of you have much to learn. That said, only basic tricks are available at the beginning. Let's see...
Following the mentioned pattern, combos will be described using the letters.
LR
https://i.imgur.com/GHBHl98.mp4
LLR
https://i.imgur.com/qMHiND8.mp4
LLLR
https://i.imgur.com/SwXQabt.mp4
Now that you know how to swing your axe, or whatever tool of annihilation you have chosen, go onwards and complete the task. Going betweenn rooms can be timeconsuming, and this is where sprinting comes handly.
Doubletapping movement key, or holding [SHIFT] key by default (personally I use [SPACE]) - your character will start accelerating and run even faster.
Last but not least, you shall know that enemies can strike back. Depending on the character of choice, you will likely perform a dodge or other defensive move when pressing
[SPACE] (personally I use [SHIFT] - so run and dodge are reversed from current default).
Here's a short clip showing what we spoke about so far:
Now finish the battle and continue the story.
Comments
3.1 Skills
After completing a battle you will be rewarded with gold, loot, experience and AP (short from Ability Points). After completing the first story you will be asked to train Combat Mastery, which is available in Skill window (bound to [V] key by default). As your level rises up, more and more skills and abilities will be available to training - keep an eye on those. Learning may cost gold, but rising up the ranks require AP. In Vindictus there is no such thing as skill build - even thought there may be recommended order to train them, eventually you can learn and max every single of them.
My recommendation regarding skills:
* Learn everything and rank up anything required to unlock all skills
* Keep Armor and Weapon masteries at maximum rank available, so you can use higher level items
* Increase Smash Mastery and Critical Hit to minimum rank A
* Increase Battle Respiration if you are having stamina issues (stamina is required to perform actions - attacking, dodging and so on)
3.2 Gear
At certain levels, as well as from battles or stories, you may receive better equipment. While in town, you can compare items by holding [SHIFT] key over the item in inventory (default key is ). In your NX inventory there will be also Level-Up Pounch, which contains various rewards - including free sets. Make sure to remember about it and open as you progress.
If you already have another character that is at least 60 level - I suggest to get full Chieftain Armor set and enhance it up to +8, which will provide some extra damage for your character. Doing the same for Blood Prince set is also advised. It should be enough by level 60, where you will be given free set for that level.
3.3 Gaining levels and extras
Upon reaching 40 level, AP Shop is unlocked at NPC Ernass - old man in Colhen Inn. Scroll down and buy VIP capsule, which provides various benefits, including extra stats and EXP & AP gain boost. If any of your characters contain a VVIP capsule - you can use it even earlier, as it's account wide and boosts up both EXP and AP gain.
Fastest way is to progress main story only in the story mode mentioned earlier. At some point you will have to travel to another city - Rocheste Castle. From level-up gifts you will receive Resellian's Wings, which allows you to teleport to one of preselected locations. You can use it to save time on travelling between points.
By the time you will reach Season 1 Episode 6, your level will be already around 60, which is already higher than the battles you are about to do. All Season 1 battles have no bigger level than 60, which means you will effectively slow down in level progression. So here's the deal:
* If you are not in hurry of getting levels, or intend to continue playing the character - continue the main story, even though it will be slower for a while
* If you are all about getting level as soon as possible - start doing Season 2 battles as soon you unlock them (65+ level)
You need main story progressed to unlock several important things in the future, that's why it's recommennded to take the first option.
What is it about these "seasons" anyway? Vindictus is story-based game, so parts of content are split onto seasons and episodes (season 3 also contains "chapters" to group up the episodes). Each season varies a bit from the other in various aspects, and what you need to know from this pespective is - season 2 gives more EXP than the previous one.
Both Season 1 and Season 2 have battles that are known as "ex-raid" - battles that used to be raids, but no longer are considered such, so players can proceed on their own. These are usually short, as you start the battle right at the boss place and fight them. Season 2 ex-raids are good source of experience, if not the best. Here's a list of those battles I recommend to do to speed up leveling:
* A Ruler's Refuge - Lakiora (70 lv)
* Devil in the Water - Kraken (70 lv)
* Memory of the Past - Havan (70 lv)
* Death's Shadow - Executioner Pantheum (70lv)
* Into the AByss - Juggernaut (77 lv)
* Desolate Malina - Ulchas (77 lv)
* Gates of Hell - Lavasat (77 lv)
* Burning Temple - Druid (77 lv)
* God of Death - Cromm Cruaich (77 lv)
Just repeat these battles as many times as possible until you reach 90 or bigger level. Keep in mind if a battle has significantly lower level than your character, rewards will be reduced, becominng less and less effective. It is recommended to do these battles in party, preferably with a stronger friend to significantly speed up the process.
If you followed main story, another option would be to do "Autumn Reed Bed" and "A Friend Once Lost" story battles (yes, those are unlocked during main story only) from Season 3.
If you have a truly powerful friend to help you out, starting from 90 level you may also go to non-canon battle named "Abyssal Arena". You will gain from half an level to two levels per battle, depending on your current level. It's also good place to get AP and Transformation Points, as each floor is rewarded separately.
4. Belle specific tips
* While sprinting, hold right mouse button to charge up Rushing River. You can use it as fight initiation, but is also effectively speeding up movement throughout the areas.
* Use LLRR (Wildfire and Flare-Up skills) and to to wipe out group of normal enemies
* Use LRLRR (Brush Fire + Broken Cleft + Gaping Chasm) and LLLR (Broken Cleft + Gaping Chasm) to deal massive damage to bosses
* Use Deforestation to for group of enemies and as counter attack while boss attack.
* Absorbing damage with Deforestation skill will increase it's damage, which is represented as yellow numbers. You must have 5 stacks of Nature's Might to use it. Aside from icon, there will be a sound and hands will start glowing when it's available.
* Deforestation consists of 3 parts: the spin, the first and second overhead attack. It's required to time [TAB] to use the following attacks. The last one also requires SP.
5. Transformation
Transformation is something you will experience during the main story, and will have to make a choice later on. First, at the end of second episode (in Hoarfrost Hollow) you will transform into a Dark Knight. Then, in following episode (Ainle location) you will transform into a Paladin. There's a story behind both transformations and their role in the world. Not much is known about them in general.
Older players may remember that there are differences between the transformations and that there's only limited amount of points that can be spent on transformation skills. This is no more - they have been reworked, and now the differences are marginal. Most obvious is the theme, first form transformation animation, other orbs functionality (Dark Knight's slow and steal enemy stats very little; Paladin's orbs pertificate normal enemies) and second form of transformation special ability (Dark Knight's Fissure temporarily lock enemy in place, even boss; Paladin's Conviction gain a shield that acts somewhat like extra temporary HP).
Please note that this is not transformation guide, but as the differences are marginal - truth be told it's up to your taste. This choice cannot be reverted, by none other than special item for real cash.
6. Ending words
Since updated known as Rise, Season 1 and 2 battles are considered "tutorial" by the community, meaning they were changed to be fast and easy, soloable by most players. Season 2 ex-raids may be difficulty to some. Real game starts with Season 3 and you may have significantly harder time progressing. I recommend reaching 90 level before starting Season 3 story, as you will be given free set for that level. Lastly, do not start Corrupted Queen raid on your own - use Quick Battle (default hotkey is [K) to find or create party.