NCsoft has released information on the character classes available in their upcoming MMORPG Aion: The Tower of Eternity. Players will be able to choose from four initial classes - Warrior, Scout, Mage, and Priest - which then branch off into two different advanced classes. For instance, the Scout can choose between Rangers and Assassins, while Mages morph into either Spiritmasters or Sorcerers. It's pretty much a watered-down version of the system already in place in games like Everquest 2 (before the changes) and Tabula Rasa, but who cares? Look how pretty it is! I've been avoiding Aion like the plague since it was first announced, because I don't want to get my hopes up about another pretty MMO that winds up playing like crap...but every time I see screenshots I wind up with a little puddle of drool on my desk. Just look at the detail on that armor! Gah! Must focus. Hit the jump for the full story on the character classes in the game if you can get past the pretty, pretty screenshots.

Advanced character class system gives players ultimate control of their destiny in NCsoft's Aion: The Tower of Eternity

NCsoft reveals the detailed character class system behind its eagerly anticipated MMORPG, Aion: The Tower of Eternity.
Wednesday 19th December/... Massively Multiplayer Online RPG fans can look forward to a wealth of career opportunities in NCsoft's forthcoming Aion: The Tower of Eternity next year, with gamers able to literally choose their destiny thanks to the game's two-tiered character class system.

Characters begin their journey by choosing one of four base professions - Warrior, Scout, Mage and Priest. This initial tier of development impacts on everything from a character's strength, to their combat prowess, to their magical abilities, ultimately shaping the players actions throughout the game. However, higher-level players can tailor their character further still, with each profession offering two advanced classes, bringing the total number of character types available in Aion: The Tower of Eternity up to eight.

While the initial choice of character class will largely depend on each player's personal style, the ability to develop a character through the advanced class system ensures that players have all the tools they need to create a character that is unique to them.

The Warrior
Bold, brave and possessing immense physical prowess, Warriors excel in close-quarter combat. Strong performers in a wide range of situations, Warriors are relatively easy to master and when fully realised can unleash a spectacular range of physically devastating skills.

Depending on how players prefer to approach combat, Warriors can specialise as either Gladiators, who concentrate on dealing damage through brute force, or Templars, who combine fierce fighting with defensive chants and techniques.

The Scout
The Scout combines great agility with swift attacks. Scout players require a deft and accurate touch to get the most out of this tricky class, however the rewards are great and offer the greatest variety in play style of all the basic classes.

Scouts that specialise in ranged combat develop naturally into Rangers, an advanced class equally adept in the use of blades and traps. For those Scouts who prefer to stay hidden and strike from the shadows, the Assassin class is the perfect choice of advancement.

The Mage
Mages compensate their weakness in physical combat with the ability to launch devastatingly powerful magic attacks. In addition, Mages must learn to divert and evade the enemy so that they're able to attack from the relative safety of range.

As Mages advance, so their mastery over the elements of water, air, earth and fire increase, their choice of advanced class determining how that mastery is manifest. Spiritmasters can summon and control elemental spirits, while Sorcerers channel elemental power into fearsome magical bolts and missiles.

The Priest
Spiritual warriors, Priests can use healing and self-protection spells to excel in melee combat, and launch powerful ranged magic attacks too. This makes them not only useful support characters in a party of adventurers, but also powerful combatants in their own right.

Priests that specialise in healing and protecting their allies naturally progress to the advanced class of Cleric, the ultimate support class. Alternatively, Priests can become Chanters, pious warriors that boast both healing and ability-boosting powers.

Players will be able to experience all eight character classes for themselves while exploring the incredible world of Atreia when Aion: The Tower of Eternity launches later next year.

Contact information for this author is not available.