Preview - Adventure to the Zodias Catacombs! A Season-long Arcane Adventure!

[Cinco]

MechAnubis Awaits



...in the depths of the...

Zodias Catacombs!
An ancient proving ground.
Designed by the Drowned Monarch Zaarus to challenge the finest soldiers of the Zodian Guard.

This special content is a permanent addition to the Zodias Campaign but it is only available every other Season.
You'll have from July 13th 'til October 1st to dominate the Catacombs, collect new Vanity items, and Arcane gears!
Special Badges and Titles will be awarded to Top Scoring Legends and those what finish the dungeon fastest.
At the end of the Season, the Zodias Catacombs shut down for a season before returning to life!

How to Play

The portal to the Arcane Catacombs can be found in the Heracleion Town interior.
To enter the portal (one time) you will need a "Zodias Arcane Catacombs" key.
Components for crafting the key can be looted (easily) from Zodias Bosses.



The Zodias Arcane Catacombs key Recipe is purchased from Asim.
You must be Level 81 and "Advocate" Rank (or higher) to purchase this recipe.

Craft a key and use it on the portal to enter the Arcane Catacombs.
The key cannot be traded but it can be stashed.
Keys are consumed on use.
Once your Party enters the starting area the door will open and you're on your way!
Pick-up / Random groups require four (4) players.
There are no Class restrictions (though balanced classes are encouraged to collect best gold - see Treasure Chambers below).

Loot and Crafts

Crafted "MechAnubis" Vanities
All items are trade-friendly!

Loot crafting components from MechAnubis to craft the MechAnubis Vanity sets.
Armor, Helmet, Wings...


Aura, Deluxe Aura (requires the Standard Aura), and Halo...


As well as the MechAnubis Vanity Weapons set!


The MechAnubis Monster Image for your house:



Note: certain crafts require a special skill-based crafting component looted from mini-bosses.
Crafting recipes are purchased from Asim and require Zodias "Guardian" Rank (or higher).

"Arcane Catacombs" Vanity Loot
All items are trade-friendly

The "Drowned Monarch" Set


The "Black Blood of Arlor" Set


The "Cloud Sky Ritual" Set


The "Gold Diver" Set


The "MechAnubis" Badge



Equipment Loot

Arcane Power Stones
Collect a suite of powerful new trade-friendly jewels:



+12 to your Primary Stat
+5 Damage in Zodias Zones

Critical Success Chance!
Chance to unlock a 'Critical Success' when socketing Power Stones.
Critical Success grants you an additional +2% Critical Hit Damage!

Arcane Equipment

(stash-friendly / cannot be traded)
MechAnubis Battle Bow of Horror (Level 81)
MechAnubis Battle Cannon of Vengeance (Level 81)
MechAnubis Battle Claws of Horror (Level 81)
MechAnubis Battle Shield of Punishment (Level 81)
MechAnubis Battle Staff of Vengeance (Level 81)
MechAnubis Battle Sword of Punishment (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Belt of the Ancients (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Belt of the Cosmos (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Belt of the Sleeper (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Pendant of Command (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Pendant of Enterprise (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Pendant of Purpose (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Sign of Frenzy (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Sign of Insanity (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Sign of Madness (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Signet of the Deathless (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Signet of the Eternal (Level 81)
MechAnubis Campaign Signet of the Infinite (Level 81)
Rogue Bound Kraken Battle Helm of Skill (Level 81)
Rogue Bound Kraken Battle Shell of Terror (Level 81)
Sorcerer Bound Kraken Battle Helm of Genius (Level 81)
Sorcerer Bound Kraken Battle Shell of Cruelty (Level 81)
Warrior Bound Kraken Battle Helm of Verdure (Level 81)
Warrior Bound Kraken Battle Shell of Menace (Level 81)

(trade-friendly)
Rogue Power Stone (Level 50)
Sorcerer Power Stone (Level 50)
Warrior Power Stone (Level 50)
Arcane Pearl of the Deep
Arcane Shard
Immortal Crypt Bracelet of Darkness
Immortal Crypt Ornament of Depth
Immortal Crypt Shackle of Demise

more info about...
Arcane Bracelets



The Immortal Crypt Rogue bracelet gives you +15% Primary Stat.
Deal damage to enemies for a chance to summon "Shroud of the Deathless:"
+20% Crit Damage and +15% Armor for 10 sec. (25 sec. cooldown)

Pet Eggs
Defeating "MechAnubis" will also give you a chance to loot "Sabra's Egg"
...in Legendary:



...or Heroic form:



Leaderboard Rewards!
There are two (2) Seasonal LB's for the Arcane Catacombs:
Top Scores and Fastest Times

Top Score Seasonal Rewards

The "Eye of Mechanubis" Badge:


The flaming black-band "God of Death" Title:


Fastest Time Seasonal Rewards

The "Arcane Power Cell" Badge:


The animated two-tone "Speed Runner" Title:


These badges are Cyclical and can be worn 'til the next Arcane Catacombs Season begins.

On Difficulty
This map is hard but it's far from 'impossible.'
Zaarus gear (or higher) is recommended but not required.
As with all endgame content, Hardcore Characters should be very, very careful!

Monster Abilities
Be very careful of monster attack 'red zones.' They can have very damaging effects.
You could be "Blinded" by MechAnubis' 'Robo Crabs' red zone attack.
Blindness slows you down and makes you unable to attack for a while.
Your potions can be "Weakened" by MechAnubis' giant Skeletons' red zone attack.
Potions are significantly less effective for several seconds in this case.
Also: larger monsters' red zone attacks are likely to push / pull you into danger.
That danger includes traps...

Traps!
Various traps exist throughout the dungeon.
Unlike the traps you encountered in the Hyberian Labyrinth, the Zodias Catacombs traps aren't inherently deadly...
They do affect your gameplay in ways you'll want to avoid:

Sludge Pool
If you touch the Sludge pool you'll be slowed (considerably) for several seconds.


Shrieking Pool
If you tread across the demonic 'Shrieking Pool,' your skills will be silenced for several seconds.


Potboiler Trap
If you get caught in the 'Potboiler Trap,' your potions will be curdled and ineffective for several seconds.


Pet-Eating Vortex
If you are ensnared in the 'Pet-Eating Vortex' your pet will be dismissed and you'll be unable to re-summon for several seconds.


Gold

The gold loot available in the Arcane Catacombs is currently the best in the game.
Offering roughly +30% base gold compared to the richest Zodias maps.

However...
Monsters in the Arcane Catacombs (with the exception of MechAnubis) do not drop gold.
Gold comes from opening treasure chests.
The vast majority of treasure chests will be found in Treasure Chambers.

Treasure Chambers

There are three (3) Treasure Chambers in the Arcane Catacombs.
Each chamber is sealed by an ancient Zaarus Statue and an impassible golden chain.



Only the appropriate Class can open its associated Treasure Chamber...
Rogues can open the Rogues' Treasure Chamber.
Sorcerers can open the Sorcerer's Chamber.
Warriors can open the Warriors' Chamber.
Once a Treasure Chamber is opened all Party members can enter and face a mini-boss.
Defeat the mini-boss to spawn a large number of treasure chests... and loot them for your rewards!

Looking forward to your comments and questions!

Best of luck, Legends!