We hope you enjoy our latest game update!

Evolving Story

A hero has fallen.

Grayfeather has been slain defending Typotl Maw even as Du'Shao Silva, leader of the Shinwa, rushed headlong into the conflict to reinforce the valiant Kokura warrior. Breaking from Progen tradition, Magna Vinda boldly announced that members of the Sabine Order will be able to perform genetic interpolation on any Progen, Terran or Jenquai individual. The highly controversial decision has supporters cheering and proponents calling for Vinda's removal from duty. Several key-ranking officials are expressing extreme dissatisfaction over this decision. Members of Jenquai society are distressed over Merjan Kathrada's sudden disappearance. Search parties continue to search the Galaxy for evidence of Kathrada, but have been unable to find evidence of her trail to-date.

The following missions have become obsolete in this month's patch:

"The Search for Darkness" - Loric
"A New Use for Mordanite" - Malhause
"Take Down the Shield" - P3889
"Death to the V'rix!" - Kahn
"The War in Aquitaine" - Herrera
"Avenging Typotl Maw" - Silva
"Ome Dziga's Last Transcription" - Ariad
"Meeting the Ancients" - Merjan
"Antile's Codex" - Vinda
"Find Mapiya" - Master Sevti
"Ghost Ship" - Master Sevti
"Seeking the Key" - Ayako Ravenlock
"Unlocking Mondara" - Ayako Ravenlock
"Collect Tazeron Crystals" - Ayako Ravenlock
"Stop the Sabura" - Cassel

If you have any of those missions currently in your mission journal, they'll be removed upon login.

Call Forward Skill

We're very pleased to announce that the Call Forward skill is available to Sentinels of Level 135 or higher who are affiliated with the Sabine Order. The skill may be earned through the completion of a challenging mission (You'll want to work together to figure it out).

The Call Forward skill allows Sentinels to perform a "Call Forward" on other players (and themselves), removing skill points from a skill and placing them into the player's unused skill point pool, subject to the following conditions:

• Players may never remove all of the skill points from a skill. One point will always be retained in any skill that has been learned.
  
• Players may not reallocate skill points for their reactor tech, shield tech or engine tech.
  
• Players requesting that their skill points be reallocated must purchase the correct Biostruct Sequence device and equip it on their ship. The sequence number of the biostruct must match or exceed the skill level of the skill the player wishes to re-spec.
  
• Players may not partially reallocate. All skill points (save one) will be stripped away and then the player can reapply them where desired.

If Jane has the skill and is affiliated with the Sabine Order AND Bob has a Biostruct Sequence 4 equipped and Gravity Link of level 4, then Jane can perform a call forward. Bob's ship will be thrown to the last starbase where he docked and will have regained his six skill points. Jane will receive a credit payment for her services to the Sabine Order when the skill is successfully completed.

The commands for the Call Forward skill are:

/call - provides a list of skills that are eligible to be called forward on the targeted player (based on the biostruct they have equipped).
/call help - provides format information for using the skill.
/call <name of skill> - performs the skill on the targeted player (if they have the proper skill and biostruct sequence)

Sentinels who would like to undertake the mission to learn the Call Forward skill may report to Specialist Annia Severa on Arduinne Planet. Other citizens of the galaxy that wish to reallocate skill points, should visit Ulpia Adilla at Arx Spartoi, Endriago Sector to register their genetic pattern.

Sentinels who have lost their affiliation who wish to make amends should improve their faction and then visit Tovar Maxe to begin their atonement. This process isn't easy nor does it come without a certain element of sacrifice.

Credit Kill

We've added a new command that allows players to designate another player to receive credit for any damage they contribute toward the kill of a mob. When the game attempts to determine who gets looting rights for a kill, the damage done is tabulated and the player/group doing the most damage is granted looting rights. Any contributions that another player has granted are added at that time, permitting multiple groups to combine their damage for the purpose of guaranteeing they can control the looting rights for a mob.

The command is:

/credit kill <name>

... where <name> is the name of the player you want to receive kill credit. Alternatively, you can target another player and use /credit kill to give the targeted player your credit. To reset kill credit to yourself, you can target yourself and use /credit kill.

Credit kill, only contributes to looting rights, it does not contribute to experience points calculations. So, it is possible that your group gets the experience points for a kill but not the looting rights. Now when you attempt to loot a hulk, if you do not have looting rights, you'll be advised who does (unless they've left the sector, in which case you'll be told it's "unknown").

We believe that raids and group activities that want to guarantee that they receive the loot for their efforts will be able to combine their damage by focusing it on the raid leader by using the credit kill command. A kill-stealing group will not be able to out damage an entire raid that has used this feature.

Credit kill settings do persist so you'll need to set it once before your raid and then remember to reset it afterwards. There is feedback built into the command to assist you in understanding who is gaining the credit for your damage.

Credit kill is intended to correct a specific player behavior (kill-stealing).

Hull Damage Control

Prior to this update, hull damage control effectiveness was exponential, and at the high end of the curve extremely imbalanced.

We've revised hull damage control so that the progression of the skill is linear, instead. This increases the effective hull size for MOST people across the board with the improvement starting at as little as 5% hull damage control. There are large increases in the middle ranges that then begin to taper back to their current advantages. Until 80% hull damage control, the increases continue along the linear graph and it is at above 80% hull damage control that the effectiveness is lessened from it's current extreme amounts.

For example:

If you have 45% hull damage control because you have items and/or are grouped with a Progen Warrior that gives you hull damage control, your previous (prior to this patch) hull effectiveness is 182% of your base.

With the change we've made, at the same 45% hull damage control, your hull effectiveness is 325% of base. So, that's a pretty significant increase.

Now, to continue with the examples, at 95% hull damage control prior to the patch, you had 2000% base hull effectiveness. After the change, you're sitting at 575% base hull effectiveness, which is still very powerful. The combination of factors necessary to reach 95% hull damage control is not achievable by the majority of players.

Now ... there are some mobs in the game that ALSO have hull damage control. They too become more powerful when the percentage of hull damage control they have falls within the 5% to 80% range. No organic mobs have this skill. A report that lists the mobs that are affected by this change includes: Bogeril, Einherjar, Free Spacers, InfinitiCorp, Red Dragons, Centuriata, Chavez, EarthCorps, Zenshai, Sabine, Some V'rix, Oni, and Drones.

This is NOT a comprehensive list ... it's intended to give you basic information about the kinds of mobs that may have become tougher (though you have too if you use hull damage control items, have the skill or have someone share the skill with you, or have Progen Warriors in your group).

Buff Icons

We've made a change to how buff/debuff icons are displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the user interface, based on feedback received by the community. The concern we're working to address is that when players have a lot of buffs the display area becomes filled (especially on raids) with permanent buffs. As a result activated buffs and debuffs are not displayed because there is insufficient room, even though they are in effect.

As an initial solution, we've changed permanent buff icons so they are no longer displayed in the buff box. The buffs function in the same manner they did previously, you still receive the benefits and stacking of permanent buffs.

As a reminder, the following permanent buffs do stack more than once:

Additive Turbo Warp
Beam Focus
Counter-Strike
Energy Feedback
Increased Skill Success
Missile Precision
Projectile Force
Reactor Renewal
Shield Renewal

Just in from Net-7...

Strange Ship Spurs Interest

Amateur astronomers and purveyors of the unnatural are all flocking to their telescopes in the hopes of spotting an unidentifiable ship reported by thousand of sky-watchers in recent weeks. Data readings indicate the ship is following a predictable route and will be entering our Galaxy within days if it remains on its current path.

The small ship is powered eight massive engines, boosting its speed to almost immeasurable levels. For reasons not yet determined, one of the ship's engines is glowing bright red. It is possible the engine is malfunctioning though readings do not support this hypothesis.

Sources have confirmed the ship is able to cross entire sectors in 15 minutes, and some believe the ship is equipped with Wormhole technology. Stranger yet, the ship disappears completely for short periods of time before appearing in the next location but cloaking sensors are not able to pick up any readings during these 'absent phases' of the ship's path.

Investigation of this strange phenomenon will continue as the ship moves into our Galaxy.

New InfinitiCorp Gate Nears Completion

InfinitiCorps' latest endeavor - a Gate connecting Witberg to the Bogeril occupied sector of der Todesengel - is nearing completion and expected to be fully operational before the end of the company's fiscal year.

InfinitiCorps' Gate construction team will be incentivized up to 100 billion credits if the Gate is completed at least 100 days ahead of schedule. The bonus will be reduced by 1 billion credits for each additional day.

"The Gate functioned exactly as it should in 5 out of 10 trials to-date. That's the highest success rate of any Gate tested at this stage of construction.", said Alex King, InfinitiCorp Engineer, "Some of our test pilots are already negotiating with our farming friends who live on the other side of the Gate." Mr. King declined to comment on the fate of the pilots that were assigned to the failed tests.

PABOSS Announces Plans

The Foundation for the Protection and Betterment of Scuttlebugs Society (PABOSS) has announced plans to build a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Scuttlebugs. Promotional plans include Scuttlebug awareness campaigns and increased fundraising efforts to collect enough resources to build and maintain the future Sanctuary.

Proponents of the group claim Scuttlebugs are not at risk of extinction or endangerment and are a serious threat to the life and livelihood of pilots.

Jingle Bells or Pavlov's Bells

The holiday season is upon us, and so is the frenzy of the holiday shopping season. Sales in Starbases are up more than 300% over last year, prompting rumors that subliminal messages may be entwined in the holiday music resounding through many Starbases. One shopper we spoke to insisted he docked for minor ship repairs but felt an overwhelming urge to purchase devices and weapons after hearing the holiday music. Starbase officials debunk the speculation, insisting the rumors are nothing more than pure slander.

Imposters Abound

A rash of imposters, posing as leaders of the Terran, Jenquai and Progen races, have been in recent weeks, prompting officials to step up security in Starbases and checkpoints. The imposters posed no threat to bystanders, though officials responded quickly and efficiently to prevent widespread panic. Several bystanders suggested the strange group may be due to a resurgence of Flash Mobs, a strangely popular activity from the early twenty-first century.

Vinda Decrees Interpolation Open to all

In an astounding move by Magna Vinda, leader of the Sabine Order, Versatiles will now be given the opportunity to learn and perform genetic interpolation to anyone wishing to have the procedure performed on their DNA. Magisters in good standing with the Sabine Order are asked to seek out Specialist Annia Severa, stationed near planet Arduinne. In an effort to facilitate the new decree, expelled Magisters will be allowed to reaffirm their position with the Sabine Order. Former Sabine Order members must report to Tovar Maxe to begin the process of reintegration.

Some members of the Progen Republic applaud Magna Vinda's bold move, while others are denouncing her intentions. Any individual wishing to receive the benefits of interpolation must register their genetic patterns Sabine Order by visiting Arx Spartoi in Endriago. An appointment should be made with Ulpia Adilla to assist you with the process.

On behalf of the entire Earth & Beyond team, we hope your holidays are filled with joy!

- Cerdith

Here are the details:

General

• Added tooltips to display the % to level for combat, trade and exploration experience.
  
• Added tooltips to display faction reaction values.
  
• Players may use the /time command to retrieve their local time as well as the server time (GMT).
  
• Improved server stability.
  
• Added holiday music to the bazaar in all stations.
  
• Newly formed groups will now have auto-split turned on by default.
  
• Removed Net-7 news broadcasts.
  
• Fixed a bug that allowed players to import special NPC avatars from the Starship Creator. Shame on you!

• As the story evolves, certain missions may become expired as they are no longer relevant or possible.
  
• It's annual review time at Net-7. All Net-7 correspondents have been asked to report to Jan Blather at Net-7 SOL for feedback on their efforts.
  
• Citizens of the galaxy are urged to register their genetic patterns with the Sabine Order by visiting Arx Spartoi in Endriago Sector. Ulpia Adilla can assist you with this process and make you eligible to receive the benefits of interpolation.
  
• Magna Vinda has announced a general amnesty for Sabine who have been expelled from the Order. Any Sentinel wishing to regain their affiliation with the Sabine Order should report to Tovar Maxe (Mars Beta) to begin their atonement.
  
• Have a beer with the local excavator, Lyle MacDonald, in der Todesengel sector. He's friendly folk and may want to chat with you if you're the explorin' type.
  
• Shou Shen at Prasad Station in Xipe Totec sector is a bit less appreciative when players "Patrol the Line" for him. The faction reward has been reduced to more accurately reflect the difficulty of the task.
  
• Ayako Ravenlock has completed her research project. She's declared a moratorium on the creation of keys for the Mondara and Mazzaroth Shears. The collection of Tazeron can now cease.

• Magna Vinda, the leader of the Sabine Order, has announced that Versatiles will be granted the opportunity to master genetic interpolation, effectively allowing them to manipulate and rearrange skills. Members of the Sabine Order, in good standing, that have reached the rank of Magister who are interested in learning this new skill, should seek out Specialist Annia Severa on Arduinne Planet.
  
• Revised the way Damage Control effects work.

• A strange ship being towed by eight tiny engines (one with a special red glow) has been spotted enroute to your galaxy. Trajectory data indicates first contact will occur sometime on December 17th. The object is expected to remain within the known galaxy until January 7th.
  
• Permanent buff icons are no longer displayed in the buff box. The buffs function in the same manner as they did previously. Community feedback indicated a need to see activateable buffs/debuffs in situations (like raids) where there were not enough spots in the buff box to display everything.
  
• The damage tracker will now forget all damage when a MOB heals to full strength. This prevents a problem where players were not receiving credit for killing a MOB that had previously engaged and defeated other MOBs. This does not affect agro or faction adjustments.
  
• Added the /credit kill <player> command. This will give all credit for damage that you do to the targeted or named player. This credit is only used to compute looting rights; it does not affect experience point generation.
  
• The error message when attempting to loot a hulk that you do not have rights to will now indicate the looting rights controller for that hulk.

• The Day O' Reckoning is nigh!
  
• Saturn's Rings should no longer appear shifted and dangerously close to the planet -- even to those who have consumed too much Bunyip Eggnog.

• Increased the size of component stacks to 240.
  
• Marsh Idee has set up shop in the Grand Ole Homestead, der Todesengel sector.
  
• Weapons, Systems and Component vendors have begun hawking their wares at the Grand Ole Homestead, der Todesengel. Of course, they don't sell to just anybody, so outsiders had better be friendly if they want to take home a shiny new spittoon!
  
• Items that affect the success of the powerdown skill have been improved.
  
• Altered the effect description for the Improved Powerdown effect. Instead of representing the skill value increase as a percentage, we now display the actual level increase.
  
• Ayako Ravenlock is collecting Ravenlock Diagnostic Devices you may have gotten stuck in your cargo hold. If you have the device (or devices), please visit Paren Station, Kailaasa sector.
  
• The Sundari Corona Australis Prime PR 9 has had its negative activateable effect removed.
  
• The GreaseMonkey line has had the Repair Equipment buff replaced with a Permanent Equipment Engineering buff.
  
• Fixed exploitable bug involving devices with Reroute Energy (and related) effects.
  
• Increased the drop rate of the Chemical Dragon Claw Slugs.