The next free module for the Dungeons and Dragons online MMO Neverwinter has been announced. This new free to play module for Neverwinter is called Curse of Icewind Dale. It seems Neverwinter is jumping into one of the most iconic and popular settings in Dungeons and Dragons. Icewind Dale is part of Forgotten Realms and is where the most popular and famous of Dungeons and Dragons character ever, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden, was first introduced to D&D.
I find myself being very excited about the announcement of Neverwinter Curse of Icewind Dale. But I also find myself hoping that they “do it right”. With such a huge and passionate fan base there is no doubt that there is going to be a lot of scrutiny of this module. I think that this module is either going to be great, or a flop. Here is hoping that Curse of Icewind Dale for Neverwinter is great!
Announced Features for Neverwinter Curse of the Icewind Dale
Icewind Dale
This iconic region has been recreated in Neverwinter, after being the primary location of multiple R.A. Salvatore novels, as well as multiple other video games.
Caer-Konig
This new zone is a smal fishing town in Icewind Dale, a staging point for those seeking black ice, and the neutral ground in the growing conflict between the Ten-Towners and Arcane Brotherhood. It will serve as the main social hub for all Icewind Dale activities.
Icewind Pass
This treacherous pass is one of the two new zones that will offer both PvP and PvE content to players.
Dwarven Valley
This expansive valley is the second of the two new zones that will offer both PvP and PvE content to players.
Kessell’s Retreat
Akar Kessel has returned and has fortified himself in a location high within Kelvin’s Cairn, the mountain peak that overlooks all of Icewind Dale.
Black Ice – Lore
Black Ice is a new, extremely valuable resource, that players will be harvesting and fighting over within Icewind Dale. However, it has a dark history.
Black Ice – Harvesting
Black Ice is a new, extremely valuable resource that players will be harvesting and fighting over within Icewind Dale.
Black Ice – Shaping
With this new resource at hand, players will be utilizing a new profession in order to craft spectacular gear.
Black Ice – Gear
Unlike gear of old, Black Ice Gear will have unique properties that allow players to greatly increase their stats bonus, but only temporarily.
PvP Leaderboards & Matchmaking
The matchmaking system has undergone extensive revisions, and will now feature leaderboards so that you can climb the ranks to the most elite combatants in Neverwinter.
PvP Campaign
For the first time ever, Neverwinter will feature a PvP Campaign, which will have daily quests focused on slaying other players, or navigating through dangerous PvP areas for resources.
PvE Campaign
Explore the region with the Icewind Dale campaign by completing new repeatable quests, earning boons, and receiving gifts from the grateful people of Caer-Konig.
New Enemies
As with every update, there will be a new array of enemies to battle, which will require new combat strategies to defeat efficiently. This includes yeti, crag cats, dire bears, the corrupted Hammerstone Clan of dwarves, and the savage Bear Tribe of the Reghed Barbarians.
New Bosses
Along with Akar Kessell, players face the deadly black ice-corrupted beholder, undead giants, and the deadly remorhaz.
Heroic Encounters
Discover new quest encounters that appear as you adventure through Icewind Dale. They range in difficulty from minor encounters for 2 – 3 players to epic battles for a dozen or more!
Mercenary Contracts
There are two new factions being introduced that will serve as the basis of the conflict over Black Ice in Icewind Dale: the local council of Ten-Towners capitalizing on the black ice trade to grow their wealth, and the Arcane Brotherhood who seeks to unlock the mysteries behind the black ice. Each offer temporary contracts to adventurers to further their goals in Icewind Dale.
Arcane Brotherhood
An organization of wizards from Luskan, the Arcane Brotherhood seeks to harvest Black Ice under the claims of academic pursuit.
Ten-Towners
Having already fought off Akar Kessel’s army once, the Ten-Towners now try to retain their grasp on the region by using the power of Black Ice.
Hunter Ranger Paragon Path
To join the other classes, the Hunter Ranger will now have a new Paragon Path called the Pathfinder.
Itemization Changes
There will be many changes to items from levels 1 – 60, to make item progression more fun and interesting.
Post-60 Advancement
Once you hit 60, XP that you accumulate will start to provide you with rewards, rather than be lost in a void.
Dungeon Keys
We will be adding dungeons keys to go along with the time-based dungeon delve events, to allow for dungeon delving at your leisure.
It looks like players of Neverwinter have a great list of things to look forward to with Curse of Icewind Dale. You can barely go 5 feet in any fantasy game without seeing a Drizzt clone. It’s nice to think that it might finally make sense in Curse of Icewind Dale. Neverwinter has a pretty good track record so far with releasing high quality content so we can expect good things with Neverwinter. The new update, or module, Curse of Icewind Dale looks to be another great addition for Neverwinter.
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