The [url=https://albiononline.com/update/wild-blood][b]Wild Blood[/b][/url] update launches [b]October 16[/b], and at its heart is a brand-new weapon line: [b]Shapeshifter Weapons[/b]. In this Dev Talk, Game Director Robin Henkys and Combat Designer Michael Schwahn take an in-depth look at this significant expansion to Albion’s ‘you are what you wear’ system. [previewyoutube=6hs6LuSipEw;full][/previewyoutube] [h3]A New Staff Line[/h3] Shapeshifter Weapons introduce a whole new style of gameplay: [list] [*]There are [b]seven different staffs[/b][/*] [*]Each lets you transform into a different creature, known as [b]Shapes[/b][/*] [*]Each Shape has its own [b]abilities and stats[/b], from damage dealer to tank[/*][/list] [img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/dbfe4adb52fc25f884f6db000226af19327ff6b1.jpeg[/img] When in human form: [list] [*]Shapeshifter Weapons can [b]inflict damage, disrupt enemies, or support allies[/b][/*] [*]They can also transform enemies into [b]weak, helpless creatures[/b][/*] [*]Using human-form abilities builds up [b]Shift Charges[/b], which provide energy to Shape-form abilities[/*][/list][h3]Shapes and Abilities[/h3] These are the different Shapes into which you can transform: [list] [*][b]Shadow Panther[/b]: turns invisible when no enemies are nearby[/*] [*][b]Sylvian[/b]: increases allies’ health, provides healing, and can create a shield for your allies[/*] [*][b]Spirit Bear[/b]: an aggressive tank that disrupts enemies[/*] [*][b]Werewolf[/b]: Heals itself and gains a speed boost from attacking enemies[/*] [*][b]Hellfire Imp[/b]: Has very high damage but low defense; can revive in human form after death[/*] [*][b]Runestone Golem[/b]: a huge tank which is immune to all forced movement[/*] [*][b]Dawnbird[/b]: deals very high damage from a safe distance[/*][/list] [img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/29ab7ea371f96467be99815300907d747b04f392.jpeg[/img] These Shapes offer a wide variety of playstyles: [list] [*]They [b]completely override your human armor stats[/b], allowing you to change roles mid-combat [list] [*]For example, a Prowling Staff with Plate Armor makes you a tank in human form and an assassin in Shape form[/*] [/list] [/*] [*]Previously active buffs continue in Shape form [list] [*]For example, you can use a Hunter Jacket then transform into a Werewolf to utilize the auto-attack buff[/*] [/list] [/*] [*]Toggle and Channel abilities do not carry over[/*][/list] [img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/98c918e58d41ebc43616cad3e98f5818b6efe91d.jpeg[/img] Awareness of when to transform is crucial to using these weapons. This creates an active and enjoyable playstyle that is quick to pick up but offers a great deal of depth. [h3]How to Get Them[/h3] Shapeshifter Weapons: [list] [*]Are crafted at the Hunter’s Lodge[/*] [*]Require rare ingredients dropped by the corresponding creature in the open world[/*] [*]These can be found using Tracking Kits[/*][/list] [img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/884cb028260b218e0b2bb894aa52d0318c4cc413.jpeg[/img] Thus, Shapeshifter Weapons should remain quite rare and valuable, and bolster the appeal of [url=https://albiononline.com/news/dev-talk-tracking-potions][b]Tracking[/b][/url]. Begin your hunt for a Shapeshifter Weapon when Wild Blood launches on October 16! Which will you pick?