New Class: Hero

July 26th marks the momentous day when Phantasy Star Online 2's first advanced class, "Hero," will make its debut. This class specializes in a unique combination of Swords, Twin Machine Guns, and Talises, offering new and exciting actions in battle.

Become a Hero!

In order to become a hero, you must first clear Koffie's "Hero Class Unlocking Trial." This can be achieved by obtaining three Titles, each requiring level 75 in classes representing the main forms of attack.

[Title]: One Lv. 75 Striking Class (Hu / Fi / Bo)

One Lv. 75 Striking Class (Hu / Fi / Bo) [Title]: One Lv. 75 Ranged Class (Ra / Gu / Br)

One Lv. 75 Ranged Class (Ra / Gu / Br) [Title]: One Lv. 75 Technic Class (Fo / Te / Su)

The flow for unlocking Hero's level caps will be somewhat different from normal. Apart from the usual "level limit unlocking trials," Hero will have exclusive level capping condition(s). Polish your skills with the class to achieve new heights.

In addition, Hero is available only as a main class; it will not allow the setting of a subclass.

Unique Actions

Wielding a sword as a Hero will change the weapon's behavior. Not only is it swift with a wider attack range, but it will also unlock a different weapon action. Through this comes the "energy blast," unleashing fireballs from the palm of the user's hand. Hold the action button to release a larger blast.

Twin Machine Guns will also change, resulting in long distance combat and rapid fire attacks. In particular, it will experience an increase in firepower now that basic attacks consume PP. This can be restored, however, through the "reloading" weapon action.

Talises will also perform differently in the hands of a Hero. For the first time, they can utilize Photon Arts! Its "agile shift" weapon action will allow the player to fire a "marker" in any direction and instantly teleport to its location.

The main skill of note is [Hero Gear / Hero Time]. Utilizing a variety of attacks will help to increase the [Hero Gear] gauge. Once the gauge fills, you can activate [Hero Time]. During this effect, your attack power will rise as your attacks hit the enemy. Activating [Hero Time] again will trigger a finishing move unique to each weapon type.

The last major feature is its weapon switchable PAs. This allows the class to switch between the three weapon types on the fly. For example, holding the PA button for "Vapor Bullet" allows the weapon to switch from Sword to Twin Machine Guns.

Hero Class Guide: Stratos

Stratos will appear in the Gate Area, serving as a guide for the Hero class. Pick up her client orders in order to earn skill points for the class, and to gain access to her partner card.

Stratos can also randomly appear in Emergency Trials on all Free Fields.

Hero Training Quest

Heroes will also have their own training quest. Through [Hero Basics], you can learn and practice the different characteristics of each weapon type.

Hero Skill Ring

A new skill ring for Hero will be added to the Skill Ring Shop.

Material Storage

Material Storage is a new feature that can store items classified under [Order Items / Materials]. This feature can be purchased as a 30/90 day rental from the AC Shop. The storage can also store a maximum of 65,000 pieces of a single item. Only materials from the Item Pack can be transferred to the Material Storage.

Recommended Skill Tree Setting

New players need not be plagued by worry and confusion at which skills they should learn. Let Sega do the work for you with the new Recommended Skill Tree setting! Once selected, it will automatically assign skill points to skills they recommend.

Cross Block Matching

This feature gives you the option to match up with players from other blocks. In turn, you'll be able to put less time and effort into finding players wanting to run the same quest.

Finer Accessory Adjustments

The accessory slider currently snaps to 15 ticks along a path. In order to allow for more precise placement of accessories, the number of ticks will increase to a whopping 253! This will not affect the slider's overall range, however.

Accessory Stacking

You can now equip a single accessory several times. Adjustment of each accessory helps to further expand the breadth of PSO2's character creation.

Ticket Account Sharing

Using the same ticket for two characters on your account, will enable that product to be used on the entire account. This will also come into effect for tickets used in this manner prior to the update.

Quick Play

First time downloaders of the PC version can now play the prologue section of the game while the game continues installing.

Recycle Shop

The Recycle Shop can now be accessed in the Camp Ship, prior to and after completing a quest.

Client Orders

Koffie's [Free Exploration] and [Exploration Request] orders will no longer have time limits nor material gathering requirements. In addition, the client order will instantly clear if you cleared the quest prior to accepting the order.

Skill Point Client Orders will slightly alter their requirements to target enemies that appear in specific areas within Free Fields and Arks Quests.

Sofia and Yerkes orders will now unlock when traveling to Franca's Cafe for the first time.

Revelle will receive new client orders that target ESC-A Darkers.

Weaponoid Potentials

Weaponoid potentials will be added to Serata Crane, Fire Arms, and Zanba. These can be unlocked by obtaining weaponoid boosters from PSO2es.

Other Adjustments

All Class Balance Adjustments

A variety of balance adjustments will be applied to each class.

Client Order Adjustments

Some client orders from Franca, Revelle, Hans, and Kressida will have relaxed enemy level and enemy count requirements. In addition, some client orders will receive higher rewards.

My Set Expansion

My Set presets will expand to allow three additional slots.

Casino Coin Carryout Limit

The CC Carryout Limit will change from 30,000 to 10,000,000.

PA/Technic Disks

Removed the level restrictions for selling and trading Photon Art and Technic disks.

The Story Of Episode 5

The release of Episode 5 draws near, taking the ARKS to the parallel world of Omega; a war-torn world of medieval fantasy.

Prologue

Arriving in this world of endless conflict, our hero aids a young woman hounded by soldiers and demons.

Omega

A black hole suddenly materialized at the origin of the universe, expanding at an extraordinary rate. It's only a matter of time before it swallows all. To prevent the worst case scenario, the ARKS travel to Omega, a dream derived of the Akashic Record.

Chapter 1

To avoid the extinction of the universe, our heroes return to Omega. They learn of Ephimera, the flower behind the endless wars!

Characters

Harriet (CV: Megumi Han)

A woman of noble mien encountered by the player.

Alma (CV: Mamiko Noto)

The spirit of the Akashic Record.

There seems to be a reason for her appearance.



Stratos (CV: Ayane Sakura)

A lively young lass holding out for a hero.

She is a member of a new tactical battle team and the founder of the Hero class.

Starting Up Episode 5

After the launch of Episode 5, players will be given two choices if they've viewed Story Piece [005-C].

【EPISODE5】を始める: Start Episode 5 and view the prologue.

【EPISODE4】を続ける: Continue Episode 4 where you left off.

You can swap between EP4 and EP5 with Xiera after clearing the start conditions of EP5.

Episode 5 Partner Cards

Partner Cards that release along with Episode 5 will be shared across all characters on the account. This will also include Partner Cards obtained from Omnibus Quests.

Episode 5 Story Events and Quests

Story Events and Quests from Episode 5 can be initiated from the Quest Counter under [Main Quest (EP5)]. Furthermore, from a special screen, you can continue accepting quests without returning to the campship or lobby. Progress through the story will be shared on all characters.

※Matter Board/Story Board progress from EP 1 ~ 4 will remain as character based progress like before.

Omnibus Quests

Omnibus Quests will look back at the story of Episode 1 to Episode 3. It will be added sequentially, starting with Episode 1! By clearing the quest you'll be rewarded with items from the Matterboard and newly added Titles. Your progress through Omnibus Quests will be shared across all characters.

Summer Lobby

The return of the Summer Lobby brings us a gigantic Surfing Rappy and water slides. Cool off after a heated battle by sliding into the pool.

Beach Wars 2017!

It's that time of the year again for the [Beach Wars] Emergency Quest. Along the way, you'll encounter scenes that divide in two, and fighting scenes filled with traps. NPCs will appear during Emergency Trials in swimsuits and pirate outfits. The faster you clear the quest, the more 2017 Weapon Badge you'll receive.

At the end of the quest will appear the Storming Duo: Aratron Phemut and Gal Gryphon! Work with your teammates to defeat them!

This quest also has the effect of a special PSE boost. A "Costume Bonus" will apply when wearing qualifying summer costumes. This will slightly boost the EXP gain and Rare Drop rate.

Summer 2017 Bingo & Xie

[Summer 2017 Bingo] appears for a limited time along with Xie (Summer 2017). The main focus of the bingo will not only target enemies appearing in Beach Wars, but also task the player with completing Xie's client orders. You'll earn a variety of rewards such as 進化デバイス／波乗ニャウ (Evo. Device / Surfing Nyau)!

Beach 2017 Collection

フォルニスゲネス

Fornis Ghennes フォルニスロンベル

Fornis Ronbell フォルニステルナーゼ

Fornis Telnaze

The Beach 2017 Collection will cover [Beach Wars 2017!]. Obtain a new pair of knuckles, a rifle, or a rod from the Fornis series while enjoying the rushing waves! You also can obtain ★13 Jinga and Synchro Eggs.

Limited-Time Enemies

In the sunshine stands the yearly return of cute summer rappies! Also making an appearance is [Summer Nyau], an enemy who can withstand the sun's powerful rays. These enemies might drop rare items when defeated.

Legendary Heroes (AC Scratch)

Bask in the glory of battle, equipped with Hero themed armor or the summoning cloaks of the Kingdom Cuent mages. Bring honor to the ARKS heroes in the heated struggle against the encroaching Demons!

Scratch Prize Exchange Ticket

Introducing a new Scratch Prize Exchange Ticket system! Using one of the new [Scratch Exchange Tickets], you can pick an item of your choice from the catalog. These tickets are primarily gained through the Scratch Bonus.

By participating in the upcoming Legendary Heroes AC Scratch, you can receive an [L Heroes Ticket]!

Some sections contributed by Lostbob117

Get Ready for Episode 5

Episode 5 will release after July 26th's maintenance. In order to play Episode 5, you'll need to download a patch which requires 3.1 GB of space. In addition, maintenance will occur at an earlier time than usual.

Click the pink link above to convert the schedule for your timezone.