ith the test server right around the corner and after reading a mountain of feedback, I wanted to take the time to provide you with more information for various topics that came up. First, I want to address some of the most frequently asked questions:

Do I need to delete characters to be able to play a monk on my account?
No. We will increase the character limit for all accounts from 20 to 25, allowing you to play the monk without having to make tough decisions about which of your beloved characters to delete.

Will there be high-level monks on day one due to the ruleset of Retro Hardcore PvP game worlds?
We have decided to prevent this. Monks will not gain any experience from player kills on Retro Hardcore PvP game worlds. I could elaborate on how this does not fit their flavour, but the honest truth is, we do not think that this would be a healthy way to introduce the new vocation to Tibia. We want to be able to closely watch the progression of monks and game worlds will need time for monk-specific items to be available. On top of that, we want all players to be able to experience the joy and journey of learning and levelling a new vocation.

Are there any planned features to speed up how monks progress?
No. There will be no special bonus XP or a feature that allows to convert characters. As previously mentioned, we want the monk to naturally grow into its role and are fine with the new vocation not being part of the endgame on the first day, in the first week, or even in the first month.

What is happening to the XP bonus for parties?
We decided not to change it. There will be no difference between having 4 or 5 different vocations in a party. This is one of the topics where we prefer to look at the outcome after the monk has settled in and then discuss changes if needed. This definitely is one of the things we will have an eye on but want to make sure we are not rushing it, because any change has massive implications for all of Tibia.

Can I play the vocation as a free account?
Yes. Everybody can choose to become a monk. As with other vocations, however, the full potential will only be achievable for Premium users.

Will there be adjustments for the other vocations?
We have heard your feedback and we intend to look at it once the dust around the monk has settled. We recognise various challenges faced by each vocation, ranging from power level imbalances to clunky gameplay mechanics. However, all in all, the game is in a decent state where all vocations are playable and fulfil a role. 

Summary

In addition to some of the most asked questions, I wanted to outline the complete scope of the vocation. As our goal was to create a fully formed vocation that feels like a natural extension to Tibia, we had to consider a plethora of details. In the end, we added:

New Mechanics

• Mantra - A new defensive stat that represents elemental armor.
• Harmony - A simple builder/spender system allowing for a little flow in rotations. 
• Elemental bond - A unique way for monks to control the damage type of their spells.
• Virtue - A system akin to stances that allows the monk to focus their power depending on the given situation.

New Items

Over 70 new items. From new potions and gems to lots of equipment. From the light jo staff, your starting weapon on Dawnport, to a new weapon of destruction and additions to the umbral crafting process. From new cobra, lion and falcon gear all the way up to the new sanguine weapon, the game will feature equipment for monks of all slots and levels from the get-go. Or putting it into numbers:

• 28 new weapons
• 17 new armors
• 6 new helmets
• 6 new boots
• 6 new legs
• 3 new amulets
• 2 new rings

New Spells

A vocation would not be complete without a slew of spells to do all manner of things, from damaging enemies with spells like Flurry of Blows or Mystic Repulse to healing allies with Restore Balance or Mass Spirit Mend, we added 25 new spells.

• 12 new attack spells
• 10 new support spells
• 3 new healing spells

New Visuals

Naturally, we needed loads of new sprites for all this equipment and all these spells. But it does not end there. No vocation is complete without their own base outfit, a unique look for their Avatar of Balance and the new area Blue Valley. And there is more. All-new achievements, new NPCs and the new quest "The Three-Fold Path" are even more additions. On top of that, we made lots of adjustments to allow the monk to participate in beloved quests you have known for decades and distributed all that sweet new gear all throughout Tibia. Even after having written it out, it fails to show the care and detail we went into to craft this one-of-a-kind addition to Tibia.

Structure and goal for the test

With all these new additions, we decided that we need to separate the test server into multiple phases. All participants will have their accounts set up in the same way, starting out with low-level monks all the way up to level 800. Only in a later test will you have access to your own two highest-level characters. As usual for update tests, fansite representatives, focus group members, past closed beta testers, and chosen long-time players are invited to begin testing on February 25. Here is a more detailed overview of the phases:

Phase 1: February 25-28

Upon the start of the test server, all participating players will be provided with two level 2 monks waiting for you on Dawnport. After one day of being able to test Dawnport as well as the first levels on main, you will be provided with two level 150 monks with appropriate skills.
These initial three days are focused on feedback regarding the harmony system, elemental bond as well as the general feel of the vocation.

Phase 2: March 4-7

In phase 2, you will keep your previous monk characters and in addition, you will get access to a level 400 and a level 800 monk, allowing you to start experiencing mid- and high-level content. We hope to gather a lot of feedback regarding their damage and survivability as well as how their gameplay evolves when pitted against tougher and often more complex enemies. Even though we spend countless hours calculating all kinds of possible combinations to try to start these tests with as good a balance as we could achieve, we still hope to answer questions like:

• How does the monk's Wheel of Destiny feel and where could it be changed?
• How does the gameplay feel when having access to all tools (all spells, Wheel of Destiny, charms, imbuements...) 
• Is the vocation far too strong or far too weak?

This phase is still focused on the monk in a vacuum, as we want to pin down most of the core decisions before adding in the complexity of cross-vocation gameplay.

Phase 3: March 18-25

In phase 3 we will return to a more normal test server like you will have grown accustomed to. You will get access to your two highest-level characters in addition to all monks we have added in phase 1 and phase 2. This test focuses on cross-vocation play. Feel free to play and test in the way you prefer. 
Additionally, phase 3 will include all Premium players and an Open PvP phase. All regular players, including free account players, will have the opportunity to join the test on March 24.

Further tests, either in between or afterwards, will be decided on if we think they are needed. With no fixed release date planned, we want to make sure that the monk is a balanced and interesting addition to Tibia.

Last but certainly not least: I am absolutely stoked seeing you all interact with our work for the first time and the multitude of ways in which you will surprise us. From edge-case spell usage to niche quest interactions and whatever else you will find. I hope you will help us shape the monk to be a worthy addition to the game. Like I said in my previous Product Management Insight: The monk should appeal to all players, new or veteran, equally, and provide a contribution to any group without being mandatory and without pushing out other vocations. After all, you are what makes Tibia great. 

I look forward to seeing you on the test servers,
Niadus