It’s no secret that I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with vampires. From Vampire: The Masquerade to traditional Hammer horror, for some bizarre reason I just love those little bloodsucking guys. Back when I first started in this industry, I made V Rising one of my pet projects, writing so many base-related guides that they felt like they were coming out of my ears. It’s a game I’ve always kept a close eye on, even when I’m not playing it, and with V Rising Invaders of Oakveil just around the corner, I can’t wait to return to Vardoran.
Let’s start with Invaders of Oakveil’s primary antagonist. Megara the Serpent Queen and her collection of Venom Blades have slithered their way into the survival game‘s newest region, corrupting the landscape and leaving chaos in their wake. You’ll face off against the regent herself, as well as four different V Blood bosses, who each embody their queen’s venomous agenda.
Two new bosses have appeared in Dunley Farmlands, too: Sir Erwin the master horseman, and Gaius, a cursed gladiator that inhabits his old arena. If you’re looking to face off against the finest warriors that V Rising has to offer, Invaders of Oakveil delivers in droves.
The highlight of the update, however, is the huge combat overhaul and various new PvP systems. The boons from various blood types have been reworked, with a few extra additions to the pool, too. You’ll now have full customization over your vampire’s entire kit, with armor, weapons, blood types, and potions all synergizing together like never before.
Passive spells have been made more impactful and can be equipped at will to diversify your builds, and beating more bosses unlocks unique buffs, too. To top it all off, there are three new weapons: claws, twinblades, and throwing daggers, adding to your already impressive arsenal. As an Assassin player in Diablo 2 and a general monk obsessive, those claws are an absolute must.
And I’m going to need them. Alongside the general combat rework, Invaders of Oakveil also introduces a brand-new castle PvP system. You’ll be able to build your own unique arenas in your home and customize them to your liking. Then, invite your bloodsucking colleagues over and slaughter them before the time runs out or the circle of death obliterates you all.
Then there are duels, which are classier but equally as bloody 1v1 affairs. You can challenge other players while you’re out in the open world and fight to the death in a demonstration of martial prowess. As someone who loves the classic, Victorian vampire, this is an absolute must.
In addition to all of the above, there are seven new spells on offer, as well as the weapon coating system that allows you to imbue your gear with mysterious effects, and various new body-focused potions. Combat is very much the star of Invaders of Oakveil and, honestly, I can’t wait to see how everything plays out.
For those of you who are a little more reclusive, there are various new updates to the castle system. You’ll be able to build a treasury, where you can stash your precious loot, and you can add a stable, where you’ll train your various mounts and learn new techniques. These upgrades will make knocking you off of your steed a little harder, and can help increase your speed so that you can make a quick exit if necessary.
The Fusion Forge has also been updated, allowing you to merge various different gems and weapons together to create your own perfect arsenal – no more restrictions here. Similarly, the Saw Mill’s efficiency has been increased, giving you easier access to various types of wood. You can check out everything the update has to offer on its official website.
V Rising Invaders of Oakveil will arrive on Monday April 28. It’s entirely free, so all you’ll need is the base version of the game. For those of you who love to look good, though, there’s also the paid Eternal Dominance pack, which kits your vampire out in various shades of purple and adds a new mount, animal form, and lots of new furniture. It’s available for $19.99.
While we wait for Megara’s hordes to arrive, check out our list of the best vampire games to get you in the mood for bloodshed. Alternatively, we have a rundown of the best multiplayer games if you love facing off against your friends.
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