The Pantheon Difference

*Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen* aims to not only revive and celebrate the mechanics and design principles of the MMOs of old, but also to push the limits and expectations of MMOs further with new, fresh mechanics that both obey and highlight the design tenets which guide the development of the game.

## The Pantheon Difference

An MMO Evolved

Pantheon will likely be a fundamentally different game compared to what you may have experienced playing other modern MMORPGS. Pantheon aims to provide a deeply social and thought-provoking experience that will create lasting memories for players in the game world of Terminus.

 Enemies in Pantheon are challenging, exploration is involved and Death carries weight. Players can tackle the game alone, but to overcome the greatest challenges and ease their journey players are encouraged to surround themselves with friends and allies. Strategize in group and guild chats about how to defeat your next challenge or just to pass the time between battles.
True Player vs Environment Gameplay - Climate and Fracture

The core tenets of "Engage the world" and "Player vs Environment should involve more than NPCs" are brought to life through the Climate and Fracture systems. Climates in different locations may be scorching hot, freezing cold or buffeted by powerful winds. To traverse these Climates, players must stock up on items, enhancements from other players, and equipment to acclimatize themselves.

 Some locations may have dangerous, unnatural phenomena that pose risks to players, such as a complete, supernatural darkness. These phenomena are known as Fractures and require more preparation to overcome. Artifacts are one such way that players can counteract Fractures.
Powerful and Exotic Abilities

Some abilities and spells may be purchased from merchants. Others may be found by defeating foes. But the most powerful and exotic abilities and spells available to players are found scattered across Terminus. Perhaps in the hands of a wise sage hiding in the depths of a dungeons, or atop a remote tower.
Choose How to Develop Your Character - Mastery

As players grow in levels, complete difficult Quests and slay powerful, challenging foes they will acquire Mastery points. These points allow players to express greater choice in the development of their characters and their strengths. Mastery can be spent on the character themselves to acquire incremental benefits, or upgrade abilities and spells to increase their effects or sometimes add entirely new functions.
Freedom to Explore - Climbing

Pantheon also offers freedom to explore with its Climbing system, allowing players to scale almost any vertical terrain with enough skill and endurance. If a spot within a cave catches your eye, scale the wall, shimmy along the ledge and see if you can't find a hidden path or reclusive non-player character!
Beyond Abilities and Spells - Techniques

Characters have access to more than the teachings of their class. The type of weapon a character has equipped and their Skill with that weapon can grant access to abilities known as Techniques. These provide a suite of options to every class, helping players adapt to the changing demands of combat, synergize with their allies or express their unique class identity.
Dynamic World - Time, Weather, Disposition and Manifestation

The dynamic world of Pantheon changes depending on the cycle of night and day, changes in the weather, or even with each spawn of a hostile non-player character. NPCs close up shop when darkness falls or they may choose to not patrol their usual routes because the weather is bad. A special type of harvestable plant may only become available in certain environmental conditions.

 A simple, plain wolf might spawn with the Bloodthirsty Disposition which changes how players deal with fighting it. Even powerful, unique NPCS can spawn with Manifestations that alter them, forcing players to think on their feet and adapt their strategies.
Engaging Storytelling - The Perception System

Discover the history of the world and the secrets of its inhabitants with the Perception system without being told through long, boring exposition from an NPC or a flashing quest marker. Explore freely while your character catches glimpse of something strange, inviting you to investigate further, or intuits that an NPC is troubled and needs your help.
Situational Gear - Equipment, Crafting and meaningful challenge

A single piece of gear won't be the solution to every challenge presented to players. Which piece of equipment is best for a given situation will require players to think 'Where am I?', 'What am I going to fight next?' and 'Who else do I have in my group? What classes? What items do they have that may help?'

 Players will need different gear to combat different climates and fractures. A weapon crafted to have enhancements against specific creatures can make a difficult dungeon a bit easier to tackle. Equipment that gives endurance might be pivotal in helping you Climb your way to that next ledge and reach a new area.