Helbreath
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| Helbreath | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Siementech. Co., LTD |
| Publisher(s) | Siementech, iEnt |
| Release date(s) |  August 1, 1999 2002 February 2, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | Download, CD |
| System requirements | 400 MHz Pentium II CPU, 128M RAM, 8MB graphics card, DirectX |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Helbreath is a popular MMORPG for the PC, designed by Korean company Siementech co, Ltd. Initially launched as a Korean-only game, it was soon reintroduced as Helbreath International; serving as an open-beta for the general public. Helbreath USA was later franchised to iEntertainment. Other official servers include Helbreath China, Helbreath Japan, Helbreath Asia, Helbreath Taiwan, as well as numerous private servers.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
The basics of Helbreath include leveling, questing, PvP, and socializing.
New players start out as a Traveler. When a player reaches level 19, they must decide whether to acquire citizenship in Aresden, or Elvine. Each level gained will allocate 3 additional stat points, which the player will use to increase stats.
| Stat | Attribute |
| STR (Strength) | Increases physical damage, maximum stamina, maximum load, maximum health, allows usage of heavier weapons and armor. |
| DEX (Dexterity) | Increases accuracy, dodge, defense. |
| VIT (Vitality) | Increases maximum health, health regeneration, maximum stamina, stamina regeneration, physical and magical damage absorption. |
| INT (Intelligence) | Increases maximum mana, casting probability, allows learning of better magic spells. |
| MAG (Magic) | Increases maximum mana, mana regeneration, magical damage, magical hitting probability, magic resistance. |
| CHR (Charisma) | Decreases cost of vendor items, allows one to become a Guild Master. |
Once a player has gained citizenship, they may choose between status as either a Civilian, or Combatant. This choice will reflect their PvP status amongst other players in the world.
Upon reaching the maximum level of 180, it is traditional that the player will receive a special-issue set of gear, otherwise known as Dark Knight or Dark Wizard equipment. This gear can only be equipped by the player which earns it.
[edit] Nations
- Aresden
- Elvine
[edit] PvP
Aresden, and Elvine are hostile nations. Helbreath has a very open PvP setting; allowing and encouraging enemy Combatants to attack at-will.
When a player kills an enemy combatant, an Enemy Kill point is gained. These points may be eventually exchanged for Hero Armor. Like Dark Knight or Wizard items, Hero armor may also only be equipped by the one whom earned it.
It is also optional for combatants of the same nation to attack each other. However, if a friendly player actually goes through with killing another friendly player, a penalty is incurred.
The following list summarizes essential PvP mechanics:
- Civilians are players whom prefer not to be afflicted by PvP. Available until level 100.
- Combatants may openly engage in PvP with any enemy combatant.
- Crusades are full-scale wars between every player of both nations. Only the administrators of the server may initiate this. Some servers such as Helbreath USA do this weekly.
- Heroes are players which have killed a great number of enemies. They receive special armors as a reward.
- Castle Sieges consist of various battle grounds where one nation is on the offensive, and one nation is on the defensive. This must be initiated by the server administrators.
[edit] Items and Economy
The economy of Helbreath varies widely from server to server. In general, all items may be openly traded with any other player, allowing for diversity in every aspect. The only exceptions to trading are Hero Armor, Dark Knight or Wizard Armor, and Dark Knight or Wizard weapons. Many items that are dropped by monsters include a primary and secondary attribute, allowing for a variety of uses. Whether a player can equip an item depends on its weight. (Example: With 90 strength, a player may equip an item which weighs up to 9000 "stone" as it is called in the game (1 strength per 100 "stone").)
[edit] Private servers
The privately-owned server trend began in 2002, when server files were leaked to the public.[citation needed] These servers have become home to a mixture of players from various countries, primarily from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Czech Republic, Finland, and Poland. Since 2002, source code for various server and client aspects of the game have continued to be leaked to the public, leading to further and more advanced modification to the game. These changes range from modified spawn areas, altered max level, new monsters, new items, new maps, and even adding completely new aspects to the game.
These developments continue to challenge the validity of the copyrights held by the game developer, Siementech, as they are being conducted without permission. Helbreath is not officially open source, nor was it ever designed to be. Individuals who choose to operate their own servers, do so without authorization from Siementech, and are alleged to be infringing on Siementech's copyright.[citation needed] Private server operators often present the claim that they are operating "for private use only". Officially, at no time did the developer or official servers authorize anyone else to run a Helbreath server. The legality of private servers is greatly disputed.
Private server information became slightly less available when iEntertainment sent a letter to the hosting company of a popularly used website known as HelbreathSS.tk (which provided users with a directory containing hundreds of private servers, along with direct links to server files) The website was taken down by the .TK registrars due to a violation of their Terms of Service.
As of May 2006, iEntertainment has begun sending many cease and desist letters directly to ISPs and web hosts that allow their clients to host private servers and Helbreath files. The legal basis for this is unclear, as Siementech has only licensed Helbreath to iEnt for the United States, yet letters are sent to international private servers as well. The tactic appears to depend upon the recipients' fear of litigation. It is not being sent by the legal department, but instead by the Gamemaster of Helbreath USA, who herself used to be a GM on one of the first private servers.[citation needed]
