UPCs are a unique feature to Sword. As players make their way through the continent of Granado Espada, they will encounter specific non-player characters who will issue quests. When completed, these NPCs will give up their Character Card, which allows players to add them to their Family. These special characters are called UPCs. Not only do the UPCs give players access to special hybrid classes with powers and abilities not available to the standard classes, they also add depth to the game's lore and storyline. With over 40 UPCs currently available, each family becomes as unique as the person playing them.
Sword isn't stopping with just 40 UPCs, though. When Nocturnal Sonata hits later this month, two new UPCs will be available: Vincent Rio and Baek Ho.
Vincent Rio is a vendor in the City of Auch (one of the major cities in the New World). He's been known to whip out his lute and serenade a woman to her knees on more than one occasion. But for Vincent, music isn't just a way to lure the ladies, but a powerful weapon. He can use his lute to encourage his allies and demoralize his foes in the form of buffs and de-buffs. He can use the power of his song to directly harm his foes as well. His most powerful move deals damage to the foes around him, while resurrecting his nearby allies.
While Vincent is the laid-back rock star of Sword's new expansion, Baek Ho is the action movie star. Skilled in the martial arts, Baek Ho can kill with a glance. His cocky arrogance might make him appear to be a jerk, but he has the skills to back up his ego. Baek Ho is the only UPC able to reset the cooldown of all skills. He is also the only person who knows the Martial Element: Mind, a martial art form that damages a foe both physically and mentally. Baek Ho might be jumping into fights against enemies armed with swords and guns without a weapon, but that's because he is a weapon!
Vincent and Baek Ho are just the first two characters being introduced in the Nocturnal Sonata expansion. In the coming months, more characters will be introduced, such as Calypso, mistress of the Arabesque crossbow and Claire, who looks like a little girl, but can muscle a two-handed sword with one arm!
Speaking of swords, a new armory's worth of weapons and armor are being added to the game. But as with everything in Sword, while it's important for gear to be functional, it's just as important that they be fashionable.
Sword's art direction is one of its most distinctive features. Imagine the European Baroque period if it was designed by a modern anime artist. Even purely functional items like combat armor and swords take on a new level of flourish and majesty. New to the game, Le Noir armor is a sea of sashes, buckles and feathers. Likewise, your average conquistador only dreamed of having a sword like the Elite Grim Wraith--a long sword fashioned from the bones of fallen gladiators!
That's just the start of things. Over the next few weeks, you'll find out about the new lands, monsters, bosses and skills being added to the game. Nocturnal Sonata is taking Sword to new levels of greatness.
Next week: Discover the land of Sedecrem!