It’s been less than a week since the Shadowlands launched in Phyrra. The awe-inspiring art of the Shadowlands set has been the talk of the Arena, as well as the deadly weapon and armor stats. Hundreds of teams have formed and are tearing it up in our Team Battles ring. Tons of team battles have been waged and show no signs of stopping.

August’s Forum Contest has also started, and this month’s theme is Sci-Fi Costume Party. You can use any items in the game to dress up your Duels avatar as any science fiction character, then enter for free for your chance to win great prizes.

That’s the good news.

With the arrival of the Shadows, there has been a change in the mood of the Arena, and Phyrra in general. Regular Duelists are now fighting for the twisted amusement of the Shadows, Phyrra’s new rulers. The quarantine placed on Phyrra by the mainland remains in place, making it impossible to get off the island by the usual means.

Our city has turned in to a  psychotic circus for madmen, killers, and the seemingly unstoppable Shadows. And the outside world wants nothing to do with us.

A small group of well-trained Duelists managed to escape the initial corruption of the Shadows, slipping past the dark collars and leashes being snapped on all Phyrrans’ necks. The only safe place in our city has proven to be Tomb Town, where we’ve taken residence.

Join us every week as new chapters unfold. Take part in the Revolution by visiting your Quest Journal and clicking on the Revolution image. The Prologue is currently available, and new chapters will unlock this Thursday after our scheduled update.

It’s time to take the city back.

Darkness is coming.

The Shadowlands are coming soon. In preparation, we are starting our series of Legendary item spotlights.

Today, we reveal the stats and attributes of Shadowlands Legendaries and Artifacts as they currently stand. Between now and the release, we will be revealing additional information including artwork and more.

NOTE: Shadowlands is still in development. All elements are subject to change prior to release.

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Duels is hosting our big summer Loot Off tomorrow (June 25th)! Whether you’re a Loot Off pro or just getting started, this Loot Off promises fast frenzied fun, delicious discounts, terrific Treasure Chests, and more.  The event starts at 2 PM EDT and due to popular demand (and because we like to try new things), we’ll post the list of rounds before we get started.

Not sure what a Loot Off is? Blerg wrote up a nice info sheet to help you out. You can learn more about the Loot Off here, that includes information on how the rounds work, the treasure to be found in a Treasure Chest, and when this shindig is going to take place.

As with Loot Offs, never-before-seen goodies will be discovered. This Loot Off will introduce new Phyrran pals to our Duelists- and they are festively deadly. Though they may look like harmless pieces of fiesta fun, their bite is definitely worse than their bark.. or moo.. or squeak. Check out one of your future friends below, and we hope to see you at the Loot Off tomorrow at 2pm EDT!

It’s  been a busy day in Phyrra!

Master Smith Voldur wandered the universe for centuries gaining wisdom and knowledge pertaining to item enchantment. Accompanied by his apprentices, Molov the Destroyer and Estaron the Enchanter, Voldur arrived in Phyrra and introduced a new system of energy extraction and enchantment with out latest set release, Noble Set VI.

Duelists can destroy items and have their essence transformed in to special Crystals. These Crystals are fused with specially-designed items, allowing the Duelist to enhance the item’s core set of attributes- be it Speed, Strength, Perception, Intelligence, Resist, or Stamina, it’s the Duelist’s choice in how to further develop the item.

Learn more about Noble Set VI, and the rest of today’s update, by visiting our Update Notes.

That’s not all the juicy news for today. After a gruesome showdown for the World Duels Championship title, Exponential and OJ Simpson were given the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind artifact items. Today marked the world premiere of their cutting-edge custom pieces! Exponential’s Antithesis of Thought is electrifying and sure to spark a following among the Mage scene, while OJ’s Gloves of Acquittal are brutally effective for Assassins in the Arena.

Tadius and I are also putting together the next volume in Duels Podcasts. This podcast will focus on the lore and stories throughout Phyrra, and special characters in our community.  We’re taking questions, feel free to ask away! Did you miss the first podcast? Check it out here!

Now, get back to fighting!

-Starry

Here’s a copy of the press release sent to the gaming press in regards to Noble Set VI’s launch.

DUELS.COM® GETS ENCHANTED WITH RELEASE OF NOBLE SET VI

Expansion Set Brings Unique Item Count to More than 5000!

June 11, 2009 (AUSTIN, TX) –  For the half a million Duelists battling it out on Duels.com, the online player vs. player (PVP) game developed by Austin game studio Challenge Online Games, Inc. (Challenge Games®), their favorite game just got a touch of magic. Enchantment is just one of the new features to be unveiled in Duels’ latest expansion Noble Set VI upon its release today, June 11, 2009.

With the introduction of enchanting, players will be able to obtain enchantment components by salvaging them from existing weapons and applying those components to enhance new weapons. As with each Noble Set release, new lore will provide more depth to the Duels universe. In Noble Set VI players will gain insight into the Amarian Warrior women, the druidic Fey Hunters and the mysterious Chrono-Watch. Any good Duelist knows his build can only be as good as the items he collects and Noble Set VI introduces more than 250 new Rare, Epic, Legendary and Artifact weapons, as well as new jewelry and trinkets, bringing the total number of unique items in the game to more than 5,000.

With half a million players worldwide, Duels is an online strategy game where players build powerful characters based on physical attributes, battle experience, special abilities and collectible items. Unlike many online strategy games which require hours of grinding play to achieve player power and status, Duels is designed to provide compelling in-depth PVP, head-to-head game play in 10 to 30 minute increments, attracting both hardcore and casual gamers for quick-fix gaming.

Register to play Duels today and receive free items packs at www.duels.com.

About Challenge Games, Inc.

Challenge Games was founded by veteran entrepreneur and gamer Andrew Busey, author of Secrets of the MUD Wizards and creator of one of the first instant messaging applications. Challenge Games currently produces Planetstorm, Warstom, Duels and Baseball Boss – multiplayer web-based games that combine the best features of collectible card games (CCGs) and online roleplaying games, with the convenience of the short-form gaming experience. The company also holds a multi-year licensing agreement with MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball. Challenge Games is based in Austin, TX and is privately held with funding from Sequoia Capitol and Globespan Capital Partners. For more information on Challenge Games, visit www.challengegames.com.

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I hope you are ready, because NSVI is on its way - NEXT WEEK!

That’s right, Noble Set VI will be released on Thursday, June 11th for Members and everyone on June 13th.

Members receive free packs when new sets are launched so become a Member before the 11th to get free packs!

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