Guild Wars Nightfall Exclusive Profile Preview - The Paragon and the Dervish Professions

Forget "campaign 3." The next chapter in the Guild Wars franchise now has a name: Nightfall. Like Guild Wars Factions, Nightfall is a stand-alone chapter in the Guild Wars online role-plaing saga and it will introduce a new continent to explore, new gameplay features to experience, and two new professions to play with. We got our first glimpse of Nightfall during the Electronic Entertainment Expo and learned that this chapter is set in a North Africa-like setting, with sun-drenched coastlines and dry, desert interiors.

Like the original Guild Wars and Factions, Nightfall follows ArenaNet's interesting pricing model. You'll purchase Nightfall like you would a regular game, but it won't require any monthly subscription to play online. And you won't require any of the previous Guild Wars games to play Nightfall, though if you do own them, you'll be able to transfer your existing characters about the ever-growing Guild Wars world.

Nightfall has actually begun its beta test, and ArenaNet plans to hold an "open house" for current Guild Wars players between July 28 and 30. You'll be able to check out this new chapter yourself, as well as create characters based on the two new professions in Nightfall. And without further delay, we have the details on what you'll be able to play as. If ArenaNet sticks to its six-month publishing schedule for chapters, then we should see Nightfall ship later this year.

The Paragon
The paragon isn't meant to be a frontline fighter. Instead, the paragon is best suited in a support role as a battle commander, capable of supporting teammates by throwing spears and using verbal chants and shouts that can boost the fighting abilities of those nearby. And the paragon's angelic nature isn't just aesthetic, as this profession's presence can help teammates resist hexes and other curses.

It's easy to identify paragons on the battlefield, thanks to their angelic look. Even the paragon's armor is saintly in appearance, thanks to the incorporation of ivory and mother of pearl in its materials. And if that weren't enough, a paragon's metal armor usually has the form of wings engraved in it. It's no wonder that the Elonians in the game believe that paragons are guardian angels sent by the gods to serve as champions for the people.

The Dervish
If the paragon is best while standing back from a fight, the dervish is at home in the heart of one. These holy warriors are capable of striking at multiple targets simultaneously with their wicked scythes. Of course, they're armed with a whirling, spinning attack that's perfect for when in the middle of a bunch of foes. Dervishes can also cast spells on themselves that aid in their assault, and the profession has various healing and protection abilities as well. The profession's most powerful ability, however, is to temporarily transform into the physical embodiment of a god.

Since the profession is part warrior and part priest, dervishes are clad in robes rather than armor. Protection comes mainly from the dervish's agility in battle, as well as the various protection enhancements and spells. In addition to the robe, dervishes are equipped with bracers on their arms, and they're constantly hooded to show their humility to their gods.