The developers responsible for Atlantica Online continue their journal series this week with a behind-the-scenes peek at another of the game's D-class mercenaries, the Shaman.

Whether you're a fan of Atlantica Online or have merely toyed with the idea of playing the game, it's easy to see the appeal in this genre-twisting, turn-based strategy MMO. For the last few weeks, the ZAM staff has been publishing developer journals featuring information concerning the game's initial D-class mercenaries, and this week we're focused on the Shaman. 

Unlike most MMOs, you'll be controlling a whole cadre of these mercenaries, so read up and check out the latest on Atlantica Online's Shaman!

According to Atlantica lore, young shrine maidens had the ability to convey messages from the gods. They practiced tirelessly, grew spiritually and eventually became mystical Shamans. Equipped with a staff and the power to conjure magical spells, the Shaman is the fifth and final mercenary that can be recruited before you embark on your adventure. The Shaman is a D-class, magic-type mercenary and the direct counterpart to the staff-wielding Hero.

The Shaman will be your main source of healing during the early levels of the game. Her primary spell, Blessing of Life, is a spell that heals your entire party for a considerable amount of health. The Shaman has low Vitality and Attack Power, so you will have to arrange your mercenaries strategically to ensure her protection.

A secondary skill in her repertoire is Brutal Will, a buff that increases Action Power, Attack Power and increases the chance to perform consecutive attacks from your mercenaries. The Shaman also has an offensive skill in her arsenal called Hex of Darkness, a dark-magic spell that targets the enemy’s entire party. It deals damage over time and can also be combined with the Swordsman’s Dark Seed spell to cast Hell Flame, resulting in a devastating attack that can hit two targets in a column.

Once you reach level 76, you will have the option to use the services of another magic-type mercenary with great healing abilities—the Oracle. Many of the Oracle’s spells will be a direct upgrade to the powers of the Shaman, so players will commonly switch her out for the Oracle at that stage. But there is one skill that is unique to the Shaman. Called Noble Sacrifice, it is a powerful healing spell that is cast at the expense of the life of your Shaman. In addition, your whole party will regain incremental health over a period of two turns, so it can be invaluable in pressure situations.

Noble Sacrifice has been scaled down in recent months due to its sheer effectiveness, so Shamans aren’t as prevalent in higher level play. Still you may see an occasional spike build (a formation designed to deal damage in bursts) in the Free Leagues who effectively utilize Noble Sacrifice and win matches by taking advantage of the time limits. (In Free League battles determined by time, the team with the most health emerges victorious.)

The hero-counterpart to the Shaman is a whole different beast. Unlike the mercenary, the Shaman-main is very versatile and is not limited to her healing abilities. She has two of the strongest AoE attacks in the game in Evanescent Scud and Flame Blow. In addition, she can cast Mana Shield, a passive debuff that essentially allows the Shaman-main to tank, as health is restored in exchange for mana. So the Shaman-main works off of a different set of strategies and can be a force to be reckoned with.

Next week, we will begin to round up the remaining D-class mercenaries, starting with the Monk. So stick around as we delve into more mercenaries!