9D: First US PK Server Asura Now Open

Acclaim releases its first PK Server... "Asura"

Greetings Disciples,

Those on high are pleased to announce that the PK Server you requestedis now open. We hope that those players who enjoy combat betweenthemselves and other players will enjoy this latest option. Please bearin mind that this is still Open Beta as we continue to fine tuneAsura's settings for a pleasurable PK experience. For thoseinexperienced with PK, we highly recommend you thoroughly read the Player Vs. Player guidebefore selecting a PK server as your character's home. You will findthe Player Vs. Player guide to PK on our message board under GAME GUIDEas the final entry.

The basics of PK are as follows:

PK is short for Player Kill Mode in 9Dragons and it refers to astyle of game play in which players can engage in combat with otherplayers without advanced warning or consent. It is distinguished fromnormal play, or Pleasant Mode, where combat can only be initiated as aDuel between players with mutual consent.

PK Zone refers to any area or map in The Land where PK Combat may be initiated between players without warning or consent.

Upon transition to a PK Zone, a warning sign will appear thatreads, “Your mode can be switched to Combat mode without your intentionin this area. Do you still want to move?” You may then decide to acceptor decline moving to that new area or map.

What is a PK Server?
A PK Server is a dedicated server in which PK Mode is widelyavailable across many maps. The areas in which PK Mode is enabled mayvary from server to server.

Pleasant Server vs. PK Server?
The beginning player may ask themselves, on which type of servershall I play? Pleasant or PK? The question is somewhat philosophical,grasshopper, and the answer is up to you. Some players prefer aPleasant Server, knowing that they will spend the greater portion oftheir combat time fighting against the thousands of unique NPC(Non-Player Character) monsters that 9Dragons has to offer. One canstill engage in combat with other players in specially designated DuelGrounds, in areas like the marketplace in Hefei, or the GrandTournament that is currently under development for Beijing.

Others seek the “anything goes” atmosphere of a PK Server, where combat can be initiated without warning by rival clansmen.

Server choice is an important consideration for many players,because a character cannot currently be moved from one server toanother, although this feature may be added in the future as a service.It is therefore recommended that you ask the advice of other players onour message boards, or experiment on different types of servers withvarious characters, to discover which mode of game play is preferablefor you.

PK Zones are a natural part of The Land
PK is part of the 9Dragons experience, and therefore PK Zonesexists even on Pleasant Servers, but only in a few specially designatedareas. On the very lowest settings, currently employed on both theNIRVANA (US) and BARDO (EU) servers, which are Pleasant Servers, thereare currently 3 PK Zones. They are…

Bloody Plain is the mysterious desert terrain (once an Oasis) wherethe Final Duel of The War of Nine Dragons was fought. Bloody Plain isalso the designated area where Black & White Wars are held betweenthe disciples of Black and White Clans.

The Cave of The Conqueror is a dungeon located in the center ofBloody Plain, reportedly filled with lost treasures. Those who arevictorious during Black & White Wars are granted access to thisdungeon’s lower depths.

Liaodong is a new map coming soon, and at least a portion of itwill be designated PK to allow players to participate in a brand newfeature of 9Dragons called Storm vs. Storm.

The new ASURA (US) Server will have PK Mode enabled from Level III,which means all maps beyond the six clan starter areas, Hefei, and bothShi Zhang and Zhengzhou will be designated PK Zones.