I consider myself a Champion even though I have alt of different classes. It is the way I tend to be in real life and fits my personality. With that said I was disappointed not to hear any conversation in kin chat or else where of the proposed upgrades to the is class. But this is not the case and quite the opposite in my opinion

The Champion is going to receive a trait bonus and (one of my favorites) the ability to release the Storm of Death (has a great ring to it don’t you think?). It will be based on having the right trait set equipped making the Champion an even more lethal damage dealer. The three trait sets are The Deadly Storm, The Berserker and The Martial Champion. Here is synopsis of the three.

The Deadly Storm

Area of effect damage is one of the Champion’s signature abilities and this Trait Set is all about improving the Champion’s ability to unleash the deadly storm. The set includes all of the old traits that modify AoE skills like, Stalwart Blade and Eye of the Storm.

The Bezserker

This Trait Set focuses on the Champion’s strike skills for single target damage. There were already almost enough traits like Vicious Strikes and Deadly Strikes to not need many new traits to fill the Trait Set. I did manage to slip in one trait that reduces the cooldown for the Champion’s Sprint skill.

The Martial Champion

This Trait Set covers the defensive side of the Champion. Old favorites like Heavy Shields and Braced against Defeat are included in this Trait Set. There are also a few new traits like Controlled Fury, that formally allows Ardent Flurry and Glorious Exchange to both work normally while using Controlled Burn. (The previous loophole for using these skills in Controlled Burn has been closed).

I am definitely the most exciting about The Deadly Storm. As a player who does not like to reslot traits just to do a specific thing (ie..tank) it seems the best fit form my style; inflict as much pain as possible in the shortest amount of time. Imagine, having zero pip cost to Fervour and all your skills are awaiting to do their civic duty of Kill everything. No more hitting with one big skill, using smaller skills until Fervour regenerates then being able to a big skill again. It’s the math I like:

Bigg Skill + Bigg Skill + Bigg Skill = Dead Target.

There has also been changes to the class runes. Much needed IMO. The upgrades will allow a Champion to use both a bow and rune because the rune can be slotted in a class slot instead of the bow slot. No more quick slotting bow There will also be new runes… the “new Runes that [will] increase [a Champions] abilities the more you adventure with them”.

All this has me excited to be a Champion and to level up to 60! Woot…see ya in Middle Earth.