Lineage 2: Q&A with Aaron Rigby

Aaron Rigby, the North American Producer for Lineage II was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions regarding the mechanics of sieging a castle.

Warcry: What does it take to qualify to "siege" a castle? (ex. does your clan need to be a certain size, already own clan housing, be of an average level, etc)

Aaron:: To participate in a Siege, a player needs to be a member of a Clan that has reached at least level 4.

Warcry: How are they scheduled? We've heard they are arranged only for the weekends but should the clan being sieged not be available, can alternate times be arranged?

Aaron: The time and day for the next siege is actually set by the Castle Lord, with restrictions. Upon taking possession of a castle, or after successfully defending a castle, the Castle Lord has 24 hours to set the schedule for the next siege. The siege must occur within the following two weeks, and is restricted to weekends.

Warcry: How does one register for a siege?

Aaron: Defenders are registered automatically once the siege time is set and defense assistance from other clans can be obtained through the leader of the Clan currently controlling the castle or nearby NPCs. Attackers can register for participation by conversing with NPCs in the castle area. Also, registering as attacker or defender must be done by the clan leader. This is one of the few abilities that cannot be delegated to clan sub-ordinates. Unregistered players can also participate by entering the area during the siege, but would be considered open targets to both attackers and defenders.

Warcry: What if the challenged clan doesn't respond, do they forfeit their property?

Aaron: Since the defenders are the party setting the next siege date for their property, their response is automatic. Of course, if no one shows up to defend, it'll be a fairly short siege.

Warcry: How is the area of battle determined?

Aaron: The battlefield is a predetermined area of land surrounding the castle. This is essentially an area where players will not incur any PvP penalties during siege-time and can establish defenses of their own.

Warcry: We've seen a flag that is somehow involved in the siege. Can you explain?

Aaron: What you've seen is likely the Siege Encampment. This is an area created by an attacking clan that's used for quickly regenerating HP of injured characters and provides a re-spawn point for clan members that are killed in battle.

Warcry: Should you be killed, how long until you can re-enter the fray? Or can you?

Aaron: Defenders will respawn within the castle after a short period of time. Attackers will respawn in the town that is the second closest to the castle being sieged, or at an encampment set up in the battlefield by their clan.

Warcry: What determines a win vs a loss?

Aaron: There's an artifact within the castle that an attacking clan leader needs to 'convert' to his side which grants him control of that castle. Since the siege lasts 2 hours, the castle can change hands several times. The winner is whichever side controls the artifact at the end of those two hours.

Thank you to Aaron for taking the time to answer these questions and Leilo for facilitating it.