Change is always a good thing. Although, sometimes tedious, the rewards of changing makes up for all the trouble one has gone through for it. This maybe what the developers of Dungeons and Dragons Online have in mind everytime they dish out their consistent weekly updates just to satisfy the cravings of their gaming community. So, here are the new things you could expect from DDO.

Performance

• We are making some changes to the Twilight Forge to improve performance.

General

• NEW - The House Kundarak banking system will be opening a new branch in the harbor inside the Harbormaster's House.
• NEW - Tell messages will be displayed in all chat windows by default (for new characters and new chat tabs).
• NEW - Fixing a problem with the Mail UI that causes attached items to not display.
• Loot messages from other players will be tagged as loot messages and can be filtered out.
• Players will no longer get stuck while dismounting from ladders.

Monsters

• NEW - Wildmen will apply the feeblemind effect less often, generally on critical hits and/or their special leap attack.
• NEW - The effects caused by the warforged quori humanoids in the WFT area will no longer produce FX. Previously this on-damage effect could slow down performance due to the spam of visualized effects.
• Improved the dragon's spellcasting AI and line of sight recognition. For more information on possible changes to the dragon, please read this thread.
• Melee oriented Troglodytes will move closer to their targets - they should no longer attempt to make melee attacks from out of range.

The full list of DDO weekly development updates await after the jump!

Since its launch last February, DDO (Dungeons and Dragons Online) is on a roll. In fact, its Executive Producer James Jones says that plans to expand to Japan and China are already underway. Speaking of plans, they are working on major game updates, but Jones has kept mum on the full-fledged expansion which is rumored to be out this year.

Hardcore Dungeons and Dragons fans will be quite pleased to know that DDO has remained true to its D&D roots. According to Jones, "this game is different. If you like D&D, you’ll really enjoy DDO, If you like RPG’s, you’ll really enjoy DDO, if you like action adventure, you’ll really enjoy DDO, and if you like MMOs, you really have to try this – you will find it hard to play any other MMO combat after you’ve played DDO." Interestingly, Jones says that the community of players helps dictate where the game is going to go. Which is neat, really. DDO players have the choice to shape how the story goes, instead of just waiting for the story to unfold.

If you can recall, the Solo option was featured in D&D last month, where players can spend more quality time with their characters before joining in group quests. The Solo mode could also be configured according to each player's expertise (Normal, Hard and Elite), such that beginners wouldn't be faced with really intimidating monsters. And you may be acquainted with the Twilight Forge module already, as we have featured it recently in one of our articles.

Although Jones had kept us in the dark regarding future plans for the game, we could expect that those plans are gonna blow our minds. And don't worry, we'll keep you abreast on DDO news and updates the minute we get our hands on them.

It's a good thing that developers are constantly trying to make Dungeons and Dragons Online better via the numerous updates they make on the game. Even though players have encountered (many) downtime because of several updates, the game's all good.

Here now is a rundown of what changes to expect in the next scheduled update of DDO:

Performance

• Changes are being made to the Twilight Forge Module to improve performance.

General

• Filtering out loot messages from other players will now be possible by tagging them as loot messages.
• Players won't get stuck dismounting from ladders anymore.

Monsters

• The dragon's line of sight recognition and spellcasting AI have improved.
• NEW - Melee-oriented Troglodytes will not make attacks from out of range; they'll be moving closer to their targets.

Combat

• NEW - The critical threat range will not be doubled on the 4th swing combo anymore.
• NEW - Wildmen bestowed feeblemind now curable by restoration.

Items

• As per the Players Handbook, vorpal weapons will behead monsters; players must roll a natural 20 and confirm crit to vorpal targets.
• NEW - Niac's Cold Ray and Knock scrolls will be available at Lorna Wyrmtouched, Arcane Scroll Vendor
• NEW - Featherfall-casting items will get usability upgrade. These items will use a self-only version of Featherfall and will be fast-casting.
• NEW - The "of Destruction" weapon effect will now reduce the target's AC by 4 on the first hit. No saving throw for this effect now.
• NEW - The names for Seeker +1, Seeker+2, etc. items will be changed to be consistent with effect naming conventions (those renamed will match the bonus they give, Seeker+2, Seeker+4, etc.).
• NEW - Laina the Excoriated will close her shop window properly now.
• The Freedom of Movement effect on the Kundarak Delving Boots won't ward the Mummy's Despair ability or the Beholder's petrify eye beam. It will ward the movement effects of Storm Giant weather control.

Spells

• NEW - Developers are currently fixing the dispel effects that cause much harder dispels from the Dispel Magic.

Quests

• NEW - Gnarl's Tomb - Old Gnarl's ghost will open his door after a fight if he dispatches any would-be thieves. This will allow parties to attempt him again without resetting the dungeon.
• NEW - Restless Isles - The Runetust Commander won't speak to players anymore when he dies; developers are also fixing the repetitive DM text of several encounters.

We'll keep you posted on the latest Dungeons and Dragons Online news.

Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach (DDO) Community Relations Manager Victor Wachter (aka Sporkfire), is calling on loyal fans of the MMO to help update the DDO Manual. This is in line with DDO's plan to update the official site and make it a more complete resource page for players looking for information about the game. While some gamers usually like to "wing it" while adventuring into the massive world of DDO, some gamers seek clear and complete instructions on playing the game. Yes, folks, that's what the manuals are for.

Sporkfire has started a thread at the DDO forum to allow players to post issues that they feel should have more detailed information. There's nobody better to help than hordes of DDO players who have logged long hours playing the game. DDO is also interested in information that are incorrectly listed in the manual.

So, whether you spot an incorrect info or you simply want an expanded info on existing features, head on to the DDO forum and let the DDO Team know about the things that have been causing those sleepless nights.

With the release of Twilight Forge (Module 2) enhancements, we expected Dungeons & Dragons Online to feature more exciting gameplay. But as with all new enhancements, there are still some problems with the Twilight Forge Module.

The developers have looked into these issues and are already trying to fix them. Here are the said issues with DDO's Twilight Forge (Module 2):

• We are aware that certain items (like Chill Shard) have had their quantity increased from 1 to 50. We are trying to fix this now.
• Two spells that should be self-only are currently being cast as part of the Patron system (Divine Favor and Shield). This will be fixed as soon as possible.
• The Coin Lords' Patron Representative in the Marketplace gives unclear directions. His dialog will be changed to read:

          Part 1: "As a token of his esteem, Lord Berrigan Enge is authorizing you to carry a rare magical item in your day-to-day travels: Lang's Bag of Holding! Very handy, I must say. I should get one myself! You can now hold more items in your inventory."

          Part 2: "Lord Grospic, to his credit, is unwilling to be outdone by Berrigan's generosity. He requisitioned the services of a master enchanter, the great Ryo Silerbrow. If you bring him a damaged vessel, say a portable hole, he can repair it and make it usable. Find Ryo near Harbormaster Zinn's home."

• It is possible that you won't have the keys you need to progress through the Restless Isles adventure area, since this is a large multi-part instance and the doors can reset. Please be sure to check your inventory to make sure you have a key before you try to teleport to a base further into the adventure area or try to enter a new quest. If you are missing a key, simply recall back to the Foothold and obtain another key.
• AOE spells are not applying their crits correctly (if you take the new line of enhancements for spellcasters).
• "You can turn loot messages on and off." is not working as intended. Toggling this option turns off your loot messages and not your party members'.
• The DM voiceovers are not working for some of the new quests.
• Players who already have enough faction to gain a favor rank (from retroactive favor) will not receive the in-game letter from their Patron. You will still be able to advance in rank, you just won't get the congratulatory letter.
• There is a graphical issue where the new Wall of Fire spell can get "stuck" on objects and doesn't appear to reach down to the floor. This is a graphical issue only – monsters running into the Wall of Fire will still take damage.
• If you die and you get too far away from your soulstone and then, instead of snapping back to your soulstone you see a teleport screen, a "failed teleport" message, and you suddenly resurrect with 1 HP you should abandon the quest as you have entered a bugged state and will not be able to continue with your current adventure. This can only happen in a few places within the world, so if it happens to you we would find it helpful if you would return to the place your soulstone dropped, use the /loc command, take a screenshot, and then send the screenshot to ddobugs@turbine.com.

Hopefully, DDO developers get these issues addressed so that players can finally enjoy the game more.

We know you've all been waiting to know what's going to be happening with Dungeons & Dragons Online Stormreach, especially with the Twilight Forge Module scheduled for release July 12.

Here's your chance to join the DDO Stormreach dev team and finally get the chance to ask the developers about the future of DDO (or you can just join in if you're a fan of the game).

Chatting with the Dungeons & Dragons Online Stormreach dev team will be possible via the IRC Dev Chat with Stratics House of Commons which will be happening on Thursday, July 13.

This the time for all you DDO Stormreach enthusiasts to get in touch with the developers with your questions and suggestions, so see you there.

Fans have noticed that Dungeons & Dragons Online continues to grow and improve, with recent updates like Module 2. Now, D&D is offering new content filled with new items and creatures.

The official website says that players can visit new dungeon areas like Baudry Cartamon’s Shipping Warehouse, Ghola Fan’s Compound, The Shrieking Mines, and The Twilight Forge.

To access the Restless Isles, lower-level players should tag along with their veteran friends, since the recommended levels are 7-10.

The Restless Isles will contain some of the toughest challenges in the D&D world. New creatures like the Ogre Mage (pictured at left) are included in this module. New loot and items are also available for the taking!

So get your game on!

In an interview with Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach (DDO) Executive Producer James Jones has revealed that a PvP feature is in the works and will likely coincide with the Houses of Stormreach tournaments lined up for the MMO.

One curious Arthineous (a DDO forum member) has questioned the sudden change of heart on the PvP feature. Fully 85% of DDO forum members have expressed their disapproval of PvP. Obviously the move on the part of DDO developers is not based on player votes.

DDO Community Relations Manager Sporkfire (aka Victor Wachter) has joined the DDO forum discussion to shed some light, albeit minimal, on the issue of PvP.

Without going into specifics, Sporkfire has assured players that PvP will not impact regular gameplay. He added, We won't balance dungeon combat for the sake of PvP. Any necessary balance changes will be in the PvP Arenas themselves, and not in the PVE game. Also, you will never be in a situation where you were happy doing your own thing, when somebody comes along and ganks you to steal all your gear. That's only fun for one person in the encounter, and we all agree that it sucks.

Sporkfire got into a bit of a "justifying" mode when he said that one of the cool things about PvP is that it can be used with Eberron setting as another means to gain favor of the different houses. PvP rankings will serve as another metric for achievements, in addition to experience, loot, and currency.

In an effort to convince the forum that PvP is A-OK, he said, It's also another activity to do between adventures, and if you have been following our discussions on future plans, you know we have a lot of those kinds of things in development. PvP, crafting, tavern games, social tools and all that are all part of the plan to provide lots of reasons to visit and live in Stormreach.