Paladins (video game)

Paladins: Champions of the Overwatch ripoff
Developer(s)	Hi-Rez Studios(not blizzard
Publisher(s)	Hi-Rez Studios(not blizzard
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s)	OS X Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 Xbox One
Release	Open Beta(ripoff
Genre(s)	First-person shooter, Overwatch Ripoff
Mode(s)	Multiplayer

Paladins, is a free-to-play team-based multiplayer first-person shooter video game released in open beta on 16 September 2016 as an early access product by Hi-Rez Studios. Within a week of its release on Steam, the game had attracted 5,500,000 downloads according to Steam Spy and was one of the top 10 most popular games by concurrent users on the service.

In response to accusations that the game is an Overwatch clone, Hi-Rez COO Todd Harris said that "Overwatch was not the inspiration for Paladins", and "the game that deserves the most credit is Team Fortress 2".

Closed beta began on November 17, 2015. The game officially went into open beta on September 16, 2016.

Gameplay

Paladins is a team-based first-person shooter that focuses on two teams of five players each competing for combat-based objectives. The game is set in a colorful sci-fi fantasy setting where each player chooses from one of twenty Champions. Each Champion has their own unique weapons, abilities and fighting style. In addition, the Champions can be augmented and customized from a deck building card system. Champions are organized into four different types: Front Line, Damage, Support and Flank. Each Champion has a main weapon, three abilities and an Ultimate ability.

Game modes

The current available game modes are (due to OB44): Siege, Payload, PvE, Survival and Test Map (same like Siege Mode but with unconfirmed maps).

Classes and characters

Players have a choice of up to 22 characters to choose from which fall under four categories that the game encourages players to mix and match between to gain a competitive advantage against the opposing team. This metagaming strategy is especially important in the competitive mode where one character may not be chosen twice by any team and players must choose the characters that would gain a competitive edge against their opposition.

Front line

These characters serve at the forefront to capture or defend the objective. Front line characters are sturdy and come with a range of measures to protect their teammates and themselves in the thick of battle.

Barik

Like most of his kin, Barik (voiced by Brad Venable) is loud, obnoxious, and lacks subtlety. All traits that serve him well in his profession as a Ruins Raider. No shrine, temple, or crypt is safe if Barik is around. Using devices of his own invention, and with an eye to turn a profit, Barik plunders all, and has made a name for himself in Crosswind Hold.

Barik's title is the Ruins Raider and his main attack weapon is a short range blunderbuss shooting 13 pellets every second. His abilities are Barricade, a shield that lasts four seconds, Turret, build up to two turrets, Rocket Boots, a guided rocket charge lasting one second. Barik's Ultimate ability is Dome Shield which deploys a Dome Shield for 6 seconds with a flamethrower turret inside.

Fernando

It takes a special kind of man to appoint his own Knighthood, and Fernando (J. Michael Tatum) is that man. Hailing from the golden cliffs of Sun Spire, Fernando travels to Crosswind Hold to spread word of his fame and glory. If there's a damsel in distress, Fernando is there.

Fernando's title is the Self-Appointed Knight and his main attack weapon is a short range flamethrower. His abilities are Shield lasting up to 10 seconds, Fireball shoots a ball of fire causing damage, Charge dashes forward dealing damage. His Ultimate ability is Immortal, which causes Fernando and all allies within 70 units to not be brought below 1500 HP for four seconds.

Makoa

Makoa's title is the Ancient. He shoots a cannonball as his main weapon. His abilities are Dredge Anchor throws an anchor at an enemy and reels them in and marks them for the next attack, Shell Shield projects a shield that last four seconds, Shell Spin causes Makoa to go into his shell and spin forward knocking back any enemies. His Ultimate ability is Ancient Rage. This causes Makoa to drop his cannon and hits enemies with his anchor.

Ruckus

Upon his death, the majestic Elven King Boltanas bound his soul into the blade T'lonmar, so that he might forever defend his kingdom from the Goblin Hordes of Ozmendar. Ruckus found his blade, melted it down, and built his war machine from it. Many think being bound to a goblin would be insufferable, and "Bolt" would agree... and he makes sure Ruckus never forgets it.

Ruckus' title is the Worst of Friends. His main weapons are Miniguns. These weapons fire incredibly fast with medium range. His abilities are Emitter which creates an energy shield around himself, Repulsor Field projects a defensive energy impulse from his mech that protects nearby allies, Advance allows Ruckus to jet quickly in the direction he is moving. His Ultimate ability is Hexa Fire which reveals two additional miniguns that deal additional damage to enemies.

Torvald

Torvald's title is the Runic Sage. His weapon is a gauntlet that fires continuous beam of runic energy. His abilities are Recharge which allows him to regenerate his Shield per second or absorb an enemy shield's health for his own, Projection projects a protective shield on an ally for 2 seconds, Runic Blast, a short-range blast that silences and disarms enemies and his ultimate Hyper Beam which enables him to release the latent power of his gauntlet, firing a powerful runic blast for a short duration that knockbacks enemies.

Damage

Damage characters are highly effective at bringing down other champions.

Bomb King

Bomb King's title is His Majesty. He throws a sticky bomb that will stick to any surface with a maximum of six out at once. His abilities are Detonate causes all of his sticky bombs to explode at once, Grumpy Bomb throws a large bomb that grows for three seconds and then explodes causing damage, Poppy Bomb sticks to any surface and when detonated applies a knockback. His Ultimate ability is King Bomb which causes Bomb King to roll for five seconds and then detonate dealing damage, stunning enemies and knocking yourself back.

Cassie

Raised in Cobalt Keep and daughter to the legendary huntmaster Arturos, Cassie (Lindsay Seidel) snuck away from home to find adventure and freedom. Armed with her Father's crossbow and joined by her childhood companion Zigs, Cassie enters the lands of Crosswind Hold ready for any challenge.

Cassie's title is the Hunter's Daughter and her main weapon is a crossbow. Her abilities are Disengage which causes damage and blasts the enemy back, Blast Shot fires an explosive projectile that deals damage, Dodge Roll quickly rolls in the direction she is moving. Her Ultimate ability is Scout sends your bird into the sky for 8 seconds revealing enemies to allies.

Drogoz

Drogoz's title is The Greedy. His main weapon is a Rocket Launcher that shoots explosive rockets. His abilities are Fire Spit spits at enemies with flammable saliva causing damage for four seconds, 'Salvo' pre-loads all the rockets in his magazine and releases all in the next fire, 'Thrust' jets Drogoz upward into the air. His Ultimate ability is 'Dragon Punch' which unleashes his fury to deliver a high velocity, high damage punch.

Kinessa

Kinessa (Martha Harms) is the Bounty Hunter. Her main weapon is a Sniper Rifle that fires as an energy carbine or a powerful laser rifle. Kinessa's abilities are Sniper Mode to charge up and fire a long range attack, Oppressor Mine throws out two mines that slow enemies and cause damage, Transporter deploys a transporter that teleports you to its location. Her Ultimate Ability is Headhunter. This allows her to cause additional damage to shots made on enemies.

Sha Lin

Sha Lin's title is the Desert Wind. His main weapon is a Long Bow dealing high ranged damage. His abilities are Impaler Arrow knocks enemies back and stuns them, Planted causes his draw time to be faster and to fire continuously, Withdraw allows him to leap backwards and enter stealth leaving a mirage at your original location. His Ultimate ability is Heat Haze. This allows Sha Lin to enter stealth and greater movement speed for eight seconds.

Viktor

Viktor is the Lone Wolf. His main weapon is an Assault Rifle. His abilities are Iron Sights allowing zooming in and greater accuracy, Frag Grenade throws a fragmentation grenade causing damage, Hustle lowers your weapon and runs faster. His Ultimate ability is Barrage. This allows him to target enemies to guide artillery shells dealing damage to the targeted area.

Tyra

Tyra is the Untamed. Her main weapon is a rifle. Her abilities are Nade Launcher fires a grenade that damages a small area, Fire Bomb hurls an incendiary device that leaves a pool of fire for six seconds, Hunter's Mark marks and reveals an enemy for six seconds. Her Ultimate ability is Crossfire which allows greater attack speed and movement speed.

Support

Support characters fit an auxiliary role and can act in offensive or defensive measures to support front liners and the rest of their team.

Grohk

Grohk known as the Lightning Orc was always a bit... off. He never fit in with the other orcs. In fact, the Fire Tribe cheered when Grohk left. They laughed when he returned, proclaiming himself prophet to Vex, the Lightning God. The tribe stopped laughing when Grohk electrocuted them all. Now, Shaman to the new Lightning Orcs of the Red River, Grohk ventures into Crosswind Hold to interpret the will of Vex.

Grohk's main weapon is a Lightning Staff that creates a channeled beam of lightning. His abilities are Shock Pulse fires a projectile that bounces between enemies dealing damage and slowing them, Healing Totem deploys a totem that heals nearby allies, Ghost Walk causes Grohk to become untargetable and gain movement speed for a short time. His Ultimate ability is Tempest which causes a surge of power that deals damage and slows nearby enemies and heals nearby allies.

Grover

Grover is known as the Wild. His main weapon is a throwing axe. His abilities are Crippling Throw throws an axe dealing damage and crippling affected enemies, Blossom passively heals nearby allies, Vine throws a vine, latching onto the first ally or terrain and pulls Grover towards it. This Ultimate ability is Whirlwind. This ability rapidly heals nearby allies for five seconds.

Mal'Damba

Mal'Damba is known as Wekono's chosen. His main weapon is a Spitting Cobra that fires globs of venom. His abilities are Mending Spirits summons a spirit to enchant an ally with healing, Gourd tosses a gourd full of venom that heals allies and damages enemies, Slither quickly slither forward. His Ultimate ability is Dread Serpent. This ability fires a dark vessel that explodes when it lands damage and causing fear in enemies.

Ying

Ying (Cristina Valenzuela) is known as the Blossom. Her main weapon is an Illusory Mirror that fires a continuous beam that deals damage. Her abilities are Shatter causes all active illusions to shatter and chase down enemies and explode(500 damage/illusion), Illusion creates an illusion that heals a nearby ally, Dimensional Link swaps locations with the furthest illusion. Her Ultimate ability is Illusory Rift that spawns a prism on every ally healing them.

Pip

The secret to making liquid fire has long been guarded by the Alchemists of the Iron Shrine, lest it fall into hands that would turn it to war and profit. Pip is those hands. Those tiny, tiny hands. Having stolen his gear from the Alchemists, Pip races to make a name for himself in Crosswind Hold, before the Iron Shrine catches up to him.

Pip is known as the Fire Thief. His main weapon is a Potion Launcher that fires volatile potions that explode dealing an area on impact damage. His abilities are Exploding Flask that fires an explosive flask that deals damage and slows enemies, Healing Potion throws a healing potion to heal allies when it explodes, Weightless allows Pip to jump higher for three seconds. His Ultimate ability is Evil Mojo that throws a flask dealing damage to enemies and turns enemies into chickens for four seconds.

Flank

Flankers use subtlety or mobility to get behind the opposing team and strike at their most vulnerable characters, their mobility or stealth allows them to operate without much support.

Androxus

The Nether-realm, deeper and darker, than Hell itself; It is rumored that when a soul enters the realm, it will forever be corrupted. Androxus, the infamous assassin, has been banished to the Realm, for ETERNITY. After years and years of dwelling in the hell-hole, the cunning man learned how to absorb the unpredictable and unstable energy of the Realm. Eventually learning how to channel this energy he escaped the abyss of death and set out to slay the Gods that banished him.

Androxus known as the Godslayer has a six shot revolver as his main weapon. His abilities are Defiance fires a burst of three rounds from the revolver with reduced accuracy, Reversal absorbs all shots from the front and fires a blast dealing damage he absorbed, Nether Step dashes quickly forward in any direction. His Ultimate ability is Accursed Arm. This ability allows Androxus to fly for four seconds and fire four explosive blasts.

Buck

Buck (Joshua Tomar) has a shotgun as his main weapon. His abilities are Net Shot fires a net that shows a target and deals damage, Recovery heals self, Heroic Leap leaps an incredible height and distance. His Ultimate ability is Buck Wild which causes his weapon to deal double damage and instantly resetting all cooldowns and refills ammo.

Skye

Most assassins prefer to remain anonymous, but Skye thrives on the fame, and lives in the center of attention. Trained by fabled monks of Silver Moon, and outcast for violating each of her sacred vows in meticulous order, Skye enters the fight to much speculation. Whoever her next target, wives should be mindful of their husbands, for it's said a single glance from Skye can destroy a man's heart.

Skye (Holly Franklin) known as the Twilight Assassin uses a Wrist Crossbow as her main weapon. Her abilities are Poison Bolt fires three bolts in succession, Smoke Screen creates a cloud of darkness that last five seconds, blocking enemy vision, Hidden enters stealth and gains movement speed. Her Ultimate ability is Time Bomb that places a bomb that deals damage and destroys all shields.

Evie

Prodigy to the archmage of stonebriar, Evie defied her master by using soul magic to bind the ice wraith Xerses forever to her. Gaining great power and becoming immortal, she was outcast for her unholy act. Wandering the north for time untold, no one knows why she has come to Crosswind Hold, and no one dares ask.

Evie's title is the Winter Witch. Her main weapon is an Ice Staff that fires frozen blasts. Her abilities are Ice Block she becomes immune to all damage and slows enemy when Ice Block ends, Blink teleports forward a short distance, Soar take flight for two seconds. Her Ultimate ability is Ice Storm which fires a massive ice storm that slows and cripples targets and deals damage.

Maeve

Titled as Maeve of blades. Maeve was a little child who was raised on the streets, not knowing what's good or bad. She learnt to double jump and dodge to steal. She got very mobile and learnt to use knives. Her basic attack throws 2 knives that deal 450 damage each. Her Q ability is called nine lives and heals her for 500 and give 100% charge to all active cool downs. Her f ability is prowl where she can move faster and jump higher. Her right click makes her dash forward and colliding with an enemy does an attack for 600 damage. Her ultimate is called midnight where all nearby enemies are blind for a couple seconds.

External links

• Paladins official website
• Paladins Sign up and download