Gameplay Types

Game name has changed from Path of Descent to Blackout: Total Darkness.

The gameplay.

Player Development

Experience

One of the most emphasized mechanics of Blackout is the ability to level up a character through the repetition of slaying computer controlled enemies. The character starts at Level 1 and must combat increasingly difficult enemies to increase the player's experience. Once enough experience points have been attained, the character will level up in rank, allowing people to skill different abilities, attributes, and items. After each level up, the number of experience points needed to advance again increases, requiring even more enemies to be slain. Easier enemies will begin to give less experience, while harder ones reward more. Killing many enemies in rapid succession will also earn bonus experience.

Attributes

Blackout has three attribute stats: Strength, Agility, Intilgence. Attribute points are automatically added when the character gains a level. Items in Blackout will not have attribute requirements. Stats can also be enhanced through equipment.

Skill Allocation

Originally, skill allocation acted in much the same fashion as it did in the all famous Diablo II, with low-level skills acting as prerequisites for more powerful abilities, these abilities are sorted into tiers. Each tier features several skills from which the player can choose. Certain skills have a few prerequisite requirements to unlock. Higher skill tiers are unlocked as the character levels up. The total amount of top tier skills you can have active at once is 5. In addition, the player will be allowed to enable up to 12 passive skills (formerly known as Traits). The player will begin the game with only 1 active skill and no passives. The other active skill slots can be unlocked at levels 6, 12, 18, and 24, and the 12 passive skill slots are unlocked at levels 4, 10, 20, and 30 (unlock 3 at a time) There is no penalty for changing skills.