Inquisitor: Martyr adding a new Class, the Hierophant, coming Oct 17

[N1SB]

 

Inquisitor: Martyr is adding a new class, the Hierophant, coming October 17, 2024.  Revealed in the Skulls Showcase just now.

 

 

+++ Some Fun Background +++

 

There's a bit of a backstory, development-wise.  Ever since the game was released, there was 1 frequent fan-request: make a playable Commissar/Commander class who brings his own squad of Imperial Guardsmen/Inquisition Stormtroopers.  We were playing these Independent Characters of Assassins, Crusaders, Psykers, but players wanted a squad-based experience.  There were already missions in the game where your Inquisitor character takes charge of a unit, give them simple commands like "hold position HERE, behind this barricade."  So it wasn't a stretch.

 

The problem was such an Astra Militarum class felt TOO close a fit, like it was redundant.  An Inquisitor using his authourity to take command of Guardsmen was interesting, a Commissar/Commander doing the same is like "what was the point of even joining the Inquisition, then?"  Then there's other established mechanics like there's a Puritan/Radical alignment system, and while you can have Puritan/Radical Commissar/Commander, it didn't have the same gravitas as, say, a very Puritan Crusader or very Radical Psyker.

 

The Hierophant is an interesting way to thread that needle.  He's still of course a leadership figure, but it's like how in 40k a Priest can join a unit of Guardsmen, just a way to give him more flavour.  We heard about this early this year and I thought at the time, and I thought at the time "oh, clever, this weaves together what fans want with the dev's vision."  It's a better fit thematically for a game that's focused on not just 40k, but Inquisitors specifically.  A calculated design decision, I think, and the right one imho.

 

In short, the devs gave the fans what they wanted, but not what they asked for.  It's a clever twist to fans' requests.

 

 

+++ Interesting Game Mechanics +++

 

I loved how they added the previous class, the Sororitas.  She's not just powerful in-game, but she plays like how she should, with ZEAL.  It was a very simple design choice: early on, they gave her class this temporary Armour of Faith option where she gets this burst of temporary hitpoints at the start of a fight.  It's like she runs on sheer guts, and it's not so much to encourage an aggressive playstyle, but that you are rewarded for taking leaps of faith.  You play like how a Sister of Battle should act.  She's not "the best", but always punches way above her weight.

 

So what'll standout with the Hierophant?  It's early, but I can tell it'll be how you can "gear up retinue members".  While I anticipate his squaddies will have a limited selection, like just lasguns or autoguns, this is a game changer.  Being an action RPG, a lot of the game is about setting up your equipment, like socketing weapons with upgrades (in other games, it's gems, in this one it's psalm codes) that dramatically buff them.  You usually get way more loot than you could use, like special unique stuff...but now you can pass them on to your retinue instead.

 

That'll also be what distinguishes this class from the Techpriest, who was a pet summoner class.  That simple line about gearing up your retinue is HUGE.

 

I thought the Sororitas was already perfect for me, like I thought I would never play another class again.  I think they just proved me wrong with the Hierophant.  The Sororitas is still my favourite early- to mid-game, but by the endgame, when you've accumulated a lot of resources, the Hierophant makes fuller use of that because he's got a whole team that can make better use of all that loot the other classes simply can't (you can only carry 2 weapons at the same time, right).  Instead of cookie cutter builds, this is like a whole new dimension of options.

 

Very interesting reveal.  But to manage expectations, the Hierophant is probably best for those who want to play the long game.  Very interesting, this.

Edited May 23 by N1SB

[vadersson]

I am thrilled to see that this old game is still getting so much support.  I too look forward to the new class.  I love summoner classes, and this one does look interesting.

[beefeb]

delighted to hear this.  i love this game and still play it a lot.

[Warden-Paints]

The game is great, but everytime my connection dips it kicks me out. Being online only really killed it for me. 

[phandaal]

6 hours ago, Warden-Paints said:

The game is great, but everytime my connection dips it kicks me out. Being online only really killed it for me. 

 

They actually just launched an Offline mode last week I think. And agreed, it is so much nicer to not have to worry about connection quality and stability in a game like this.

[Osteoclast]

4 hours ago, phandaal said:

 

They actually just launched an Offline mode last week I think. And agreed, it is so much nicer to not have to worry about connection quality and stability in a game like this.

Haven’t tested it yet, but hopefully it’ll take care of that weird bug that messed with certificates, had to use a different user profile on machine to connect to the server. 

[sitnam]

I hope the consoles get the new class at the same time as PC this time around. Really fun lil Diablo clone

[Warden-Paints]

On 5/28/2024 at 7:55 PM, phandaal said:

 

They actually just launched an Offline mode last week I think. And agreed, it is so much nicer to not have to worry about connection quality and stability in a game like this.

 

That's awesome news, I may jump back in this weekend