Black Desert Online Rings in the Holidays with New Scholar Class, Expansion, and Roadmap

Over the weekend, Black Desert Online developer Pearl Abyss announced a spectrum of things to be happy about this holiday season. From a brand-new class, “Scholar”, to the expansion of their sequel, Land of the Morning Light: Seoul, to a host of improvements that the community has been looking for.

Brand New Class: The Scholar

The Scholar is an alchemist and physicist who controls gravity and wields twin hammers. The Scholar has set out into the sprawling continent of Black Desert to find a cure for the plague that’s ravaging the land. In that search, she’s learned to manipulate gravity, using it to protect herself and unleash a destructive force on any who might stand in her way.

Unlike most Black Desert classes, Scholar gains access to a second set of skills through “ascension” rather than awakening. Once unlocked, she can wield the Sledgehammer, a two-handed weapon combining two hammers. Using this weapon, the Scholar can manipulate gravity to wield weapons far beyond her normal ability and alter enemy gravity, tilting fights to her advantage. Perhaps even literally.

But there’s more to life than battles and powers that break the laws of physics. There’s also cosmetics. The Magnum Opus will be the exclusive costume for the Scholar, inspired by the costumes of Renaissance scholars. The eye and light symbols that embellish this outfit represent the brilliance of a human being who has stepped into the realm of the divine. 

The Scholar will make her grand debut on December 19.

New Expansion Land of the Morning Light: Seoul Coming in 2024

The Land of the Morning Light made its debut last year, to community acclaim. And now, the Land of Morning Light will be expanding to include a sequel set in medieval Seoul, where one can explore culturally iconic real-life places originating from the Joseon Dynasty, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanyang Yukjo Street, and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

There will be a grand total of eight new bosses in Land of the Morning Light: Seoul, which are inspired by Korean folklore and myth. Unlike the original Black Shrine content focused on a single player fighting a single boss, these new bosses will let players group up for the fight.

But beyond a new story, a new area to explore, and brand-new bosses, we’ll also be getting a new swordsman class with the expansion unique to the territory.

This new class is a descendant of Unsa and will wield a sword and a “Gombangdae”, a traditional Korean smoking pipe. We’ve been promised an action-rich, immersive, and poignant storyline that goes along with this class, but the firm details have yet to be revealed.

Roadmap for 2024

Community feedback has been key for Pearl Abyss. In 2024, we can expect to see a series of adjustments and improvements meant to improve existing gameplay and quality of life experiences for both the hardened veterans and new players.

To simplify traveling, the Magnus system will be improved to avoid multiple loading screens, and instant teleportation to Black Shrine and Atoraxxion content will be supported. To help navigate Black Desert’s terrain more efficiently, ping checks will be introduced in the desert and ocean with a compass, as well as a Dream horse for all new Adventurers.

Existing tiers and item types, such as Black Stones, products from farming, seeds, crystals, mount equipment, and Reform Stones, will be consolidated and/or removed to reduce their complexity. Finally, players will be free from the clutter.