Torchlight Interview

RPGamer has conjured up an interview with Runic Games’ Wonder Russell and Erich Schaefer about their upcoming single player/massively multiplayer action RPG, Torchlight.

Right now we’ve seen info on three classes: Destroyer, Alchemist, and Vanquisher. Could you share more details about how these classes play?

Runic: I love the names of these classes. Just had to say that.

The Destroyer is a melee warrior who fights primarily with an edged, close-ranged weapon. Think shield and saber, or a big-ass glowing poleaxe. He is going to charge into throngs and deal out the death-blows, heaping the dead around him. He also has a few skills that send out shockwaves that injure or kill enemies that aren’t within swinging distance. This is the brute class we all love, he could charge through a wall if he really wanted to and if we had walls you could break!

The Alchemist I just have to say that he’s my favorite. Sort of geek meets badass. He’s got a power glove that shoots bolts of energy at attackers, knocking them back at a range. He is a Tesla-like mage, carrying a staff in one hand and maybe a dagger in the other, using both magic and electricity to dispatch unruly hordes primarily at a distance, but capable of swinging and stabbing at close range.

The Vanquisher is a sleek beautiful undercover government agent. Disguised as swashbuckling mercenary, she is a deadly shot and makes mean use of a musket, can dual wield pistols like a hero in a Western, or double up her strategy with a saber and a gun.

All classes loosely fit the traditional melee, mage, and ranged models, but the important thing is that they aren’t locked into those. The Vanquisher can destroy a mob, the Destroyer can learn spells, and the Alchemist can also wield a bow, so the way you want to play your character is going to largely depend on your personal style. And the loot. Because sometimes, a gun or a sword drops that is just too amazing to not use.

And, I really look forward to what you think of their style when you come play the game at PAX woo hoo!