Hero System & Grand Olympiad — Lineage II Guide

Achieve legendary status in Lineage II with the Hero System and Grand Olympiad. This guide covers participation and the benefits of becoming a Hero.

The Hero System and Grand Olympiad are pinnacle features in Lineage II, offering players the chance to achieve legendary status and earn powerful rewards. Becoming a Hero is a testament to your skill, dedication, and prowess in combat against other players. This guide will walk you through the essentials of participating in the Grand Olympiad and the benefits of achieving Hero status.

What is the Grand Olympiad?

The Grand Olympiad is Lineage II's primary PvP arena where players compete in structured battles to earn Olympiad Points. These points determine your ranking and ultimately, who becomes a Hero. The Olympiad runs in cycles, typically monthly, culminating in the selection of new Heroes.

Olympiad Participation Requirements:

• Level: You must be at least Level 75 to participate in the Grand Olympiad.
• Subclass: While not strictly required, having a fully developed subclass can significantly enhance your combat options and versatility in the arena.
• Equipment: High-grade equipment, including Dynasty, Icarus, or even Vesper sets, is highly recommended. Enchanted weapons and armor provide a crucial edge. Don't forget your accessories like Epic Jewelry (e.g., Ring of Queen Ant, Earring of Antharas) for their powerful stat bonuses and resistances.
• Buffs: Always ensure you have a full set of buffs before entering the arena. This includes self-buffs, pet buffs, and if possible, support from a buffer character or scrolls.

How to Participate:

1. Registration: Speak to an Olympiad Manager NPC, found in every major town (e.g., Aden Castle Town, Rune Township, Goddard Castle Town). Select the "Register for Olympiad" option.
2. Match Types: You can register for two types of matches:
   • Class-based Matches: You will be matched against opponents of the same class type (e.g., all Daggers, all Healers). This allows for more balanced duels where individual skill and gear are paramount.
   • Non-class-based Matches: You will be matched against any available opponent, regardless of their class. These matches are often more unpredictable and require a broader understanding of different class matchups.
3. Waiting Period: After registering, you will enter a queue. The Olympiad Manager will notify you when a match is found.
4. Entering the Arena: Once a match is found, you will be teleported to one of the dedicated Olympiad Arenas. You'll have a short preparation time to apply any last-minute buffs or adjust your hotkeys.
5. Combat: Engage your opponent! The goal is to defeat them within the time limit.
6. Rewards:
   • Olympiad Points: Earned for winning matches. Losing still grants a small number of points, but winning is key.
   • Olympiad Tokens: These are awarded based on your performance and can be exchanged with the Olympiad Manager for various items, including Nobleman's Blessing scrolls, Life Stones, and even certain S-grade weapon enchant scrolls.

Becoming a Hero

Hero status is granted to the top-ranked player of each class at the end of an Olympiad cycle. This prestigious title comes with significant power and recognition.

Hero Selection Criteria:

• Olympiad Points: You must have accumulated the most Olympiad Points within your specific class during the cycle.
• Minimum Matches: A minimum number of matches (typically 9) must be played to be eligible for Hero status.
• Noblesse Status: You must be a Noblesse to become a Hero. If you haven't achieved Noblesse yet, prioritize completing the Noblesse Questline.

Hero Benefits:

• Heroic Voice: A special chat channel accessible only to Heroes, allowing you to communicate with all players across the server.
• Heroic Aura: A distinctive visual effect that surrounds your character, signifying your legendary status.
• Heroic Weapons: Access to powerful, temporary Hero-exclusive weapons (e.g., Heroic Sword, Heroic Bow, Heroic Staff) that boast superior stats and unique active skills. These weapons are only usable while you are a Hero.
• Heroic Skills: A set of powerful, temporary skills (e.g., Heroic Valor, Heroic Grandeur) that provide significant buffs or debuffs in combat. These skills are also only usable while you are a Hero.
• Stat Bonuses: Heroes receive passive stat bonuses to attributes like P. Atk., M. Atk., P. Def., and M. Def.
• Monthly Rewards: Heroes receive a substantial amount of Olympiad Tokens and other valuable items at the start of their Hero term.

Strategies for Olympiad Success:

• Know Your Class: Master your class's strengths and weaknesses. Understand your skill rotations, crowd control abilities, and defensive cooldowns.
• Scout Your Opponent: If possible, observe your opponent's gear and class before the match begins. This can inform your strategy.
• Buff Management: Efficiently apply and maintain your buffs. Consider using macro skills for quick buffing.
• Potion Usage: Stock up on high-grade HP and MP potions. Quick potion usage can turn the tide of a battle.
• Attribute Enchanting: Ensure your weapons and armor are properly attribute-enchanted to maximize your damage output and defensive capabilities against common attack types.
• Subclass Skills: use any beneficial subclass skills you've acquired to gain an advantage.
• Practice: The more you participate, the better you'll become at anticipating opponent moves and reacting effectively.

Noblesse Questline

Becoming a Noblesse is a prerequisite for Hero status and unlocks access to the Grand Olympiad. The questline is extensive and requires significant time and effort.

Key Steps (Simplified):

1. Level 75: Reach Level 75 with your main class.
2. "Pailaka - Song of Ice and Fire" (Optional but Recommended): Complete this instanced dungeon for valuable experience and items that can aid in the Noblesse quest.
3. "Path to a Noblesse" (Part 1): Start the quest with Maid of Adena in Aden Castle Town. This involves traveling to various locations and collecting items.
4. "Path to a Noblesse" (Part 2): Continue the quest, which often involves defeating raid bosses like Flame of Kadum or Shyeed's Messenger. You'll need a strong party for these encounters.
5. "Path to a Noblesse" (Part 3 - Subclass): This is the most challenging part. You must level a subclass to Level 75. This is crucial as the Noblesse quest requires you to complete a series of trials on your subclass.
6. "Possessor of a Precious Soul" (Part 1-4): This is the core Noblesse questline, initiated by speaking with Lady of the Lake in the Town of Goddard. These quests involve defeating numerous raid bosses, including the notorious Barakiel, the Vanquished. You will need a well-organized raid party for these.
7. Final Trial: After completing all parts of "Possessor of a Precious Soul," you will face a final trial. Upon successful completion, you will be granted Noblesse status.

Achieving Noblesse status is a significant accomplishment and a vital step towards becoming a Hero. Good luck, future Heroes of Aden!