Wield Green Lantern's Powers in DC Universe Online [DC Universe Online]

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Are you ready to wield the power of a Green Lantern in DC Universe Online? Good, because you'll get the chance when the “Fight for the Light” downloadable content pack goes on sale later this summer.

Creative Director Jens Andersen announced the update during a special press event we attended at SOE Fan Faire. Keep reading after the jump for all the details on the new light powers that will be added to the game, as well as new alerts and iconic gear.

New Light Powers

DC Universe's first downloadable content pack will give players access to light powers for the first time. “You're going to be able to create a character using the power of will,” Andersen said. “We're putting those rings in the hands of players.”

Heroes will be able to utilize the green willpower of the Green Lantern Corps, while villains get the yellow power of fear. Each of the sets has 24 abilities that allow players to create constructs ranging from machine guns to locomotives. They're different for heroes and villains, so there are 48 abilities total.

According to Andersen, the light powers are very different from the other powers that are currently in the game. "They feel like we took our weapons and actually merged them with a superpower," he said. As you level up, you'll pick constructs like chainsaws, planes and light whips. When you activate one of those modes, you'll have different sets of combos to unlock. Andersen also said these constructs chain into each other, giving the example of switching from a boxing glove to a whip.



Andersen made it clear that the ring isn't your weapon. The ring is associated with light powers, but you still get to pick a fighting style and weapon. “The ring is layered on top of the other fighting styles,” he said.

Characters with light powers are controllers, like mental and gadget characters. For example, you can put an enemy in a giant baseball and hit them with a bat. Andersen emphasized that villains will have have a different theme for their powers, hinting that they'll use a giant skull instead of a baseball to trap their target. Also, the two trees for light powers are damage and support.

Players will have two options when it comes to trying out these new light powers: create a new character or respec their current level 30 character. “We want to let people play how they want to play,” Andersen said.

If you're a fan of the comics, then you know that each sector of space is generally guarded by only one or two Green Lanterns. How is the DC Universe Online team going to explain a massive army of them on Earth? According to Andersen, players who choose these light powers are actually becoming a reservist member of the Corps due to the major threat that's taking place in the game.

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New Alerts, Duo and Iconic Gear

In addition the the new light powers, the downloadable content pack introduces new alerts and a duo that are all based around the Green Lantern Corps.

• At the launch of DC Universe Online, Brainiac set up a logic battery to drain all the power from the rings. Heroes and villains will go with Hal Jordan and Sinestro into S.T.A.R. Labs to destroy the batteries and reboot the power of the Corps.
• Another alert will take you to Hal Jordan's home of Coast City to deal with the Red Lantern Corps, who draw on the power of rage. “They're mindless, terrifying, powerful guys,” Andersen said, noting that they're going to be tearing apart Ferris Aircraft. There will also be a duo in Coast City.
• Green Lantern fans will definitely want to check out the Oa alert, which will feature an attempted prison break. Heroes must stop it, while villains will attempt to help the prisoners escape. The alert will include iconic characters from the comics, including Guy Gardner and Lyssa Drak.

Players will also get the chance to earn new iconic gear sets based on the Green Lantern Corps suit and the Sinestro Corps suit. Collecting this gear will give you the chance to look like you're truly a member of the Corps.

The “Fight for the Light” downloadable content pack will be available for $9.99 for both PC and PlayStation 3 later this summer.

Darryl Gangloff, editor-in-chief

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