How to Change a Battle with a Single Word! (Part One: White Path)

Players clash in a battle at KBA's Strifeland field! Each side has magic support, on the left is Balendor, a Mage, and in the right corner is Sir Nate, a Cleric.

Written by: Balendor on July 30th, 2024

Let's start in order and work down the Paths of Magika while considering how they can impact the field of battle. This means the White Path is first! At a glance, it may seem like a simple support path, but it is much more when put into action. Nothing sways battle quite like morale, and what boosts morale better than knowing that injuries are temporary?

Mend. The ability to heal a single injured limb may seem minor, but it is quite impactful when used to keep combatants in the fight. A fighter who takes an arm shot may fall back and hide behind the line, or they might be ganged up on by several opponents for a quick dispatch. The way in which arm damage removes great weapons and long spears from the fight is detrimental, to say the least. A well-timed Mend stops this in its tracks. Mages may utilize Mend in battle to maintain their full health while attempting to maneuver their oversized Magistaff. Runners can swing by their Faction's healer to restore a leg they lost so they can continue to harry the backs of their opponents.

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Midier (left) stays close behind fellow Clan Teisus members to heal their wounds as they finish off members of the Warhounds.

Restore. Woof! Now this is a strong spell. It has the ability to perform everything we discussed about Mend but all at once. Is your Faction Leader down to one arm and no legs? Restore! Did an enemy Mage use Cripple on your runner? Restore! It’s a quick and easy way to get fighters who have sustained multiple wounds during battle back to fighting fit. What more can we say than to ensure you max out your 2nd level White spells?

Resurrect. The ultimate thumb in the eye to an enemy Faction is raising one of your most powerful combatants back to full health. Timing is everything, and the return of a strong fighter or the addition of more magical potency can swing a battle in your favor. Let's face it: Having your strongest warriors unafraid to mix it up because they can be returned to life is a must-have for everyone.

The White Path also has a lesser-known trick up its sleeve. While impactful, it is something to always keep in mind for the right circumstances. A Mend or Restore can destroy a player who has been raised via a Zombie spell. The nice thing about casting a spell is that the weapon simply needs to make contact with the target's body. So, if that Zombie's dead leg is out front, you can heal it. Now it is a dead Zombie.

Furthermore, a magic user can use their White Path spells as bargaining chips to gain favors from members of other factions as well as their own. Just because a player can heal others doesn't mean they are empathetic to their needs and wants. Offers of "Keep me safe in battle and I'll make sure to restore your wounds," "Never backstab me and I'll save a mend for you," and "I restored you, so we won't fight unless we're the last ones left" are great examples of using one's earned abilities as political bargaining chips.

About the writer:

Balendor is a 29 year veteran of KBA's combat system and serves as it's President. He is the Chieftain of the Clan Teisus faction and is the founding Ranger of the Order of the Silver Fox.