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A Guide to Planar Attunement in RIFT

Date: Sep 28 2011 Views: () Comments ()

Author: Pamela in MMOSite

Advancing beyond the level cap in an MMO is often a way for all types of players to keep improving their characters. Games like Everquest 2, Age of Conan, and City of Heroes utilize a post-level-cap advancement system with great success. It's no surprise that RIFT is adding a similar system.

RIFT's approach to "alternate advancement," as it is often called thanks to Everquest 2, is the Planar Attunement system. This system lets players continue developing their character by increasing important stats, becoming stronger against one type of planar force, and even improve their mobility in Telara.

After reaching level 50, players unlock access to the Planar Attunement system by completing the Chronicle of Attunement(Guardian's Guide, Defiant's Guide). Technically, one does not have to complete the Chronicle associated with Planar Attunement to unlock it. However, it is advised to see at least once since it's a nice solo Chronicle that's pretty entertaining and will level up your planar attunement experience quite quickly. To access this Chronicle, simply press "J" and select "Ceremony of Attunement" to get started. When a player first reaches 50, their faction leader (Cyril or Asha) will contact the player via mail giving him/her these instructions.

During the Chronicle, the player will notice that his/her experience bar is filling up. This shows up where the player's normal, green experience bar was as a yellow bar instead. Everything the level 50 does will contribute to planar experience. Of course, running dungeons, completing other Chronicles, doing raids, and shutting rifts in Telara will give the player planar attunement experience. Killing other players in the open world or in warfronts will count as well.

Once the player's experience bar fills up, s/he has leveled up with planar experience. Leveling up gives the player 100 Attunement Points that can be spent in one of the six trees available. To spend the Attunement Points simply press "U" to bring up the Planar Attunement menu. All callings will have the option to spend Attunement Points in the plane of life, death, water, fire, earth or air; however, only one can be chosen. Each calling in RIFT has different planar attunement options based on the six planes. For example, a rogue will see different bonuses than a cleric in his/her planar attunement menu.

To start getting the benefits from Planar Attunement, the player must spend a point in the plane tree of their choosing. The center honeycomb is a planar lure specific to the plane chosen and costs 100 Attunement Points to unlock. For instance, spending a point in the Life Plane allows the player to open rifts as Life rifts every time. This ability does not replace the original Planar Lure, and it can still be used to open a random rift instead of only a life rift in this example. Acquiring this specific planar lure will open up all honeycombs next to it. Now, a player can start unlocking stat bonuses and more from that planar tree.

Subsequent honeycombs cost varying amounts of Attunement Points. Most honeycombs have ranks and each rank will cost more Attunement Points to purchase. The least a honeycomb will cost to unlock is 100 Attunement Points. The honeycombs are color coded to visually denote what they improve.

Blue - increases a core stat
Green - increases defense toward a specific planar type
Yellow - increases offences toward a specific planar type
Purple - alters movement or increases the amount of planar charges available
Red - improves weapon mastery

With that in mind, let's look at what characters can expect from each planar tree in Planar Attunement. As stated, each calling will see different things in each of the planar attunement planes. First, let's look at clerics' and mages' option within the Planar Attunement system.

Clerics and Mages Planar Attunement System

Life

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to endurance. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's endurance.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar life creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to life creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb reduces the time it takes to mount by 5%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by one (1) while wielding a totem. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional spell power.
Cleric Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power while wielding a mace or dagger. These honeycombs contain four (4) ranks that increase spell power by one (1) for 1-handed maces or daggers for a total of eight (8) additional spell power. Spell power is increased by two (2) if a 2-handed mace is held for a total of sixteen (16) spell power.
Mage Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power while wielding a sword or dagger. These honeycombs contain four (4) ranks that increase spell power by one (1) for a total of eight (8) additional spell power.

Death

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to intelligence. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's intelligence.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar death creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to death creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's speed while soulwalking by 5%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by one (1) while wielding a wand. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional spell power.
Cleric Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power while wielding a mace or dagger. These honeycombs contain four (4) ranks that increase spell power by one (1) for 1-handed maces or daggers for a total of eight (8) additional spell power. Spell power is increased by two (2) if a 2-handed mace is held for a total of sixteen (16) spell power.
Mage Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power while wielding a sword or dagger. These honeycombs contain four (4) ranks that increase spell power by one (1) for a total of eight (8) additional spell power.

Fire

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to intelligence. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's intelligence.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar fire creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to fire creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases unmounted movement speed by 2%
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by two (2) while wielding a staff. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional spell power.
Cleric Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power while wielding a mace or dagger. These honeycombs contain four (4) ranks that increase spell power by one (1) for 1-handed maces or daggers for a total of eight (8) additional spell power. Spell power is increased by two (2) if a 2-handed mace is held for a total of sixteen (16) spell power.
Mage Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power while wielding a sword or dagger. These honeycombs contain four (4) ranks that increase spell power by one (1) for a total of eight (8) additional spell power.

Water

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to wisdom. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's wisdom.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar water creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to water creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases swim speed by 5%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by one (1) while wielding a totem. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional spell power.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by two (2) while wielding a staff. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional spell power.

Earth

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to endurance. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's endurance.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar earth creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to earth creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases the falling height before taking damage by 2%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by one (1) while wielding a wand. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional spell power.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by two (2) while wielding a staff. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional spell power.

Air

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to wisdom. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's wisdom.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar air creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to air creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases unmounted, out-of-combat movement speed by 2%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by one (1) while wielding a wand. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional spell power.
Two (2) honeycombs increase spell power by one (1) while wielding a totem. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional spell power.

Now, let's view the Planar Attunement options for rogues and warriors.

Rogues and Warriors Planar Attunement System

Life

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to endurance. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's endurance.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar life creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to life creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb reduces the time it takes to mount by 5%.
Rogue Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a bow. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.
Rogue Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a gun. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.
Warrior Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a ranged weapon. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.
Warrior Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a polerarm. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.

Death

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to strength. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's strength.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar death creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to death creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's speed while soulwalking by 5%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding an axe. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.
Rogue Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding a dagger. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.
Warrior Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a 2-handed weapon. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.

Fire

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to strength. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's strength.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar fire creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to fire creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases unmounted movement speed by 2%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a gun. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.
Rogue Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding a sword. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.
Warrior Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a polerarm. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.

Water

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to dexterity. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's dexterity.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar water creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to water creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases swim speed by 5%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding an axe. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.
Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding a mace. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.

Earth

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to endurance. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's endurance.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar earth creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to earth creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases the falling height before taking damage by 2%.
Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding a mace. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.
Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding a sword. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.

Air

Five (5) separate honeycombs offer an increase, one point at a time, to dexterity. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of +15 to the player's dexterity.
One (1) honeycomb increases the player's resistance to planar air creatures by six (6) over three (3) ranks.
Three (3) separate honeycombs increase damage, 1% per rank, done to air creatures. Each honeycomb contains three (3) ranks for a total of 9% increased damage.
One (1) honeycomb increases the number of planar charges a player has by 1.
One (1) honeycomb increases unmounted, out-of-combat movement speed by 2%.
Rogue Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by one (1) while wielding a dagger. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total eight (8) additional attack power.
Rogue Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a bow. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.
Warrior Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a ranged weapon. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.
Warrior Only: Two (2) honeycombs increase attack power by two (2) while wielding a 2-handed weapon. Four (4) ranks in each honeycomb total sixteen (16) additional attack power.

Obviously, the Planar Attunement system is there to give players something to work on while they're max level. There is no correct plane to choose for any calling. Over time, the bonuses from the system will add up and make a player stronger than s/he could be before the system existed. The Planar Attunement system is there to reward players for the activities they enjoy completing. In the image above, a player is about to use a Crystallized Insight; a drop from a zone event that gives the player 10,000 planar attunement experience. Choosing a plane to spend Planar Attunement points in is important, but a player can't really make the wrong decision.

Aside from the movement honeycomb, there isn't a big difference between the planes. Clearly, weapon buffs and stat buffs are something to consider when choosing a plane. For instance, wisdom is arguably more important to spell casting clerics, but endurance and intelligence certainly don't hurt. Choosing a plane based on what weapon it improves is a dangerous path considering RIFT's itemization issues. Keep in mind that a preferred weapon might be quickly replaced unless one is specifically choosing their weapon based on what it is and not its stats.

After unlocking everything listed above in a particular plane, a second tier of honeycombs will open up. This has yet to be implemented in the game and will be added with a later patch.