Obsidian Entertainment has released a new developer diary for Tyranny. The new entry focuses on one of the party members, Kills-in-Shadow and provides a look at her backstory as well as her in game combat role.

Kills-in-Shadow is a monster. She’s frightening and hairy. She stinks of wet animal and has an insatiable bloodlust for violence and slaughter. She’s also a clever hunter, a brutish, skilled fighter, and is tenaciously loyal (unless, of course, she has sensed a weakness) to whomever she chooses to follow, whether that be her ruthless sister, Creeping-Death, who was the last leader of their savage tribe, or a human Fatebinder stronger than even the toughest of Beastwomen.

Although rough, lethal and brutish in every sense, Kills-in-Shadow is not evil and possesses an intellect, sharp wit, and a quirky sense of humor. As the last of her tribe that was all wiped out during Kyros’ conquest, she is now on quest for vengeance against the Fatebinders, arbiters of Kyros’ will.

Combat Role

Kills-in-Shadow’s combat role is focused on using stealth to gain an initiative advantage over enemies, and then using her enormous hit pool to withstand everything thrown at her. Her talent trees compliment this, allowing her to expand her stalking prowess through Ravager or her brute strength through Titan, all taking advantage of her natural racial features. She can be moved around the battlefield, gaining advantages with her stealth, or tanking stronger enemies. Lacking armor, she can escape hairy situations by trampling her way through foes.

This duality adds a flavor to the abilities she can use, allowing her to make use of her specific racial and physical gifts. Here are some of the ability descriptions that Kills-in-Shadow will be using in battle:

• Beastmen Race: Kills-in-Shadow cannot wear armor, dual wield, or use ranged weapons that require both hands, but she possesses natural hide armor and is capable of wielding two handed weapons in a single hand.
• Leaping Death: Leap onto a nearby enemy from stealth, heavily damaging all foes in the area and knocking them Prone.
• Primal Scream: Roar at nearby enemies, Frightening them. If this ability is used while stealthed enemies become Terrified instead.
• Disembowel: Use both claws to rip the target’s stomach open, dealing a large amount of Slash / Pierce (best of) damage and leaving them Bleeding for an extended duration.
• Trample: KIS moves rapidly towards her enemy, trampling foes in her path. Enemies caught in her path take Crush damage and are knocked Prone.
• Taste of Blood: Causes all attacks from stealth to inflict a lasting bleed affliction. When Taste of Blood triggers, KIS receives a regeneration effect until combat ends.
• Stance Berserker Rage: KIS enters a primal frenzy. While in this stance, damage taken is increased, but KIS receives a large bonus to Endurance and Melee Damage.

Tyranny continues to march towards release on PC sometime this year, when Kyros deems the masses worthy. We’ll continue to monitor the game’s finishing development touches and bring updates. Planning on picking up the game when it releases? Thoughts on the new companion? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments.

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