Blade and Soul Founder's Packs Available, Early 2016 Launch

If you're interested in getting to play Blade and Soul's Western release as soon as possible, NCSoft has you covered. For a minimum of $24.99, you can put money into a Founder's Pack and gain access to all Closed Beta weekends and tests leading up to the early 2016 release along with it. Further investments will earn you premium time, per-region name reservation slots, extra character slots, premium currency, unique weapon skins, and more. While characters and name reservations will be region-specific, neither the NA or EU versions will have region locks.

Closed Beta weekends will start in the fall at an as-of-yet undisclosed date. Prospective players will have a chance to earn access through the "normal" giveaways and such, as well, if they do not want to put money down on guaranteed access through a Founder's Pack. Those who do not purchase an upgrade, either through a Founder's Pack or a cash shop purchase after launch, will have but two character slots.

The exact details of Premium Membership seem to not be disclosed yet. Your Premium Membership Tier, however, rises through accumulating Premium Points by making purchases in the NCoin and Hongmoon Stores. Bonuses provided by raising your Premium Membership Tier include bonus quest gold and a "reduced Windstride cooldown."