Ah Nexon – just when I’m starting to get weaned off of Mabinogi by some other game, or due to just general boredom, you lure me back in with shiny new features or items. The holiday season has come to the free-to-play MMO, and it seems like there’s a Christmas spirit in the air. Aside from some spiffy general updates to the game, like the ability to own castles and houses, gestures for paying players, party boards, guild battles, a postal system and some guild updates, there are also some limited, special Christmas and wintery events, items and pets.

First of all, the events – frankly, there’s a staggering amount. Its a good thing people will be getting some days off soon, because they’ll need the spare time to take advantage of these new quests. The first event is Santa’s Requests, and it lasts from now (December 18, 2008) until December 28, 2008. Five Santas are scattered throughout Mabinogi, and they have some serious issues. If you help them out, you’ll get socks and cards you can trade in for gifts. A GM Housing sale is also being held from December 19 to January 6, 2009, so if you’re looking for a cheap home with low taxes, stop by the residential areas in Sen Mag and Dugald during this time…

Mabinogi has two character card options. Every account starts with a basic Character Card, which allows you to create your first character. However, you can later rebirth that character, or add another character to your account, via Basic and Premium Character Cards purchased in the Premium Shop.

Extra character cards are going to cost you real money either way. A Basic Character Card costs 7,900 NX/$7.90 and a Premium Character Card costs 9,500 NX/$9.50. Both function in the same way – each one can be used to create a new character or rebirth one of your existing characters. If you start with a Premium Character, you can use a Basic Character Card when you rebirth, and vice versa, so don’t think that once you’ve chosen an option, you always have to stick with it for that character.

It all comes down to customization. Characters created with the cards will be identical when it comes down to character statistics. The only difference will be physical. The Premium Characters will have a special outfit and more hair, eye and mouth customization options than a Basic Character. But, you don’t necessarily need the more expensive card. So today, Gamertell is going to review the perks and problems with each Character Card. Hopefully, after reading, you’ll know which one is best for you…