DevNote #11: S1 Summary & S2 Outlook

Hi Gyldhunters! Welcome to our 11th Developer Update. With this update, the countdown to the end of Season 1 has officially begun. Looking back over the past 90 days, you've all left behind countless unforgettable moments of exploration, combat, and triumphant extractions within the mist. We've gathered some fascinating data from your journeys—let's dive in and see exactly what records the Gyldhunters have set this season:

Season 1: Chronicled by the Mist

In Season 1, Gyldhunters launched a combined total of 65.96 million explorations, completed 575,000 Soul Harvests, and achieved 33.25 million successful extractions. Together, everyone amassed 10.39 billion Gyldenblod in the mist, discovered 1.617 million Holy items, and successfully extracted 41,595 precious Gems of the Gods. Among these feats, the highest wealth brought out from a single exploration reached a staggering 261,870 Gyldenblod.

Of course, behind every fortune lies a history of intense battles. Throughout Season 1, Gyldhunters vanquished a total of 540 million monsters, and the Mist Lords were defeated 1.046 million times. Whether venturing deep into the Gyldenmist for treasure or confronting powerful foes to complete hunts, these numbers stand as a monument to the footprints you've left in Season 1.

Among all monsters, none proved more lethal than the Elite Berserker, claiming the lives of 997,000 Gyldhunters and earning the undisputed crown of "Gyldhunter Killer" for Season 1. On the brighter side, the luckiest Scavenger Squad brought home supplies valued at an incredible 114,328 Gyldenblod in a single deployment—proving that alongside courage and skill, a little good fortune goes a long way!

However, monsters were not the only hazard in the mist. Season 1 also saw 604,000 Gyldhunters cut their explorations short due to accidental falls, environmental traps, and other mishaps. It seems that while watching for incoming monsters is vital, keeping an eye on the path beneath you is just as important. When you next step into the mist, we hope you return with a full haul—and don't forget to watch your step!

Season 1 Issue Review & Optimization Notes

First, regarding server lag and stuttering. Some Gyldhunters experienced high latency, stuttering, skill anomalies (rubberbanding and desync), and registration errors (no-reg damage) during peak hours or complex matches. These issues directly compromised the combat experience, and we fully understand how frustrating this can be. Thanks to ongoing hotfixes throughout Season 1, our server monitoring metrics have shown marked improvements compared to the launch version. For Season 2, we'll continue pushing server performance optimizations, fixing buggy skill synchronization mechanics, and further driving up server stability. Additionally, in Season 2, we'll deploy a new US West server, relocate our Asian server to Hong Kong, and activate AWS Global Accelerator. These measures are specifically implemented to lower latency and drastically improve the overall network experience.

We've also received an abundance of feedback stating that loot drops felt underwhelming. Upon review and discussion, we agree that the drop rates in Season 1 were far too conservative, falling short of providing the exhilarating looting and progression experience we want to deliver. Therefore, in Season 2, we'll increase overall asset drop rates across the board: adding more loot containers to all maps while boosting the probability of high-value items dropping from both containers and monsters; optimizing affix combinations for Combat Bags to make them more practical; ensuring Scavenger Squad gains are more stable and reliable. Furthermore, forging fees will be completely removed to boost your expected forging returns.

Next is the excessive "grind" of season tasks. Several Season 1 tasks took too long and felt overly repetitive, resulting in an experience that was much grindier than we intended and placing a heavy burden on our players. While we rolled out multiple optimization passes during Season 1 to alleviate this, Season 2 task requirements will be dramatically slashed further: the first three chapters of main tasks will completely remove the restriction of having to be finished in a single match or a single life, and will no longer require completion in Chaos or Cataclysm mode. Certain task objectives will now scale differently between solo and trio modes to optimize the solo experience. Lastly, all item submission quests will be moved to side tasks. Season 2 tasks will also feature significantly more rewards: simply completing Chapter 2 of the main tasks will grant Pip's Rare Pouch for Season 2. Finishing Chapters 3 and 4 will reward you with the "Path of Thorns" Bell and the "Path of Thorns" Extraction Animation. Completing side tasks will earn you a Holy Material Selection Chest - Unbound and Ferry: Dawnchaser. All of the cosmetics listed above are exclusive to Season 2.

Additionally, there were too few in-game events in Season 1, leaving the mid-to-late season lacking fresh content. In Season 2, we'll introduce a wider variety of special game modes and holiday events to provide a richer gameplay experience, while handing out far more free rewards! At the same time, we'll be organizing community tournaments to provide a grand stage for all Gyldhunters to showcase their skills!

Regarding the general quality-of-life experience: The Exchange Shop for the Season 2 exclusive mode, Ordeal of Flames, will undergo a major reduction in grind. New acquisition methods will be added for untradeable key materials required for Camp Upgrades. We're also introducing a suite of highly requested features, including a dedicated Gem Warehouse, a one-click button to unequip all gems from equipment in your Inventory, automatic destruction of starter equipment after using the Quick Equip option at the Loadout Station, and a settings toggle to skip the Victory Wine animation. All of this is designed to make your journey through Season 2 smoother and far more enjoyable!

Naturally, we've also closely followed your discussions regarding class balance. Season 2 will bring key balance passes addressing ranged suppression, Shadowstrix mobility, same-class team compositions, and specific class archetypes. Our design philosophy and exact balance adjustments will be detailed in the "Season 2 Class Balance Adjustments" section below.

Season 2 Content Preview

Hallowgrove's "Ordeal of Flames"

Following the conclusion of the Soul Hunt, the Web of Fate was temporarily repaired, causing the ancient seals deep within Hallowgrove to loosen. An unquenchable wildfire, centered on the Heretic Pyre within Hallowgrove, has begun spreading across the entire forest. Amidst the roaring flames, the past history of the Preacher of the Sun and his followers will once again surface.

The wildfire brings more than just visual changes to the scenery; it dynamically impacts every single exploration. The Divine Anchor region at the center of the map will burn continuously, while other areas will randomly transform into Wildfire Zones at the start of each match. A blood-orange sky, blazing trees and structures, and the endless crackle of fire will completely transform the familiar landscape of Hallowgrove into a drastically different battlefield. Upon entering a Wildfire Zone, Gyldhunters will continuously accumulate Heat. When your Heat meter reaches its cap, your character will suffer the negative effects of the intense temperatures. At this point, Gyldhunters can drink a Soothing Elixir or interact with a Froststrawer inside the Wildfire Zone to cleanse the Heat state. Preparing your supplies before diving into the flames and finding ways to cool down will become a vital new survival skill.

Certain burning sectors will also form even more perilous Wildfire Forbidden Zones. Roaring flames and obstacles will seal off original pathways, altering how these areas connect and leaving only a few entrances. Some of these entrances will open gradually as the match progresses, or Gyldhunters can consume specific items to unlock them early. Your familiar routes may no longer be safe, and these new entrances, cover, and high-value areas will bring unprecedented encounters and confrontations. Scattered across Hallowgrove, you'll also discover Oath Tombs left behind by the faithful. Interacting with them allows Gyldhunters to awaken the lingering souls of the Preacher of the Sun Followers swallowed by the flames. Defeating them gives you a chance to obtain the Sacred Branch needed to unlock subsequent challenges. Carrying it deep into the Forbidden Zone will let you enter the Duel of the Sacred Tree and face the all-new underlord: Lars the "Heretic." The wildfire will reshape the terrain and alter the pacing of your explorations. Whether you choose to avoid the flames and search for supplies safely, or risk venturing deep into the Forbidden Zone to contest precious loot and challenge the Preacher of the Sun, the choice is entirely yours. The truth behind the Fires of the Past will gradually unravel with each exploration. The Cataclysm difficulty for Hallowgrove will also be implemented in Season 2, awaiting Gyldhunters who look for an even more thrilling challenge. Meanwhile, the Cataclysm difficulty for Brandrgarde will shift to a limited-time availability.

Blackarrow Javelin Weapon

Legend has it that Velvar's spindle is wound with golden and black threads—golden representing good fortune, and black representing misfortune. By day, she weaves the golden threads from clouds and sunlight; by night, she spins the black threads from the night sky and chilling winds. She weaves tirelessly day and night, and thus, the fates of mortals are perpetually intertwined with blessing and bane.

The Blackarrows know all too well that fortune on the battlefield is a fickle ally. Precision with a bow is formidable, but it cannot stop an enemy from closing the distance. To survive such peril, some Blackarrows look beyond traditional archery and turn their attention to the javelin. Lightweight and easy to carry, this weapon perfectly leverages their immense arm strength while preserving their deadly precision. Furthermore, when infused with Divine Power, the javelin unleashes entirely different effects...

In Season 2, the Blackarrow class will unlock its second archetype: Javelin. Compared to bows, which excel at long-range combat, javelins balance ranged throwing with close-quarters counterattacks, allowing players to flexibly shift their combat style based on the distance to the enemy. Pressing the basic attack triggers a rapid throw, while holding it charges the attack up to Lv.2, increasing damage, range, and impact. When enemies get too close, players can swing the javelin to attack and recover Energy, then execute a back-hop to re-establish distance. The core mechanic of the javelin weapon is "Divine Infusion." Upon activation, the Blackarrow knocks back nearby enemies and enters a Divine Power state, gaining an attack boost. When paired with specific talents, javelins can also automatically track targets near the crosshair, creating a window for a fast, continuous offensive barrage. Performing fully charged throws, using skills, or rolling will accumulate "Swift Shadow" stacks. Once maxed out, these stacks increase charging speed and further empower your next throw.

Faced with shifting battlefield conditions, the Blackarrow's javelin toolkit can adapt instantly: when pursuing targets, you can exert constant suppression with faster throws; against enemies trying to close in, you can create space using knockback javelins and sweeping strikes; and in large skirmishes, you can leverage lightning strikes and frost effects to lock down areas and restrict enemy movement. On top of that, the Blackarrow can seamlessly reposition while throwing or lock onto multiple targets to unleash piercing strikes, fluidly shifting between kiting, crowd control, and focused burst fire.

We want the javelin to deliver a combat experience that constantly and fluidly shifts between throwing, positioning, close-quarters counterattacks, and re-establishing distance. This ensures that while the Blackarrow maintains their signature precise marksmanship, they also gain far more tools to handle complex tactical situations. The Legendary javelin Nightveil Needle will also debut alongside this new archetype. It doesn't bond with just anyone, for only a Blackarrow possessed of true strength and resolve can harness the razor-sharp edge of this weapon.

All-New System: Soul Brand

A brand-new progression system is arriving this season! Season 2 introduces the "Soul Brand" system, adding an entirely independent equipment slot. By providing basic attributes, fixed affixes, gem slots, and even unlocking additional talents, this system will vastly expand build diversity and theorycrafting options across all classes.

Gyldhunters can throw the Wildfire Relics (a series of scorched items) they gather from Wildfire Zones into the furnace to smelt them into seasonal materials like "Soulcoal." These materials are used to condense and upgrade Soul Brands. When upgrading, you can randomly acquire a new affix, or you can consume rare materials to pick a targeted upgrade. Furthermore, you can use "Reshaping" to randomly roll its level and affix combinations to pursue the perfect fit for your specific playstyle.

Soul Brands are not automatically lost when you fail to extract, but they have a chance to downgrade and lose a portion of their affixes. We hope this progression loop, which balances growth with risk, will bring a richer long-term pursuit to every single exploration.

Upon returning to Windrest with your spoils, you'll cross paths with a new visitor: Liv the Lamplighter. Once a follower of Lars the "Heretic," she'll now aid Gyldhunters against the deadly perils of the mist using a potent, forbidden arcana: Soul Brand. By burning Soulcoal, she can evoke a soul-scorching flame, searing a magic-infused sigil deep into your soul to unlock far more devastating power.

All-New Contract Outfit

New season, new threads! Following the Twilight War, the undying ember bestowed upon mortals by Velvar was forged into a robe by one whose name is lost to time. Only those with unyielding resolve may become its bearer. The all-new Season 2 Contract Outfit, the "Pyrebound," awaits to be unlocked by all Gyldhunters!

Season 2 Class Balance Adjustments

We've been closely monitoring the community discussions regarding combat balance, including statements like "ranged classes possess excessive trading power,""the Shadowstrix has overly dominant initiation and disengagement capabilities," and "certain team compositions stacking the same class are overtuned." We hear you loud and clear. Through this update, we'd like to share our thinking and planned adjustments with everyone.

First, regarding the issue of ranged classes possessing excessive trading power. As Gyldhunters have grown more proficient, we noticed that ranged classes can continuously hold a charge or channel their casting to gain immense suppression by quickly interrupting opponents from afar. This proactive playstyle offers very little room for counterplay. We plan to introduce more restrictions and resource costs to this behavior to level the playing field.

Stage terrain optimization is also an important initiative for us. With this seasonal update, we've further refined the terrain design within our environments. While preserving visual fidelity and regional connectivity, these changes will reduce scenarios where ranged classes can leverage the terrain to vastly amplify their tactical advantages. Additionally, Season 2 will introduce new tactical items to provide melee classes with fresh options to close the distance on enemies.

The adjustments to the Shadowstrix will place a heavier emphasis on the trade-off between mobility and head-on combat capabilities. The Shadowstrix's disengage and interrupt capabilities will be tuned down. For example: the number of times Lightweight can be used will be restricted, the displacement distance of Flash Stride will be reduced, rapid stealth will have new activation conditions added, and Spinning Slash will have its Super Armor effect removed. However, we've granted the Shadowstrix a new Parry Counter move, given the Dagger talent "Frequency Shift" a dash capability, and added a landing strike to their teleportation skill. We want the Shadowstrix combat experience to remain fluid and versatile, but players will now need to rely more heavily on precise timing and skill execution to win fights or escape the battlefield. Notably, the Dual Blades skill "Fang Rush" will no longer pause Dodge Energy recovery, but its overall displacement and damage scaling have been reduced. Our goal is to bring the competitive interaction of Fang Rush back to a healthier state, diminishing overly frustrating moments during combat encounters.

To address the issue where certain team compositions stacking the same class are overtuned, we don't currently plan to restrict your choices. Instead, we're introducing a "Homogeneous Damage Diminishing Returns" mechanic to certain skills. If a Gyldhunter takes damage from the exact same skill multiple times within a short window, a rule will trigger granting them targeted damage reduction specifically against that individual skill. Beyond these universal adjustments, we're fine-tuning the gameplay loops and handling for each individual class:

[General] Optimized the input buffering experience for holding down certain "Charge/Channel skills," making skill chaining feel much smoother.

[Mercenary] Optimized the stun-stacking loop for the Hammer's Stun build, making it noticeably easier to successfully stun enemies compared to before, thereby giving this playstyle more room to shine.

[Knight] The burst potential of the Greatsword has been scaled down, but "Execution" will now grant a shield. We've adjusted the core talent modifiers for both Polearm & Shield playstyles while buffing several underutilized talents and skills. This enhances the operational distinction between pure offensive output and control-focused defensive setups, giving both playstyles a more distinct identity.

[Blasphemer] Adjusted the core talents for the Zeal/Speed Boost build, entirely removing the negative side effects from its core talents. We've also buffed several underutilized skills for the Reverent archetype, while moderately reducing its ability to rapidly restore health in emergencies, ensuring different playstyles each have their own tactical space.

[Sorcerer] For the Elemental archetype, we've reworked the Thunder elemental reaction effect and optimized the skill animations and deployment behaviors for several Lightning skills, opening up more build possibilities for the Elemental Sorcerer. For the Stardust archetype, we've designed an entirely new casting animation for Stardust Arcana (ALT) and adjusted various skill/talent effects. This reins in the over-performing damage output caused by Stardust Magic spamming during Season 1. While preserving the Stardust Sorcerer's core identity of holding instant-cast, high-threat heavy spells, this adjustment provides opponents with a viable window for counterplay. We hope Stardust Sorcerers enjoy a more engaging casting experience and deeper tactical complexity in Season 2.

These adjustments are not the end of our balance work. We'll continuously monitor match data and player feedback to deploy timely follow-up optimizations. We invite all Gyldhunters to share your genuine match experiences with us so we can continue elevating the game together. Thank you for your invaluable suggestions—let's make the game better together!

Journeying with the Gyldhunters

As Season 2 draws near, the continent of Weavereach is set for many new transformations: the spreading wildfire engulfing Hallowgrove, the all-new Javelin weapon type for the Blackarrow, and the arrival of the new underlord, Lars the "Heretic," are all waiting to greet you. Furthermore, key optimizations—including server enhancements, increased loot drops, reduced season task grind with added rewards, and a wide array of class balance adjustments—will collectively elevate your overall gameplay experience.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to every single Gyldhunter for your constant understanding, support, and invaluable feedback. Whether you have relentlessly held the line within the mist or have been taking a temporary hiatus, we warmly welcome you to come back and see what's new in Season 2. Fresh challenges and stories already await you across the lands of Weavereach—we look forward to standing side by side with you once more at Windrest!