Heroes of Arkesia,
We recently released a letter from Amazon Games & Smilegate RPG discussing state of the game and some directional changes we’re excited to make to better support new players and listen to our existing player feedback. While that letter covers the broader initiatives, the 2023 Roadmap will dive into the biggest pieces of content arriving over the next four months.
Before we explore the content, we know there are a few shocked faces out there seeing that the Slayer will arrive before the Aeromancer. Don’t worry, both will arrive with progression events to help players gear up quickly! We saw the high levels of anticipation and positive feedback surrounding the Slayer in the West when it was released in Korea in January, and coupled with many requests to try the class from our players— we decided to bring this class to you sooner rather than releasing the classes in order. New continents and Legion Raids have to be updated in order, while classes don’t have the same restrictions.
The content found below are some of the highlights we know players are eagerly awaiting, but the roadmap is not a comprehensive list of every change arriving in Arkesia over the next few months and could change. The descriptions provided are meant to be summaries of the content, and not provide any potential lore spoilers. As we approach each month, more details will be shared. There will be plenty of other quality of life (QoL) updates, balance tuning, adjustments to support new and returning players, and unique events. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for future release notes including the full list of new content, cosmetics, balance changes, events, bug-fixes, and more included in our major monthly updates. With that, let’s dive in.
May
Slayer Advanced Class
The Slayer is the fifth Warrior Advanced Class— a female remix of the Berserker class. A melee warrior who stirs up the battlefield with her greatsword and Burst Mode, this powerful class has the potential to overwhelm anything in her path. Successful attacks with the Slayer fills the Fury Specialty Meter, which, when full, can trigger Burst Mode. During Burst Mode, the Slayer's damage and movement speed greatly increase, and a Specialty skill called Bloodlust (unique to the Slayer) can be used to unleash powerful slashes and stabs.
The Slayer will release in May with a powerpass and progression events. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for event details leading up to the May update.
Ebony Cube, Progression Improvements, & QoL Updates
Clear waves of enemies in a new activity that consolidates Boss Rush and Cube and replaces them. Later this week, we’ll post a notice with information on what will happen to any remaining tickets for the existing Boss Rush and Cube activities.
Progression improvements also arrive. Knowledge Transfer has been improved to ease alternate character progression by alleviating prerequisite conditions and the duration. Another change will be added to help with new player progression. In some entry level Guardian Raids, players will receive free battle items relevant to the guardian, automatically applied as a preset, with in-game guide messages on when to use within the raid. When the player leaves the raid, the battle items will be removed. This helps ensure that newer players won’t have difficulty attaining critical battle items while progressing, and better prepares them for later raids.
Ebony Cube and new player experience improvements aren’t the only QoL updates arriving in May. With reworks to end-game raiding entry limits & rewards, attention granted to Gunslinger/Deadeye stances & weapon glows, and more, there’s plenty to improve every adventurer’s experience in Arkesia.
Proving Grounds Season 3
Season 3 of Competitive Proving Grounds PvP arrives. Prove you’re one of the best warriors in Arkesia to earn season ranks, rewards, and prestige. The end date for Season 3 has not yet been determined, but will continue for the foreseeable future. Good luck on the battlefield!
June
Elgacia Continent
The Demon invasion beginning in South Vern and the Legion Commanders' powers are growing with the Chaos Gates all over the world. With Kazeros' resurrection nigh due to the Dimensional Rift, it's time for gates of Elgacia to open. Kadan and Nineveh will lead you to Elgacia, the land of Lazeniths. What will happen in the final paradise built by Regulus? Explore Ereonnor, the city of light built in reverence to the Gods, the blessed Hestera Garden, and the sacred Mount Phylantos in the continent of Elgacia as you uncover the secrets of the Lazeniths. Venturing to Elgacia will require Item Level 1460.
Kayangel Abyssal Dungeon
A 4-player Abyssal Dungeon will release that can be accessed after completing the Elgacia story. With several difficulties, a variety of players can participate— but the harder the difficulty, the more impressive the rewards will be, one of which enables the ability to upgrade Ancient Legion Raid gear set bonuses to level 3.
Fortunespire Floors 26 - 50
The next 25 floors of the Tier 3 Tower will release, providing new battles and challenges to vanquish, and in return, earn valuable rewards.
July
Kakul-Saydon Legion Raid Inferno Mode
The most difficult version of Legion Raids, the Inferno difficulty is all about proving you’re among the best of the best in Arkesia, and earning the accompanying prestige. Rather than chasing the normal rewards of gear, materials, and everything else you’d receive in a Legion Raid, Inferno rewards instead showcase your victory with titles, achievements, Stronghold structures, and more! The Inferno difficulty of Kakul-Saydon will require Item Level 1475, and a full build set-up in the Book of Coordination.
Elgacia Epilogue
Epilogue quests to the continent of Elgacia will release a month later. Visit familiar faces and key characters around the world of Arkesia after the events of Elgacia.
Music Box of Memories & QoL Updates
The Music Box of Memories is the vestige of ancient civilization long gone, manifesting as a gadget that can be played with 'Memory Orbs', a new collectible. Experience new stories of the inhabitants of Arkesia who have not received the spotlight with the Music Box of Memories. Gain hints from various continents and progress quests to collect Memory Orbs and earn rewards. Along with the Music Box of Memories, more QoL updates and will release in July.
August
Akkan Legion Raid
After the battle with Plague Legion Commander Akkan in South Vern, Queen Ealyn kept some of Akkan's flesh to research the Legion Commander. However, some of the pieces have disappeared, and have begun to gather in Arthetine. Could it be that Akkan, the bringer of death, has concocted a terrible scheme to bring back his terrifying power?
Aetanople is slowly being sumberged by water permeated with the power of disease, and the souls of the deceased still wander the living world, shackled by Akkan's spells. Akkan needs to be stopped before all of Arkesia succumbs to his horrid rot and decay.
Journey to Arthetine to battle the Plague Legion Commander in a new 8-player Legion Raid. The normal and hard versions of the Legion Raid will release, each with their own Item Level requirements.
Normal: All 3 gates can be entered with Item Level 1580
Hard: All 3 gates can be entered with Item Level 1600
Aeromancer Advanced Class
The Aeromancer is the second Specialist Advanced Class. With power of mystical illusion she’s able to manipulate the weather to devastating effect on the battlefield, or fight to vanquish enemies with spectacular flourishes of her umbrella. The Aeromancer’s Identity is Sun Shower. The Sun Shower Raindrop Meter is filled as the Aeromancer successfully hits enemies with skills, and Sun Shower can be used when the meter fills all the way up— providing dual benefits of offense and defense. Upon using Sun Shower, the Aeromancer’s basic attacks and movement skill evolve while active, nearby enemies are constantly damaged, and her (and her party's) damage received from enemies is reduced.
The Aeromancer will release in August with a powerpass and progression events. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for event details leading up to the August update.
Sonavel Guardian Raid
For a long time Levanos, the Elemental King, protected Arkesia by following light and order. He’s abandoned his mission of protecting nature, chosen chaos, and has turned in to Sonavel, obsessed with anger and chasing only darkness. Sonavel must be defeated before he destroys that which he once protected! Players can challenge Sonavel in a new Guardian, which requires Item Level 1580 to participate.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to witness players experience the unique events, explore new parts of Arkesia, battle in new PvP battles, and prepare for the challenging experiences awaiting in the new dungeons and raids over the coming months. In the meantime, stay tuned to our website, social channels, and the release notes for the full list of new content, store updates, events, bug-fixes, and more over the coming months. We’ll see you in Arkesia!