This update features the new Shadow Raid endgame challenge, Chaos Rift solo content, Tier 4 honing expansion with Destined Tremor Gear, Inanna's Blessing subscription service, and more . Downtime will begin on April 15 at 12AM PT (7AM UTC) and is expected to last 5 hours. Read on for the full list of new content, events, store offerings, and other changes below.
With Kazeros defeated, the seals binding the Primordial Beings have weakened. These ancient entities now threaten Arkesia. Serca, the Witch of Pain, is the first to emerge from the shadows, and she brings with her a new level of challenge that will test even the most seasoned adventurers. Shadow Raid - Serca is a new 4-player endgame raid available in Normal, Hard, and Nightmare difficulties. This content shares gold reward counts and free extra reward counts with other endgame content.
To challenge Serca, the Witch of Pain, you must complete the Shadow Raid unlock quest '[Unlock] Notice: Shadow Raid.' This quest can be accepted from the Quest Journal (J) > Guide tab after reaching Item Level 1710 and completing the main quest 'Inherited Will.
Difficulty Tiers:
Normal: Item Level 1710+
Hard: Item Level 1730+
Nightmare: Item Level 1740+
Note: Frontier mode will not be applied to Shadow Raid - Serca
How to Enter:
Interact with the 'Shadow Raid' entrance object located in major cities.
Use the Find Party feature.
Access via Content Guide (Alt + Q).
Shadow Raids introduce the revolutionary Brawl System, replacing traditional monster stagger mechanics with a dynamic combat encounter that demands coordination and adaptability.
How It Works:
When you successfully stagger Serca during the raid, your party is transported to a dedicated Brawl space for a limited time. The Brawl consists of 3 stages, and fulfilling the conditions of each stage allows you to progress to the next. When the time limit expires, the Brawl ends and you return to the original combat space.
Strategic Implications:
Coordinate with your party to maximize damage during Brawl phases.
Each stage has specific completion conditions that must be met.
Successfully completing Brawl stages provides significant advantages in the main encounter.
Time management is critical—plan your burst windows carefully.
Shadow Raids feature a shared resurrection count per gate, fundamentally changing how parties approach combat.
All party members draw from a collective resurrection pool.
The base resurrection count varies by difficulty tier.
Additional resurrection counts are provided after a certain time during the boss fight (up to a maximum).
If resurrections run out and all party members die, the raid fails and you can retry by reviving the entire party at the Battle Workshop.
The raid will fail if all party members are wiped out via one shot mechanics, even if resurrection counts remain.
Resurrection count resets upon restarting the dungeon.
This system encourages strategic decision-making about when to revive fallen allies and promotes careful, coordinated play over aggressive solo tactics.
Shadow Skills are powerful new Battle Items that harness the power of Primordial Beings. They can be used in Shadow Raids as well as in other content and regions.
Shadow of Corvus Tul Rak:
The first Shadow Skill, Shadow of Corvus Tul Rak, can be obtained in Shadow Raid - Serca. You can acquire crafting recipes as rewards for completing specific achievements related to Gate 2 of Serca, the Witch of Pain.
Recipe: Shadow of Corvus Tul Rak Box
Recipe: Shadow of Corvus Tul Rak Box (Farm)
After learning these recipes, you can craft them at the Expedition Estate Crafting Workshop. Whirlwind Grenades are used as crafting materials. The box is Bound to Roster when claimed and can be used from Item Level 1710. The Battle Item itself is bound to roster upon acquisition and cannot be traded. Shadow Skill Battle Items are stored in the 'Shadow Skill' category at the top of the Battle Item Storage and can be equipped in Battle Item slots like normal Battle Items.
Agony Thorn:
In Hard and Nightmare difficulties, you can obtain the newly added material 'Agony Thorn,' used to craft the Tier 4 Upper Ancient Gear 'Destined Tremor Gear' and new Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials.
Normal Mode provides Fragmented Agony Thorn that can be exchanged for Agony Thorn and honing materials.
The Item Level requirement to craft Destined Tremor Gear remains unchanged.
Additional Rewards:
You can use 'View Extra Reward' after clearing each gate.
A First Clear Reward is given upon clearing for the first time (given once upon first clear regardless of difficulty).
Added to Milestone Missions - Weekly Mission 'Breakthrough End Content Gates' and Guild Missions.
Nightmare Difficulty Exclusive Title:
Players who clear Nightmare difficulty during the initial week (before the April 22nd maintenance) can earn the exclusive title 'Doloris.'
After April 22nd, these achievements move to the 'Legacy' category. Legacy achievements do not count towards Grade EXP and existing Grade EXP may apply negatively.
Mounts:
Witch of Pain's Broom: Nightmare Clear Reward (1 per Roster)
Witch of Scream's Broom: Nightmare Loot Auction
Witch of Thorn's Broom: Nightmare Loot Auction
Other Additions:
Added 6 new trophies.
Added new achievements and titles.
Added 'Shadow Raid' category and 'Serca, the Witch of Pain' to Find Party and Recommended Skills (actual Recommended Skill data will be provided after a week).
Items subject to maximum prices in the Loot Auction will have limits applied after a week.
Added clear reward info to the Item Dictionary.
A new NPC named 'Tene' has been added to major cities. Tene allows you to craft items using 'Agony Thorn' and 'Fragmented Agony Thorn.' Some items have weekly Roster crafting limits.
Chaos Rift is an intense 1-player challenge where you purify chaos by defeating massive numbers of chaotic beings within a time limit. This new content provides essential Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials and Gems to support your progression to the highest tiers.
Item Level: 1730+
Unlock Quest: '[Unlock] New Adventure, New Growth!' (accepted from Quest Journal > Guide after reaching Item Level 1730 and completing 'Inherited Will').
How to Enter:
Interact with the 'Resonance of Heroes' object in major cities.
Access via Content Guide (Alt + Q).
Abyssal Reversal I:
You can challenge 'Abyssal Reversal I' which uses the same Aura of Resonance and Rest Bonus as Chaos Dungeons and Kurzan Frontline.
1 entry costs 100 Aura of Resonance and 40 Rest Bonus.
If you have 40+ Rest Bonus, it is consumed to increase rewards. You cannot enter without sufficient Aura of Resonance.
Purification Progress:
Defeating monsters increases the purification progress. Reaching 100% within the time limit results in success.
Buffs & Azena's Blessing:
You can acquire helpful buffs during your run. 'Chaos Rider' is always active.
Touching chaotic energy appearing at certain intervals grants a temporary powerful buff. Kazeros Battlefield's contribution system does not apply.
Azena's Blessing Choice:
When entering Chaos Rift with Azena's Blessing active, you can choose between:
New 'Chaos Rider' effect (optimized for Chaos Rift mechanics with stronger buffs).
Previous Azena's Blessing effect (traditional benefits from Kurzan Front/Chaos Dungeon).
The choice is made at entry and provides valuable benefits based on your playstyle.
Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials:
Chaos Rift provides various rewards for character growth, including Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials and Astrogems.
Honing materials are Bound to Character
Fate Ember:
A 'Fate Ember' may appear by chance, dropping tradable Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials or other rewards.
Sand of Trial:
'Sand of Trial' can be obtained by chance.
Used to enhance 'Haal's Hourglass' rewards.
Max 5 per character. Excess is destroyed.
Other Additions:
Added related achievements.
Applied to Milestone Missions - Weekly Mission 'Clear Dungeon using Aura of Resonance' and Guild Missions.
Added to Stronghold Special Dispatch.
Haal's Hourglass is a challenging 4-player piece of content (can be entered solo) where you defeat boss monsters in a single stage within a time limit. This weekly content offers exceptional rewards that can be enhanced through the Sand of Trial currency earned in Chaos Rift.
Item Level: 1730+
Unlock Quest: '[Unlock] New Adventure, New Growth!' Accepted from Quest Journal > Guide after reaching Item Level 1730 and completing 'Inherited Will.'
Weekly Entry Limit: 1 time per character per week (resets every Wednesday at 10:00 UTC).
How to Enter:
Interact with the 'Haal's Legacy' object in major cities.
Use Find Party.
Access via Content Guide (Alt + Q).
Auto-Revival System:
Players automatically revive after a certain time upon death. You cannot stop the content while in progress. Success requires defeating all bosses within the time limit.
Sand of Trial Enhancement:
You can enhance clear rewards using 'Sand of Trial' (obtained in Chaos Rift, max 5 per character).
All owned Sand of Trial are consumed upon clearing.
Rewards are enhanced based on the number consumed.
Does not apply to Lucky Monster rewards.
Time-Based Challenge:
Failing to conquer within the time limit ends the challenge with no rewards. If entered solo, you can use the 'Exit' button before it starts to get the entry ticket refunded via mail (period-limited ticket). The 'Exit' button is only available at the starting point.
Rewards are the same type as the existing Ebony Cube (delivered to inventory or mail). The more Sand of Trial you invest, the better your rewards.
Sand of Trial Exchange:
Sand of Trial can be exchanged for Ebony Cube Tickets, providing flexibility in how you use this currency.
Other Additions:
Added to Milestone Weekly Missions.
Added to Stronghold Special Dispatch.
Added related achievements and titles.
Ebony Cube remains available.
The Guardian Raid roster expands with Guardian's Afterimage, featuring the new Guardian Lumen Caligo and a rotating weekly system.
Item Level: 1730+ (for Afterimage Stage 1).
Unlock Quest: '[Unlock] New Adventure, New Growth!'
Guardians rotate weekly in the following order:
Lumen Caligo
Gargadeth
Skolakia
Krathios
Argeos
Drextalas
Sonavel
Veskal
Guardian's Afterimage Card Selection Pack I:
Choose 1 card from all rotating guardians.
Clear rewards are similar to existing Guardian Raids.
With 'Collect Guardian's Will' active, you may get Gems or 'Fragment of Destiny.'
No first clear reward.
Other Additions:
Added to Stronghold Special Dispatch.
Added related achievements.
Applied to Milestone Weekly Missions and Guild Missions.
Tier 4 progression continues with Destined Tremor Gear—a new tier of Ancient Gear that pushes the boundaries of character power.
CRAFTING REQUIREMENTS
Agony Thorn (from Hard/Nightmare Shadow Raid - Serca).
Crafted via 'Tier 4 Gear Crafting' NPC (formerly Kazeros Gear Crafting) in major cities.
Requires Item Level 1730+
GEAR TRANSFER
In order to gear transfer to a newly acquired Destined Tremor Gear piece, you must use a piece of Advanced Honing Level 40 Destined Hellfire gear of the same type.
HONING PROGRESSION
Destined Tremor Gear can be honed or special honed up to level 25 (honing past level 20 requires 'Breakthrough'). This gear provides the same Evolution Points as Aegir Gear and has a different border decoration.
BREAKTHROUGH SYSTEM (LEVEL 20+)
Upon reaching Honing Level 20, the gear enters a 'Breakthrough Required' state. You must consume 'Agony Thorn' and breakthrough costs to perform the Breakthrough (done once per gear). After breakthrough, you can hone to levels 21-25.
Weapon Effect:
A new weapon effect stage (Stage 15) has been added to the Weapon Effect Dictionary, activated upon reaching Honing Level 25 on the Destined Tremor Gear weapon.
NEW MATERIALS
Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials:
Destiny Crystallized Destruction Stone (Weapon)
Destiny Crystallized Guardian Stone (Armor)
Great Leapstone of Destiny
Superior Abidos Fusion Material
Special Honing: Transfer Leapstone
These materials are obtained from Chaos Rift, Haal's Hourglass, and other endgame content. Fusion materials can be crafted in the Stronghold.
Honing Rate Boosters:
Added 'Lava's Breath' (Weapon) and 'Glacier's Breath' (Armor) to increase honing rates for Tier 4 Upper gear.
MATERIAL ACQUISITION
Added 12 new researches for Advanced Abidos Fusion Materials in the Stronghold.
Added exchange for Tier 4 Upper materials via 'Honing Material Exchange' NPC (requires 1730+).
Added to Guild Bloodstone Shop (Research Lv 5/6, 1730+).
Added 'Gem Random Box' crafting using Tier 4 Upper materials via 'Ark Grid Expert' NPC (requires 1730+).
GEAR TRANSFER
You can upper-transfer Tier 4 'Destined Hellfire Gear' (Aegir) gear (Level 1730+, Advanced Honing Level 40) to 'Destined Tremor Gear' gear.
Important Notes:
Artisan's Energy, Honing EXP, and fail rate bonuses are NOT transferred.
Gear Quality IS transferred (maintains the higher quality).
Cannot do Quality-only transfers.
Added a popup warning when trying to hone Aegir gear past level 21.
Sidereal Weapon progression continues with Elgic Infuse Level 3, allowing you to push your Sidereal Weapons to new heights.
REQUIREMENTS
Elgic Infuse Level 2.
Item Level 1730+.
Advanced Honing Level 40.
Consumes 'Romantic Kit' and 'Agony Thorn.'
EVOLUTION LEVEL INCREASES
Evolution Level 7: Item Level 1735 → 1745.
Evolution Level 8: Item Level 1755 → 1775.
Evolution Level 9: Item Level 1785 → 1800.
EVOLUTION LEVEL 10
Sidereal Weapons with Elgic Infuse Level 3 at Evolution Level 9 can be evolved to Level 10. This enhances some Sidereal Bond effects and requires Romantic Material Kits, Sidereal Energy, and 'Agony Thorn.' Removed 'Wedge of Hellfire' from Level 9 requirements.
SIDEREAL CONVERSION
A new 'Sidereal Conversion' function has been added via NPC 'Balthorr' in the Great Castle, Yorn, allowing you to convert Sidereal Weapons to Normal Weapons for free.
How It Works:
Converted weapons cannot be sold/destroyed/dismantled.
Available for Evolution Stage 6+ with Elgic Infuse.
Converts to a Normal Weapon matching the Sidereal Weapon's Evolution and Elgic Infuse Level.
If you grow the Normal Weapon and convert back, the growth info is saved.
When converting to Normal again, it chooses the higher Item Level between the saved info and the current Sidereal state.
Advanced Honing Interaction:
If Advanced Honing on the Normal Weapon exceeds the Sidereal Weapon's max limit, reverting to Sidereal caps it at the Sidereal's limit.
Upgrading the Sidereal Weapon's Elgic Infuse level will automatically apply the previously capped Advanced Honing levels.
Gear Transfer: If the converted Normal Weapon is used as material for Gear Transfer, the Sidereal conversion info transfers to the receiving gear (cannot be used for Quality-only transfers). You can convert the receiving gear back to a Sidereal Weapon. 'Agony Thorn' is still required for level 3 Infuse or level 10 Evolution even if converting from a Breakthrough 'Destined Tremor Gear' weapon.
Other Additions:
Added Evolution Effect Stage 10 and Bond Effect Stage 3 to the Weapon Effect Dictionary.
Added new achievements and titles.
Slightly adjusted 'Sidereal's Energy' drop rates in existing content to maintain overall supply.
The following events will conclude with this update:
Aldebaran Feast - Ends April 15, 2026.
Kazeros Denouement Time Attack Event - Ends April 15, 2026.
Make sure to claim any remaining rewards before maintenance begins!
Duration: April 15, 2026 - June 10, 2026
The Shadow Event Shop arrives with The Shadows Rise update, offering essential progression materials and exclusive rewards.
Event Currency: Shadow Tokens
Earn Shadow Tokens through participating in daily activities.
Available Items:
Tier 4 Upper (Serca) honing materials.
Ark Grid materials.
Feast materials.
Additional details will be provided in a future announcement.
Status: Ongoing
Continue benefiting from enhanced rewards in Kazeros Raid with bonus materials to support your progression.
Daily Play Time rewards have been renewed to include Tier 4 Upper (Serca) honing rewards, providing additional progression support for active players.
Added a new bracket for Item Level 1730+ in Chaos Gates, offering more rewards than the 1720-1729 bracket.
Replaced honing materials from Kazeros Raid 'Denouement: The Final Day' Hard difficulty with Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials.
Changed the drop from Kurzan North Field Boss 'Sevek Atun' for 1730+ characters to Tier 4 Upper Honing Materials.
Removed '200,000 Gold Bullion Pile' from 'Fate Ember' in Kurzan Frontline 'Abidos Operation 2.'
Removed Gold rewards from 'Fate Ember' obtained in content below Item Level 1640 (slightly increased Silver drop rate in response).
Added 2 new cards and 2 card book effects to expand collection options.
Replaced 1730 Hell keys with new Hell keys providing Tier 4 Upper (Serca) honing rewards, ensuring Paradise remains relevant for endgame progression.
Improved the Crucible Battle start method. Players must now press the 'Start' button at the top left and wait 3 seconds to start the battle. Players cannot control their character during this 3-second standby time.
The new Content Guide UI revolutionizes how you navigate Lost Ark's vast array of activities, providing a centralized hub for all available content from Item Level 1710+.
Unlocked by completing either:
'[Unlock] Notice: Shadow Raid' (1710+), or
'[Unlock] New Adventure, New Growth!' (1730+).
The Content Guide shows optimized End Content and Core Content for your character's Item Level. The visibility of this content will depend on your item level.
End Content:
Shadow Raid
Kazeros Raid
Epic Raid
Core Content:
Chaos Rift (Kurzan Frontline)
Guardian Raid
Paradise
Haal's Hourglass (Ebony Cube)
Navigate lists via buttons, clicking empty space, dragging, or mouse wheel.
Offers the same functions as the existing 'Content List.'
You can switch the UI style between Content Guide and the old Content List via the 'Select UI' button (Alt+Q).
Access:
Hotkey: Alt+Q (default).
Available from main menu.
Quick-access via Content Guide interface.
Other Changes: After unlocking the Content Guide, the old 'Content Guide' layout is no longer provided. Characters below 1620 use Core Content UI and 1620+ use Kazeros Battlefield. 'Other Content' button accesses Legion Raids, Abyss Dungeons/Raids, and Solo Mode.
A major new feature has been added to improve party formation for endgame content. Group Application allows groups of 2 to 4 players to apply to raid parties together as a coordinated unit.
How It Works:
Create and manage groups through the 'Create Group' button on the Find Party UI.
The group creator becomes the 'Group Head' with access to 'Group Management' functions.
Invite group members through 'Group Management'—characters from other servers can be invited.
Groups remain intact after joining party search waiting rooms.
Group leaders can delegate leadership via context menu (Ctrl + right-click) on other group members.
Changed the display criteria for the impending expiration notification that appears when moving to the character selection screen or logging in with another character. The impending expiration notification will now only be displayed once initially and will not appear during subsequent character changes.
Note: This change remains in effect only while the game is currently running. Upon restarting the game, the impending expiration notification will be displayed as before then follow the same rules above until you close the game again.
Neria's Wardrobe brings back previously released cosmetics, including the popular Guardianknight fitting. Don't miss this opportunity to complete your collection or grab skins you may have missed.
We are introducing a new limited time package called "Shadow Custom Package." This package lets you be in control of what you want to buy. You will be able to choose the materials and products you want to create a personalized package tailored to your progression needs. Build your perfect bundle and get exactly what you need to advance your characters.
With the new Tier 4 Upper Ancient Gear, new materials and 1730 Daily contents being introduced, we are making adjustments to Azena's Blessing. Below is a refresh, plus additional changes that you can expect when owning Azena's Blessing moving forward. Note, if you already own it, these benefits will be applied right away and you will not need to purchase a separate new Azena's Blessing.
Expanded Fate Ember Drops:
As is, exclusive Fate Embers can drop currently from the chaos dungeon/Kurzan Front and Guardian Raids.
We are expanding this to include the new 1730 content—Chaos Rift.
Enhanced Material Chests:
As is, players with Azena's blessing receive bonus item chests 3 times per week when clearing Gate One of any end content.
We are expanding these material boxes to include the upper Tier 4 materials.
In each of the below boxes, you can expect to receive Destiny Shards, Great Destiny Leapstones (Bound), Destiny Crystallized Guardian Stones (Bound), and Destiny Crystallized Destruction Stones (Bound).
The quantity increases depending on the size of the chest obtained.
Destined Honing Materials Chest (S) II
Destined Honing Materials Chest (M) II
Destined Honing Materials Chest (L) II
Daily Mail Rewards:
As is, daily item rewards are given via mail, when you have an active Azena's Blessing.
We are expanding this to include upper Tier 4 materials.
You can expect to receive Superior Abidos Fusion Material (Bound) as a new selection option.
Introducing Inanna's Blessing, a premium subscription service designed to enhance your daily Lost Ark experience with quality-of-life benefits and exclusive rewards.
Pricing:
1,500 Royal Crystals / 28 days
First Time Discounted Price: 1200 RC / 28 days (available in the F4 shop)
This is a Roster-wide subscription benefit that applies to all characters on your account.
Applies to: Chaos Dungeon, Kurzan Front, Chaos Rift.
Frequency: 1 character per roster, daily.
When the subscription is active, you can enter Chaos Dungeon, Kurzan Front, or Chaos Rift without spending Aura of Resonance once a day. This benefit functions as a rested run and can be applied to only one character per day.
How It Works:
Upon entry, a window appears where you can choose to use the Free Daily Run (from Inanna's Blessing) or use Aura of Resonance (standard entry).
Free run provides full rewards equivalent to a rested run.
Does NOT consume your Rest Gauge.
Resets daily at server reset time.
Applies to: All gold-earning characters in your roster.
Frequency: Weekly reset.
Gold-earning characters can use one additional "View More Rewards" option after clearing a gold-earning raid. This extra option still requires the same gold payment as the original "View More Rewards."
Eligible Raids: All raids from Valtan through Act 4, including Normal/Hard and Solo modes.
How It Works:
After completing a gold-earning raid, gold-earning characters receive an additional "View More" option.
Extra "View More" costs the same gold as the original option.
Only available when the raid qualifies for gold rewards.
Provides additional loot rolls for materials and items.
Frequency: Maximum 3 boxes per roster, daily.
Acquisition: You will obtain 3 boxes immediately upon logging in with a character in your roster. Staying on server select or character select will not grant any boxes.
You can have a maximum of 50 chests. Once 50 chests are stacked, you will not be able to get anymore chests until you use some.
Lucky Box Rewards are as follows (can also be seen in-game):
Ultra Rare (0.10% - 0.50%)
Relic Combat Engraving Recipe Selection Pouch (0.10%)
Leap Legendary Card Selection Pack II (0.50%)
Lofty Chaos Stone (Weapon) (0.10%)
Lofty Chaos Stone (Armor) (0.30%)
Bracelet Bonus Rework Ticket Chest (0.50%)
Rare (1.00% - 3.00%)
Astrogem Processing Reset Ticket (1.00%)
Rare - Epic Astrogem Chest (1.50%)
Legendary Card Pack IV (3.00%)
Uncommon (5.00% - 6.50%)
Inanna's Metallurgy Selection Chest (5.00%)
Inanna's Tailoring Selection Chest (5.00%)
Processed Destiny Stone x2 (5.00%)
Legendary - Epic Card Pack IV (6.50%)
Leap Essence x2 (6.50%)
Processed Chaos Stone Chest (Weapon) (6.50%)
Processed Chaos Stone Chest (Armor) (6.50%)
Uncommon - Epic Astrogem Chest x2 (6.50%)
Menelik's Tome x2 (6.50%)
Pheon x3 (6.50%)
Destiny Shard Pouch (L) x2 (6.50%)
Glacier's Breath Chest (6.50%)
Lava's Breath Chest (6.50%)
Abidos Fusion Material Selection Box II (6.50%)
Basic Life Energy Potion (6.50%)
Abidos Fusion Material Selection Box II allows you to choose 1 from 2 options:
Abidos Fusion Material (Bound) x20
Superior Abidos Fusion Material (Bound) x10
The Shadows Rise update represents our commitment to providing challenging endgame content while improving the overall player experience. We're excited to see how you tackle Serca's domain, master the Chaos Rift, and progress through the new Tier 4 honing expansion.
Your feedback continues to shape Lost Ark's evolution. Keep sharing your thoughts through our official forums, social media channels, and in-game feedback systems. We're listening, and your input directly influences our development priorities.
Thanks for your support, and we'll see you in Arkesia!
