Lost Ark News

[h2]Heroes of Arkesia,[/h2]

Following the recent Korean Live Stream, we know many of you have questions about how these announcements will impact the Western version of the game. To ensure transparency and avoid speculation, we want to clarify what you can expect based on our internal discussions.


[h3]Nerfs and Endgame Balance[/h3]

While Smilegate RPG has announced gold adjustments to various raid levels in the Korean version, our region's economy and gold income are not 1:1.

We understand concerns about implementing certain nerfs at this stage. Doing so now could negatively impact the experience for both new and returning players, as well as endgame players who are still progressing. Since we are behind the Korean version in terms of how long these raids have been available, we want to carefully consider any gold balance changes to ensure they don’t disrupt progression or overall gameplay experience. We will continue to monitor this closely and provide updates as needed.

However, to ease progression costs for new and returning players, we will be implementing the Transcendence and Advanced Honing nerfs. These changes will help make progression more accessible without the negative impact that gold nerfs might have caused. These will be reflected in the April update and are as follows:


Advanced Honing

• Required shards and silver -20% for Tempering stage 1 and 2
  
• Required honing materials -50% to progress Advanced honing level 1 - 20
  
• Required Shards, Silver and Gold -20% for Advanced honing level 1 - 20
  

Armor Transcendence

• Restoration 740 Gold > 510 Gold
  
• Purification 110 Gold > 75 Gold
  

Weapon Transcendence

• Restoration 2,200 Gold > 1,460 Gold
  
• Purification 190 Gold > 125 Gold
  

[h3]Gem System Adjustments[/h3]

We recognize that the current gem system creates barriers to both character progression and playstyle flexibility. Our goal is to create an environment where players can freely enjoy their favorite classes without unnecessary restrictions.

While some players choose to play multiple characters of the same class for fun, others choose to optimize gem usage, our focus is on promoting a healthy balance where players feel free to explore classes based on what they find most enjoyable. We will continue to evaluate ways to support greater class diversity and player choice.

Smilegate RPG is actively exploring solutions to make the gem system more flexible. We are carefully evaluating multiple options, each with its own pros and cons, to find the best path forward. This process takes time, and we appreciate your patience as we work toward a balanced solution. We’ve said it many times before, but your feedback is invaluable to us. While we may not respond to every social post, we are always listening, actively discussing player concerns, and considering both data and community input in our decisions. Your passion and dedication help shape the game, and we encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts in constructive discussions.


[h3]Class Balance Patch[/h3]

Class balance is vital to maintaining a fair and engaging gameplay experience, and we take it very seriously. We always strive to bring the latest class balance updates to the Western version as soon as possible. Smilegate RPG’s recent balance patch will be applied in the West’s April update, bringing several important class adjustments. We appreciate your patience as we finalize specifics for the Western version and will continue to share updates as they become available.


[h3]Content Localization Updates[/h3]

As our game has evolved, we've significantly narrowed the gap with the Korean version. Initially, the well-defined two year roadmap allowed ample time for localizing new continents, raids, in-game guides, and other content across multiple languages. However, as we've got closer to the Korean updates, we've seen increased demand on localization. After careful analysis of player language preferences, we've discovered that German and French localizations are currently being utilized by a much smaller portion of our community than anticipated.

Therefore, beginning with the May update, we will cease supporting German and French localizations and reallocate resources to the remaining languages to support the increased localization demand. The game will transition to English voice-over and text for players who previously selected German or French. Moving forward, we will be focusing our localization efforts on English and Spanish support. Our website will also reflect this change for a consistent experience across all platforms, with the in-game translations being supported on the site. You will see these changes take place throughout April. We continue to evaluate our localization strategy and appreciate your understanding as we work to deliver timely content updates.

[h3]Bus Advertising[/h3]

We’ve noticed players using creative methods to advertise bus services, such as making their titles appear unrelated to the actual activity (e.g., using terms like “Field Trip” or “Journey”) and using passwords to indirectly advertise prices. This behavior undermines our no-advertising policy, and we are actively working to eliminate this practice to maintain the integrity of the in-game economy and community. The grace period for shorter bans has now passed, and players who continue to break this policy will face escalating penalties. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the game fair and enjoyable for everyone.


[h3]T3 Deadzone[/h3]

The T3 honing dead zone (1580 - 1620) is a known progression pain point and is not something that's new to the Western Version of the game. We are actively working on addressing this. At the moment, we are not able to share the exact plans we have to address this, but we felt it was important to at least call this out. In the meantime, we will continue to support rosters that are challenged by this dead zone, with more materials and books through the various events we have planned.

[h3]Looking Ahead[/h3]

We understand that many of these changes will have a significant impact on the game’s progression and community dynamics. We are committed to keeping you informed as we implement these updates and are actively working to ensure that these changes are positive for both new and experienced players.

Thank you for your continued support, and we’re excited to continue this journey with you. We’ll see you in Arkesia!

[h2]Greetings, Heroes of Arkesia![/h2]

We’re back with the second part of the 2025 Lost Ark Roadmap, covering the exciting months ahead. Watch Roxx (Senior Product Community Manager), Matt (Associate Franchise Lead) and Henry (Head of Editorial) talk through what’s coming to Lost Ark from April through June.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

As always, since Lost Ark is a live-service game, plans may shift, but we’re excited to reveal what’s ahead! The roadmap content discussed are 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. As we approach each month, more details will be shared. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for future Release Notes, including the full list of new content, cosmetics, content balance changes, events, and more included in our major monthly updates.

[h3]April[/h3]


Progression Events
April will focus on preparing players for the upcoming Kazeros Raid. To help with that, two major progression events are launching. These will provide materials for character progression and ensure players are geared up for the challenges ahead.

• Storm the Abyss Event
  
• Road to Act 3 Event
  

Base Build Update
A new base build update will bring significant quality-of-life improvements. Some of the most important and impactful changes include:

Balance Updates

• Per-gate reward details for better visibility.
  
• No penalties for leaving Ebony Cube and Guardian Raids when playing solo.
  
• Boss shield damage now included in MVP screen calculations.
  
• Attack patterns that pull or push your character will slow down when using skills.
  
• Stronghold “Like” buttons added to show appreciation for visited strongholds.
  

The full list of details will be shared in the April release notes later this month!

Ark Pass: Roses & Frost
The Roses and Frost Ark Pass arrives in April, bringing:

• Free and paid tracks with progression materials, and more.
  
• The paid track features the Roses and Frost skin set, a new pet, and a mount.
  

[h3]May[/h3]
New Continent - Rimeria
May introduces Rimeria, homeland of the Yoz, known as “The Land That Guards the Dawn.” Once a place of great sacrifice, Rimeria now faces the return of Kazeros’ influence as new Rifts emerge. Player need to help Shandi and the Rimeria Elders to protect the land. This new continent brings:

• A continuation of the Main Story Quest
  
• New Adventurer’s Tome
  
• Rapport NPCs
  
• Side quests, achievements, collections, and new rewards
  

Additional Content Unlocks (Item Level 1700+)

• Kurzan Front Operation – Earn T4 Ancient Accessories and Cube Unlock 3 Tickets.
  
• New Cube Tier – Available through stronghold dispatch missions, guild bloodstones, and more.
  
• New Guardian Raid: Drextalas – A blue-flamed beast drops Ancient Bracelets and new cards/card sets.
  
• Chaos Gate Update – A new level with a chance to obtain a Relic Book if a rare boss spawns.
  
• Fate Embers Update – Now have a chance to drop Relic Books from the 1700 Guardian Raids and Kurzan Frontline.
  

Kazeros Raid Act 3 Prelude
Kazeros Raid Act 3 launches two weeks after the May update. After adventures in Rimeria, signs of Armen will lead players back to North Kurzan, where the alliance gathers at Storm Tower.

K-Pop Skins
May isn’t all about battle— K-Pop-themed skins are coming! If you’ve ever wanted to dress like an idol, now’s your chance.

[h3]June Part 1[/h3]


Kazeros Raid Act 3
The war escalates as players take on the Kazeros Raid Act 3, an 8-player, 3-gate raid with Normal and Hard difficulties. New and old foes will need to be vanquished. Call upon legendary heroes with Allied Forces skills like Thirain, Nineveh, Bastion, Balthorr, and even… Kharmine? The Act 3 Raid will release in early June, two weeks after the release of Rimeria.
Normal Mode (Item Level 1680)

• Hard Mode (Item Level 1700) will start from Frontier Mode Stage 3 (Explorer) and gradually ease to Stage 0 (Adventurer) over time.
  
• Frontier Mode Stage 0 (Adventurer) will be applied immediately to Normal Mode upon release.
  

Bosses Include:

• Thaemine – An epic rematch.
  
• Chaos Guardian Naitreya – A formidable new foe.
  
• Mordum, the Abyssal Punisher – A massive threat to Arkesia.
  

Raid Rewards:

• Thundercrack Horns (Normal) for Advanced Honing Stage 3.
  
• Thunder Orbs (Hard) for Stages 3 & 4 (raising the total Item Level cap by 20).
  
• Relic-grade engraving books and a new winged mount.
  

[h3]June Part 2[/h3]
Kazeros Raid Act 3 Postlude
After defeating Mordum, a Postlude quest will wrap up this phase of the story… but the war against Kazeros isn’t finished yet.

Western Exclusive Skins
New Western-exclusive skins are launching in May, inspired by ancient deserts, along with:

• A Horus-inspired mount.
  
• A cute desert lizard pet
  

Yornujan Island
Get ready to set sail—Yornujan Island is making its debut in June. This mysterious island near Rimeria is home to young Yoz in training, and they need your help to hone their skills.

What Awaits You on Yornujan Island?

• An Intriguing Story — The young Yoz still need your help! Visit the island to assist with their training and help them create stronger illusions.
  
• A New Daily Quest – Lend a hand in training the young Yoz and prove your worth.
  
• Exciting Rewards – Complete quests to earn valuable treasures and claim the coveted Island Soul.
  

Prepare to explore, train, and earn exclusive rewards when Yornujan Island opens its shores this June!

[h3]Looking Ahead[/h3]
Summer is heating up, and while Mordum will be a massive challenge, there’s even more on the horizon. How about something with a big sword and a holy aura?

When we reveal the next roadmap, you’ll get a sneak peek at exciting updates we’ve been working on. We’ve been listening closely to your feedback, and later this summer, we’ll be rolling out more surprises that you won’t want to miss. Get ready for what’s next after conquering the Act 3 raid! Stay tuned!

[h3]Exclusive Offer: A Special Gift Just for You![/h3]
As a special thank you for your continued support, use the code ROADMAPTWO on our website to claim a free gift. But don’t wait too long – this exclusive offer is only available until 4/10 at 12am PST / 7am UTC.

We’ll see you in Arkesia!

[h2]Heroes of Arkesia,[/h2]

The March Update is set to arrive, bringing a host of exciting content, events, and rewards! Downtime will begin on March 26, 2025, at 2 a.m. PT ( 9 a.m. UTC) and is expected to last 4 hours. This update brings the next chapter of the Music Box of Memories, the return of the Golden Frog, and End Content Extra Rewards Event, offering players valuable progression materials, powerful engravings, and essential raid rewards to enhance their gear. Read on for the full details on what’s coming in this update!

[h3]General[/h3]

• Trusted status will no longer be a blocker for the powerpass.
  

[h3]Content[/h3]



Music Box of Memories III

In this third chapter, the Music Box of Memories stands as a remnant of a long-lost civilization, a mysterious artifact that comes to life with Memory Orbs. Players will uncover untold stories of Arkesia’s overlooked inhabitants, gathering hints from various continents and progressing through quests to collect Memory Orbs and earn rewards, including the Ring of Tuning mount. Hints acquired can be viewed by hovering over the orb in the collectible UI (hotkey – Alt +L).

• Opened 4 new memories, numbers #17 ~ 20 and added cutscenes to the Memory Tome.
  
• Added new transformation toy called the Detective's Intuition.
  
• Added 12 new achievements and 2 new titles.
  
• Expanded 2 new Rewards:
  
• Reward for collecting 18 Memory Orbs is now a Quiet Melody Structure Chest
  
• Reward for collecting 20 Memory Orbs is now the Ring of Tuning Mount
  

Added 7 new songs to the soundtrack:

• Shimmering Wind
  
• Shimmering Wind (Music Box ver.)
  
• Beyond the Darkness
  
• Beyond the Darkness (Music Box ver.)
  
• Unbending Flower
  
• Unbending Flower (Music Box ver.)
  
• To My 30 Years Ago Self
  

[h3]Events & Rewards[/h3]

The Twinkle Twinkle Exchange Event (Golden Frog)

A limited-time Event Gold Shop will run from March 26, 2025 – April 23, 2025, that allows players to exchange Gold (excluding Bound Gold) for valuable rewards, including honing materials, Relic and Legendary Engravings, Card Packs, and more. Players can purchase random chest packs that yield Golden Frog Tokens, which can be redeemed for additional items.

Available chests include:

• Lucky Frog Chest I (Random rewards include Relic Engravings, Legendary Card Packs, Crystals, and more.)
  
• Lucky Frog Chest II (Random rewards include honing materials, Artisan’s crafting items, and a chance at Relic Combat Engraving Recipes.)
  

Rewards available for exchange include:

• Lucky Frog Chest I
  
• Lucky Frog Chest II
  
• Relic Combat Engraving Random Chest
  
• Relic Combat Engraving Selection Chest (Bound)
  
• Legendary Engraving Recipe Combined Volume (Bound)
  
• Leap Legendary Card Selection Pack II
  
• Legendary Card Pack III
  
• Splendid Elixir of Wisdom (Potent)
  
• Dark Fire
  
• [Event] Metallurgy: Hellfire [11-14]
  
• [Event] Tailoring: Hellfire [11-14]
  
• Processed Chaos Stone (Weapon & Armor)
  
• Honing Support Selection Chest
  
• Transcendence Ruins Restoration Ticket (Weapon & Armor)
  
• Advanced Honing Special Honing Materials Chest (Weapon & Armor)
  
• Hellfire Keystone
  
• Behemoth Scales
  
• Agris’ Scales
  
• Luminous Gem Shard Chest
  
• T4 Lv.2 ~ 6 Gem Random Chest
  

Extra Endgame Rewards Event

The Extra Endgame Rewards Event provides additional incentives for players tackling high-level raids. Eligible players—those with characters above item level 1600—can earn bonus reward chests upon completing designated endgame raids. These rewards will be granted each time a character successfully clears a raid, with potential additional bonuses for Solo Raids.

Raids with Extra Rewards:

• Ivory Tower
  
• Thaemine
  
• Echidna
  
• Behemoth
  
• Aegir
  
• Kazeros Raid Act 2 : Brelshaza
  

Amethyst Shard Exchange Updates

Added 4 new items, previously sold as selfie packs, to the Amethyst Shard Exchange. Each can be purchased for 10,000 Amethyst Shards. Additionally, we modified the exchange count to 0 for players who had already purchased a specific pose package to prevent accidental duplicate purchases.

• Pose: Jumpmotion 1
  
• Pose: Picturepose 9
  
• Pose: Picturepose 12
  
• Pose: Picturepose 10
  

[h3]New Items & Skins[/h3]

[previewyoutube]VIDEO - March 2025 - Transformation Skins[/previewyoutube]

Transformation Skins

Wildsoul

• Bear Companion: Cuddle up to the coziest, most lovable bear companions. Whether you’re feeling fierce, playful, or just want to be hugged, these plush companions have you covered.
  
• Fox Companion: Loyal, playful, and always by your side—these fox friends embody the spirit of true companionship.
  

Shadowhunter

• Dare to make a statement with these bold, high-fashion bunny skins. With sultry designs, sheer lace details, and striking poses, you’ll command attention wherever you go.
  

Artillerist

• Strike fear into your enemies with cutting-edge, futuristic flight skins. Available in gold, silver, and obsidian, these sleek designs combine deadly precision with cybernetic brilliance.
  

Machinist

• Rise above the ordinary in radiant armor fused with cutting-edge technology and divine elegance designed for both battle and spectacle.
  

Reception Skins

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Dress to impress with these two sophisticated ensembles. Whether you’re attending a grand celebration or ruling the battlefield with refined grace, these outfits bring the perfect blend of luxury and power.

[h2]Heroes of Arkesia,[/h2]

We wanted to take a moment to discuss recent ban waves, publicly share some updated plans related to one of the core tenets of the Amazon Games Code of Conduct— Play Fair. Specifically, we want to discuss the ban waves, and provide a few policy reminders related to RMT and botting behavior.

Anti-Cheat and Anti-bot Measures
Do not cheat, bot, hack, or use other software or services that give you an unfair advantage through, for example, unattended gameplay or game modifications.

Combatting bots has been an ongoing initiative of collaboration between our internal Anti-Cheat teams, Easy Anti-Cheat, and Smilegate RPG. We are constantly evolving detection methods and limiting the impact that bots can have on the economy and general player experience, along with the the use of illicit programs that allow players to automate daily activities and tasks within the game.

After reviewing the ban waves, our team found that some accounts, which had no prior violations or bad behavior, used the program to automate daily tasks. While these accounts did not deserve a permanent ban, using the program still violates the Code of Conduct, and it warrants a serious infraction. As a result, these accounts will have their permanent bans reduced to a 30-day suspension. The days already spent banned will count toward this 30-day suspension.

We hope that these players will embody the tenet of “Play Fair” heading forward, especially with the recent changes to reduce the load of dailies by speeding up activities and only requiring a single Kurzan Frontline/Chaos Dungeon per character each day. Any further infractions or violations will result in the permanent ban being reinstated.

RMT Bans
Do not engage in real-money trading of in-game items and in-game currencies.

RMT Bans have and will, continue to rollout in an ongoing basis. We have seen a lot of community conversations discussing the bans, along with false narratives being publicly shared, so we wanted to provide a few reminders and clarifications. First off, RMT investigations are thoroughly vetted and manually looked into. Oftentimes, players are not willing to share the entire truth after engaging in behavior violating the Code of Conduct, which can lead to speculation and confusion in the community. Additionally, ban/suspension appeals are manually reviewed, not automatically declined. While there are response templates built to communicate a decision, they are not automatically sent out. These responses can be sent out quickly to communicate decisions after an appeal is reviewed, especially in cases where the evidence of illicit activities is concrete, or when the appeal provided was not relevant to the reason for the ban.

If you ever in doubt of whether or not an action is allowed, please review the Amazon Games Code of Conduct or Terms of Service. Thank you for your continued support, and we’ll see you in Arkesia.

Heroes of Arkesia,

We sat down with the Smilegate RPG development team to explore how they crafted the latest Lost Ark Advanced Class: Wildsoul. A mischievous shapeshifter with a deep connection to nature, Wildsoul blends illusion magic, animal transformations, and raw combat power into a fast-paced, strategic playstyle. From her dual-animal spirit magic to her playful yet powerful sound design, here’s how Wildsoul was brought to life.


Q: Wildsoul is a really unique addition to the game. What makes her stand out?

Dev Team: Most Yoz inherit a single animal spirit, which shapes their abilities and even their physical traits. Wildsoul? She’s an exception—a once-in-a-century phenomenon who possesses two spirits: the raw power of a bear and the cunning agility of a fox.

This dual connection makes her incredibly powerful but also unstable, which is why she seals her abilities inside a mystical scroll. It’s the only way she can contain her magic—until she needs to unleash it in battle. That’s when things get really interesting.



Q: Let’s talk about that magic—how does Wildsoul’s power actually work?

Dev Team: She has two core abilities: illusion magic and shapeshifting. Illusion magic lets her summon spectral beasts—a massive bear charging through enemies, a fox darting between attacks, or a murder of crows creating pure chaos. These summons feel like living creatures, acting as an extension of her spirit.

She doesn’t just summon animals—she becomes them. In bear form, she’s a force of nature, dealing heavy, ground-shaking attacks. In fox form, she’s lightning-fast, weaving through enemies and striking with deadly precision.

What makes her fun to play is that she can seamlessly switch forms mid-battle, adapting to whatever the situation demands. One moment she’s evading, the next she’s overwhelming enemies with sheer strength.



Q: Her design feels really distinct—what were the inspirations behind her look?

Dev Team: From the start, we wanted Wildsoul to fully embody the spirit of the Yoz—a culture deeply connected to nature, illusion magic, and spiritual energy. Her look had to reflect that, but in a way that made her feel truly unique.

We drew inspiration from a variety of cultural aesthetics and traditions, blending these elements to create a character with a rich and distinctive identity. Her clothing and accessories incorporate natural materials, layered fabrics, and intricate patterns, all designed to reflect her deep connection to the land.

Since Rimeria, the homeland of the Yoz, is close to Anikka, we also wove in subtle Eastern influences to show the cultural exchange between these regions. The result is a character that feels like she truly belongs in the world, while still standing out as one of its rarest warriors.



Q: Let’s talk about sound—what went into designing Wildsoul’s audio?

Dev Team: We wanted her sound design to reflect her playful but powerful personality. She’s mischievous, a little unpredictable, but never to be underestimated.

For example, in her “Ursine Windup” attack, she lets out a slight struggle sound as she swings her arm—because let’s be honest, swinging a giant bear claw isn’t easy! But when she lands the hit? Boom. The impact makes it clear—this is a character who hits hard.

Her “Swish Bear” transformation starts with a soft, mystical hum, which then deepens into a low, resonant vibration once she fully shifts. Meanwhile, her fox form is all about quick, sharp sounds, emphasizing her agility. Even her animal cries—from the fox’s call to the crow’s caw—were carefully tuned to feel real but slightly magical.

We wanted every sound to reinforce the idea that Wildsoul is skilled at illusion and a powerhouse, and we’re really happy with how it all came together.

Q: Finally, why should players be excited to play Wildsoul?

Dev Team: If you love fast-paced, strategic combat, Wildsoul is for you. She’s not a straightforward tank, nor is she a typical rogue—she’s a shapeshifter and an illusionist, all in one.

It has been an exciting several weeks since the Wildsoul’s launch in Arkesia, with players leveling up and battle the Demon Legions in new ways with Wildsoul. Now’s the perfect time to take part in the ongoing progression events and make the most of her arrival. From the Powerpass to Mokoko Challenge Express, these events offer valuable rewards, boosts, and resources to help you level up your Wildsoul and enhance your journey. We’ll see you in Arkesia!