Lost Ark News

Heroes of Arkesia,

The Souleater arrives in Arkesia next week on November 15, accompanied by progression events to help players quickly level up. Learn about the Souleater’s abilities, engravings, and progression events below. The Souleater – the Master of Specters – is an Assassin subclass who wields a giant scythe to collect her enemies’ souls. Souleater can choose to attack in three different ways: directly with the scythe, by summoning the dead, or with powerful Deathlord attacks.

[h2]PROGRESSION EVENTS[/h2]
[h3]SOUTH VERN POWERPASS & SUPER MOKOKO EXPRESS EVENT[/h3]
An Event South Vern Powerpass will release with the update for players to use until February 7, 2024. Pairing well with the South Vern Powerpass, players will be able to designate one character between Item Level 1415 and 1540 on their account to participate in the Super Mokoko Express Event, where they’ll have discounted honing rates, discounted gold requirements, and earn honing materials to quickly level up to Item Level 1540 and beyond. There’s also Combat Style Setting Support options for players to easily set skills and Engravings through presets, and get item support for accessories with relevant stats and Ability Stones. The designated character will earn valuable rewards as they level up, including Silver, honing materials, high level Gems, Engravings, and more!

The Super Mokoko Express Event also includes an Engraving Support system that lets players choose 5 engravings to be in effect at level 3 during the event. Here’s how to get started:

• After selecting a Super Mokoko Express character, the Engraving Support button will light up.
  
• Click the Engraving Support button to open the Engraving Support page and select your 5 desired Engravings.
  
• Press the Activate Engraving Support button to start using their effects.
  
• The effects of Engraving Support will also be shown in your Character Profile.
  

The Event will last until February 7, 2024.


[h3]PATH OF THE SOULEATER[/h3]
A new progression arrives, built to progress a character quickly from 1490 to 1610. This special event includes:

• A Gear Honing Support Effect applied when honing Brelshaza Ancient Gear from 1540 to 1580 that decreases the amount of gold and materials needed to hone along with increased honing rates.
  
• 2x Artisan’s Energy when honing Brelshaza Ancient Gear from 1540 to 1580.
  
• Rewards every 10 Item Levels from 1540 to 1580, with a particularly valuable reward at 1580.
  
• Special Missions to earn additional Raid & Abyssal Dungeon materials.
  

While the event is named after the Souleater, it can be used on any character between 1490 and 1610, not just a Souleater. The Event will last until February 7, 2024. Stay tuned for next week’s release notes for a more in-depth look at the new event.

[h2]SOULEATER CLASS DETAILS[/h2]

[h3]IDENTITY - DEATHLORD MODE
[/h3]Depending on the skill used, the Souleater gains Soul Stones or fills the Possession Meter with each successful attack. In normal mode, you can spend Soul Stones to use Deathlord skills. When the Possession Meter is full, the Souleater can enter Deathlord Mode. In the "Deathlord Mode," you can apply a powerful buff to yourself and use the Deathlord skill 3 times without consuming Soul Stones.

[h3]ENGRAVINGS[/h3]
Full Moon Harvester Crit Rate +3/8/14%. Upon using Soul Stone, recover Possession Meter by 5%. Upon entering while in Deathlord Mode, the cooldown of Deathlord Skills resets and Deathlord Skills's Damage while in Deathlord Mode +5/10/15%, Deathlord Skills's cooldown -50/60/70%. Night's Edge Possession Meter turns into Edge Meter, disabling Deathlord Mode. Edge Meter increases upon using Deathlord Skills. When the Edge Meter is full, Deathlord Skills are disabled for 12s, but Ghast Skills are enhanced. Using Deathlord Skills does not consume Soul Stones. However, upon gathering 3 Soul Stones, instead of consuming all, the enhanced Deathlord Skills are used. Ghast and Deathlord Skills's Damage +20/30/40%. Additionally, the enhanced Deathlord Skills's Damage +25/35/50%.


[h3]SKILLS[/h3]
Ghast Skills

• Harvest - Strike with your dagger quickly empowered by the Ghast, inflicting Damage.
  
• Lunatic Edge - Move 6 meters forward, inflicting Damage. Use the skill again to move 1 meter, inflicting Damage.
  
• Rusted Nail - Move 3 meters, inflicting Damage. Use the skill again to move 2 meters in the direction of the mouse. Inflicts Damage with a powerful upward swing.
  
• Thrashing - Throw the scythe like a boomerang and inflict Damage 2 times to foes in the path of trajectory. Use the skill again to throw another scythe and inflict Damage 2 times to foes in the path of trajectory.
  
• Ghost Step - Quickly swing the scythe 6m forward and inflict Damage knocking back foes.
  
• Lethal Spinning - Move quickly right and left heading forward while swinging the scythe. Inflict Damage 8 times and pull foes close.
  

Stygian Skills

• Gluttony - Summon a Predator Spirit to the front. Inflict Damage and launch foes into the air. Jump into the air and swing the scythe down again inflicting Damage and knocking foes back.
  
• Death Order - Summon a Dead Assaulter 10 meters within target location. Assaulters charge the target location and each inflicts Damage and launch foes into the air.
  
• Spectral Coffin - Summon the coffin of the dead from the underground and inflict Damage to foes in front and push them back.
  
• Astaros - Summon Inner Demon Astaros and charge it towards the foes inflicting Damage and knock them away.
  
• Soul Drain - Absorb the energy of the dead and pull foes close for 1s and inflict Damage 5 times. Then release the energy of the dead and inflict Damage and pushes foes back. You can change the direction while using this skill.
  
• Death Yard - Gather the wandering souls of the dead and emit them forward inflicting Damage 2 times. Use the skill again for a stronger emission inflicting Damage 2 times.
  

Deathlord Skills

• Reaper's Scythe - Channel the Deathlord's power into the scythe to inflict Damage and knock down the foes. On Deathlord Mode, Deathlord appears and attacks with greater power inflicting Damage and knocks down foes.
  
• Death Slash - Erupts the condensed souls of the dead with the Deathlord's power and inflicts Damage 4 times. It then explodes for Damage and knocks down foes. On Deathlord Mode, the caster is suspended in air with the Deathlord and inflicts Damage 4 times. The Deathlord personally cuts the condensed souls of the dead and explodes it for Damage and knocks down foes.
  
• Guillotine Swing - The Scythe of Destruction sweeps across within max 12 meters of the mouse location and inflicts Damage to knocks foes away. On Deathlord Mode, an even more powerful Deathlord scythe is dropped on foes inflicting Damage to knock them away.
  
• Vestige - Uses the Deathlord's power to momentarily pierce through foes to inflict Damage 4 times. On Deathlord Mode, attacks with the Deathlord inflict Damage 4 times. The attack avoids Collision with adventurers and Guardians.
  

[h3]AWAKENING SKILLS[/h3]

• Deathbringer - Gathers a great power and swings the scythe forward alternating with the Deathlord. Inflicts Damage 4 times. After alternating Damage 4 times, smashes the front and inflicts Damage and knocks down foes.
  
• The End - Call upon the Deathlord in darkness and inflict Damage to foes, then gather energy from lost souls to pull foes close, inflicting Damage 7 times. When all souls are gathered, they are severed to inflict Damage and knock foes down.
  

The Souleater and progression events aren’t all we have planned for the November Update— a batch of quality of life changes and exciting skins will arrive too! Stay tuned to PlayLostArk.com and our social media channels for the full list of updates in next week's Release Notes. Until then, we'll see you in Arkesia.

Heroes of Arkesia,

From the pumpkin-headed Willi-Willi boss in Luterra— formed from the vengeful spirits of fallen soldiers combining into a single entity bent on revenge— to the beautiful and mysterious Countess Ezrebet (who harvests energy from her party guests in the eventual preparation that the ‘beings from the beginning of time’ that she worships descend upon Arkesia), there are dozens, if not hundreds, of unique and horrifying enemies of all types in Lost Ark.

Of all the specially crafted horror bosses in Lost Ark, Akkan is one of the most iconic. Drawing from and combining many classic horror elements along with twists and themes unique to Lost Ark, a monumental amount of work was put into designing the Plague Legion Commander, the Akkan Legion Raid, and the character’s lore and backstory. Join the creators of Akkan at Smilegate RPG for a look behind the scenes at how many different teams worked together to develop a compelling and horrifying enemy. Below you’ll find lore, stories, and quotes directly from the creators of Akkan. Happy Halloween!



[h3]Background & Lore[/h3]
While always an extremely cunning Demon, Akkan was originally vanquished by Kadan during the Chain War. Later resurrected with the help of Thaemine, he bears a deep hatred for the Sidereals that killed him and seeks revenge.

Akkan is obsessed with living bodies, so he plasters himself with the flesh of living beings. Because the skin is not his and that his powers stemming from the Plague domain, the flesh covering Akkan rots. His obsession led him to devour all life from the endless abyss, and in the process, he destroyed the dark star of Petrania (one of four prominent regions of Petrania). This earned his title as Lord of Kartheon.

But why is Akkan so obsessed with life?

Akkan had an imperfect body from birth. He was born on the edge between life and death. Due to this nature, he elongated his life and earned his powers of decay by hunting his fellow demons for their flesh and blood. His endless devouring of life also allowed him to create life (the undead), which gained Kazeros's attention. Kazeros named Akkan the Lord of Corruption and Decay, and made him a Legion Commander. Akkan is Kazeros' most loyal servant, alongside Brelshaza.

Akkan resurrected Valtan, who was initially killed by Adventurers in Luterra. They are also in a 'Note from a Dear Friend' Card Effect Set together. At first, they were not that close. But upon Valtan's death, Akkan became interested in him as the Lord of Corruption and Decay, not to mention the commander of spirits. Akkan sewed Valtan's torn spirit together to bring him back to life.

[h3]Attacks & Weapons[/h3]
Akkan uses incantations to debuff enemies, creates plague fields (aoe attacks), and can both create and control infected living creatures (humans, plants, animals) to spread disease. For physical attacks, he wields Atlox. Atlox is Akkan’s gigantic scythe. The scythe type weapon is selected for Akkan, as it has life-reaping-reaper motif to it. Alongside Atlox, Akkan wields a Lantern, which is actually Akkan's eye.



[h3]Appearance[/h3]
Originally, the designers wanted to make him look dry and bony as to symbolize barren/lifeless nature of Akkan. Ironically, Akkan is full of resilient life as he keeps resurrecting even when only a chunk of his body remains on earth. His main color theme is green to represent disease. Because his powers are disease itself, and because he keeps resurrecting, his body is grotesque. His flesh is rotting and pale with nasty green pustules hinting at the disease residing in him. As he was resurrected in an imperfect fashion, his heart is exposed.

[h3]Raid Concept[/h3]
Overall Concept: “The dying city with disease and contamination.”

Ever since Akkan brought Corruption and Decay to the city, the city began to rot. Adventurers journey to this city in order to bring back life to this dying place by defeating Akkan.

Akkan, after recovering his body, seized the city to sacrifice its people as materials needed to resurrect Kazeros. He plans to do this by first flooding the city to spread his disease easily. Akkan also created Red Moon, a vessel to absorb and store energy of humans that are infected with disease. The Red Moon grows larger, and twitches as it collects nutritious energy from the city dwellers.

In Gate 1, the city is being submerged due to Akkan, who is flooding the city so that the disease will spread easily. The floor will continue to submerge during the raid, forcing players to evacuate to safe zones.

In Gate 2 the city is being twisted. The city jail building is floating mid-air as a result. The monsters (once humans) locked behind the bars appear as enemies. The Red Moon, created by Akkan with human sacrifice, now appears at the background.

In Gate 3 (Hard) Akkan summons the execution place, a stage which symbolizes Akkan's insides. The Huge scythe is placed there as a landmark, and the ever growing Red Moon is at the background.


One design feat that the concept team needed to accomplish was changing Akkan’s appearance during live service for Lost Ark. Akkan had seen a design change for quality polishing and to fit the combat styles in Legion Raid. Akkan existed in-game from the start (In the Gunner class tutorial), and his story was already developed. Later, when Smilegate RPG was creating the Legion Raid content of Akkan, some of his appearance changed to better fit the developed combat styles, and from a desire to make Akkan look like a “King of Death” in his strongest form. To accomplish this, the team added the following changes:

• Akkan's Eye was first placed in Atlox, but was later moved to the Lantern.
  
• The green them was bright green at first but it seemed too bright and energetic for a King of Death (looked almost magical), thus the green light was toned down.
  
• Akkan's exposed heart got emphasized as he was brought back to life again.
  
• Overall, Smilegate RPG wanted to make Akkan more 'rotted' but powerful. The first concept looks frail/too zombie-like, while the final version is more well-built.

"Which one will die first? Server or Legion Commander?"
Generally, when it comes to any Legion Raid Updates, the Smilegate RPG Server Teams are always on alert until the first raid clear occurs. They worry if the server may crash/die due to the Raid, as there are new systems developed for each raid that may impact the servers. Luckily no server crashes or major issues requiring on-spot emergency maintenance have happened so far, including during the recent release of Thaemine in Korea. Still, the Smilegate RPG Server Teams always wait in horror in the case of a “server doomsday” due to major Legion Raid Updates.

The Server Team also takes a crucial role in creating Legion Raids. Interesting combat gimmicks may not have existed if it were not for their hard work. The Akkan Legion Raid has some combat gimmicks that required unprecedented (in Lost Ark) server side developments, which presented horrors and challenges to the Team.

Gate 1 is known for its time-attack/drown mechanism. While the mechanism brilliantly fits that concept, the system needed for this mechanic was a challenge. There were many issues regarding the timing of water flooding.

The Pillar (infamous mechanic from the last gate) also required new development of course, and also another reason of Server Team's internal horror.

The scariest story was perhaps when the Hidden Sidereal feature was first introduced in Akkan. To make hidden Sidereal cutscenes appear at the right timing while corresponding with certain events was a challenge. This unprecedented development led to major issues that required the Server Team to hardcode some features up until the last minute. The last minute is quite literal — as they stayed up until 5am to fix the issues— an hour away from the update going live in Korea. Of course, the issues were properly handled later to replace the temporary hardcode.


Below you’ll find stories and quotes directly from Smilegate RPG’s Sound Team, looking into the creation of Akkan's main musical themes. The music captures more than the Legion Commander's concept. Listen and learn how the team developed the iconic soundtrack.

[h3]Lord of Degradation Akkan (G2)[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

You can hear this soundtrack when you first encounter Akkan during the Akkan Legion Raid. As this is the first raid encounter music for Akkan, we wanted to make it as a powerful introduction to highlight the first encounter with Akkan in the raid.

The main internal keywords for this soundtrack are "Lord of Decay, horror, action, grotesque". We were captivated from Akkan, who is the lord of decay and death. Graphic designs of the raid location, Akkan, and his legion army inspired us while making this soundtrack. Akkan's concept that he greedily absorbs beings that he kills for his evil powers was also a huge inspiration for us. We wanted to translate the horror and despair caused by his grotesque twistedness and evil concept into this piece. We did this by adding sounds that resembled desperate screams and cries from Akkan's victims, those who were once human if not for Akkan.

Thus, we completed a song that is both heavy and desperate. The heavy feel was intended to represent Akkan's high position as a Legion Commander, while using 'Bulgarian Choir' technique along with orchestra to create terrible screams of despair.

[h3]Plague Legion Commander Akkan (G3)[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The first idea that struck the team was a mash of orchestra, Bulgarian Choir, and heavy metal. We felt that heavy metal could embody action-oriented gameplay in a hellfire-ish environment very well, making the whole gameplay more immersive.

Just like 'Lord of Degradation Akkan' soundtrack, we depicted the sound of victims' screams, and Akkan's incantations with Bulgarian Choir along with orchestra to raise the tension. As the music develops to the mid-phase, heavy metal hits hard. The highlight-heavy metal part introduces solid drums and guitar to make the combat more immersive and intense. Heavy metal hits when the area destruction takes place and endless waves of demons arrive to emphasize the tense, scary emotions that the players will feel as they can die in a blink of an eye, if they are not careful.

[h3]Lord of Kartheon Akkan (G3 Hardmode Only Phase)[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

We wanted to not only make this song a boss combat theme, but also represent the players in this soundtrack. This is where players face Akkan for the last time, and Akkan will be in his giant form unlike previous gates. We wanted to depict this sense of gigantic scale in the music. We focused on the grotesqueness of Akkan's giant form, and pressure of facing Akkan in small, enclosed environment. The players, of course, will be at the brink of exhaustion by the time they face Akkan here. While still keeping in mind that we want to depict the intense battle with demon in the music, we wanted to add that feeling that "I" the player is a hero that is defeating the Demon Lord even while cornered.



Thank you for joining us for this special behind the scenes look at Akkan and what Smilegate RPG put into designing the horrifying and iconic enemies in Lost Ark. We hope you enjoyed and have a happy Halloween!

Heroes of Arkesia,

Welcome to Tavern Talks with Roxx, a brand new series about all the fun things that can happen in a Lost Ark tavern. It's a variety show with segments that may include recaps, announcements, contests, and more! No two episodes will ever be identical, but the goal remains the same— have fun with the community.

On episode one, Community Manager Roxx honors the spooky season by telling scary stories from the community, talks about the Pleccia drama, introduces you to Tim Granich (Sr. Product Marketing Manager) to play a quick round of rapid fire, shares some trivia, and finally opens the mailbag where the community’s questions are answered. Watch now!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Heading forward, every episode will be a little different and we want to hear your ideas for upcoming features.

Heroes of Arkesia,

The Chaos Gate revamp arrives during the weekly maintenance on October 25. Downtime will begin on October 25 at 2AM PDT (9AM UTC) and is expected to last 4 hours.


The new Chaos Gate is a combination of Chaos Gates, Ghost Ships, and Treasure Map content. Chaos Gates will now consist of countless demons in consecutive waves, and 3 bosses. Defeating each boss will grant players with combat buffs that increases attack speed and decreases cooldowns. There’s also a chance that a special hidden boss will appear after defeating the last boss! No player stat adjustments will be applied, and the difficulty will depend on Item Level and the number of participants. Like the original Chaos Gates, one of the Demon Legions will appear:

• Darkness Legion: During the boss battle, orbs that grant darkness debuffs will appear regularly.
  
• Phantom Legion: During the boss battle, orbs that debuff player damage will appear regularly.
  
• Plague Legion: During the boss battle, insects that debuff players' movement speed will appear regularly.
  
• Mayhem Legion: During the boss battle, Grotesque Doll that gives a flame debuff will appear.

[h3]Entrance & Matchmaking[/h3]

• Players can enter from each continent by interacting with the gate. Interacting with gate will make the entry UI pop-up on the player’s screen.
  
• Matchmaking is by region, and the required number of players is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 16.
  
• Players can also enter Chaos Gates when already in a party.
  
• Content resets at 10AM, just like other content that resets.

[h3]Rewards[/h3]

• Honor Shards, Honing Support Materials, Legendary Engraving Recipe, Cards (XP cards, random card packs), Gems, Gold/Silver
  
• There’s a small chance that the Hidden Boss will appear randomly with special rewards.

[h3]Chaos Gate General Updates[/h3]

• Some Mokoko Challenge Missions regarding Ghost Ships and legacy Chaos Gates were replaced.
  
• Some Achievements have been categorized as 'Unavailable'.
  
• Some Achievements' conditions have been changed.
  
• Chaos Gate alarm set in the Calendar/Timer will be reset.
  
• Information about the continent where Chaos Gate appear will be added to the Calendar/Timer .
  
• Content List and Content Guide UI information regarding Chaos Gate, including content guide and main rewards, has been updated accordingly.
  
• Exclusive passive skills 'Fighter' in Eibern's Wound crew 'Berald', 'Janes will be removed
  
• 'Berald' in Eibern's Wound will now have a new skill. The new skill will be from level 1-3 skills based on the crew grade. The new skill effect: Ship speed will increase in Sea of the Dead & Fast Sailing Meter will increase based on sailing length accumulated (the effect does not stack).
  
• Codex will no longer list where Ghost Ship and Secret Map items can be obtained.
  
• Ghost Ship related Guild/Co-Op Quests will be removed.
  
• Ghost Shop related Una's Quest will be modified from clearing Ghost Ships to 'Go to Dead Waters'.
  
• Ghost Ship related quest summary will be modified.
  
• Partial quests conducted in Yudia will be modified. Achera the Leader of the Whitesand Bandits will not drop the 'Paper Dropped by Achera' item anymore. Zarka's lines will be altered accordingly.
  

Heroes of Arkesia,

A Halloween inspired Twitch Drop accompanies the Monster Bash Update, available for members of the Lost Ark Creator Program to enable on their channel. There are three tiers for this special drop.

Tier 1 (4 hours)- A Halloween Candy Bag that includes:

• Halloween Soda Candy x3 - Sweet soda flavored Halloween candy. On use, Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence +3,000. Combat Resource Natural Recovery +24%. Atk. Speed +2%
  
• Halloween Strawberry Candy x3 - Sweet strawberry flavored Halloween candy. On use, Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence +6,000. Crit Rate +1%.
  
• Halloween Twin Candy x3- Sweet Halloween twin candy. On use, Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence +3000. Vitality +4,500. Move Speed +3%.

Tier 2 (2 hours)
Legendary Rapport Selection Chest x3

Tier 3 (4 Hours)
Epic Rapport Selection Chest x10
Amethyst Shard x1,000

Make sure to head over to Twitch and watch your favorite Lost Ark content creators to earn the drops before they end on November 7. Full instructions on account linking and claiming can be found on our Twitch Drops page.