CounterSide News

[p][/p][p]▣ Time: December 23, 2025, 20:00 - 21:30 (UTC-5) [/p][p]▣ Impact: Inaccessibility to the game.[/p][p]▣ Maintenance Compensation: 20,000 Credits, 3 Employment Contracts[/p][p]* Compensation will not be sent to CEOs who have broken the Terms of Service.[/p][p]
[/p][p]▣ Please Note[/p][p]- Patch note details may be added or changed during the update.[/p][p]- The schedule may be adjusted depending on the maintenance situation.
- Maintenance compensation will be sent to your mailbox if you log in by December 26, 2025, 09:59 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]◈ Shop Details[/p][p]This week’s shop update details can be found in the Shop Notice linked below, so please make sure to check it.[/p][p]
[/p][p]▷ \[December 23 Shop Notice] link[/p][p]
[/p][p]1. Seasonal Episode: Holy Night Chocolate Mousse Cake[/p][p][/p][p]1) Seasonal Episode: Holy Night Chocolate Mousse Cake will be opened.[/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Schedule[/p][p]- Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 6, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]2. New Employee[/p][p]1) A new employee \[Hyperion] will be added.[/p][p]\[ Hyperion ][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Standing][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]\[SD][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Live Illustration][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]◈ Counter Pass: Hyperion[/p][p][/p][p]◆ Schedule[/p][p]- December 23, after the maintenance - January 27, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Clearing Counter Pass[/p]

• [p]You can clear the Counter Pass Missions to increase the pass level while acquiring the necessary materials for unit growth.[/p]
• [p]Counter Pass missions are divided into \[Daily Mission] and \[Weekly Missions].[/p]
• [p]In the \[Daily Mission], 10 missions are given daily; you can choose 6 from the 10 to complete the given mission.[/p]
  • [p]If you don't like the mission given, you can select the reroll option to renew it.[/p]
  • [p]You can re-roll the mission for free for the first 3 times, and up to 5 more times afterward by spending credits.[/p]
  • [p]If you clear more than 6 missions, you can earn extra pass experience.[/p]
• [p]In the \[Weekly Mission], 10 missions are given every Sunday at 14:00 UTC-5.[/p]
  • [p]You can re-roll the mission for free for the first 3 times, and up to 5 more times afterward by spending credits.[/p]
• [p]You can earn extra pass experience by completing the 2nd and 4th-week missions.[/p]

[p]
 [/p][p]3. Danger Close Venera Season: Replacer King[/p][p][/p][p]1) Danger Close Venera Season: Replacer King will begin.[/p][p]
[/p][p]▷ Schedule: Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Dec. 30, 2025, 14:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]▷ Settlement Schedule: Dec. 30, 14:00 - Jan. 6, 2026, 14:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Battle Condition[/p][p]\[Easy][/p][p]\[Ground] unit EVA -30%[/p][p]\[Prydwen] unit ATK +100%, HP & Skill Haste +50%[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Normal][/p][p]\[Ground] unit EVA -60%[/p][p]\[Prydwen] unit ATK +100%, HP & Skill Haste +50%[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Hard & Expert][/p][p]\[Ground] unit EVA -90%[/p][p]\[Prydwen] unit ATK +100%, HP & Skill Haste +50%[/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Origin[/p][p]- Change[/p][p]
[/p][p]4. Gauntlet[/p][p]▣ Strategy Battle[/p][p]1) Bans & Ups will be removed from Gauntlet: Strategy Battle.[/p][p]
[/p][p]▣ Ranked Battle [/p][p]1) 2025 Sincere season will end.[/p][p]▷ End schedule: Dec. 28, 2025, 08:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]▷ Settlement schedule: Dec. 28, 2025, 08:00 - Dec. 28, 2025, 14:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]※ 2025 Sincere season’s skin reward is \[Under arrest, human - Cold Case Horizon].[/p][p]
[/p][p]2) The 2026 Royal season will start.[/p][p]
◆ Schedule[/p][p]- Dec. 28, 2025, 14:00 - Mar. 29, 2026, 08:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]※ 2026 Royal season’s skin reward is \[Under arrest, human - Cold Case Horizon].[/p][p]※ If you already have the gauntlet limited skin, you will get a frame [/p][p]
[/p][p]3) Ranked Battle ban rules will be changed.[/p]

• [p]No ban targets will be selected during Weeks 1 and 2.[/p]
• [p]Starting from Week 3, two employees will be selected as ban targets each week.[/p]
• [p]Employees selected as ban targets cannot be assigned to squads until the season ends.[/p]
• [p]Ban targets will be selected as one employee with the highest number of wins and one employee who ranked first in Casting Ban votes.[/p]
• [p]If the employee with the highest number of wins and the employee ranked first in Casting Ban votes are the same, the employee ranked second in Casting Ban votes will be selected instead.[/p]
• [p]Ship ban rules will remain unchanged.[/p]

[p]
 [/p][p]5. Consortium Co-op Battle: \[Demolition Worm 17][/p][p]The Consortium Co-op Battle against \[Demolition Worm 17] will start.[/p][p]
[/p][p]▼ Schedule[/p][p]▷ Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 11, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
 [/p][p]6. Challenge Stage: Horizon Finance Office Exclusive Gear - \[Payment Ledger] [/p][p]
[/p][p]1) Payment Ledger Challenge Mode will return.  [/p][p] ◆ Schedule [/p][p]▷ Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Dec. 30, 2025, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]◆  Dungeon Composition[/p][p]- Consists of ACT.1–3 stages.[/p][p]- Each act is divided into three stages, each with a different combat concept.
- In Challenge Mode, a new exclusive buff \[Horizon Finance Office] will be added, increasing the stats of deployed Horizon Finance Office employees.  [/p][p]◆ Rewards[/p][p]- Clear Challenge Mode to obtain \[ Diligent Payer Sticker ], a material required to craft \[Horizon Finance Office]  Mold.
※ Rewards can only be obtained upon victory.[/p][p][/p][p]- When clearing Challenge Mode stages, you can obtain both a First Clear Reward and a Medal Completion Reward (for achieving 3 medals), and you can also earn \[Diligent Payer Stickers ] as a repeat reward.[/p][p]- The \[ Diligent Payer Sticker ] obtained upon victory in Challenge Mode can be used to craft Horizon Finance Office Molds.  [/p][p]※ Challenge Stage Rewards[/p][p]First Clear Reward: Diligent Payer Sticker
Medal Completion Reward: Quartz
Repeat Reward (Stage Drop): Diligent Payer Sticker[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Exclusive Gear[/p][p]- You can craft from \[Workshop] > \[Craft] > \[Exclusive Gear] tab.[/p][p]- Click the Exclusive Gear Mold icon for \[Horizon Finance Office] to view the available list.[/p][p]- To craft \[Horizon Finance Office] Molds, you will need \[Diligent Payer Stickers], \[Elite Gear Materials], and \[Credits] .[/p][p]- The crafting method is the same as with existing molds, and crafting is completed instantly.
- The list of craftable Exclusive Gear is as follows.
- When clearing Challenge stages, there is a low chance of obtaining a completed Horizon Finance Office Exclusive Gear.[/p][p]- When dismantling Horizon Finance Office Exclusive Gear, you will receive 50 Diligent Payer Stickers.
※ Exclusive Gear obtained through mold crafting or stage clears is identical to the Exclusive Gear acquired via Counter Case.[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]7. Event[/p][p]▣ Cabin Party Skin Special Purchase Bonus Event[/p][p][/p][p]1) Cabin Party skin special purchase bonus event will begin. [/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Schedule[/p][p]- Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 6, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]If you purchase or already own an eligible skin for the Skill Cut-in Trophy during the event period, you can obtain the Skill Cut-in Trophy through the \[Special Purchase Bonus] banner.[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Eligible Skins for Skill Cut-in Trophy][/p]

• [p]Shy Dusk Starlight - Zodiac of Redemption Esterosa de Chevalier[/p]
• [p]Manual of Allure -Aura[/p]
• [p]Miracle Patissier - Claudia Nelson[/p]

[p]
[/p][p]▣ Anastasia’s Special Supplies[/p][p][/p][p]1) Anastasia’s Special Supplies Punch-In will start.[/p][p]
[/p][p] ◆ Schedule[/p][p]- Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 6, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]
[/p][p]※ During the event period, you can participate in a total of 7 days of attendance punch-ins.[/p][p]※ Attendance punch-ins reset every day at 14:00 (UTC-5).[/p][p]※ Consecutive punch-ins are not required—simply punch in for the total number of days within the period to receive all rewards.[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[ List of Rewards ][/p][p][/p][p]
 [/p][p]8. Recruitment[/p][p]1. Four Classified Recruitment Chance UP will return.
- Schedule: Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 6, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]- Ensured Recruitment Count: 150 times
- One employee is ensured to appear within the 150 recruitments.
- Once an Ensured Employee is obtained, the counter will be reset.[/p][p]- Target employee: 【Zodiac of Redemption Esterosa de Chevalier】【Replacer Queen】【Sprouting Star Solovey】【Red Witch Felix】[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]2. Three Normal Recruitment Chance UP will return.
- Schedule: Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 6, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]- Ensured Recruitment Count: 150 times
- One employee is ensured to appear within the 150 recruitments.
- Once an Ensured Employee is obtained, the counter will be reset.[/p][p]- Target employee: 【Aura】【Ozymandias】【Treasure★Hunter Mi Rinae】[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]3. Three Operator Recruitment Chance UP will return.
- Schedule: Dec. 23, after the maintenance - Jan. 6, 2026, 20:00 (UTC-5)[/p][p]- Ensured Recruitment Count: 150 times
- One employee is ensured to appear within the 150 recruitments.
- Once an Ensured Employee is obtained, the counter will be reset.[/p][p]- Target employee: 【Biblide Luce】【Chloe Starseeker】【Kim Hana】[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]4) Ascella Procenica has been added to the Recruit on Demand pool.[/p][p]
 [/p][p]9. Fixes[/p][p]1) Fixed an issue where the latest birthday event cutscenes were not displayed as intended.[/p][p]* The latest cutscenes can be viewed in the Collections tab.[/p][p]2) Fixed an issue where the Guardian of Sephira would sporadically take no action when Arahat Joo Shiyoon’s passive skill \[Flawless One] activated during the Guardian of Sephira raid.[/p][p]3) A fix where TASKFORCE PLAN - Senior Plan has a mission related to Alternium Reactor. [/p][p]
[/p][p]------------------------------[/p][p]
[/p][p]This concludes the update details for this week.[/p][p]Thank you.[/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Dear CEOs,[/p][p]This month's CounterSide calendar is now live! [/p][p]Download the calendar to keep track of your events, deadlines, and important dates - all on this calendar![/p][p]\[ Download Link ][/p][p]【 Horizontal Version 】[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]【 Vertical Version 】 [/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][p]A preview for January 2026 is here. [/p][p]Check out what new update is planned below![/p][p][/p][p]Google Play Store[/p][p]\[LINK]  [/p][p]Apple App Store [/p][p]\[LINK]  [/p][p]Steam[/p][p]\[LINK] [/p][p]Official Communities[/p][p]Official X: \[LINK][/p][p]Official Discord: \[LINK][/p][p]Official Subreddit: \[LINK][/p]

[p][/p][p]Dear CEOs,[/p][p]This is Kim Hyun Soo, the Head PD of CounterSide.
[/p][p]We thank all our CEOs for the support and love shown to CounterSide during 2025.[/p][p][/p][p]Spending the year 2025 together with our CEOs has been a great source of encouragement for me and the entire development team.[/p][p]
As we welcome the new year, we will continue to carefully consider and strive to deliver an even more satisfying experience.[/p][p][/p][p]Due to the year-end schedule, this December Dev Notes is being shared a little earlier than usual.[/p][p]
We kindly ask for your understanding.[/p][p][/p][p]Now, we would like to introduce the January update, which marks the beginning of 2026.[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Omen – ???][/p][p][/p][p]The first news we would like to share is an introduction to Omen Episode 5 which will be updated on January 27 (UTC-5).[/p][p]This time, a message about the upcoming Omen has been left behind through a fan letter addressed to you.[/p][p][/p][p](This text was restored by a Class 1 Administrator.)[/p][p]It has been some time, ■■■■■■■■■■■■. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say this is our ■■■■■ ■■■■■■■.[/p][p][/p][p]Just before the Old Ad■■■istra■■n's ■■■■ Protocol was triggered, I sent ■■■ this f■■ ■■■■■■.[/p][p][/p][p]The fact that you are receiving this me■■■ge now also means that y■■ and the Admi■■■■■tion have already ■■■■■■ to defend the ■■■■ multiple times.[/p][p][/p][p]Still, I am certain those ■■■■■■■■ became the d■■■■ng fo■■e that set you in m■■ion.[/p][p][/p][p]I don't dislike ■■■■■ who struggle desperately to break free from a ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■.[/p][p]And for so■■■ne like y■u, I will le■■e you a s■■■■er.[/p][p][/p][p]The Omen's ■■■■■ script is titled .[/p][p][/p][p]A wo■■n who wa■■ered for many lo■g y■■rs comes to m■■t a ■■■ in a c■ty by ch■n■■ and thr■ugh ■■■ real■zes what she tr■ly des■res.[/p][p][/p][p]The ■■■■■■■ she rea■hes beco■es a sto■y of its o■n, one that over■■rns the f■t■s of ev■ryo■■ b■und to that c■ty.
[/p][p]In ■■ ■■■■■■■■, the Z■d■■c ■ni■■ts seek to pro■■ct Cha■■de for the peo■le, the ■■■■■■■ moves to pur■e its in■■r dis■idents, and the ■■■■■does not miss the op■■rtunity brought fo■th by the 「Omen」. And at the cen■er of it all, a ■■■■ is caught in an ine■■table con■lict.[/p][p][/p][p]Even if this me■■age has been par■■ally dis■orted by da■a co■■■u■tio■…[/p][p]If it is yo■, I am ce■tain you will gra■p the true mea■ing hid■en within this sp■iler.[/p][p][/p][p]And now, as y■u stand today...[/p][p]I believe you can st■p the 「Omen」 and save the six ■■■■■■.
[/p][p]Because I am your biggest fan, after all.[/p][p][/p][p]-■■■■■ ■■■■■-[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[New Counter Pass – Doctor Macy]
Doctor Macy, who received strong positive feedback from CEOs following her appearance in the Main Stream story, is joining the roster as a new employee.[/p][p][/p][p]Doctor Macy is a Counter Fury Supporter who moves on the ground and performs all-around attacks.[/p][p]
She excels at dealing powerful damage to enemies with high HP while effectively supporting allied firepower.[/p][p][/p][p]Please look forward to the impact Doctor Macy will bring as she stabilizes and supports the flow of battle.[/p][p]
[/p][p]◆ Doctor Macy[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Gauntlet Ban Rules][/p][p]Ahead of the upcoming season, we would like to provide a detailed overview of the ban rules that will be applied starting next season.
[/p][p]First, in Ranked Battles, employees selected as ban will be unavailable for use throughout the entire season.
[/p][p]No bans will be applied during the first two weeks of the season, and starting from Week 3, two employees will be added to the ban list each week.[/p][p][/p][p]As a result, by the latter half of the season, approximately 20 employees are expected to be banned in total. This is a level similar to the number of employees affected by weekly bans in the current season.[/p][p][/p][p]The selection scope for the employee with the highest number of wins will follow the existing Rotation Ban criteria, and the voting will be conducted within the same scope as the existing Casting Ban system. In addition, ship ban rules will remain unchanged.
[/p][p]Meanwhile in Strategy Battles, the Bans & Ups will be removed to allow for more flexible squad compositions.[/p][p][/p][p]Through this overhaul of the ban system, we hope to encourage more diverse employee usage and foster long-term meta changes.[/p][p]
We appreciate your continued interest and feedback regarding Gauntlet content.[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Balance Adjustment Targets][/p][p]As previously mentioned, balance adjustments will be carried out after the end of the Gauntlet season, targeting employees who have seen relatively low usage during the season.[/p][p][/p][p]Please refer to the list below for the balance adjustment targets. [/p][p][/p][p]Detailed adjustment directions will be shared separately through the patch notes.
[/p][p]■ Balance Patch Target Employees[/p]

• [p]Christina Brecht[/p]
• [p]Aura[/p]
• [p]Sonya[/p]
• [p]Levia Tannis[/p]
• [p]Space Cat Felicette[/p]
• [p]Free Agent Seo Yoon[/p]
• [p]Galahad Roy Burnett[/p]
• [p]Six-Wings Amy Firstwing[/p]
• [p]Griffin Rider Christina Brecht[/p]
• [p]Ace of Wings Lee Sooyeon
  [/p]

[p]In addition, to better counter stealth skills possessed by Albion and certain other employees, we are currently reviewing the addition of stealth detection to the Enterprise.
[/p][p]If further countermeasures against stealth are deemed necessary, stealth detection may also be added to other ships in the future.[/p][p][/p][p]Based on the wide range of feedback provided by our CEOs, we are preparing balance adjustments aimed at delivering a more satisfying experience.
[/p][p]Please look forward to the detailed patch notes that will be shared in a future update.[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Grand Expedition – Regular Season][/p][p]The Grand Expedition, which received great interest from our CEOs, will return as a Regular Season on January 27 (UTC-5).[/p][p][/p][p]For this Regular Season of Grand Expedition, we have actively incorporated the improvement feedback shared by our CEOs.
[/p][p]First, a list displaying the employees that may appear during the season will be added, and the battle information panel on the right side of the stage selection screen will be improved to provide more detailed information.
[/p][p]In addition, to provide more opportunities to obtain Artifacts and employees, the number of stages within each zone will be expanded from 10 to 15.[/p][p][/p][p]To further ensure smoother progression, Artifact stats will be enhanced, and new features such as reward reroll and reward popup hide functions will be added.[/p][p][/p][p]Furthermore, when an assigned employee is equipped with a skin, the skin will now be applied during the Grand Expedition.[/p][p][/p][p]We also made efforts to include additional story content requested by many CEOs in this season. However, we sincerely apologize that development could not be completed within the schedule due to time constraints.
[/p][p]Please rest assured that Grand Expedition related story content will continue to be developed and added in future updates, and we kindly ask for your patience.[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Other Improvements][/p][p]In addition to the items mentioned above, we are carefully reviewing various suggestions shared by our CEOs and considering multiple improvements.[/p][p][/p][p]First, we are reviewing the introduction of a Strategy Battle skip function to allow CEOs to earn Gauntlet Points more easily and quickly.
[/p][p]We are also examining ways to reduce the time required for World Map Branches to reach Level 10.
[/p][p]In addition, we value all feedback provided by our CEOs and will continue to thoughtfully consider directions that help us build a better CounterSide.
[/p][p]Please feel free to share your ideas and suggestions with us at any time.[/p][p]
[/p][p]This concludes the January update information.[/p][p][/p][p]As CounterSide approaches its fifth year since initial launch and welcomes a new year, this journey has only been possible thanks to the unwavering support from our CEOs.
[/p][p]Your valuable feedback, constructive criticism, and warm encouragement have allowed CounterSide to continue moving forward step by step.[/p][p][/p][p]In 2026, the entire development team will do its utmost to create a CounterSide filled with even greater enjoyment together with our CEOs.
[/p][p]Thank you, as always.
Hyunsoo Kim, Head PD of CounterSide.[/p][p]
 [/p]

[p] [/p][p]Dear CEOs,[/p][p]We will perform temporary maintenance on December 17 at 01:50 (UTC-5) to ensure continued smooth operation.[/p][p]
[/p][p]During the maintenance, CEOs will not be able to connect to the game.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Check below for more details. [/p][p]
[/p][p]\[December 17 Temporary Maintenance][/p][p]▣ Time: December 17, 01:50 - 02:50 (UTC-5) (02:10 Completed)[/p][p]▣ Effect: Inaccessibility to the game.[/p][p]▣ Compensation:[/p][p]- 500,000 Credits[/p][p]- 3,000 Eternium[/p][p]- 5 S-APT Cores[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Temporary Maintenance Content][/p][p]- A fix for server instability in certain environments[/p][p]
[/p][p]\[Note][/p][p][/p][p]- The schedule is subject to change depending on the patch situation, and any updates will be provided through this notice.
- Please note that additional data may be required to download the patch upon reconnecting, so we recommend using Wi-Fi.
- During the maintenance, connections will be terminated, and game access will be unavailable while the maintenance is in progress. [/p][p]
[/p]