Blade & Soul NEO News

UPDATED on May 23, 2025: Cross-play is now coming!

Hello Crickets!

We are thrilled to share that Blade & Soul NEO will be coming soon to Steam!

We also have a very exciting update to share: Steam and PURPLE will now support cross-play compatibility and all servers will soon be fully accessible on both platforms, meaning players on Steam and PURPLE will be able to play together.

Players have made it clear that this should be a priority, and as a result, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes to make this happen.

When we first announced our Steam launch, there were several technical and logistical challenges preventing us from having the servers be cross-platform, ranging from account permissions to backend data integration. This made cross-platform difficult at the time, and we decided to move forward with separate servers, while keeping cross-play a goal in the future. We also saw value in the “fresh start” experience Steam users would get.

However, your feedback is clear: separate communities are not the future NEO players want for the game. A united player base brings energy, competition, and longevity to the game and all servers. While we originally saw this separation as temporary, the overwhelming feedback has helped accelerate our plans to make this work now.

Our initial goal was to launch Steam with this latest update, Moonwater Plains Part 3, but we have now shifted our focus to enabling cross-play as our top priority. We’re working hard to make this a reality for our upcoming Steam launch. To all of you who voiced your thoughts and opinions in Discord: thank you. Your input has been very valuable and we are grateful for your continued support and understanding as we work to make this goal possible. You can see our updated FAQ in the article below. All details are still subject to change as we are working on the launch.

Thank you,
NC America & the Blade & Soul Team

 
[h3]Wishlist Blade & Soul NEO on Steam Here![/h3]
 
[h3]Steam Launch FAQ[/h3]

Are all servers accessible on both Steam and PURPLE? Can all players play together?

Yes, all servers will now be accessible via Steam and/or PURPLE. This means cross-play is now possible. All servers are accessible via Steam and/or PURPLE.

Are there separate servers for both Steam and PURPLE?

No, all servers are now accessible for both Steam and PURPLE. However, there are new servers opening for those that want new server / fresh start experience.

Are there separate NA and EU servers?

Yes. We offer separate servers for NA and EU.

Are there any New Servers for a fresh start experience?

Yes. There is currently one new server for both NA and EU. You can choose to join the new servers or jump into the old servers to join your friends who are already playing NEO.

Are there any incentives for new players?

Yes! We will be hosting a New Player Catch Up Event during the Steam launch. This event will be accessible across all servers for new and returning users. A returning user will be classified as a player that has been dormant for 30-Days.

What are the Existing Servers? What are the New Servers?

 

What countries are currently supported by Steam and PURPLE?

We will continue to support the same countries in Steam as we do in PURPLE.

Play on North America Servers: USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Australia, New Zealand

Play on Europe Servers: Czech Republic, Belgium, France, UK, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Romania, Turkey

Are we still supporting PURPLE?

Absolutely. PURPLE will still be supported for all of our games. The platform will continue to be updated and development is still ongoing.

Are all marketplaces linked across all servers?

Currently, all Existing Servers will share a Marketplace that is linked to their NA or EU region. Each New Server will have their own unique Marketplace and Instance Server to promote a fresh start on the New Server. This means that the New Servers will not share Dungeons and Battleground with the other servers.

We chose to give New Servers their own unique Marketplace and Instance Server to promote a fresh start experience.
 

Will you ever merge the Marketplaces from the New Servers with the Existing Servers?

We plan to keep these Marketplaces separate; however, we are always monitoring the economic health of our servers/marketplaces. If changes are needed to ensure the health and stability of our server/marketplaces, we’ll analyze and decide at that time.

Can I link my current PURPLE account to play on Steam instead?

If you want to link your current PURPLE account to play on Steam, you may go to your PLAYNC account settings and link it to a Steam account. This will allow you to use your current characters on Steam.

CAUTION: If you plan on linking your PURPLE account to Steam, DO NOT launch the Steam version of Blade & Soul NEO before linking it. If you launch the Steam version of the game first, it will create a separate PLAYNC account linked to your Steam account, which will then prevent you from linking your PURPLE account to that Steam account.

Additionally, if you already have played other PLAYNC (NCSOFT) games on Steam, such as Battle Crush, you will be unable to link a separate PURPLE PLAYNC account to that Steam account, due to that Steam account already being linked to a separate PLAYNC account. Some exceptions such as old versions of Lineage II or Aion may not count, due to data migration to PLAYNC account platform.

Can I use my current Steam account on both PURPLE and Steam using the Steam Log-in feature?

Yes, if you use Steam log-in to access PURPLE, you can also use that same Steam account to log into Steam.

Can I purchase NCOIN via Steam and PURPLE?

NCOIN is only available on PURPLE.

Can I purchase Divine Gems via the Shop on the website and use them on Steam?

If you log into our Web Store using the Steam Log-in function, you can purchase Divine Gems and use them on Steam. Please also be aware of our new Divine Gems Fraud Prevention where some Divine Gems will be pending when purchased. More info here.

What are the differences between using Steam and PURPLE?

There are no in-game differences. Outside of the game, each platform has its own unique features. Steam will also have basic achievements.

Will there be Controller Support?

We will have news about Controller Support in the upcoming weeks.

Will B&S NEO be available on Steam Deck?

Currently we have not dedicated any special development towards Steam Deck.

When is the Blade & Soul NEO release date on Steam?


Coming soon!

[h3]Battle Pass[/h3]
Battle Pass Starts > NEO Battle Pass Season 4 (after 5/27 maintenance ~ before 6/24 maintenance)

• The new Battle Pass 'NEO Battle Pass Season 4' has begun.
• Complete missions within the Battle Pass to earn rewards.
• Purchasing Battle Pass Plus unlocks the 'Battle Pass Plus Rewards'.
• Earn points by completing missions or using 'Battle Potions'.

 

[h3]Item[/h3]
Item > Dragon Express

• The 'Moonwater Plains Portrait Chest #3’ has been added to the Dragon Express.
• Purchasable up to 3 times per day per account.

 

Item > Highland Exile

• New Soul Core that can be obtained in the 'Highland Exile' has been added. 

• New Outfits that can be obtained in the 'Highland Exile' have been added. 

• New Necklace that can be obtained in the 'Highland Exile' has been added. 

• New Weapons that can be obtained in the 'Highland Exile' have been added. 

 

Item > Transmutation

• A Transmutation for the 'Moonwater Legendary Weapon Design' has been added. 

• A Transmutation for the 'Legendary Hexwood Weapon Chest' has been added. 

• A Transmutation for the 'Colossal Hexwood Necklace' has been added. 
• Updated the output items for the transmutation of "Refined Soul Core Chest," "Superior Soul Core Chest," and "Heroic Soul Core Chest."

* The previous versions of the "Refined Soul Core Chest," "Superior Soul Core Chest," and "Heroic Soul Core Chest" have expired.

• Added a transmutation for 'Tempest Lord Belt'.

 

Item > Crafting

• The 'Moonwater Legendary Weapon Design' quest has been added to Forgekeepers.

 

Item > Enhancement

• Added a new enhancement that allows you to obtain the "Tempest Lord Belt" using the "True Blue Dragon Belt" as a material.

Item > Twisted Labyrinth

• Added a new Soul Core that can be found in the Twisted Labyrinth.
• Added a new Outfit that can be obtained in the Twisted Labyrinth.
• Added a new Belt that can be obtained in the Twisted Labyrinth.
• Added a new Soul Shield that can be found in the Twisted Labyrinth.
• Added a new Psyche that can be found in the Twisted Labyrinth.
• Added a new Portrait that can be obtained in the Twisted Labyrinth.

 
[h3]Battle/Skills[/h3]
Class > Blade Master

• Added Heroic skill 'Lunar Slash: Combo’. 
• Added Heroic skill 'Raid: Movement Speed Increase’. 
• Added Heroic skill 'Soaring Falcon’. 
• Flock of Blades (Heroic) > added "Black Dragon for 3 seconds". 
• Black Dragon's Rancor (Heroic) > Increased the amount of skill damage and added 'Black Dragon for 3 sec. if the final attack hits'. 
• Meteor Strike (Heroic) > Increased the amount of skill damage and removed the "Launches Knocked Down enemy into the air" effect. 
• Meteor Strike (Heroic) > Added "6 second Heat effect on activation" and "Koldrak’s Burning Wrath, Dragontongue and Sun Stroke 50-50 additional damage during Heat effect". 
• Searing Slash (Heroic) > Added "6 second Heat effect on activation" and "Koldrak’s Burning Wrath, Dragontongue and Sun Stroke 50-50 additional damage during Heat effect". 
• Searing Slash (Legendary) > Added "9 second Heat effect on activation" and "Koldrak’s Burning Wrath, Dragontongue and Sun Stroke 50-50 additional damage during Heat effect". 
• Heavenly Slasher (Heroic) > The effect "Maximum Boost on Blindside Resistance" has been changed to "Maximum Boost on Blindside." 
• Fixed an issue where Critical Rate Bonus effect would not stack for 'Cyclone' and 'Lunar Slash: Combo'.

 

Class > Kung Fu Master

• Added Superior/Heroic skill 'Lotus Heavenly Strike’. 
• Added Superior/Heroic skill 'Comet Strike: Additional Cast’. 
• Growling Tiger (Heroic) > Changed the effect from "Recovers 9 Focus for 3 sec." to "Recovers 15 Focus for 5 sec.". 
• Comet Strike: Additional Cast (Superior, Heroic) > The issue where additional damage for Comet Strike would not stack. 

 

Class > Destroyer

• Fixed an issue where the damage floaters for Eradicate and Axe Slash (Heroic) were not displayed.      
• Fixed Execute (Legendary), Smash (Legendary) > Fixed an issue where Defense and Debuff Resistance values were the same as those of Heroic skills. 
• Learning Blaze (Superior) no longer guarantees Mighty Cleave.
• Learning Galeforce (Superior, Heroic) no longer guarantees Mighty Cleave.

• Fixed an issue where floater doesn't appear for Eradicate, Axe Slash (Heroic).

• Made changes so Normal-rank Mighty Cleave can be used without a Skill Book.
• Added Mighty Cleave (Refined, Superior, Heroic) skill.
• Grab: Focus Recovery, Grab: Defense Increase, Grab: Defense Reduction (Heroic) > Added '+5% enemy damage increase' effect.
• Grab: Defense Reduction (Heroic) > Changed '4% Defense reduction for 6 seconds on hit of Grabbed opponent' to '30% Defense reduction for Grabbed opponent'.
• Added Emberstomp: Focus Recovery (Heroic) skill.
• Added Axe Sweep: Frenzy (Hero) skill.
• Stone Shield (Hero) > Added '1 stack of Fury on Block' effect.
• Ram: Extended (Heroic) > Added '1 additional cast on Critical Hit' effect.
• Added Frenzy effect that deals 'additional damage equal to 30% of Attack Power on hit of opponent' when Destroyer uses certain skill.
• Typhoon, Gust, Storm (Heroic) > Added 'Frenzy' effect.
• Searing Strike: Enhanced and Searing Strike: Fury (Heroic) > Added 'Frenzy' effect for 5 seconds on Resist.
• Black Whirlwind (Heroic) > Added 'Frenzy' effect for 5 seconds on hit of Dazed opponent.
• Galeforce (Heroic) > Added 'Frenzy' effect for 2 seconds on hit of Bleeding opponent.

 

Class > Force Master

• Added Heroic skill 'Ice Coil: Additional Damage’. 
• Added Heroic skill 'Snowball: Additional Damage’. 
• Added Heroic skill 'Ice Touch: Focus Recovery’. 
• Added Heroic skill ‘Soulburn Shroud’. 
• Added Heroic skill 'Heatwave Expansion’. 
• Wildfire (Heroic) > Changed the effect from "1 Ember stack" to "5 Ember stack". 
• Wildfire (Heroic) > Added "Burn for 10 seconds on hit". 

 

Class > Blade Dancer

• Fixed an issue where effects were displayed redundantly in the skill tooltip when equipping a Soul Badge or Mystic Badge. 
• Added Heroic skill 'Raid ‘.
• Added Heroic skill 'Soaring Falcon’. 
• Added Improved/Refined/Superior/Heroic skill 'Bladeguard (I)'. 
• Charged Stroke (Heroic) > Added the effects: "Reverse Lightening for 6 sec." and "1 Electric Surge stack on each critical hit during Reverse Lightening." 
• Grand Vortex Slash (Heroic) > Added "3 Wind Spirit Stack during Wind Charge". 
• Strafe Left (Hero) > Added "Wind Charge for 3 sec. on Parry". 
• Wind Slash: Added the following effects: "1 Wind Spirit when used," "Wind Charge for 3 sec. when used," and "Maximum Boost on Sunder after used." 

 

Class > Assassin

• Added Heroic skill ‘Lightning Crash: Damage Bonus’.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Lightning Crash: AoE’.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Lightning Crash: Bleed’.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Lightning Stride: Consecutive Cast’.
• Increased damage for Lightning Stride: Additional Damage (Superior, Heroic) skill.               
• Increased damage for Lightning Pierce (Superior, Heroic, Legendary) skill.
• Desert Mystic Badge, Moonwater Mystic Badge, and Virtuous Mystic Badge > Reduced Cooldown for Poison Breath, Lightning Stride on hit of Lightning Pierce.

 

Class > Summoner

• Changed 'additional damage dealt to targets inflicted with Rumblebees' effect to 'Chosen target' effect.
• Deals additional damage when a Familiar attacks an opponent inflicted with the 'Chosen target' effect.
• Added Interaction Status for Familiars.
• Familiars in Interaction Status proceed in battle with the Summoner's stats.
• Acquire Honey effect when Familiar uses certain skill.
• Deals additional damage on a successful hit of Hornet Nest during the Honey effect.
• Extends Overflow effect on hit of Super Sunflower during Honey effect.
• Increased damage for Rumblebees (Heroic, Legendary) skill.
• Rumblebees (all ranks) > Added 'chosen target for 10 seconds'.
• Cheer Up! (Heroic) > Added '30 second interaction status' effect.
• Prickly Stance (Heroic) > Added '20% additional damage to all enemies within range using Familiar's skills' effect.

※ The following effect cannot be applied with the '20% damage dealt to enemy Familiars within range' effect’ of the 'Briar Patch (Heroic)'  skill.

• Venomous Rosethorn, Toxic Flutters (Heroic) > Added 'Renews Poison on hit of target with 5 stacks of Poison' effect.
• Clawnado (Heroic) > Added '1% HP recovery for Familiar for every hit on chosen target' effect.
• Drain (Heroic) > Added 'Acquires honey for 6 seconds on hit' effect.
• Tumble Roll (Heroic) > Added 'Acquires honey for 6 seconds on Resist' effect.
• Doom 'n' Gloom (Heroic) > Added 'Acquires honey for 6 seconds' effect.
• Hive Swarm (Superior) > Added 'Acquires honey for 4 seconds' effect.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Briar Patch’.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Power Pounce: Damage Bonus’.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Power Pounce: Focus Damage’.
• Added Heroic skill ‘Smothering Paw’.

 

[h3]Dungeons[/h3]
New Legendary Dungeon: 'Highland Exile'

New Legendary Dungeon, 'Twisted Labyrinth'

 

Dungeon > Moonwater Plains > The Highland Necropolis

• A new legendary dungeon, 'Highland Exile,' has been added to the 'The Highland Necropolis' region. 

• New achievements related to the 'Highland Exile' have been added. 

• The 'Highland Exile' can be accessed starting from level 50 after completing the quest 'Invitation from Poharan'. 

 

Dungeon > Moonwater Plains > Dreadtide Arena

• The drop rates for the Dreadtide Arena's Skill Book Chest, Refined Skill Book Chest have been adjusted, and the drop of the Superior Skill Book Chest has been removed

 

Dungeon > Moonwater Plains > Blackram Shipyard

• Added a new Legendary level dungeon, "Twisted Labyrinth," to the Blackram Shipyard.
• Added new achievements related to the 'Twisted Labyrinth'.
• Added a new Exploration Journal for the 'Twisted Labyrinth'.
• 'Twisted Labyrinth' becomes accessible from level 50 after completing the quest 'Invitation from Poharan'.

 
[h3]Quests[/h3]
Quests > Daily Quests

• A new daily quest, 'Wailing Souls' has been added. 

• Added the Daily Quest 'Gale of Darkness'.

 

Quests > Weekly Quests

• Added ‘Colossal Hexwood's Psyche’ to the rewards for the weekly quest ‘A Masterful Task’.  
• Added "Defeat the Tempest Lord" to the quest completion requirement for "A Masterful Task".

• Changed the reward for completing 'A Masterful Task'.

 
[h3]Attendance Book[/h3]
NEO Attendance Book

• You can participate by clicking the Attendance Book under Game Menu - Event. 

• The rewards you have obtained can be claimed from the Received Items in the Game Menu . 

• The Attendance Book can be participated in once per day per account. The Attendance Book will be completed once the rewards for the 20th day are claimed. 
• The daily Attendance Book resets at 6:00 AM. 

NEO Attendance Book Rewards
 
[h3]Moonflower Outfit
[/h3]

To celebrate the release of Blade & Soul NEO in North America we held a Costume Design contest to get our players hyped for the game. The winner of this contest will have their costume design created by the development team and actually put in the game!

The time to reveal that winner has come, Crickets! We received so many amazing designs from our NEO fashionistas, it was a challenging task to select these Finalists among all your creative and wonderful designs. We are also excited to let you all know that the development team themselves made a trip to our office and helped judge this contest with our staff. After much deliberation, we are proud to announce the following Costume Design Contest winners. 

[h3]Our winners are…[/h3]
 
[h3]Grand Prize Winner[/h3]
Will-o'-the-Wisp by : YukhiVossNj

"Dying in the fire to be reborn as fighters. A fighter costume that has as its main elements bandages on the body and blue flames as decoration and accessory."
 
The Grand Prize Winner will receive:

• The costume created for Contest submission
• Gunner’s Oath costume
• x30 Chromatic Threads
• A special “Fashionista” Discord Role

 

 
[h3]Runners Up[/h3]
Candy Affair by : Ashîra

"A dreamy fusion of modern streetwear and elegant fantasy, Candy Affair blends soft pastels with bold accents creating a striking yet delicate look."
 

Shimmering Scales by : Snail

"This outfit uses the shape language of hakama pants, qipao dress, and kimonos to create a wonderful mix of east asian fashion and fantasy aesthetics. This design also takes heavy inspiration from shiny snake scales and colorful iridescence."
 

Play Koi by : Bleuberi

"Inspired by various fish, mostly Koi and Betta fish. There’s lots of tail frills, fish scales, and fish eggs with fish nets to hold it all together. Their design resembles the holy shrine maidens, these fish priest/priestess believe in the sacred power that the koi fish represents."
 

Scarlet Duet by : Purpurika

"This suit combines mystical elegance and fighting grace, embodying the image of a mysterious warrior. Camellias symbolize tragic beauty, and lycorises symbolize the lonely path of a warrior. This outfit is the poetry of a warrior balancing on the edge of life and death."
 

The 4 Runner Up finalists will each receive:

• A special “Fashionista” Discord Role
• Gunner’s Oath costume
• x30 Chromatic Threads

 

Congratulations to YukhiVossNj for being our Grand Prize Winner who will have their amazing costume design created by our development team and put into the game! We will deliver the in-game Costume once the design is implemented!

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to everyone who entered this design contest!

[h3]Presenting the Grand Prize Winners![/h3]

Hello Crickets! The time has come to reveal the winners for the first Blade & Soul NEO Loading Screen Art Contest! It was a joy to see the large amount of submissions received and this continues to prove that our creative and artistic community in Blade & Soul continues to thrive. Thank you to all the wonderful and talented artists who spent time and effort on submitting their work on Discord.

Additionally, we are excited to let you all know that the Blade & Soul NEO development team made a special visit to our office, and even helped judge the Loading Screen Art Contest and Costume Design Contest. They too were very impressed with our community.

The number of entries we received was so impressive that we have decided to increase the number of Grand Prize winners from (5) to (7). The seven winning entries have been embedded below!

7 Grand Prize Winners will receive the following:

• Each will have their art placed into the game’s loading screen rotation for at least a 3-month period
• A special “Local Artist” Discord Role
• Gunner’s Oath costume

[h3]The winners are...[/h3]

Pikks - Moonwater Plains


Snail - Heaven's Reach


Alea - Moonwater Plains


Seiryu - Heaven's Reach


Bleuberi - Veridian Coast


Past - Heaven's Reach


Joongi - Moonwater Plains


[h3]Runner-up[/h3]
The 1 Runner-up Winner will receive the following:

• A special “Local Artist” Discord Role
  
• Gunner’s Oath costume
  

Our runner-up is...

kafuiscute - Heaven's Reach

Thanks again to everyone that participated in the first Loading Screen Art Contest! More contests are being planned for the Blade & Soul community so keep an eye out for future opportunities to showcase your talent.

See you in the Earthen Realm!