Albion Online News

Albion’s next major content update, Abyssal Depths, launches June 30, bringing a renewed focus on instanced PvP, along with updates to the new player experience and further quality-of-life improvements. Following our introduction to the update, it’s time to dive into the fire with an, ahem, in-depth look at a brand-new type of dungeon, along with a new staging ground for all of Albion’s most hellish content. Join Game Director Moritz Bokelmann and Co-Creative Director Michael Schwahn to get a taste of what’s on the way.

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[h3]The Depths[/h3]
The Depths are a brand-new type of instanced PvP dungeon.

• Aimed at groups of 2-3 players, though daring solo players can join
• Once inside, all players are trapped for a limited, but undisclosed, period
• There are three different levels within, with greater dangers and greater rewards as you go deeper
• After a time, exits open
  • At this point you can decide whether to leave with your loot, or venture further in

What’s within the Depths?

• Inside, you’ll encounter mobs, loot, and other groups of players
• Early areas focus on clearing rooms of mobs
  • When a room is cleared, you are rewarded with loot or buffs that persist throughout the dungeon
• Along the way, you can collect different types of Souls
  • Hostile Souls from fallen enemies
  • Neutral Souls from mobs or players who forfeited the dungeon
  • Friendly Souls from your fallen allies
• Souls can be transported to Altars within the Depths
  • Hostile and Neutral Souls can be taken to the Altar of Greed for loot
  • Friendly Souls can be taken to the Altar of Awakening to revive your allies
• The third and final level contains a Treasure Vault:
  • To access this, players must collect keys throughout the level
  • Delivering these to the Treasure Vault will unlock its riches
  • Other groups will also be fighting for this reward

The Depths introduce a new ruleset: Orange PvP.

• Orange PvP is a bridge between knockdown and full-loot PvP
• On death, players
  • Retain their equipped gear
  • Lose their inventory items
• Orange PvP areas have an Item Power soft-cap

The Depths offer players a balance between accessibility and risk. Players can test their PvP skills and strategies in a competitive and rewarding environment, without the tough consequences of full-loot combat.

[h3]The Antiquarian’s Den[/h3]
The Antiquarian’s Den is a new hub for Albion’s hell-themed content.

• This can be accessed directly from any Royal City and Caerleon
• It offers access to Hellgates, Corrupted Dungeons, and the Depths
• Players can gather and find teams in these Dens
• It contains a local bank connected to each city

Within this Den, you’ll find a new NPC: the Antiquarian. The Antiquarian offers hell-themed rewards, such as:

• An Avatar and Avatar Ring
• Demon Cape Crests
• Two spider mount babies, the Tier 5 Hellspinner and Tier 8 Soulspinner
  • These can be raised on your island, and the Soulspinner has a unique new spell

Purchasing these rewards requires sufficient Antiquarian Standing.

• This is a new PvP progression system
• Antiquarian Standing can be increased by:
  • Completing Hellgates
  • Completing Corrupted Dungeons
  • Offering enemies’ Souls at Altars within the Depths

Antiquarian Standing rewards long-term engagement with this content, and offers instanced PvP players a new way to engage with Albion’s economy.

[h3]Hellgate and Corrupted Dungeon Changes[/h3]
The Abyssal Depths update also addresses some issues with Hellgates and Corrupted Dungeons.

• Direct entrance from Antiquarian’s Dens make them far more accessible
• This access hub increases the matchmaking pool, creating fairer matchups
• Matchmaking has also been made quicker and more consistent
• Baseline loot has been increased across the board
• Infamy no longer scales loot

We can’t wait to bring you all this in the Abyssal Depths update, and to see how you deal with the challenges, build your strategies, and make this content your own. Stay tuned for our final Dev Talk before the update releases, where we’ll go over the changes coming to the new player experience, along with some of the other features coming on June 30. See you soon!

Where sunlight filters through fresh green leaves and the ancient world breathes with new life, the Summer Fawn steps timidly from the tree line. Soft-footed, radiant, and full of promise, this skin transforms your Giant Stag into a delicate young deer, available to all your characters on the same server. Sure, it may not strike fear like a direwolf or command respect like a battle-worn stallion, but isn’t cuteness its own kind of power?

[video]https://assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/video_/media/683086c71dd94_720.mp4[/video]

Celebrate new beginnings by inviting more friends to Albion and earn fresh rewards:

• Refer 1 Friend: Summer Fawn mount skin
• Refer 3 Friends: A T7 Pile of Tomes worth 100,000 Fame
• Refer 5 Friends: A T8 Pile of Tomes worth 200,000 Fame
• Bonus for your first-ever referral: A T8 Pile of Tomes worth 200,000 Fame
• Additionally, for each friend you refer, you'll receive 500 Gold!

Getting your friends in on the action is as simple as following these steps:

• Step 1: Share your referral link with a friend, which you can find here when logged into the website with your game account
• Step 2: Your friend signs up to Albion Online
• Step 3: Your friend purchases at least 30 days of Premium status, unlocking your rewards

This Referral Season ends on June 30 at 23꞉59꞉59 UTC. Invite a friend now to get this cute skin!

The Knight Challenge begins and Albion calls for champions of honor. Now is the time to ride forth, uphold your code, and claim the reward worthy of a true knight: the Gallant Horse. This proud steed carries not just its rider, but the weight of tradition, discipline, and unshakable loyalty. Earn Challenge Points, claim your mount, and let your deeds show forth!

[h3]Knight Moves[/h3] GALLANT HORSE: This month's Challenge brings back the powerful Gallant Horse, a noble mount with a combination speed boost / immunity spell that leaves foes in the dust. Ride fearlessly into the wilds of Albion on the back of this mighty steed!

AVATAR RING: Adventurers who rack up enough total Challenge Points will also earn the Knight Challenge Avatar Ring, a bold, plate-armor-themed ring that will give your avatar an aura of nobility. This non-tradable item permanently unlocks this avatar ring for one character – or you can trade it at the Vanity Merchant for one Adventurer's Token.

SEASONAL SPECIALS: All month long, reach weekly goals to unlock Knight Challenge chests. These chests contain valuable rewards like Adventurer's Tomes and Silver bags, plus knight-themed furniture like the Stone Throne, Round Table, Knight Statue, and Regal Carpet.

[video]https://assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/video_/media/68308da5ba8d6_720.mp4[/video]

[h3]How to participate in the Adventurer's Challenge[/h3]
The Adventurer's Challenge is a monthly event where you can earn exclusive rewards such as mounts, Tomes of Insight, bags of Silver, and more. By gathering, fishing, farming, and defeating monsters, you'll earn Challenge Points that fill daily, weekly, and monthly progress bars. To track your progress, open the Adventurer's Challenge UI by clicking on the Activities menu.



While only Premium players can unlock the Monthly Rewards (Avatar Ring, Mount) and Weekly Rewards (Challenge Chests), anyone can claim the Daily Rewards, which include 10 Learning Points and a Tier 4 Tome of Insight. Non-Premium players also make progress on all reward tracks, so when you’re ready to unlock Premium, your earned rewards will be waiting for you!

Behind the Banner is a series that shines a light on Albion's many diverse guilds, from fierce PvP warbands to tight-knit social communities. Each episode delves into the identity, playstyle, and goals of a different guild, offering a glimpse into what life is really like behind the banner.

[video]https://assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/video_/media/68309ca5635f4_360.mp4[/video]

• Guild Name: CompletelyStrange or “COM”
• Alliance: Leaders of [WhyU] Why Are U Running
• Guild Leader: JustMeWhyNot
• Date Founded: December 3, 2021
• Size: 256 (active) / 285 (total)
• Primary Language: English
• Server: Albion Americas
• Discord: discord.com/N8gUBmfS9

Tell us about your guild.

CompletelyStrange was originally a small group of friends who were in it purely for the fun, without caring much for endgame content. We’d rather focus on helping each other and newer players.

That’s still our main focus, even though our numbers and the content we do have changed quite a bit by now. Our name still fits us – we’re completely strange. Some of our ideas may sound ridiculous at first, but you might be surprised when they actually work.

A good example is our beloved “Pike Gang.” Born out of a joke, it’s just a group of members in the cheapest T4 gear – and of course… pikes! It may not sound great in theory (and it still isn’t on closer inspection), but the Pike Gang has made millions in PvP and even managed to capture Black Zone Outposts. It’s not the most efficient way, but it’s basically no risk and a whole lot of fun.

Why did you choose this name? Is there a story or meaning behind it?

The name represents how we always approached things – not necessarily conforming to the “norm” and not always doing things the same way others do.

What sort of activities do you focus on?

We follow a simple principle. As long as our members are willing to put effort into something, we can do it:

• If they want to join certain content, they can ping content-specific roles in our Discord
• If enough members are interested, the guild supports events with gear and/or Silver
• COM combines players from all Albion playstyles, so there's a wide range of content to choose from

In parallel to member-hosted content, we have Mentors, members who’ve proven trustworthy, helpful, and knowledgeable. They’re asked to take on that role as the main pillar of scheduled content. They consistently put in a lot of time and effort, and they are the glue of our community.

[video]https://assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/video_/media/68309c506718c_720.mp4[/video]

What sort of members are you looking for?

We welcome anyone who wants to learn, teach, or just enjoy a good time with laid-back players who aren’t too into the ultra-sweaty side of things. We expect everyone to treat each other with respect and behave in a civilized manner. Apart from that, anything goes.

Where is your guild primarily located?

Our Hideout is in the Roads of Avalon. Right now, we share our Road with six lovely allied guilds and their HQs. Everyone in the alliance has full access to our Hideout, it’s a central place to team up, trade, duel, refine, and craft. We chose the Roads because most of our members prefer small-scale PvP over ZvZ. Plus, the Roads are always changing, with new areas, new resources, and new adventures every few hours.

Do you have any rivalries or ongoing quarrels with other guilds?

We try to avoid in-game politics or personal vendettas. We focus on internal growth and building a positive environment. That applies in our Hideout region as well. But there’s one moment that stands out: when CompletelyStrange and MANDRAGORA became allies, after being hostile neighbors in the Roads for a long time.



What does your guild do for fun?

We run all sorts of events, tournaments, and workshops. Donkey races through lethal zones, weekly activity rewards, PvP and economy workshops, group game nights, picture contests, and just casual voice chats. There’s always something going on.

What is your guild's approach to the game? Do you have any core values or beliefs that guide how you play together?

Patience, especially when things go wrong. That’s probably our most important value. We all started somewhere, and no one knows everything. We share knowledge through member-written guides and in person, and we celebrate when members succeed using that knowledge. Even then, mistakes are normal. We all make lots of them along the way. What matters is getting back up by working together. One of our members summed it up best: “CompletelyStrange” Characters Welcome!

What are some of your most memorable battles or activities?

Honestly, it’s usually the goofy, mostly “useless” activities that are the most memorable. We’ve collected a lot of those situations over time. For example, we decorated our entire Hideout floor with our shiny corpses:



What are your goals for the future?

This season, we’re in the process of purchasing or associating city stations, ideally one in each city, based on local bonuses. That’ll help support members’ passive economies. Next season, we plan to finish setting up all our guild islands. But COM doesn’t tax members – if they want to contribute, they can donate resources for upgrades. It’s fully voluntary. Teamwork makes the dream work!

What is your ultimate goal in Albion?

Our core goal is to help, teach, fame, and train members. That effort restarts with every new player who joins. Some will stay. Some will move on to Black Zone guilds. Either way, we want them to succeed, and if things turn out differently than they expected, they’re always welcome to come back.

Anything else to share about your guild?

I would like to express how incredibly proud I am of all our members, allies, and friends who have supported us through times of success, doubt, and everything in between. COM wouldn't exist without you, and I'm grateful our paths crossed. This is especially true for our lovely Mentors: TJSOLI, MasterPantheon, Daucina, RubberDuckie, OneTap25, Samasamasama, and Slywynn – they alone make up half of COM’s heart and soul.

Want your guild to be featured next? We’ve launched a form where guilds can apply to be highlighted in the Behind the Banner series. Click here to apply.

This small patch addresses some combat balance issues and improves underused spells, alongside some minor bug fixes.

[h3]Combat Balance Changes[/h3]

Arcane Staffs

To make Magic Shock a more reliable tool for dealing damage and interrupting enemy casts, its cast time has been significantly reduced.

• Magic Shock (all Arcane Staffs)
  • Cast time: 0.5s → 0.35s

Crossbows

Divine Engine was dealing too much damage too quickly following its recent buffs. Its damage per tick has therefore been reduced somewhat, while remaining higher than before its recent buffs.

• Divine Engine (Energy Shaper)
  • Damage per tick: 117 → 106

Flickershots’ dash range and speed have been increased so that its dashes are no longer slower than most sprint speeds.

• Flickershots (Arclight Blasters)
  • Dash range: 7m → 8m
  • Dash speed: 9.33m/s → 10.66m/s (duration unchanged)

Fire Staffs

Searing Flame has high damage potential with very long range. To help other ranged weapons fight back, its range has been reduced somewhat.

• Searing Flame (all Fire Staffs)
  • Range: 19.5m → 18m

Nature Staffs

Living Armor now has an instant guaranteed heal to improve its baseline value, even in suboptimal conditions.

• Living Armor (Great Nature Staff)
  • Added instant heal for 66

Quarterstaffs

Cartwheel’s cooldown has been reduced to help Quarterstaff tanks find more success, but to maintain a consistent total mobility, the movement speed buff on hit has been removed.

• Cartwheel (all Quarterstaffs)
  • Cooldown: 8s → 6s
  • Removed: 20% movespeed bonus when hit

Shoes

Vengeful Sprint has fallen by the wayside after its previous nerf. Some of its bonus speed has therefore been returned to support it as a boot option with sharper moments of power, but not to the point that it becomes ubiquitous.

• Vengeful Sprint (Demon Boots)
  • Move speed per stack: 22% → 25%

Miscellaneous

• These abilities no longer require line of sight:
  • Boulder Crash (Earthrune Staff)
  • Lightning Storm (Battle Eagle)
• These abilities now have more accurate spell indication areas:
  • Hail (Great Frost Staff)
  • Glacial Obelisk (all Frost Staffs)
• These abilities have had their skillshot indicators adjusted:
  • Searing Flame (all Fire Staffs)
  • Magma Sphere (Wildfire Staff)
  • Fire Wave (all Fire Staffs)
  • Rising Blow (all Quarterstaffs)
  • Cartwheel (all Quarterstaffs)
• These abilities now scale their slow duration with AoE escalation:
  • Caltrops (all Crossbows)
  • Frost Bomb (all Frost Staffs)
  • Frozen Surge (all Frost Staffs)
  • Glacial Obelisk (all Frost Staffs)
  • Hail (Great Frost Staff)
• Slowing Charge (all Hammers)
  • AoE slow escalation now increases slow duration instead of slow strength
• Frost Bomb (all Frost Staffs)
  • Initial slow area is no longer affected by diminishing returns, crowd control resistance, or ability power scaling

[h3]Fixes[/h3]

Spell Fixes

• Spontaneous Combustion (Flamewalker Staff): Fixed issue where the transformation could be treated as a valid target by other spells or effects

UI Fixes

• Fixed issue where clicking a character’s name in the player context menu opened via chat could cause unintended movement

Other Fixes

• Fixed issue where Raid Banners could continue to reduce Fortification damage protection even after being dropped