The First Descendant Dev Note vol. 27 - Details (13th July 2026)

Greetings, Descendants!

In this Dev Note, we shared information on the main content coming with the patch on July 15th(Wed).

This includes balance adjustments for Serena and Ines, Void Intercept Battle: EXTREME, Serena’s new skill modules, Blair’s balance adjustments, weapon balance adjustments for Divine Punishment and Final Masterpiece, firearm core type improvements, skill cooldown reduction along with rolling and resurrection effect improvements, new Trigger Modules, additional Onslaught Mode updates, content and system improvements, and new skins along with the events for July and August.

For more details, please check our YouTube channel.

※ Some content revealed during the Dev Note may be subject to change upon actual release.

■ Descendant Balance Adjustments: Serena · Ines

On July 15, balance adjustments for Serena and Ines will be applied. The detailed values and final changes will be shared later through the patch notes; today we'd like to explain the reasoning and direction behind these adjustments.
We consider it important to have an environment where many Descendants, each with their own strengths, can be used together across a variety of content. We want to reduce situations where players effectively have to pick a single Descendant for a specific piece of content, and these adjustments were prepared from that perspective. For both Descendants, we're keeping their core identity and strengths intact.
Serena: We're reworking the AoE additional damage structure of the 'Redemption' skill. The existing AoE additional damage will be split into 'Base Additional Damage' and 'AoE Additional Damage,' more clearly strengthening single-target firepower while stably adjusting AoE performance that could otherwise scale excessively down the line. The skill synchronization value will be raised from 0.496 to 1.177, and to make skill-focused gameplay a viable option as well, new Transcendent Modules 'Battlefield Nun' and 'Archangel' will be added.
Ines: After reviewing gameplay data since patch 1.3.32, we confirmed that Ines holds a considerable performance advantage over other top-tier Descendants in major content such as Onslaught Mode Level 3, Axion Plains, and Bounty Operations. As the power value of 'Dark Current' is producing a higher effect than intended, we will adjust the skill power damage of 'Dark Current' in patch 1.3.34. We will keep monitoring the data after the patch to make sure her performance does not drop excessively.

■ Void Intercept Battle: Extreme (Beta)

Void Intercept Battle: Extreme is a mode that consolidates Hard Void Intercept and Void Abyss Intercept into one, launching in beta starting July 15.
To unlock Extreme, players must first defeat each of the Void Intercept Colossus. Once players meet the required Mastery Rank for each Colossus and defeat all normal Colossi in Extreme, 'Critical Point Breakthrough' opens, and from that point players can set Critical Points and take on the challenge.
Critical Points come in many forms, such as reducing the Descendant's shield or defense, increasing the Colossus's physical/attribute attack, dealing damage when using the grappling hook, or reducing movement speed. The higher the Critical Point value, the higher the farming efficiency, so players can choose their preferred balance between farming efficiency and difficulty.
Completing Extreme grants a 'Quality Certified ETA Voucher,' which can be used to purchase limited items from the season-exclusive shop.
After the July 15 beta update, Critical Point balance will be adjusted for about a month, and then Extreme will officially launch in Season 4 with improved balance. A Leaderboard will also run during this period, with various rewards. The Leaderboard ranks players by highest Critical Point value, so try challenging it with a variety of Critical Point settings.

■ New Skill Modules for Serena

To make firearm and skill gameplay both meaningful options, two new Transcendent Modules for Serena will be added.
The Descendant for this month's monthly balance is Blair.
Along with his base skills, many modules have been reworked, allowing the Flame Zones to be used more versatilely.

- Key Skill Changes Guide

Category	Description
Blaze Up	Can now be canceled, and the timing for creating Flame Zones has become slightly faster. It also creates additional Flame Zones at enemies around Blair. (As skill effect range increases, number of Flame Zones that can be created increases)
Extinguish	Can use it even while using a firearm.
Burn Taste	Damage has significantly increased, and defeating an enemy reduces the cooldown of ‘Deadly Cuisine’.
Deadly Cuisine	Skill cast speed has been shortened, and the fireball projectile speed has been increased as well. The Giant fireball's damage has also been significantly increased.

- Skill Module Changes

Category	Description
Flame-Grilled Special	The Incendiary Bomb module has been changed to 'Flame-Grilled Special.' For the passive, there's a portion where movement speed increases when moving toward an enemy afflicted with a burn. Skill 2 becomes the 'Flame Man' skill. It consumes MP every second, but increases defense and HP, and grants immunity to knockback and knockdown. Skill 3, 'Hot 'N Spicy,' attacks nearby enemies and grants Red Flavor stacks in proportion to the number of enemies hit. When a melee attack lands as a critical hit, Red Flavor stacks are consumed to trigger a skill-power-based explosion
Truly Deadly Cuisine	Incendiary Bomb can be used when 'Truly Deadly Cuisine' is equipped. The number of Flames thrown increased to 3 and the projectile creation time has been shortened. Damage is greatly increased for Skill 4, and when Skill 4 explodes while a Flame Zone is present, Skill 4's cooldown is reduced.
Backdraft	As a passive skill, an additional reload-time modifier effect is always applied. 'Extinguish,' has been changed to a Dimension skill, with Supply added to the skill type. Its cooldown is reduced, and when absorbing a Flame Zone, it instantly recovers the rounds of the equipped firearm. When using a Beam Rifle, additional damage based on skill power has been added
Classic Chef	For Classic Chef, Skills 1 and 2 have been changed to Singular type, and a new Skill 3, 'Overcooked,' has been added, which creates additional explosions from Flame Zones spawned by Blair.
Killer Recipe	When using Skill 1 midair, it adds an increase to Skill Power and airtime duration. Skill 3, 'Flare Up,' is added, Blair leaps into the air and deals powerful damage in a narrow area. For Skill 4, 'Deadly Feast,' Blair couldn't fire projectiles at the same target. This time, it's been improved so it can be fired at the same target, being able to deal high damage to a single target.
Next-level Recipe	Damage of skill 1 and 3 have been increased.

■ Weapon Balance Adjustments: Divine Punishment & The Final Masterpiece

Balance adjustments for Divine Punishment and The Final Masterpiece will be implemented.
Core types for three firearms will be adjusted.

Weapon	Details
A-TAMS	1 Special Core, 1 Precision Core → 2 Hit Cores
Nazeistra’s Devotion	1 Special Core, 1 Precision Core → 1 Firepower Core, 1 Hit Core
Truly Deadly Arson	1 Special Core → 1 Free Core

■ Cooldown / Rolling / Resurrection Improvements

Category	Description
Cooldown	Maximum cooldown-reduction value is changing from 90% to 75%. The final cooldown Descendants can reach will be adjusted to remain the same as before. For example, a skill that became 5 seconds after cooldown reduction is still 5 seconds.
Rolling & Resurrection effect	Rolling now has damage reduction and CC immunity effects. After resurrecting, players will now become invincible for a certain time, with CC immunity and status related-immunity effects being applied

Category

Description

Cooldown

Maximum cooldown-reduction value is changing from 90% to 75%.

The final cooldown Descendants can reach will be adjusted to remain the same as before. For example, a skill that became 5 seconds after cooldown reduction is still 5 seconds.

Rolling & Resurrection effect

Rolling now has damage reduction and CC immunity effects.

After resurrecting, players will now become invincible for a certain time, with CC immunity and status related-immunity effects being applied

■ New Trigger Modules

2 new Trigger Modules will be added.
Onslaught Mode Level 4 will be added, along with 12 new Arche Parameters.
The weekly bonuses are the same as level 3. However, by completing level 4, players can obtain more Gold, Superconductive Cooling Units, Kuiper Shards, EXP, and more compared to level 3, and there is a low chance of obtaining a Rare Alignment Device or Ultimate Alignment Device.

■ QoL Improvements

Details updated for Arche Activity: Total Arche Activity, equipped weapons, and a detailed section showing the number of Arche Activity that can be increased depending on each piece of gear will be updated.
Grouped Acquisition Sources: 'Field Missions, Infiltration Operations, and Special Operations' are being grouped. Along with this, it has been improved to sort by most recently updated content.
Other QoL: Improvements related to the radio communications presentation, and more are being added.
(July 30) Additional Improvements: Trigger Module unlock requirements are being lowered

■ July Cosmetic Updates

‘Awesome Service’ / ‘Awesome Burger’ (7/15): The female Descendant skin 'Awesome Service’ and male descendant skin ‘Awesome Burger guy’ will be added.
Sharen and Hailey’s Returning Skins (7/15): Sharen’s ‘Albion Academy Cadet’ skin and Hailey’s ‘Classic Maid’ skin will return.
Pirate-themed skins (7/30): Individual skins for Bunny, Freyna, Luna, Ines, Nell, and Dia, plus a male Descendant shared pirate-themed skin, will be released.
Sharen & Harris Medical Support Skins: Obtainable through the 'Summer Battlefield Support Support Operation' event. Please see the events section below for details.

■ Events for July and August

Start Time	Events	Details
Starts 7/15	Summer Battlefield Support Operation	6-week login event running from July 15 to August 27. Players can obtain Sharen's Medical Support skin on Day 14 and Harris's Medical Support skin on Day 35, along with various growth items such as Dia's Ancestors Module Selection Box, the Ultimate Weapon & Trigger Module Selection Box, and Ultimate Alignment Devices.
Starts 7/15	Assemble Event I & II	(Assemble Event I) Runs from July 15 to August 6. It consists of individual and global missions to earn various rewards. Depending on the completion tier of the weekly global mission (Week 1: Sigma Sector, Week 2: VIB, Week 3: defeating enemies), players can earn Gold, Crystallization Catalysts, and customization items; and for personal contribution, Ancestors Module Loot and Dia Ancestors Module Selection Box. (Assemble Event II) Runs from August 6 to August 19, for two weeks leading up to Season 4. Global mission completion tiers grant Superheat Materials, and personal contribution missions grant Ultimate Alignment Devices.
Starts 7/15	Descendant Progression Mission I & II	(Descendant Progression Mission I) Runs July 15 to August 19, for new and returning Descendants under Mastery Rank 18. Completing growth missions for Descendants, weapons, Fellows, and vehicles will reward Growth Support Boxes, Descendant Purchase Ticket Selection Boxes, and more. (Descendant Progression Mission II) For Descendants under Mastery Rank 18, starting August 7. Complete various missions to earn the Ultimate Weapon Selection Box, Weapon & External Component Augmentation Core Box, Trigger Module Selection Box, and more.
Starts 7/15	Descendant Firepower Check Mission	Runs July 15 to August 19. Complete missions to grow Fire-attribute Descendants; rewards include the 'Fire Transcendent Module Selection Box' (which includes Serena's new Transcendent Modules), a great chance to enhance Ultimate Esiemo, Serena, and Blair.
Starts 7/15	Accelerate Research Week	Research acceleration runs at 50% efficiency on weekdays and 100% on weekends.
Starts 7/17	Descendant’s Weekend	Runs on weekends from the July 17 through August 17. Receive a 20% boost to Descendant EXP, Weapon Proficiency, and Unique Arche Factor EXP in Infiltration Operations & Sigma Sector, and a 20% bonus to Gold and Kuiper Shards in Special Operations & Breach Tracking dungeons.
Starts 8/6	Dismantle Ancestors Module Week	Runs August 7 to August 19. Dismantle Ancestors Modules to obtain fragments, which can be exchanged at the BB-On shop for the Ancestors Module of your choice.
Starts 8/7	Readjustment Discount Weekend	On the weekends of August 7–9 and August 14–16, Gold, Kuiper Shards, and Superconductive Cooling Units needed for Ancestors Module readjustment are discounted by 50%.
Starts 8/6	Today’s Readjustment Benefit	From August 7 to August 19, the Gold, Kuiper Shards, and Superconductive Cooling Units consumed for the first Ancestors Module readjustment of the day are discounted by 100%

Please look forward to the Serena and Ines balance adjustments, Void Intercept Battle: Extreme, Serena’s new skill modules, Blair’s balance adjustment, weapon balance adjustments, and the many events and skins arriving with the July 15th (Wed) update.

Thank you.