Lost Ark Roadmap Reveals New Class, Raid Updates and Server Merges

There’s no denying that Lost Ark is no longer at the top of its game, as the Korean-based MMORPG sadly continues to drain players every month, despite its popularity overseas. Regardless, Amazon and Smilegate continue to bring some fantastic updates that hopefully will help new and returning players get further along, and keep their existing player base happy with a lot of what they’ve come to expect.

Over the weekend, the biannual LOAON event took place in Korea, where Smilegate would go on to announce various improvements, a new raid and a unique looking class. While most of the content will be in Korea shortly, the West will have to wait awhile. To keep us at bay, Amazon has announced the roadmap for the next couple of months.

July

Starting with what’s coming out in a handful of weeks, July is looking more raid heavy than ever before. While players shouldn’t expect the new raid so early (especially because it won’t be out in Korea until August), they should expect some revisits for some fan favorites.

For starters, Amazon will be bringing solo modes to solo modes to both Act 4 and Denouement: Final Day. The latter is considered one of the hardest raids in the game, and making it solo will help attract more players, as the modes are typically more casual friendly.

In addition, a matchmaking mode will be added to Shadow Raid: Serca, meaning you’ll be able to queue in or do it solo without any stress. There will be unlimited revives and no party-wipe conditions similar to a Guardian Raid. It’s supposed to be a more relaxed and casual experience.

Then we have something for the endgame users. The first raid in Tier 4, Aegir, is making its return as an Extreme mode. For those unfamiliar, these are event raids where raids will take on the boss at a harder difficulty but give players additional rewards. This will come in three different difficulties this time:

• Normal: iLevel 1720+
• Hard: iLevel 1750+
• Nightmare: iLevel 1770+

Last, but not least, the third Paradise season will end and usher in the next season a week later. Going without Hell for a week will be a struggle, but hopefully the rewards will be adjusted in the fourth season.

August

August is a little lighter compared to July, but it comes with some big updates. For starters, the long-awaited Server Merge will occur during this month. Unfortunately, no details are given, but there will be at least a couple of servers that will be combined due to low populations (Innana and Balthor, we’re looking at you). Our hope is one large server for all of NA and one for the EU, but it’s unlikely.

Secondly, a second Extreme raid will be released only a month after Aegir. This will focus on Kazeros Raid Act 2 (Brelshaza). Sadly, like the server merge, no other information is given, such as iLevel requirements or how long it will last.

September

Finishing off the third roadmap of the year, September is one of the bigger months because of one new thing: the Warpweaver class. While still a working name for the class, this will be a Yoz male character who uses clock-hand weapons and uses time and space to his advantage. Like the rest of the classes, there will be two builds:

• Time Manager — A Hit Master build that lets you save and return to a previous timeline, restoring cooldowns, HP, and position.
• Spatial Swordsman — A Back Attack build that uses spatial rifts to guarantee Back Attacks from any angle.

In addition, there will be a new Neria’s Dressroom for those who enjoy skin collections, and a Base Camp. The Base Camp is an exciting new addition announced at the Summer LOAON, being something for newer and returning players. This completely reworks the new player experience through guided missions, raids and essentially a free iLevel 1700 character with everything they need to start their adventure.

While this is good for existing players, it especially helps attract newer players, especially with the little mini-games on the new island. It shows Smilegate is committing to trying something new to entice fresher faces.

Systems

Released

December 4, 2019

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Developer(s)

Smilegate RPG

Publisher(s)

Amazon Games

Engine

Unreal Engine 3

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer