Developer Nexon announced the release of Update 1.3.28 for The First Descendant, introducing the official launch of Onslaught Mode, the debut of Ultimate Esiemo, and the brand-new Arche Activity system. This massive update, as reported by Store.steampowered, completely overhauls the game’s reward structure, introduces the Toxic-attribute Colossus Defiler, and delivers extensive balance adjustments for multiple Descendants.
The First Descendant is a free-to-play cooperative third-person looter shooter developed and published by Nexon, currently available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
What Is the Arche Activity System in The First Descendant?
The Arche Activity system is a new progression metric implemented in Update 1.3.28 that calculates the total growth level of a player’s equipped Descendant, weapons, reactors, external components, and fellows. Total Arche Activity is the sum of all equipped items, with only the highest Arche Activity weapon counted if multiple are equipped. This system serves as a mandatory gate for high-difficulty endgame content. Public matchmaking operations require players to meet specific Arche Activity thresholds, though private operations allow entry without meeting these requirements, giving solo players or pre-made squads more flexibility.
New Content: Onslaught Mode, Bounty Operations, and Axium Mining
Update 1.3.28 marks the official launch of Onslaught Mode, resetting all beta stages and introducing a Mastery Rank 18 entry requirement. Public operations require an Arche Activity level of 78,780 for Stage 1, and 81,580 for Stages 2 and 3. Completed stages reward players with Superconductive Cooling Units, Gold, Kuiper Shards, and guaranteed option tiers for Ancestors Modules. Additionally, three new Commander monsters make their debut: Corrupted Greg, Corrupted Sigvore, and Corrupted Ledras.
Bounty Operations have also been introduced, allowing players to track down and hunt high-risk hostiles. Accessible via the map icon or NPC Eckert in Albion, these operations require Mastery Rank 18 and an Arche Activity level of 81,580. Different hostiles are available each weekday, and completing these missions rewards players with Superconductive Cooling Units and Collectible Coins. Players can open summoned Sync Loot using Vulgus Bio Data Chips to obtain high-value items, including Trigger Module Selection Boxes and attribute-specific Ancestors Module Loot.
In the Axion Plains, Nexon has added a new field mission called Axium Mining. This mission spawns alternately with the existing Void Axium at one of six locations. Players must interact with an Axium Stabilizer and defeat waves of Vulgus to secure Axium ore, rewarding participants and non-participants alike with crafting materials such as Specially Treated Alloys, Insulating Nuts, Alloy Bearings, and High Conductivity Wires.
The Debut of Ultimate Esiemo
The roster expands with Ultimate Esiemo, who arrives alongside two exclusive Transcendent Modules. The first, Rampaging Mad Bomber, scales damage with Max Shield, fires Sticky Bombs at attackers, taunts nearby enemies, and rapidly restores shields. The second module, Explosion Maestro, causes Sticky Bombs to explode instantly upon contact with terrain while doubling the maximum number of bombs that can be attached to a single target for massive detonative damage. Both modules have a 5% chance to drop from the Infiltration Operation “Exposed Underwater Base.”
Two new Ultimate Weapons have also been added to the game. Whirlwind is a Tactical Rifle utilizing Special Rounds that features the Wind Snare unique ability, creating gravity-like fields that damage enemies and boost ally jump height. Frenzied Locomotive is a General Rounds Machine Gun featuring Sprint Instinct, which increases multi-hit chance and is earned as a Battle Pass reward in the new “Dimensional Clash” season.
New Colossus: Defiler
The Void Intercept Battle: Abyss/Challenge leaderboards have been updated to feature the Defiler, a formidable Toxic-attribute Colossus. To challenge this beast, players must reach Mastery Rank 18 and complete “The Most Powerful Colossus” quest. The Defiler strengthens itself by spawning Abyss Symbionts, which are highly susceptible to Electrocution effects. During its Void Reflux mode, the Colossus charges players aggressively, requiring teams to utilize Electric attacks and find terrain unaffected by its toxic poison.
Descendant Rebalances and Platform Rewards
Update 1.3.28 introduces sweeping balance changes for Valby, Esiemo, and Ines. Valby and Ultimate Valby now see their skill damage scale directly with maximum MP. Esiemo receives similar scaling with maximum Shield, alongside reduced reaction times for his explosives. Ines has had her default skill damages drastically increased; her Discharge skill damage has skyrocketed from 3,684.0% to 16,504.3% to make her a far more viable option in endgame encounters.
Nexon has also introduced new platform-exclusive subscriber rewards for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass members. Players on PlayStation and Xbox consoles can claim unique cosmetics, including the Brown Baby Bear back attachment, the Ribbit Ribbit weapon skin for Death Roar, and the Vestigial Annihilator skin for Vestigial Organ. Xbox Game Pass subscribers also receive additional boosts, including 300,000 Gold, 30,000 Kuiper Shards, and various experience boosters to assist with the grind.
What This Patch Means for Players
Update 1.3.28 shifts the endgame loop of The First Descendant toward more structured gear checks via the Arche Activity system. Players will find a much more rewarding grind thanks to the overhauled research system and the addition of Archive Shards. The introduction of Ultimate Esiemo and the Defiler Colossus provides fresh challenges that will require optimized builds and elemental coordination.
Featured image via store.steampowered.com
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