Since July, our updates have targeted balancing heroics and implementing key quality-of-life updates to character progression, including standardized vitality mechanics. Key changes include rebalancing boss encounters like Dennigrah and adding a 250% cap on primary progression stats to ensure a more balanced experience across all servers. We’ve also released experimental scaling changes to the User Interface. If you're on a high-resolution monitor, try it out and please keep reporting issues if you find any.
Our most recent updates have focused on unlocking the Rise of Kunark expansion on the Wuoshi time-locked server and bringing the Sarnak race and the Timorous Deep starting zone into play. Alongside this launch, developers resolved issues with UI and system saving, fixing bugs that prevented hotbar changes, macro updates, and charged abilities from saving correctly. Players will also notice cleaner spellbooks after changing factions or possessing pets, more transparent messaging when Cleric and Guardian abilities are stifled by debuffs, and an update ensuring stat bonuses on gear and consumables correctly taper off when entering newer expansion zones. Finally, various heroic dungeon encounters in current content were rebalanced, and tradeskill progression was smoothed out by fixing secondary skill bugs and correcting faction standing gains on Origins servers.
Aside from the standard patch cadence, we've also launched our latest Game Update, Revelations of Malice which features new fabled dungeons and launched Wuoshi our newest Time-Locked Expansion server. Plus, we've completed an initial testing step to update the Origins servers to a new dataset.
Now, a quick reminder that fundraising is underway for Extra Life! We are already over $55K towards our $115K goal this year, and I have no doubt we will surpass that goal with ease. We have some wonderful group, individual, and fundraiser incentives. Be sure to check out the Extra Life Guide for how to join Team Darkpaw if you have not done so yet. Thank you to those of you who have already donated or started fundraising. We will keep you posted as keys get sent out.
Now a little about what’s coming up. We have Nights of the Dead, Heroes’ Festival, Extra Life Bonus Week, and of course Frostfell. Speaking of Frostfell, we have a new feature coming along with it this year called Event Gifting. This new system will center around specific house items, such as the Frostfell Gift Getting Stocking and Frostfell Gift Giving Sack, where you will be able to give or receive gifts with others with the use of a Registry system. A full guide on its use will be posted to fully explain it as it gets closer to being launched.
Frostfell Gift Giving Sack & Gift Getting Stocking
This year’s prelude event sees Ancient Elddar artifacts flooding the underground markets. Freeport is teetering on the brink of chaos, and whispers are circulating about the fate of the Overlord. Paths of Sedition lays the groundwork for Expansion 23, and there’s work to be done across all Norrath. This will begin on October 6, 2026 at midnight PT, be ready!
What are we waiting for?
And finally, onto our 2026 expansion. Coming with this expansion will be the all-new Personas feature. With Personas, your battle-hardened hero can level an entirely new class from scratch on the same character. You can read more about this new feature in the Persona Guide. This expansion, named Descent to Val’Zyroth, will go into Beta and Pre-Order on October 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT. We will have a Developer Livestream for the coming expansion on November 18, 2026. More information will be posted about it as time gets closer. Now, let me paint you a picture of what is coming.
As a result of the events of "Gerion's Reckoning", in which Cthurath, the God of Oblivion, was exorcized from Gerion, Hold of D'Lere, the Vrakorr rune claw was destroyed, and Cthurath’s acolyte on Norrath was slain, our reality was saved. While the majority of Norrath have remained unaware of the cataclysm we narrowly avoided, the Overlord’s absence in Freeport has not escaped notice. It’s been too long since Freeport has seen their Overlord or felt his wrath. Rumors are spreading, and the power-hungry are plotting.
Dark ambitions are stirring in the depths below, and Queen Cristanos is finally making her move. In this expansion, you’ll plunge through the treacherous tunnels of Subtunaria into the glowing, magic-soaked reaches of the Underfoot. Infiltrate the resplendent Teir'Dal city of Neriondalon, battle alongside unique subterranean allies like the resilient Tontu molemen, and breach Brell Serilis’ legendary planar workshops before dark magics swallow the realm. This is your chance to brave the deepest shadows and stop the dark queen in her tracks. Will you answer the call to descend?
Reminder, beta and pre-order for Descent to Val'zyroth will begin on October 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT. Until then, check out our amazing key art and logo for Descent to Val'zyroth! Keep your eyes peeled for more information.
Descent to Val'Zyroth Key Art & Logo
The dark has never descended this deep, What's this?
Jenn Chan
Head of Studio
