[img]https://images.ctfassets.net/umhrp0op95v1/4Jit64TAvuyRrkcVoRpuM4/a0f198944b68801eec38cd87d54fa8ef/Brelshaza_LA_Academy_1920x1080.jpg[/img] Heroes of Arkesia, With the April update beginning to approach, we wanted to ensure that no Item Level requirements arrived as a surprise, and share some tips for new and returning players to gear up with the current progression events. Brelshaza Hard mode arrives, bringing with it Ancient gear. Brelshaza Hard mode requires: [list] [*] Item Level 1540 for gates 1 & 2 [*] Item Level 1550 for gates 3 & 4 [*] Item Level 1560 for gates 5 & 6 [/list] The new Item Level requirements aren’t the only difference, as Brelshaza Hard introduces a variety of new challenges and mechanics. [h1]Ancient Gear Requirements[/h1] Ancient gear can be crafted with materials acquired from Legion Raid Phantom Legion Commander Brelshaza Hard mode. The following conditions must be met before crafting Ancient gear: Reach Item Level 1540. The Achievement 'Phantom Shard Remnants' level 1, earned by equipping a full 6-set of Relic gear from the Phantom Legion Commander Raid (simultaneously, and regardless of the set bonus). Tier 3 Upper Relic gear can be transferred to Ancient level gear. The gear's quality and set levels are maintained when transferred, unless the new piece has a higher quality. Ancient level gear can be honed up to level 25, with each additional honing level adding 5 Item Levels. Ancient gear shares the same set effects and options with Relic gear. [h1]New & Returning Player Gear Path Guide[/h1] [img]https://images.ctfassets.net/umhrp0op95v1/6KUmrFBzpeSHx9Aodx0RXX/1a75f8aa47ad889aaf709e6439dd45cd/LA_Valtan_Inferno_Cine_1_1080.jpeg[/img] For new and returning players, here’s a quick reference on the path to acquiring and upgrading Tier 3 gear sets. Below the guide, you can learn about the many ongoing progression events that can help accelerate your journey. [list] [*] Legendary Gear - Earned in the Argos Abyss Raid and the Oreha’s Well Abyssal Dungeons (Hard mode). [*] Lower Relic Gear - Earned in the Valtan and Vykas Legion Raids. The respective Hard modes provide more crafting materials. With powerful set bonuses that maximize the potential of every Advanced Class, Relic gear is a huge upgrade from Legendary. Requires Item Level 1445 to craft. Players can now earn twice the Legion Raid materials used in gear crafting (Covetous Wings, Demonic Beast Bones, Demon Beast Veins, and Covetous Fangs) for clearing the Valtan / Vykas Legion Raids (Normal and Hard modes), up to 5 times per character. [*] Relic Gear Set Bonus Upgrade - The Kakul-Saydon Legion Raid provides materials to upgrade the powerful Relic gear set bonuses. [*] Upper Relic Gear - Earned in the Brelshaza Legion Raid (Normal mode). [*] Ancient Gear - Earned in the Brelshaza Legion Raid (Hard mode). Requires Item Level 1540 to craft. [/list] [h1]Ark Pass Season 3[/h1] [img]https://images.ctfassets.net/umhrp0op95v1/TZyFqidsEVZugTTrov6vT/01cb4b7cc82290aad77779b76618b744/LA_March_Composite_1920x1080.jpg[/img] Ark Pass Season 3 adds new ways for players to earn meaningful rewards just by playing the game. Players can complete missions to progress through 30 Ark Pass levels, and with each level reached, new rewards will be unlocked and earned. The regular Ark Pass is completely free and grants a variety of helpful rewards, such as Pheons, honing material selection chests, a Legendary Card Pack, and even the Chromarong Pet! Ark Pass progress is earned across your entire roster, and the rewards are roster bound. While all players will have access to the free Ark Pass, those interested in more rewards and cosmetics can exchange Royal Crystals for two premium reward tracks (Premium & Super Premium) which each layer in additional rewards to the leveling track. The Premium Ark Pass adds rewards at all 30 levels earned alongside the free rewards. Some examples include more Dark Priest Honing Material Selection Chests, battle items, Tier 3 Gem Chests, and the Dark Priest Warhorse Mount! On top of the Regular & Premium rewards, the Super Premium Ark Pass weaves the Dark Priest skin collection, the Dark Priest Wallpaper, and a Legendary Card Pack through the 30 levels of the Ark Pass. The Premium pass is available in exchange for 1,500 Royal Crystals, and the Super Premium (all rewards & the Dark Priest skins) for 3,000 Royal Crystals. If you start off Premium, you can upgrade to Super Premium for an additional 1,500 Royal Crystals. The Premium and Super Premium Ark Passes will be available through the in-game Ark Pass UI until May 10 and mission progress can be earned until June 6. [h1]Progression Events[/h1] [img]https://images.ctfassets.net/umhrp0op95v1/5x89bnw9LJrWHSJ5DBKZcP/c17335383694d919e723c61969b3306e/LA_Punkia_dance_1080.jpeg[/img] [h3]Punika Powerpass[/h3] Players will receive a Punika Powerpass after completing Punika's quest “Berver's Friend” during, or before, the event period. The Punika Powerpass will function like the North Vern Powerpasses available to players in the launch version of Lost Ark— once you’ve completed the storyline through that continent, you can use it to bring an alternate character to that point in the game. With this version of the Punika Powerpass, you'll receive Item Level 1340 gear. [h3]Hyper Express Plus & Engraving Support[/h3] Pairing well with the Punika Powerpass, a character between item Level 1340 and 1445 can be designated to participate in the Hyper Express Plus Event, where they’ll earn honing materials to quickly level up to Item Level 1445 and beyond. The selected character will earn rewards every 15 Item Levels up to 1445, including Silver, honing materials, Gems, Engravings, and even a Legendary Card Selection Pack! As a new feature available with the Hyper Express Plus, the Engraving Support system lets players choose 4 engravings to be in effect at level 3 during the event. Here’s how to get started: After selecting a Hyper Express Plus character, the Engraving Support button will light up. Click the Engraving Support button to open the Engraving Support page and select your 4 desired Engravings. Press the Toggle Engraving Support button to start using their effects. The effects of Engraving Support will also be shown in your Character Profile. [h3]Story Express[/h3] Clear story missions to level up a character to Item level 1340 and earn rewards like Silver, Battle Items, and Item Level 1340 Argos Legendary Gear that will help you progress even further. If you’re a new player, with progression to Item Level 1340, the Story Express event also sets you up to take advantage of Hyper Express Plus and use the Event Punika Powerpass on another character. Any character that has not yet completed the ‘On the Border’ quest from Rethamis can be designated as a Story Express character. Select Story Express Character through the ‘Event Quest’ window and clear story missions for valuable progression materials. Story completion rewards include Crystalline Aura (14 days), Epic Class Engraving Recipe Selection Pouch, Epic Combat Engraving Recipe Selection Pouch, and additional honing materials. Skipped quests via a Powerpass or Knowledge Transfer will not offer Story Express completion rewards. You can only designate one Story Express character per account. If you delete your Story Express character, you will not be able to designate another one. [img]https://images.ctfassets.net/umhrp0op95v1/35SzHNct6fghTK0PS3RvQu/6bb37039954b546deeadea234687d9f2/LA_Blog_SS_09_1920.jpg[/img] [h1]Looking Ahead[/h1] The Brelshaza Hard Legion Raid isn’t the only threat arriving in Arkesia next month. The Hanumatan Guardian Raid arrives, and requires an Item Level of 1540 to challenge. Stay tuned to PlayLostArk.com and our social channels for more updates as we head toward April! In the meantime, we’ll see you in Arkesia.