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Nexon (Co-CEOs Kang Dae-hyun, Kim Jung-wook) announced on August 21 that it has released the Season 4 Episode 1 "The Great Clash" update for looter shooter "The First Descendant," developed by its subsidiary Nexon Games (CEO Park Yong-hyun).

First, through the main story "The Great Clash," the long-running narrative reaches its grand finale as Descendants face their final showdown with their archenemy, Karel. Players can play story missions set in Albion, the home base put in crisis by Karel's invasion. Karel is portrayed not as a simple villain but as a character with his own motivations and goals, with long-hidden secrets revealed alongside it.

The update also introduces the new Mega Dungeon "Karel's Mothership." In this content, players battle final boss Karel across three phases, experiencing large-scale staging where environments and attack patterns change with each encounter, while mechanics such as destroying structures within the dungeon can turn fights in their favor. It features two difficulty levels, Normal and Hard, with Normal difficulty allowing players to naturally enjoy the content while following the story flow. From September 3 to October 15, the highest difficulty level, "Conquest," will open for a limited time, offering exclusive skins for the new Transcendent weapon "Malicious Dominator" and limited rewards upon successful completion.

Additionally, new Descendant "Raven" has been added. Formerly the boss of an Albion back-alley guild, Raven is a Goth-concept Descendant characterized by dark eye makeup and a raven-feather suit. As a Non-Attribute firearm-based skill dealer utilizing shotguns and mobility skills, she weaves between enemies with her "Raven Feather" and "Shadow Step" skills to eliminate multiple targets and deals powerful area-of-effect damage with her "Vendetta" skill. Two skill modules, "Nightfall" and "Rules of the Back Alley," have also been introduced to enable diverse gameplay.

A new weapon tier featuring 11 "Transcendent" weapons has also been revealed. Consisting of 4 enhanced versions of existing Ultimate weapons and 7 brand-new weapons, they deliver a distinct impact with unique firing mechanics and visual effects. The performance of Transcendent weapons is determined by their Quality, and base Quality increases each time they are acquired, allowing players to obtain higher-quality Transcendent weapons. Transcendent weapons can be acquired starting from Normal difficulty, and existing Ultimate weapon skins are also compatible with their corresponding Transcendent weapons.

The repeatable content "Trials" was also newly introduced. Based on roguelite elements, difficulty increases as players move between sectors, and through combinations of "Variable Codes" offering various buffs, Descendants become stronger, delivering a unique combat experience every time. Through "Rotation Builds," which allow players to borrow and use pre-made Descendant builds, new and returning users can immediately participate in gameplay.

In addition, Descendant balance was adjusted and growth support was enhanced. Descendant Kyle received enhancements to his unique mechanism where damage increases in proportion to max Shield, increasing his utility in high-tier content. Keelan received base power increases along with a new mechanism that increases damage based on Shield, boosting both stability and firepower. Furthermore, through the Boost Path "Ultimate Bunny Build Guide," players with Mastery Rank 20 or below are provided with growth resources needed to complete the Ultimate Bunny "Electric Condense" build, as well as the Transcendent weapon "Storm Cage."

Meanwhile, Nexon is holding various events to celebrate the update. Players who complete "The Great Clash Deployment Mission" by September 17 will receive rewards such as the new Descendant Raven's "Transcendent Module Selection Box" and "Crystallization Catalyst." During the same period, completing "New Content Challenge Mission" awards the "Malevolent" weapon skin "Butcher," "Alignment Device," and more. Until September 24, players can earn Descendant Luna's "Medical Support" skin and growth support rewards through the attendance event "[Attendance] Frontline Medical Support."

Detailed information regarding 'The First Descendant' update can be found on the official website and YouTube channel.